Blockchain and Accounting: Contemporary Benefits and Challenges

Abstract

The rapid digital transformation has led to substantial changes in the way accounting information is generated, validated, and disclosed, creating the need for new alignments between accounting practices and emerging technologies. This study aims to investigate, through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), how technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and automation have been addressed in the accounting domain, especially concerning the quality of information, auditing practices, and regulatory frameworks. A total of 81 review articles were initially identified in the Web of Science database, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 55 articles composed the final analytical corpus. The results were categorized into three thematic axes: (i) benefits and potentialities of technological adoption in improving informational quality and financial performance; (ii) disruptive innovations in accounting and auditing practices based on decentralized technologies; and (iii) institutional, technical, and regulatory challenges in integrating new technologies into accounting systems. The findings demonstrate that although blockchain and related tools offer enhanced transparency, traceability, and data security, there are still significant obstacles involving interoperability, standardization, and legal compliance. Additionally, the literature suggests that accounting professionals must expand their competencies to adapt to a scenario that demands both technical expertise and ethical judgment. It is concluded that the incorporation of emerging technologies into accounting represents not merely an operational enhancement, but a paradigm shift requiring strategic vision, institutional commitment, and an openness to ongoing innovation. Accounting, as an applied social science, plays a pivotal role in balancing technological progress with trust, accountability, transparency, and regulatory compliance.