Digital Transformation and the Evolution of Management Accounting: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Digital transformation is fundamentally reshaping management accounting by changing how organizations generate, analyse, and utilize information for strategic decision-making. Despite the growing body of research on artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, robotic process automation (RPA), blockchain, cloud computing, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, existing knowledge remains fragmented across individual technologies and theoretical perspectives. This study conducts a systematic literature review to synthesize current evidence on the influence of digital transformation on management accounting. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025 were systematically identified from five major academic databases. Following screening, eligibility assessment, and quality evaluation, 61 studies were included in the final synthesis. The findings indicate that digital technologies are transforming management accounting from a retrospective reporting function into a predictive, real-time, and strategically oriented decision-support capability. The review further demonstrates that digital transformation is redefining the professional role of management accountants, who are increasingly expected to possess competencies in data analytics, digital technologies, strategic decision-making, communication, and ethical governance. Successful implementation depends not only on technological investment but also on leadership commitment, organizational culture, digital capabilities, and robust data governance. The review also identifies significant research gaps, including limited empirical evidence from developing economies, insufficient integration of theoretical perspectives, and inadequate attention to ethical governance and sustainability issues. By integrating fragmented research across multiple digital technologies, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the technological, organizational, and professional dimensions of digital transformation in management accounting. The findings offer practical implications for researchers, practitioners, educators, and policymakers while identifying priorities for future research aimed at strengthening digitally enabled management accounting and organizational performance.