Data licensing guide
By industry

Licensing an accounting firm's data for AI

By Ade Molajo · Updated · How we check figures · Not legal advice · Not reviewed by a lawyer

Quick answer

Accounting firms qualify early: Mode takes them from 10 staff, and Mercor lists accounting and tax firms at $25K–$865K, though only for US firms. micro1 wants 30+ full-time staff and welcomes UK firms. The catch is that most of a practice's records are client records, covered by professional confidentiality and UK GDPR. Your own procedures, templates and training material are the safe place to start.

$25K–$865K
Mercor's published range for accounting and tax firms (US only)
10+
Mode's minimum staff for accounting
UK ✓
micro1 names UK demand; Mode reviews UK firms case by case
Client data
is confidential by default

01What the programmes publish for accounting firms

Published ranges that apply to accounting firms: micro1 tiers from $100K to $2M and up; Mode $100K to $5M; Mercor’s Accounting & Tax Firm listing $25K to $865K.$0$1M$2M$3M$4M$5Mmicro1$100K–500K · $500K–2M · $2M+micro1.ai/data-partnerships · 30 Oct 2026Mode$100K–$5M per companydata.mode.inc · 30 Oct 2026Mercor: Accounting & Tax Firm$25K–$865Kdata.mercor.com/refer · 30 Oct 2026
Each programme’s own published range, checked 30 October 2026. Ranges, not offers.
micro1ModeMercor
RangeTiers $100K–500K to $2M+$100K–$5M$25K–$865K (accounting and tax listing)
Minimum size30+ full-time staff10+5–200
LocationUS first; strong UK demandUS strongest; others case by caseUnited States only
What it wantsSOPs, knowledge bases, project historiesEmail, documents, CRM, billing and operations"Tax returns, workpapers and bookkeeping records across many kinds of entities"

Each programme's own pages, checked 30–31 October 2026. Ranges, not offers.

Where these records usually live

Practice and bookkeeping

  • Xero
  • QuickBooks
  • Sage
  • IRIS
  • CCH

Workflow

  • Karbon
  • Asana

Documents

  • SharePoint
  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox

Examples of common tools, to help you find your records. Product names and logos belong to their owners; no affiliation or endorsement.

For UK practices: micro1 and Mode are the routes. Mercor's accounting listing is US only.

02Client confidentiality comes first

The professional bodies' ethics codes, such as the ICAEW Code of Ethics and the ACCA Code, make confidentiality a fundamental principle: you don't disclose client information without proper authority unless there's a legal or professional right or duty to. Licensing client records to an AI company is a disclosure.

Client records are also full of personal data (individuals' tax affairs, payroll, bank details), so UK GDPR applies in full. See our UK GDPR guide.

03What a practice can realistically license

  • Procedures and checklists: year-end, VAT, payroll, onboarding and AML processes.
  • Templates and standard letters your team wrote.
  • Review notes and workflows, with client details removed.
  • Training material for your own staff.

Client workpapers and returns are only possible with client consent or a sound legal basis, proper anonymisation, and advice from your professional body or a lawyer.

Accounting firms: usually licensable (Year-end, VAT and payroll procedures; Templates and standard letters; Review workflows, clients removed; Staff training material) versus check first or leave out (Client returns and workpapers; Individuals’ tax and bank details; Payroll records; Anything an engagement letter restricts).Usually licensableYear-end, VAT and payroll proceduresTemplates and standard lettersReview workflows, clients removedStaff training materialCheck first, or leave outClient returns and workpapersIndividuals’ tax and bank detailsPayroll recordsAnything an engagement letter restricts
A starting point for scoping, not a legal test.

04Before you apply

  1. Check your engagement letters for what they say about client data.
  2. Separate firm-owned material from client records.
  3. Ask your professional body's ethics helpline if you're unsure.
  4. Ask each programme how it handles client-confidential and personal data.

This is general information, not legal advice, and it hasn't been reviewed by a lawyer.

05Check which programmes you're likely to match

Our free fit check asks about your size, location and records. The programme decides.

06Questions people ask

Can a UK accounting practice license its data?

Yes, to micro1 (30+ staff) or Mode (10+ staff, case by case outside the US). Mercor's accounting listing is US only.

Can we license client tax returns and workpapers?

Only with care. Professional ethics codes treat client information as confidential, and the records are full of personal data. You'd need client consent or a sound legal basis, plus proper anonymisation, and advice.

What can we license without client issues?

Material your firm wrote: procedures, checklists, templates, review notes with client details removed, and training content.

Sources

Check which programmes you’re likely to matchA few short questions, about a minute. Free, no sign-up. The programme decides who qualifies.trackimpact.io/data →