KPMG US recently conducted a six-week pilot program aimed at equipping tax professionals with skills to develop software tools using a method known as vibe coding. The initiative involved approximately 30 tax experts working alongside engineers in small teams to design and prototype software solutions. Many of the participants, including associates and managers, had limited technical backgrounds. According to Brad Brown, KPMG’s chief digital officer for tax, by the end of the program, these tax professionals were actively creating workable software solutions.
During the pilot, teams of four to six members focused on building tools that automate tax and compliance processes, integrate data from various sources, and generate analytics and reports—tasks that previously required significant manual effort. This approach allowed tax experts to not only conceptualize but also develop initial versions of their desired applications, which are then refined and secured by software engineers.
Each group was supported by a manager from KPMG’s tax technology team who provided coaching and assistance when technical challenges arose. Participants, who generally had between two and six years of experience in tax, accessed multiple vibe-coding platforms as well as professional developer software. The program combined in-person, virtual, and self-guided activities to complete the projects.
Brown explained that this process of vibe coding prototypes and subsequently handing them off to tech teams for further development helps accelerate the rollout of new software tools. Some of the solutions created during the pilot have already been integrated into KPMG’s client-facing tax workflow and data management software. The approach enables tax professionals to continue producing software tools with minimal need for direct technical team involvement.
The tax experts involved also expressed high levels of engagement with the process, driven by the faster delivery of practical tools. Reflecting on the pilot’s success, KPMG is considering establishing around a dozen teams, each comprising about 30 members combining tax professionals and software engineers, to focus on developing AI-powered tools.
The vibe coding initiative exemplifies a growing trend of blurring the lines between subject matter experts and software developers by empowering those familiar with a problem to create solutions without extensive coding expertise. This concept is gaining traction in various industries, with companies encouraging employees without traditional technical backgrounds to contribute to software development efforts.
Brown likened the enhanced efficiency of these cross-functional teams to the idea of a “10x consultant,” comparing it to how output in engineering has been amplified through similar collaborative approaches. This pilot demonstrates KPMG’s commitment to innovation by integrating tax expertise with technology development to improve service delivery and product innovation.
