By Holly Williams, PA Business Editor & Lawrence Matheson The chief executive of accounting software firm Sage, Steve Hare, has said that artificial intelligence is set to “change the nature” of the accountancy profession. He believes it will lead to fewer but more productive jobs. Mr Hare explained that many small businesses will soon rely on the advance of generative AI to handle basic accounting work, such as tax returns, which were once the mainstay of the industry. He also suggested that AI will help address a growing shortage of workers for more basic finance and accounting jobs. This is…