GLM 5.2 is (nearly) as accurate as a human book-keeper at less than 1% of the cost
TLDR Dev
GLM 5.2, an open-weights AI model, prepared a quarterly VAT return for a UK small business with a net error of only 7 pence, processing 59 transactions in 68 minutes at a cost of 2.73 USD compared to typical accountant fees of 750–2,100 GBP per quarter. The model made 20 errors out of 354 scored checks, including one serious mistake misclassifying 10,000 GBP in founder shares and 14 instances of confusing zero-rated with tax-exempt VAT categories. The results suggest bookkeeping is becoming automatable for SMEs, though human oversight remains necessary for complex accounting classifications with legal implications.
Why it matters
GLM 5.2 is an AI model that demonstrates nearly perfect accuracy in preparing quarterly VAT returns for UK SMEs, achieving results comparable to human bookkeepers at a fraction of the cost.
