Authored by: Lucy Oxborrow, Financial Controller, Tipalti
Research highlights that the number of finance teams using AI tools has nearly doubled from 34% in 2024 to 74% in 2025. Despite that, many CFO’s say their AI strategy is still in the initial phase, with few witnessing a return on their investment.
The reality is that efficiency isn’t driven by technology or AI alone. Instead, it’s shaped by how people choose to use and govern them. Although AI can process data in seconds, it can’t always apply ethics or accountability. That’s where finance professionals will always be essential.
However, research still shows that over a quarter of workers (28%) fear AI will completely replace them. It’s an understandable concern and for such a long-standing profession, famous for being questioning of dramatic change, it comes as no surprise that many are fearful. But AI is simply reshaping what is possible with our roles and also our productivity. And it still and will always demand human oversight and professionals who can ensure it remains on the right side of regulatory standards. When the speed and innovation of technology are paired with the domain expertise of human experience, a powerful partnership is formed.
Bottlenecks within auditing and regulation
Accuracy and accountability have always been essential in the finance industry. These are benchmarks that regulators and tax authorities rightly insist upon. The challenge, however, is that many of these institutions still rely on outdated systems and rigid frameworks. In contrast, AI thrives on flexibility and data flows. While both are essential to building an efficient financial landscape, their opposing natures create one of the biggest challenges the industry faces today.
Take auditing, for example. Traditionally, it has been a thorough, manual process requiring teams of professionals to go over transactions line by line, taking hours, if not days. Now, AI can analyse millions of records in seconds, spotting anomalies with accurate precision, representing a clear leap forward in efficiency and insight. However, regulators still want a human signature and someone accountable for final judgement and oversight. This pressure between efficiency and assurance defines the current crossroads at which today’s finance leaders must navigate technological change.
The bridge between AI and accountability is human oversight
To benefit from AI’s capabilities, a finance professional’s new role is to combine the accuracy and speed of technology with human knowledge. Once achieved, AI becomes much more than a tool, it becomes a strategic partner.
AI is transforming finance professionals from manual processors into AI interpreters, responsible for applying human judgment to validate and refine AI-generated insights. Most importantly, humans need to ensure technology outputs match regulatory requirements. Humans then become the safety net in the AI process, factoring in compliance and credibility.
Finance teams need to be at the forefront of experimenting with tools to ensure they work in tandem with existing processes. Once this collaboration is established, it’s essential to strike a firm balance between automation and control, allowing humans to make key decisions, supported by AI’s insights. In practice, for example, when forecasting future trends, AI can project future cash flow trends, but human oversight is still required to incorporate real-world context.
Therefore, the convergence between human control and technological speed is what turns automation into accountability. In turn, businesses can create a finance function that’s not just faster and cost-effective, but one that’s strategic and smarter.
How automation unlocks strategy
When applied thoughtfully, AI can significantly enhance the role of finance teams and create a competitive advantage for businesses, but only if teams use it effectively. The shift from manual work to automation requires a willingness to embrace AI. Finance professionals must also adopt a growth mindset, focusing on retraining and reskilling to work alongside new technologies.
AI and automation are true game changers for finance professionals. By removing tedious tasks, such as manual data entry and time spent drowning in spreadsheets, teams are freed to spend time on strategic activities like scenario modelling and cross-functional projects that drive growth. Critically, AI in finance is now being used to guide business decision-making and deliver real-time insights. With the rise of agentic AI, its capabilities are freeing up employee’s time and energy to focus on higher-value, strategic planning.
Ultimately, systems are evolving into intelligent digital collaborators – agents that work alongside finance professionals rather than replace them. These tools can create complex reports, automate tasks such as supplier onboarding and embed tax compliance directly into workflows. AI assistants are also combining deep business knowledge with advanced reasoning, helping teams save time on routine tasks while uncovering new opportunities. Together, these changes give finance leaders the opportunity to gain real-time visibility into their organisation’s financial health.
The new age of finance
AI in finance isn’t about replacing humans; it’s about combining automation’s speed with human experience, knowledge and accountable oversight.
The future of finance will rely on the ability to bridge the gap between technology and people. Finance professionals who embrace this shift will lead the change and the ones who succeed will have the ability to work with and strategically apply AI most effectively.