The world of finance is changing fast and artificial intelligence is leading the charge. From simplifying accounting workflows to transforming financial planning, AI is reshaping how organisations operate.
The Draghi report was a wake-up call for the European Union, highlighting the urgent need to embrace innovation to stay globally competitive. One of its key messages? Finance and accounting professionals must adopt advanced technologies like AI to improve productivity and resilience.
Across the globe, leading firms are already showing what this looks like in practice. Below, we explore five real-world applications of AI in finance and accounting that highlight how transformative this technology can be.
1. reimagining the audit, end to end
Auditors are trimming cycle times by automating document-heavy steps that used to slow reviews. With Deloitte’s Omnia and its GenAI features, teams can navigate draft financial statements, perform first-pass documentation checks and generate draft audit communications. That means more time goes to risk assessment and client insight, not manual tie-outs.
Key takeaways:
- Smarter reviews: GenAI accelerates document analysis and improves consistency.
- Deeper insights: AI-powered data extraction highlights patterns auditors may miss.
- Risk-ready: Intelligent agents flag anomalies earlier to strengthen audit quality.
2. responsible adoption that ties to value
EY launched the EY.ai Value Accelerator to help finance and accounting teams move beyond experimentation and into value-driven adoption of AI. The platform maps business objectives to targeted use cases, quantifies sector-specific upside and builds a pragmatic roadmap so programmes deliver measurable results instead of stalling in pilot mode.
Key takeaways:
- Strategy aligned: Initiatives linked directly to enterprise goals.
- Value quantified: Clear view of financial upside, including EBITDA.
- Faster ROI: Prioritisation and sequencing that speed value creation.
3. bookkeeping that runs itself
Keeping the books current is half the battle for small and mid-sized teams. In Intuit QuickBooks, AI agents categorise transactions, reconcile accounts, and streamline invoicing and payments. By automating routine activities, accountants and finance teams gain back time to focus on advisory work and forward-looking strategy.
Key takeaways:
- Always-on support: Continuous accuracy without after-hours effort.
- Faster close: Automation reduces reconciliation time and errors.
- Client-ready: Professionals spend more time delivering insights, not processing data.
4. faster cash and close decisions
Liquidity calls can’t wait for month-end. Oracle AI for Fusion Applications embeds predictive and generative capabilities into day-to-day finance: predictive cash forecasting, transaction matching, intelligent document recognition, and dynamic discounting. The result is fewer manual touchpoints, quicker close activities and stronger visibility into working capital.
Key takeaways:
- Predictive power: More accurate, timely cash-flow forecasts.
- Touchless automation: Invoices and reconciliations with minimal input.
- Smarter savings: Dynamic discounting improves supplier value.
5. plan, model and pivot with confidence
In volatile markets, finance teams need fast “what-if” answers. IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) supports unlimited scenario modelling, real-time updates across P&L, balance sheet and cash flow plus AI-driven forecasts that factor in external variables like inflation and interest rates. The result is plans that stay current and decisions that stay timely.
Key takeaways:
- What-if ready: Agile scenario analysis for proactive decisions.
- Precision forecasting: External factors reduce bias and improve accuracy.
- Unified insights: Synchronised financials for clearer, real-time reporting.
These examples show how AI is already driving wins for finance and accounting teams. The future of finance points to a world where AI isn’t a separate tool, but a core part of everyday work.
For professionals, this means investing in new skills around data, automation and ethical AI use will be essential. And for organisations, adopting the right AI tools and software can unlock faster decisions, stronger compliance and a more agile workforce.
see how your team can apply these strategies
Check out our downloadable guide: AI use cases in finance and accounting. It includes real-world examples, planning prompts and ready-to-share slides to help you start your next conversation.
When teams have the right support, skills and structure, they can use AI confidently and effectively. And that’s where Randstad can help: from understanding how AI may shift your roles to building the workforce strategies that support adoption.
Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale, we can help you shape a roadmap that puts both people and performance first. Contact us now.