The role of the CFO has changed in unexpected ways.

For years, the finance department was mainly behind the scenes. Now, finance leaders are stepping past closing books and preparing the business for what comes next. With AI, they’ve moved from the back office to the front seat.

AI is the catalyst changing the way organizations operate. While some CFOs think of it merely as a tool for automating invoices, forward-thinking leaders recognize its true value: AI equips CFOs with real-time data and predictive insights, allowing them to co-create strategic business plans with their CEOs. 

Finance as the strategic innovator

When finance leads with AI, it has a lasting effect throughout the entire organization. The finance team provides the proof that AI works effectively, delivers real insights, and increases efficiency, all while maintaining the human touch that drives business success.

Successful AI initiatives give finance departments visibility and a leadership role in setting up similar projects across the business. Once finance incorporates AI into their workflows, the sales, operations, and customer service teams take notice and want to use it in their departments, too. Finance is now viewed as the internal success story that inspires enterprise-wide digital transformation. Organizations gain the confidence to invest more broadly in AI, increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and gaining a significant competitive edge.

The window will not stay open forever

Executives who are strategic innovators are building tomorrow’s competitive advantages today. The finance organizations that will thrive are investing in AI now for both automation and innovation. CFOs on this path create advantages that competitors can’t easily replicate, developing AI-powered insights and capabilities while rivals debate whether to invest.

But there’s a greater opportunity here for CFOs than simply getting ahead of the competition. It’s the chance to redefine finance and its significance within your organization, shifting from the department that explains what happened to the one that predicts what will happen next. This moment of opportunity is fleeting, however. CFOs who seize it today will lead the transformation while others struggle to keep up.

“AppZen’s AI learns when and why a transaction is changed. On an ongoing basis, it can then make those changes for us automatically, removing that activity from the process.”

Director, Corporate Systems at TruGreen

CFOs, are you ready to lead the future of your company?

AI enables CFOS to move beyond automation, providing them the insights and control needed to guide spending, shape policy, and influence strategic decisions alongside the CEO.

At AppZen, we help CFOs become leaders in AI innovation. The finance teams we work with are using our AI platform to become more efficient, insightful, and empowered to drive change by:

AI is transforming how companies operate. The question now is whether finance will lead or follow.

It’s time to go beyond automation. Discover how AppZen’s AI is helping CFOs lead with confidence and clarity.