Blog | Intelligent Automation
AI and Automation in Finance: What Finance Leaders
Actually Need to Know for 2025 (and beyond)
24 April 2025
Bevani Vurdiah,
Engagement Manager at Decision Inc.
Turning today’s finance challenges into tomorrow’s strategic wins – with a little help from AI or should I say, intelligent automation.
2025 Is a Big Year for Finance Leaders – Here’s Why That Matters
Let’s be honest: finance leaders across the world are feeling the pressure. Between global economic curveballs, tighter regulations, and the ongoing challenge of doing more with less, CFOs and finance leaders are in the spotlight.
But here’s the thing: the rise of intelligent automation isn’t just another trend to keep an eye on or a tool to solve some of these challenges. It’s a game-changer.
By 2025, 85% of financial institutions globally are expected to leverage AI to enhance operations. Not because it’s flashy, but because it works. We’re not just talking about cutting costs. We’re talking about reimagining finance teams as strategic, insight-driven powerhouses, ultimately aiding growth.
Automation has officially moved from “nice to have” to “absolutely essential.” With tools like AI, robotic process automation (RPA), and machine learning (ML), finance leaders across the board are shifting gears – from managing transactions to driving transformation.
This is about more than efficiency. It’s about agility, foresight, and future-proofing the function.
Smart Finance Needs Smarter Automation: What’s Coming in 2025
Yes, automation has been around for a while, but what’s coming next is different. We’re entering the era of hyperautomation. That’s where multiple technologies converge to streamline and elevate the finance function.
Here are the key trends every finance leader should have on their radar:
1. Hyperautomation = Unified, Intelligent Automation
We’re moving beyond automating individual tasks. Hyperautomation is bringing everything together (AI, RPA, ML) to handle complex end-to-end workflows.
Think faster invoice processing, cleaner reconciliations, and more proactive tax compliance.
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- * OCR technology can process invoices in minutes, freeing up time for strategic work
- * Predictive analytics help forecast cash flow issues before they arise, enabling proactive decision-making
2. AI-Driven Risk Management
Risk management is getting a serious upgrade. By 2025, 91% of U.S. banks will use AI for fraud detection. These tools don’t need sleep, so they can flag anomalies faster than humans ever could, giving CFOs peace of mind and stakeholders more confidence.
3. Predictive Forecasting: Less Guesswork, More Accuracy
AI is unlocking a new standard of forecasting. With access to real-time data and advanced modelling, finance leaders can make smarter, faster decisions. Better forecasts mean better resource planning and, with it, fewer surprises – helping finance teams navigate market volatility with greater confidence.
4. The Skills Gap Is Still Real, But Fixable
Here’s the catch: Despite its benefits, 60% of finance professionals feel dissatisfied with their current automation tools, often because they haven’t been trained to use them effectively. The solution? It’s not just about investing in better tech – it’s about upskilling your team to actually get the most from it.
What You Actually Get from Intelligent Finance Automation
The case for automation is clear, but what exactly can finance leaders and CFOs expect to gain? Let’s move beyond the buzzwords. Here’s what intelligent automation delivers:
1. Real Operational Efficiency
Manual tasks like data entry and invoice matching are slow, tedious, and error-prone. Automation cuts processing time by up to 90%, freeing up your team to focus on the work that actually drives value.
2. Cost Savings That Scale
Research reports that automation can reduce costs by 22% over three years. It’s not just about trimming the fat. It’s about making growth sustainable. In fact, banks are expected to save nearly $500 billion globally by 2024,through AI.
3. Better Cash Flow, Smarter Liquidity
With real-time insights and faster processing, automation helps optimise cash flow across the board. Whether it’s dynamic discounting or hedging strategies, you’re always one step ahead of the liquidity curve.
What’s Working in the Real World
Here’s a quick look at how finance leaders are using automation to solve real problems:
Challenge
Fraud detection
Invoice processing
Forecasting precision
Compliance complexity
Automation Solution
AI spots anomalies instantly, resulting in a 91% reduction in fraud risk
OCR reduces turnaround from days to minutes
Predictive tools improve accuracy and planning confidence
Automated checks reduce the risk of non-compliance and penalties
Overcoming the “But What Ifs?” of Automation
Let’s address the elephant in the room: implementing new technologies can feel daunting. But this doesn’t have to be.
Here’s how to move forward with confidence:
- 1. Barrier: Lack of Expertise
Solution: Partner with experts who don’t just implement tech and run. Look for teams that help with training and change management too.
- 2. Barrier: Integration Headaches
Solution: Start with one process. Succeed. Then scale. Focus on areas like AP, AR, or expense management. Choose something with quick, visible wins.
- 3. Barrier: Fear of Losing Control
Solution: The best platforms today offer full audit trails, permission structures, and granular control so CFOs can still steer the ship – just with less manual paddling.
Final Thought
2025 isn’t just another year on the calendar. It’s the moment finance teams either evolve or risk falling behind. Intelligent automation isn’t just about tech. It’s about creating space for finance to lead, to think strategically, and to drive the business forward.
Let’s make that happen.
Building a Future-Ready Finance Function: The Path Forward
To lead their organisations in 2025 and beyond, finance leaders must take a proactive approach to automation. By integrating cutting-edge technology with skilled teams, CFOs can transform their finance functions into engines of strategic growth.
Download our Intelligent Automation Blueprint for a step-by-step roadmap to automation success.
Ready to Transform Your Finance Function?
If you’re ready to embrace the future of finance, now is the time to act.
Discover how intelligent automation can streamline your operations, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making.
Visit our Intelligent Finance Automation page.
Schedule a free consultation today.
Let’s explore how automation can help you build a smarter, more agile finance function in 2025.