Exploring how AI is reshaping the finance function
and redefining the role of the CFO
By Kody Devlin, Percipient
As digital transformation continues to accelerate, artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a foundational element in the modern finance function. No longer just a buzzword, AI emerges as a strategic enabler, changing how CFOs operate, how data is used, and how finance delivers value.
At last year’s Sage Transform, Sage CTO Aaron Harris captured this evolution perfectly: AI isn’t just a tool, it’s becoming part of the very fabric of the Office of the CFO.
Sage’s vision is clear: a finance function that’s digitally native, intelligently automated, and AI-enhanced. But with vision comes responsibility, and success hinges on trust, accuracy, and real-world use cases that deliver measurable value.
Beyond the Hype: From Speculation to Strategy
As we move beyond the AI hype peak of 2024, 2025 is already proving to be a defining year in the real-world application of AI in finance.
According to McKinsey, 65% of companies are already using AI to reduce costs and improve reliability. But with RAND Corporation reporting that 80% of AI initiatives fail, the message is clear: success lies not in the novelty of AI, but in how it’s applied.
This is where finance leaders must focus, not on chasing trends, but on strategic, targeted adoption that aligns with business goals.
Hyper-Automation and Intelligence in Action
At the forefront of AI innovation, Sage is investing heavily in hyper-automation, AI that learns, adapts, and improves in much the same way the human brain does.
For CFOs, this means more than just process automation. It means unlocking intelligence that continuously improves, spotting trends, streamlining operations, and enabling quicker, better decisions.
With Sage Intacct, we’re already seeing this shift play out. Finance professionals tell us how the platform not only automates routine tasks but also elevates their strategic role, allowing them to deliver deeper insight and add tangible value to the broader business.
Smarter, Faster, More Accurate
AI doesn’t replace finance leaders—it amplifies their capabilities.
When applied within clearly defined areas like accounts payable, credit control, or procurement, AI can quickly learn process patterns, flag anomalies, and suggest optimisations. The result? Increased accuracy, greater consistency, and faster time to insight are all essential for agile decision-making in a competitive market.
A Pragmatic Path Forward
As we enter the next 12–24 months, AI adoption in finance is likely to shift from experimentation to execution. The winners won’t be those chasing every new tool, but those who:
- Define clear use cases
- Build trust in data and outputs
- Focus on measurable ROI
- Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement
This is the phase where AI becomes truly useful, not just impressive.
Leading the Next Era of Finance
At Percipient, we’re helping CFOs and finance teams harness the power of Sage Intacct, and we’re excited about how Sage’s evolving AI capabilities are supercharging this transformation.
From streamlining financial operations to empowering strategy with data-led insight, we believe AI marks the next frontier of finance transformation. And we’re proud to be at the forefront of helping businesses unlock that potential.
As the saying goes:
AI won’t replace people—but people using AI will replace those who aren’t.
Ready to Future-Proof Your Finance Function with AI?
We help businesses leverage the full potential of Sage Intacct and prepare for the future with intelligent, AI-driven capabilities that drive clarity, control, and growth.
- Award-winning Sage Intacct partner
- Experts in AI, automation, and finance transformation
- Proven experience across hospitality, services, and recruitment
Let’s shape the future of finance—together. Your AI-powered journey starts now. Book your free discovery call today or call the team on 01606 871332 and let’s get started.