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Corporate Finance Blog

How AI is Transforming Corporate Finance Beyond Spreadsheets to Strategic Partner

How AI is Transforming Corporate Finance: From Spreadsheets to Strategic Partner

Corporate finance leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Controllers need faster closes, FP&A teams are expected to deliver sharper forecasts, and CFOs face constant demands for real-time insights. Traditional processes can’t keep up. That is why artificial intelligence is moving from hype to necessity.

In 5 Ways AI Augments the Accountant’s Role (FM Magazine, September 2025), Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA, outlines practical ways AI is reshaping accounting and finance. For leaders who want to build stronger finance teams, these are the key takeaways:

Key Areas Where AI Adds Value

  1. Automation of routine work
    AI handles reconciliations, journal entries, and anomaly detection. Teams spend less time chasing numbers and more time on analysis.

  2. Real-time reporting and forecasting
    With AI-driven analytics, finance leaders get up-to-date visibility. FP&A teams can model cash flow and scenarios faster and with more accuracy.

  3. Continuous audit and control
    Instead of sampling, AI tools review entire data sets. Risks are flagged early, and assurance functions become proactive rather than reactive.

  4. Governance and compliance oversight
    AI adoption brings new risks around data quality, cybersecurity, and bias. Controllers and CFOs must ensure strong governance frameworks.

  5. New skill requirements
    Finance professionals will need to interpret AI outputs, ask the right questions, and communicate insights clearly. Technical skills alone are no longer enough.

Why This Matters for Finance Leaders

  • Controllers can shorten close cycles and reduce manual reconciliations.

  • FP&A teams can deliver forecasts that are faster and more credible.

  • CFOs can shift the finance function toward strategy and decision support.

The challenge is not whether to use AI, but how to use it responsibly and effectively. Teams that embrace the tools, build data governance, and invest in upskilling will see the greatest benefits.

Conclusion
AI is already changing the finance function. For Controllers, FP&A teams, and CFOs, the opportunity is to turn finance into a faster, smarter, and more strategic partner to the business.

Read the full article here: 5 ways AI augments the accountant’s role


How We Help

At Complete Intelligence, we’ve built AI tools designed for exactly these challenges:

  • AuditFlow™ uses machine learning to detect anomalies across entire data sets, helping Controllers strengthen audits and reduce risk.

  • BudgetFlow™ gives FP&A teams daily AI-driven forecasts that cut down budget cycles and improve decision-making accuracy.

If your finance team is looking to move faster and smarter with AI, we’d be glad to start a conversation.

More about AuditFlow
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Audio and Podcasts

US Equity Rally Hinges On Fed Rate Cut

Fed rate cut in September?
Fed rate cut in September?

US Equity Rally Hinges On Fed Rate Cut

https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/us-equity-rally-hinges-on-fed-rate-cut

US equity valuations may appear stretched, but the rally could still have room to run depending on how many times the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates. Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence, noted that a 25-basis-point cut in September is widely expected.

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Newsletter

Weekly Outlook: September 15, 2025

Weekly Outlook: September 15, 2025

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After a period of indecision, a clear theme is now emerging across the market: a deliberate and cautious flight to safety. Investor conviction in market-leading assets is beginning to waver, fueling a potential breakout in traditional havens and continuing an established trend of seeking safety in long-term government debt. This week, we examine these three crucial parts of a single, unfolding story.

Conviction in Market Leaders Is Tested

While the long-term story for market leaders remains strong, signs of near-term investor hesitation are becoming clear. Apple is a prime example. The stock’s inability to hold its gains during Friday’s trading, flattening out into the close, shows that conviction is wavering. Our CI Markets forecasts a negative week for the stock, suggesting that this caution is warranted. When a bellwether like Apple shows signs of faltering, it represents the “risk” that investors are cautiously moving away from.

Gold Poised for a Breakout

After a week of consolidation and range-bound trading, gold appears poised for a directional move higher. Our forecast shows a significant upward trend for the precious metal, driven by the same investor caution that is causing hesitation in the equity markets. As conviction in stocks wanes, capital begins to seek traditional havens. This week is set to test whether this rotation is strong enough to fuel a genuine breakout for gold from its recent trading range.

The Deliberate Flight to Treasury Bonds

The downward trend in long-term interest rates is not a new development; it is an ongoing story that CI Markets suggests will continue this week. The forecast for a continued fall in the 30-year Treasury yield (meaning its price will rise) shows that the flight to the safety of government debt is a deliberate and sustained process. This isn’t a sudden panic, but a methodical rotation by investors looking to shield their portfolios from potential economic uncertainty.

Conclusion

The key takeaway this week is the synchronized, yet nuanced, nature of the market’s risk-off shift. The wavering conviction in a market leader like Apple, the potential breakout in a traditional haven like gold, and the steady, ongoing rotation into long-term bonds all tell the same story from a different angle. Investors are not panicking, but they are deliberately and methodically reducing risk and increasing their allocation to safety.

The content presented in this note is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, or trading advice. This analysis is generated from the output of Complete Intelligence’s proprietary artificial intelligence platform and does not constitute a personal recommendation. You should not base any investment decision solely on this material. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Complete Intelligence is not liable for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

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Corporate Finance Blog

New Research from AICPA: The Shift to Continuous Finance

New Research from AICPA: The Shift to Continuous Finance

Executive Summary

Finance leaders are entering 2025 with a clear mandate: move beyond compliance and embrace continuous, tech-enabled oversight. Research from AICPA-CIMA and Intuit’s 2025 Accountant Tech Survey shows that firms adopting AI and unified tech stacks are cutting manual work, improving forecast accuracy, and expanding advisory services,nearly 8 in 10 expect advisory to grow, with 94% projecting revenue gains. At the same time, only 28% believe current training meets tech needs, pushing CFOs to invest in both systems and skills. For CFOs, Controllers, and FP&A, the future is about real-time insight, streamlined platforms, and advisory-driven finance.

Technology as the Differentiator

Finance leaders are facing a pivotal year. The role of CFOs, Controllers, and FP&A teams is rapidly expanding beyond compliance into strategic guidance, enabled by technology and reshaped by market demands. Recent research from AICPA-CIMA and Intuit’s 2025 Accountant Tech Survey underscores the same message: the future of finance is continuous, tech-enabled, and advisory-driven.

According to Intuit’s survey of 700 U.S. accounting professionals, 81% of firms report productivity gains from AI adoption, with nearly half already using AI daily. The top areas of automation include freeing teams to focus on higher-value analysis.

AICPA-CIMA’s academic research further highlights that automation is no longer optional. Firms that fail to adopt emerging tools risk slower closes, higher error rates, and reduced credibility with executives and boards. For CFOs, the message is clear: building a unified, streamlined tech stack is not just about efficiency. It’s about maintaining a competitive edge.

Advisory as the New Core

The AICPA-CIMA report points to a redefinition of finance leadership. Controllers and FP&A teams are being asked to provide continuous insight, not just retrospective reporting. Intuit’s data backs this shift: nearly 8 in 10 firms expect advisory services to increase, with 94% projecting revenue growth as a result.

This shift is reshaping identity. Accountants and finance professionals are becoming architects of business growth, with advisory and analytics now at the center of their role.

Talent and Skills in Transition

Technology adoption is not just about tools,it is also about people. Intuit’s findings show that only 28% of firms believe their current training fully meets tech needs, but 75% are increasing their focus on tech skills during hiring. AICPA-CIMA’s research echoes this gap, noting that finance leaders must reskill teams for data fluency, scenario planning, and automation oversight.

CFOs who prioritize tech-savvy hiring, flexible work arrangements, and clear growth paths will win the talent race.

The Strategic Mandate for CFOs

Taken together, the insights from AICPA-CIMA and Intuit outline a new CFO mandate for 2025:

  • Embed continuous oversight. Move beyond periodic reporting into real-time anomaly detection and predictive planning.
  • Standardize and unify systems. Intuit’s survey found that 98% of firms see benefits from a unified tech stack.
  • Invest in skills as much as systems. The tools are only as powerful as the teams using them.
  • Expand advisory capacity. Finance must move from cost center to growth driver, advising executives on strategy, risk, and opportunity.

For CFOs, Controllers, and FP&A leaders, the mandate is clear: finance must become continuous, predictive, and advisory-driven. Tools like AuditFlow and BudgetFlow help make this possible, giving teams the ability to detect anomalies early and improve forecast accuracy so finance can move from compliance to foresight.

Attribution:

  • Intuit, 2025 Accountant Tech Survey, April 2025.
  • AICPA-CIMA, Academic Research Report on the Future of Finance, 2025.
More about AuditFlow
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Newsletter

Weekly Outlook: September 8, 2025

Weekly Outlook: September 8, 2025

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The market is currently navigating without a compass. In the absence of a clear, overarching macro trend, investors are being forced to focus on the specific, and often conflicting, stories of individual companies and sectors. This week, we examine a market being pulled in three different directions, with mega-cap technology thriving, the broader macro environment waiting for a catalyst, and the core US economy showing signs of strain.

A Test for Mega-Cap Tech’s Leadership

While platform forecasts a positive week for Microsoft (MSFT), its weak close on Friday introduces a crucial tension. The stock’s powerful narrative, driven by leadership in enterprise AI and cloud computing, remains a key source of strength. However, the late day selling suggests investors are growing nervous. This sets up a critical test for the week ahead, can the company’s strong fundamental story overcome the market’s hesitation, or is the profit taking a sign of a broader loss of momentum for market leaders.

The Dollar Pauses for Breath

The US Dollar Index (DXY) is forecast to consolidate this week, perfectly capturing the market’s current state of macro uncertainty. After a strong run, the dollar’s pause suggests that investors are in a “wait and see” mode. The market is digesting a mix of economic signals and has no fresh catalyst to justify a major directional move. This period of indecision for the world’s reserve currency is the quiet backdrop against which more dramatic, specific stories are unfolding.

Financials Signal Core Economic Strain

In stark contrast to the optimism surrounding enterprise technology, the US financial sector (XLF) is showing clear signs of stress. Our forecast for this key sector is negative. The weakness in bank stocks points to persistent concerns over slowing loan growth and the compression of net interest margins. This provides a sobering counterpoint to the strength in tech, suggesting that the core US economy is not on the same upward trajectory.

Conclusion

The key takeaway this week is that broad market averages are telling an incomplete story. The real action is happening beneath the surface, where a powerful divergence is underway. The hesitation in a leader like Microsoft, the pause in the US dollar, and the weakness in the financial sector are not contradictory. They are all symptoms of a market of specifics, where success requires a granular focus on individual strengths and weaknesses rather than a monolithic view.

The content presented in this note is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, or trading advice. This analysis is generated from the output of Complete Intelligence’s proprietary artificial intelligence platform and does not constitute a personal recommendation. You should not base any investment decision solely on this material. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Complete Intelligence is not liable for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

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Newsletter

Weekly Outlook: September 1, 2025

Weekly Outlook: September 1, 2025

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After the euphoria of last week’s dovish pivot from the Federal Reserve, a more sober reality is beginning to set in. The market is now shifting its focus from central bank rhetoric to underlying economic and structural fundamentals, and it is finding reasons for concern. This week, we explore the challenges facing the bond market, the persistent weakness in China, and the impact on key sectors of the U.S. economy.

The Bond Market’s Sobering Message

In a clear sign that the market’s story is growing more complex, long term U.S. Treasury bonds are under pressure, with yields forecast to rise. While a dovish Fed should theoretically boost bond prices, the market is now grappling with other powerful forces. A heavy schedule of new government debt issuance is creating a supply glut, while underlying inflation remains stickier than many had hoped. This is a reminder that the path for interest rates is not determined by the Fed alone.

China’s Currency Signals Deeper Troubles

There is no clearer signal of China’s ongoing economic struggles than its currency. Our models forecast a continued upward march for the USDCNY pair, indicating persistent weakness in the Yuan. This is not just a market move. It is a reflection of deep seated problems in China’s property and financial sectors, and a sign that capital is seeking an exit. Beijing appears to be allowing a gradual depreciation to help its exporters, but a weakening currency is a major headwind for global investor confidence.

The Global Slowdown Reaches U.S. Industrials

The fundamental weakness seen abroad is now creating tangible headwinds for the U.S. economy, with the industrial sector looking particularly vulnerable. Our forecast for this key sector is negative. Industrials are highly sensitive to the global business cycle, and the persistent economic malaise in China and Europe is beginning to weigh on new orders and international sales. This serves as a crucial reality check on the durability of last week’s equity rally.

Conclusion

The key takeaway this week is that fundamentals are reasserting themselves. While last week’s rally was driven by a shift in Fed sentiment, the market is now being forced to confront the less optimistic realities of heavy bond supply and a genuine global growth slowdown. The alignment of these cautious signals from the bond market, foreign exchange, and key equity sectors suggests the path forward may be more challenging than the post Jackson Hole euphoria implied.

The content presented in this note is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, or trading advice. This analysis is generated from the output of Complete Intelligence’s proprietary artificial intelligence platform and does not constitute a personal recommendation. You should not base any investment decision solely on this material. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Complete Intelligence is not liable for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

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Audio and Podcasts

BBC Business Matters: The USA gets set to charge millions of parcels

BBC Business Matters
BBC Business Matters

BBC Business Matters: The USA gets set to charge millions of parcels

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w172zrs7fmvz1m8

Tony Nash joins BBC Business Matters to discuss the demnimis exemption for US imports; US GDP, the Fed and Lisa Cook; Korean shipyard investment in the US, etc.

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Corporate Finance Blog

New MIT Paper: Cut Finance Oversight Time by 40%: From Compliance to Budgeting

New MIT Paper: Cut Finance Oversight Time by 40%: From Compliance to Budgeting

Financial leaders today face a difficult balance. On one side is the familiar world of compliance with annual audits, quarterly reports, and reconciliations. On the other is a fast-moving reality of complex supply chains, volatile markets, and rapid capital flows. A recent academic paper highlights the growing tension between these two worlds. Traditional audit and planning processes are no longer enough to keep up.

The Core Challenge: Oversight Is Falling Behind

The paper highlights three major risks for finance teams:

  • Information Overload. The volume of financial and operational data overwhelms review processes. Risks are buried until it is too late.

  • Lagging Oversight. Audits and compliance checks remain backward-looking. Anomalies often appear only after they have distorted results.

  • Systemic Fragility. Complex reporting systems create space for both errors and manipulation. These issues are often uncovered slowly.

For Controllers and FP&A teams, these risks are not academic. They are daily challenges that undermine trust with executives, investors, and regulators. Markets punish uncertainty, and delays in oversight can quickly damage valuation.

Why This Matters for Controllers and FP&A

Controllers must ensure accuracy and compliance. FP&A must guide strategy with forecasts and plans. Both functions face the same obstacle: delayed insight.

  • Deloitte found that 70% of finance leaders rank manual reconciliations as their top time drain.

  • Gartner estimates that finance teams spend up to 40% of their time collecting and validating data instead of analyzing it.

  • Hackett Group benchmarks show that inaccurate or stale forecasts cost companies 6–8% of annual revenue.

Controllers often uncover irregularities after the fact. FP&A teams frequently base forecasts on incomplete data. Together, this widens the gap between compliance and foresight.

A Shift Toward Continuous Oversight

The paper calls for a new model of oversight. Finance must adopt what can be called dynamic assurance. Instead of static point-in-time reviews, oversight must be continuous.

  • Proactive Anomaly Detection. Reduce the time to uncover irregularities from weeks or months to hours or days.

  • Continuous AI-driven Forecasting. Stress-test assumptions quickly. Accenture reports this can cut planning cycles by 30 to 50 percent.

  • Integrated Intelligence. Connect oversight with operational data in real time. McKinsey finds this can increase forecast accuracy by 20 to 25 percent.

This evolution does not replace audits or compliance. It strengthens them with always-on intelligence and gives finance leaders more time to analyze and guide strategy.

Technology’s Role in Closing the Gap

Technology now delivers measurable improvements.

  • For Controllers, machine learning tools can reduce false positives in anomaly detection by up to 60 percent. This frees staff to focus on critical issues.

  • For FP&A, predictive analytics and rolling forecasts can shrink planning cycles from six weeks to two. At the same time, accuracy improves in volatile markets.

The payoff is clear. Faster detection means fewer surprises. More accurate forecasts mean better allocation of resources. Finance teams that move to continuous oversight earn credibility with executives, boards, and investors.

AuditFlow helps Controllers surface anomalies faster and with higher accuracy, turning weeks of review into hours of detection.
BudgetFlow gives FP&A leaders AI-powered forecasting and scenario analysis, cutting planning cycles and improving accuracy. Both tools support the shift the paper calls for. Finance can move beyond compliance and into foresight.

More about AuditFlow
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Audio and Podcasts

BFM: Investors Climbing The Wall of Worry?

BFM Nvidia India and China
BFM Nvidia India and China

Investors Climbing The Wall of Worry?

https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/investors-climbing-the-wall-of-worryURL

Markets continue to inch up even though investors were slightly disappointed with Nvidia’s guidance. We speak to Tony Nash, CEO from Complete Intelligence as to whether this rally is sustainable. We also ask if markets in Hong Kong and China still have upside and what those catalysts are.

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Newsletter

Weekly Outlook: August 25, 2025

Weekly Outlook: August 25, 2025

Try CI Markets Plus for $10/mo. No long term contract.

A surprisingly dovish tone from the Federal Reserve at its Jackson Hole symposium has completely reset the market’s narrative for the weeks ahead. Fears of a “higher for longer” interest rate policy have been replaced by a wave of optimism, unleashing a powerful “risk on” rally. This week, we examine how this new sentiment is lifting the broad market, reigniting growth stocks, and reviving the outlook for the global economy.

The Green Light for Equities

The S&P 500 is set for a strong rally this week as the market celebrates a significant dovish shift from the Federal Reserve. The removal of a key headwind, namely the threat of further rate hikes, has given investors a clear green light to re-engage with equities. Our models show broad based positive momentum, suggesting the bullishness seen on Friday has room to run as investors reposition for a more favorable policy environment.

Growth Stocks Lead the Relief Rally

Nowhere is the relief from the Fed’s dovish pivot felt more acutely than in high growth technology stocks. Our forecast for Snowflake shows particularly strong upward momentum. These long duration assets, whose valuations are highly sensitive to interest rate expectations, were under significant pressure in the run up to Jackson Hole. With that pressure now released, they are positioned to lead the market higher as capital rotates back into the growth trade.

Dr. Copper Signals Renewed Optimism

The bullish sentiment is not confined to equities. The price of copper, a key barometer of global economic health, has also inflected to the upside. A dovish Fed is a powerful catalyst for “Dr. Copper” for two reasons. It lowers the probability of a deep, demand crushing recession, and it typically weakens the U.S. dollar. The forecast for rising copper prices suggests the market is now less concerned about a global slowdown.

Conclusion

The key takeaway this week is the immense power of a Federal Reserve pivot. The shift to a dovish stance has provided a synchronized lift to risk assets across the board. The rally in the broad market, the outperformance of growth stocks, and the renewed strength in industrial commodities all point to a single, powerful conclusion, for the short term, the market’s primary headwind has been removed.

The content presented in this note is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, or trading advice. This analysis is generated from the output of Complete Intelligence’s proprietary artificial intelligence platform and does not constitute a personal recommendation. You should not base any investment decision solely on this material. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Complete Intelligence is not liable for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.