Complete Intelligence

Categories
Corporate Finance Blog

What Are the Best AI Tools to Detect Financial Anomalies During Audits?

What Are the Best AI Tools to Detect Financial Anomalies During Audits?

In a nutshell

  • AI detects 90%+ of high-risk transactions humans miss

  • Real-time flagging means continuous auditing, not annual sampling

  • Leading platforms: AuditFlow, MindBridge, AppZen, HighRadius

  • Typical time saved per audit: hundreds staff-hours on a $1B revenue company

  • Integrates with SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics out of the box

The anomaly-detection landscape (2025)

VendorPrimary strengthIdeal user
AuditFlowDeep ERP, SCM, CRM analysis & explainable MLSmall, mid-market & large enterprises
MindBridgeRisk scoring on GL & sub-ledgers GartnerAudit/insurance firms
AppZenAI spend monitoring & T&E complianceGlobal shared-service centers
HighRadiusCash-flow & AR anomaly alerts Stack AITreasury & AR teams

How anomaly-detection AI works

  1. Data ingestion: Pulls millions of GL lines or AP invoices.

  2. Feature engineering: Creates thousands of statistical & relational features (e.g., Benford scores, employee-vendor matches).

  3. ML & rules engine: Unsupervised clustering plus business-rule overlays catch both novel and known risks.

  4. Risk scoring & workflow: Items above threshold route to accountants for review.

Implementation tips

  • Start small by importing the last two to four years of accounts data.

  • Embed in workflow so accountants review in the same UI.
  • Iterate monthly; models self-learn as new risks emerge.

  • [Optional] Tune thresholds with historical anomaly or outlier cases.

Value metrics

  • % high-risk items auto-cleared vs. false positives

  • Manual testing hours eliminated

  • Detected dollar value and number of accounts of misstatements

  • Reduced internal audit costs

FAQs

  1. Will AI replace auditors?
    No; it augments them by prioritizing risky items.

  2. How long to deploy?
    Most teams see first results within two weeks after data connection.

  3. Can I customize rules?
    Yes. AuditFlow’s rule builder supports custom thresholds and regex check

Categories
Corporate Finance Blog

How Can I Use AI to Improve My Corporate Budgeting Process?

How Can I Use AI to Improve My Corporate Budgeting Process?

Key takeaways

  • 30-50% faster cycle times when AI automates data consolidation

  • Scenario models update in minutes, not days

  • Forecast accuracy gains of 20-25% vs. manual methods, according to EY

  • CFOs repurpose staff toward strategic analysis instead of low-value wrangling

  • AuditFlow links directly to ERP data, enabling continuous, self-learning budget forecasts

Why legacy budgeting strains finance

Traditional annual or quarterly budgets rely on spreadsheets, disconnected source systems, and late data.
The result: re-work, surprise variances, and decisions made on stale numbers.

Where AI adds tangible value

AI capabilityBudgeting benefit
Data ingestion & cleansingConnects ERP, CRM, HRIS in real-time; eliminates manual imports
Predictive modelingGenerates rolling forecasts that learn from prior performance and errors
Scenario generationInstantly answers “what-if” questions on FX, demand, or cost shocks
Variance root-cause analysisFlags drivers at account, cost-center, or SKU level

EY’s 2025 FP&A survey shows teams using AI spend 18% less time on data prep and achieve 25% higher forecast accuracy.

Implementation roadmap

  1. Standardize your chart of accounts so ML can map historical data.

  2. Feed clean actuals; AuditFlow’s connectors automate this step.

  3. Define driver-based models (volume, price, mix).

  4. Pilot rolling forecasts on one business unit; compare accuracy.

  5. Scale enterprise-wide and embed AI variance alerts into monthly close.

Measuring success

  • Cycle time to first budget draft (Faster Delivery)

  • % of forecast variance > ±5% (More Accurate)

  • Hours shifted from data prep to analysis (Less Work)

  • Net present value of decisions made earlier (Less Risk)

FAQs

Q1: How long to see ROI?
Most finance teams reach payback in 3-6 months once rolling forecasts replace annual budgets.

Q2: Do I need a data lake?
No. Modern tools connect directly to your ERP and data warehouse APIs.

Q3: How secure is AI budgeting?
AuditFlow uses SOC 2 Type II–certified cloud hosting.

Categories
Newsletter

Weekly Outlook: July 28, 2025

Weekly Outlook: July 28, 2025

The focus of global markets is shifting this week. While U.S. data remains important, the most significant catalysts are now emerging from abroad. A potential policy pivot from the Bank of Japan and tentative signs of life in emerging markets are creating new opportunities and risks. We dissect a pivotal currency pair, a broad global equity index, and a key sector reacting to new economic fears.

The Yen at a Turning Point

The Japanese Yen is showing significant weakness against the U.S. dollar, with our models forecasting a steady decline in the USDJPY pair. This move is less about dollar weakness and more about a fundamental repricing of the Bank of Japan’s stance. For years the BoJ has been the world’s most dovish central bank, but speculation is now intense that a shift in its policy is approaching. A move away from its ultra easy policy would have profound implications for global capital flows, and this currency pair is where that battle is being fought.

A Glimmer of Hope for Emerging Markets

Emerging market equities are poised for a week of modest but stable gains. This newfound stability is supported by two key developments, a leveling off in the U.S. dollar’s ascent which eases financial conditions for these economies, and renewed optimism for stimulus measures in China. While significant risks remain, our forecast suggests a potential rotation back into a deeply undervalued asset class, one that global investors are watching closely for signs of a durable recovery.

Energy Stocks Confront Slowdown Fears

The energy sector, a recent market leader, is set for a significant pullback this week. This reversal is driven by a growing concern that demand destruction from a global economic slowdown will now outweigh previous supply constraints. The forecast suggests that after a strong run, energy stocks are vulnerable to a repricing as markets begin to focus more on declining future consumption than on current inventory levels. This makes the sector a key barometer for global growth expectations.

Conclusion

This week’s key takeaway is the broadening of market narratives beyond U.S. borders. The policy decisions in Tokyo and the economic recovery in Beijing are becoming just as critical as pronouncements from the Federal Reserve. This complex global interplay, coupled with rising fears of a growth slowdown, suggests that investors must now maintain a wider and more dynamic field of vision.


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.

Categories
Audio and Podcasts

2025 07 21 BBC Business Matters

BBC Business Matters: Trump announces US trade deal with Japan

Complete Intelligence CEO Tony Nash guest hosts BBC Business Matters with Roger Hearing.

President Donald Trump has announced a major trade deal with Japan, introducing a 15% U.S. tariff on Japanese goods. The news comes as the Philippines and Indonesia join Vietnam in securing tariff reductions from Washington.

Plus, a tough road ahead for U.S. car-makers grappling with global trade tensions.

And could modern science finally crack the age-old quest to turn other metals into gold?

Stream the show here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w172zrs5m98whrw

Categories
Corporate Finance Blog

Building Resilient Finance Functions with AI-Driven Insights

Building Resilient Finance Functions with AI-Driven Insights

At the recent AICPA AI in Accounting and Finance Symposium, experts made one thing clear. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future trend. It is reshaping how finance teams plan, forecast, and make decisions today.

According to Gartner, 58% of finance teams were already using AI in 2024. That number is expected to grow significantly by 2028 as more teams adopt AI for scenario planning and real-time analytics.

The benefits are clear.

  • Smarter forecasting and scenario planning. AI makes it easier to model multiple economic and operational scenarios.

  • Better risk management. Intelligent anomaly detection reduces surprises before they impact results.

  • Process automation. Routine tasks like cash flow analysis and budget consolidation become faster, freeing CFOs for strategic work.

Challenges remain. Only 36% of AI projects succeed, often due to poor integration or lack of training. Building the right foundation is critical.

What should finance leaders do now?

  • Automate repetitive workflows to improve efficiency.

  • Establish governance frameworks to build trust in AI decisions.

  • Invest in team training to ensure adoption and avoid rework.

Complete Intelligence helps CFOs take the next step. Our tools, including AuditFlow™ and BudgetFlow™ deliver high-frequency forecasts and scenario analysis. These solutions give your team actionable insights without adding complexity.

Categories
Newsletter

Weekly Outlook: Jul 14, 2025

Weekly Outlook: Jul 14, 2025

This week, the landscape is defined by divergence. We see this in central bank policies pulling currency pairs in opposite directions and in the internal conflict within the equity market between positive inflation data and looming earnings uncertainty. Below, we dissect three key assets where these powerful and distinct themes are most pronounced.

The Quiet Before the S&P 500 Earnings Storm

The benchmark S&P 500 index appears to be entering a period of quiet consolidation, though beneath the surface, a significant tug of war is underway. Our models forecast a slight downward drift for the index over the coming week, reflecting a market caught between two powerful, opposing narratives. On one hand, recent data suggesting inflation is beginning to cool offers a tailwind for equities. On the other, the upcoming earnings season is casting a long shadow, with investors increasingly focused on the threat of compressing corporate profit margins. This tension suggests the path of least resistance is sideways to slightly down, as market participants are likely to remain on the sidelines pending fresh catalysts from either corporate boardrooms or the next round of inflation prints.

The Great Central Bank Divergence in EUR/USD

The euro is poised for a sharp move lower against the U.S. dollar this week, a direct reflection of the widening chasm in central bank policy. Our forecasts indicate a decisive break lower for the currency pair, driven by the market’s conviction that the U.S. Federal Reserve will maintain its hawkish stance longer than the European Central Bank. While both economies face inflationary pressures, the Fed’s singular focus on price stability contrasts with an ECB that appears more sensitive to potential growth tradeoffs. This policy divergence is becoming the single most important driver in foreign exchange markets, and for now, it spells clear momentum for the dollar.

Geopolitics and Summer Demand Stoke WTI Crude Oil Prices

Crude oil is signaling a resumption of its upward trend, with a confluence of factors providing firm support. Our models point to a steady climb for WTI prices over the next five trading days, underpinned by a narrative that is gaining traction. The demand side of the ledger remains robust, bolstered by seasonal consumption patterns in the Northern Hemisphere.

Simultaneously, persistent geopolitical tensions in key production regions are reminding the market of the fragility of global supply chains. With both supply and demand dynamics pointing in the same direction, the fundamental case for higher energy prices in the near term is solidifying.


The key takeaway for the coming week is the absence of a single, unifying market theme. Instead, investors must appreciate the distinct and powerful drivers acting on each asset class. This includes corporate fundamentals in equities and divergent monetary policy in currencies. Successfully allocating capital in this environment demands a granular focus on these individual stories rather than a broad, monolithic view of risk.


The content presented in this newsletter 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.

:

Categories
Audio and Podcasts

The Winners And Losers Of The Big Beautiful Bill

https://old.bfm.my/podcast/morning-run/market-watch/the-winners-and-losers-of-the-big-beautiful-bill
Although the US budget bill is stuck in the House, we examine who are the potential winners and losers with 

Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence. We also preview the US non-farm payroll figures and how that might influence the Fed fund rate.