AI In Finance

From Predictions to Reality: How Corporate Finance is Evolving and What’s Next

Written by Finance Automation News | Jan 31, 2025 2:45:00 PM

As we step into 2025, it’s fascinating to reflect on the rapid transformation that corporate finance has undergone in the last few years. 

At Auditoria.AI, we’ve been on the frontlines of this evolution, delivering emerging technologies such as agentic AI, automation, and intelligent applications that have reshaped how finance teams operate. Many of the predictions we made just a year ago are now realities, and the future of finance is unfolding in more exciting ways than ever before.

Intelligent Applications: Revolutionizing Finance

Looking back, it's incredible how far we’ve come with intelligent applications. In 2023, we predicted that more than 75% of routine and mundane business processes would be automated, with finance leading the charge. Fast-forward to 2025, and this shift has already taken place. Gartner’s 2024 report revealed that 58% of finance functions are now using AIa 21% jump from just the previous year.

This is more than just an uptick in technology adoption; it’s a full-scale transformation. Most finance teams now rely on AI to handle repetitive tasks such as data entry, email management, and reconciliation, freeing up valuable time and resources to focus on strategic planning, analysis, and decision-making. It’s not just about doing things faster; it’s about doing them better and with more insight.

The Rise of FinOps: A Key to Reducing Financial Waste

In 2024, we also predicted that FinOps would become an integral part of finance operations, and today, it’s clear we were right. FinOps — the intersection of financial operations and cloud computing — has become a mainstream practice. Gartner’s 2024 report reinforces this trend, predicting that by 2026, organizations that combine Software Asset Management (SAM) with FinOps will reduce financial waste from cloud and software investments by 60%.

Why is this such a game-changer? By aligning SAM and FinOps data, companies shift their focus from controlling costs to creating value. This holistic approach ensures that cloud investments are directly tied to business outcomes, optimizing financial resources and maximizing returns.

AI-Based Automation: A Strategic Advantage

AI-based automation is no longer a luxury or a future trend; it’s a strategic advantage that many finance teams are already leveraging. The results are clear. According to the 2024 State of Automation survey by Auditoria.AI.AI, 20% of respondents report increased efficiency and productivity, 18.9% note improved accuracy and error reduction, and 15.1% highlight better decision-making driven by real-time insights. These numbers show how automation is transforming the finance function, allowing teams to make faster, more informed decisions.

The shift toward automation in finance isn’t just about improving operations — it’s about transforming the role of finance itself. AI allows finance professionals to spend less time on manual tasks and more time focusing on high-level strategy, enabling organizations to make smarter, data-driven decisions. And in 2025, we will see agentic AI take center stage to further optimize and streamline the finance function.

The Talent Dilemma: Striking a Balance

As we predicted, one of the ongoing challenges for finance teams is the need to strike a balance between automation and quality talent. The demand for skilled finance and accounting professionals remains high, and as reported by Robert Half, compensation, work-life balance, and location continue to be the key drivers for attracting top talent.

But it’s not just about attracting talent; it’s also about keeping them engaged. Gartner’s Marco Steecker highlights the importance of involving leaders and staff in AI initiatives. This ensures that finance teams not only adopt new technologies but also become advocates for them, ultimately driving success in the long run. 

And it also means giving your finance teams the tools and resources they need to do their job to the best of their ability. That includes embedding AI-based applications that take away the menial, repetitive work, allowing your analysts to do the good stuff - actually analyze!

Gen AI: The Future of Finance

Looking ahead to 2025, one of the most exciting developments in finance is the integration of Generative AI (Gen AI) and the rise of AI agents. A recent Gartner report predicted that by 2026, more than 80% of independent software vendors will have embedded generative AI capabilities into their enterprise applications — up from less than 1% in 2023. This rapid acceleration of AI adoption is a clear indication that Gen AI is here to stay and will continue to shape the future of finance.

Gen AI is already proving to be a game-changer, with its potential to revolutionize risk management, enhance customer experiences, and provide deeper insights into financial data. The integration of AI agents is also becoming more prevalent, with 25% of enterprises expected to deploy AI agents by 2025, growing to 50% by 2027.

Fintechs such as Auditoria are at the forefront of this movement, and their innovations in AI are already having a profound impact on enterprise financial operations. As AI continues to evolve, we expect to see even more sophisticated methodologies and cutting-edge approaches that will further streamline operations and enhance decision-making across finance.

The Road Ahead

As we reflect on the evolution of corporate finance in 2025, it’s clear that AI, AI agents, automation, and innovative financial practices such as FinOps are here to stay. The future of finance is not just about keeping up with technology — it’s about embracing it and using it to unlock new opportunities and efficiencies.

At Auditoria.AI, we’re excited about the future and the role we’ll continue to play in helping finance teams harness the power of automation and AI. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the road to success will be paved with smarter, more efficient operations leveraging AI for data-driven decision-making. 

The future of finance is bright, and we're excited to see where it takes us.

#CorporateFinance #AI #Automation #FinOps #FutureOfFinance #Auditoria.AI #TechInnovation