Technology
AI in the finance function is moving from pilots to the core, accelerating close processes, automating reconciliations, and enabling real-time dashboards, yet governance remains stuck at monthly or quarterly reviews. This mismatch between speed and oversight allows small issues to snowball into major consequences before intervention. Leading organizations are building continuous oversight layers that analyze full transaction populations rather than samples, enabling intervention during decision formation rather than after outcomes are locked in. CFOs need to focus on whether systems can provide defensible insights, consistent governance across the enterprise, and whether issues can be identified before outcomes are locked.
This article explores how the finance function can transform from a traditional cost center into a strategic core for value creation in the era of artificial intelligence. Through automation, augmented intelligence, and human-machine collaboration, the finance department will be able to provide real-time insights, forward-looking recommendations, and proactively shape market influence, ultimately achieving a comprehensive value leap for finance itself, the entire enterprise, and the external market.
A Deloitte report reveals that M&A transaction value surged by 56% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, with 80% of business leaders expecting an increase in deal volume in 2026. Amid unprecedented uncertainty, leaders must make strategic decisions during workforce restructuring while ensuring team safety and support. This podcast delves into the critical role of technology in this process.
Produced by CFO Dive in partnership with Workday and Kainos, this podcast brings together three industry experts—Adam Scheidler, Vice President of Financial Services and Insurance at Kainos; Kyle Davidson, AI Technical Director at Kainos; and Jim Gahagan, Senior Director of Financial Services Solutions Marketing at Workday—to delve into the core elements of AI readiness, including clean and connected data, clear governance frameworks, and employee empowerment, while offering actionable advice for CFOs on balancing innovation and risk.
Trump signed an executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to form an AI litigation task force within 30 days to challenge state AI laws and calling for a national AI policy framework to supersede state laws. The move drew criticism from Senator Amy Klobuchar and others, but analysts believe corporate AI governance strategies will not change as a result.
Intuit has launched a new AI-driven platform designed to help growing and mid-market businesses turn data chaos into actionable insights, supporting real-time decision-making. The platform includes Intuit Enterprise Suite and Intuit Accountant Suite, which use AI agents to automate tasks, saving time and improving efficiency.
GlobalFoundries announced on Wednesday that Sam Franklin will officially serve as Chief Financial Officer, after holding the interim CFO role since October. The appointment comes about two months after former CFO John Hollister left for personal reasons. CEO Tim Breen stated that Franklin's leadership and financial expertise will help the company capitalize on opportunities presented by AI.
Dropbox announced on Wednesday that it has appointed Ross Tennenbaum, President of tax compliance software company Avalara, as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective December 16. Tennenbaum will succeed Tim Regan, who has decided to resign after serving as Dropbox's CFO for more than five years and being with the company for nine years. This executive change comes as Dropbox reports a slight decline in third-quarter revenue, with plans to strengthen the promotion of its AI search tool, Dash, and optimize its core storage business.
A report released Wednesday by the ITRC indicates that 81% of U.S. small businesses experienced a cybersecurity or data breach incident in the past year, with over half of victims suffering losses between $250,000 and $1 million, and nearly four in ten forced to raise prices. The report states that rising cybersecurity costs and financial damages from data breaches are forming a hidden 'cyber tax' directly passed on to consumers.
Microsoft plans to increase subscription prices for the Microsoft 365 commercial suite starting July 1, 2026, by an average of about 16%, due to the addition of more AI, security, and management features. Prices for Business Premium and Office 365 E1 will remain unchanged. The company also announced it will make Security Copilot available to all Microsoft 365 E5 customers and plans to introduce an "agent mode" starting in January 2026.