MEMBER TIP: 

AI & finance: Start small, think big

By FWSF member Ramya Durga Krishnaganth, Founder & CEO, Uvid Consulting, helping CFOs and finance teams simplify forecasting, budgeting, and reporting through EPM and AI-driven automation.

Ramya Durga"AI in finance” is one of those phrases that sparks both excitement and anxiety. Many finance professionals are curious about where to begin but hesitant to overhaul everything at once. The good news? You don’t need to. The most impactful transformations often start with one small, meaningful step. 

The simplest way to get started

  1. Pick one repetitive task: Choose something your team does every week— updating forecasts, cleaning spreadsheets, or reconciling reports. These small, repeatable tasks are ideal for early automation or AI support.
  2. Ask: “Can this be automated or accelerated in 30 days?” - A short brainstorming conversation with your tech or analytics partner is usually enough. Sometimes the answer is a quick macro, a script, or using an AI tool to draft a first version for you. The goal is progress, not perfection.
  3. Measure and share the win: Track the time saved or reduction in errors and share that success with your team. One visible improvement builds confidence and becomes the spark for broader transformation.

Three practical AI examples to try now

  • AI for financial storytelling: After a forecast or budget update, use AI to summarize key movements and trends in plain language (“Revenue grew 5% due to backlog recovery and pricing updates”). It’s not replacing finance judgment—it’s giving you a head start on analysis and communication.
  • AI for reconciliation & review: Let AI automatically flag duplicate transactions, unusual variances, or out-of-pattern expenses — so your team focuses on resolving issues, not searching for them. It’s like having a second pair of eyes that never gets tired.
  • AI for forecast confidence: Combine three years of historical data with key business drivers—such as sales volume, headcount, or project backlog — and let AI predict what’s likely next month. You’ll gain an early sense of where margins, labor, or costs might drift off plan.

The bigger picture

AI in finance isn’t about replacing people—it’s about giving finance professionals more time to think, plan, and lead. It also creates a valuable opportunity to revisit, simplify, and strengthen existing processes before automating them. Start small, build confidence, and let each win open the door to what’s possible next.

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From Connections Newsletter (Member Tips): December 2025

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The suggestions of the contributor do not constitute professional advice and are intended for general informational and educational purposes only.  Nothing contained herein is intended to be or should be used as a substitute for professional advice, and readers should not act or rely on this information without seeking specific guidance directly from a qualified professional.

The opinions and information expressed in this blog/post/webpage are solely those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views of FWSF. FWSF is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this content or any damages resulting from its use.