AI-Native CFO Tools Transform Finance Role
This article by a16z discusses how AI is transforming the role of the CFO and the finance function. It argues that AI removes data bottlenecks, making finance software more autonomous. This leads to smaller, higher-leverage finance teams, the emergence of 'finance engineers' who build custom tools, and a shift toward continuous planning and controls. The article highlights portfolio companies like Rillet, Concourse, and Lio, and notes that Anthropic's finance team has built 70+ AI skills, while OpenAI's finance team uses custom GPTs. The CFO is becoming a builder and architect of the company's operating system, with a growing mandate in strategic decisions.
- •AI is removing data bottlenecks in finance, enabling real-time insights.
- •The rise of 'finance engineers' who build custom AI tools and automations.
- •Finance teams are becoming smaller and more leverage-focused, targeting 2% of headcount.
