On August 26, finance leaders came together in New Brunswick for a focused CFO round-table exploring how Agentic AI is reshaping Finance & Accounting, not just as a tool for automation, but as a system that can adapt, integrate, and scale across workflows.

Hosted at The Heldrich, the session followed a structured agenda that moved from foundational concepts to real-world applications and practical adoption strategies.

Setting the Context: What Agentic AI Means for Finance

The discussion opened with a shared understanding of Agentic AI and its growing influence on finance functions.

Unlike traditional automation, which focuses on predefined rules, Agentic AI introduces systems that can:

• Operate within workflows rather than alongside them

• Adapt to changing inputs and business logic

• Continuously improve through data and feedback

For finance teams, this signals a shift from isolated task automation to more responsive, intelligent financial operations.

Unlocking Opportunities Across Financial Operations

From there, the conversation turned to where Agentic AI delivers the most immediate value.

Participants highlighted opportunities to:

• Reduce manual effort across repetitive processes

• Improve accuracy and consistency in financial data

• Accelerate cycle times across operations

• Scale workflows without proportional increases in headcount

The key insight: Agentic AI isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about enabling finance teams to operate at a different scale. 

Real-World Use Cases: Where AI Is Already Working

A major focus of the discussion was on practical applications already in motion.

Finance leaders explored how Agentic AI is being applied to:

• Invoice processing (AP): Automating invoice capture, data validation, and payment approvals

• Expense management: Streamlining submissions, compliance checks, and reconciliation

• Financial reporting: Reducing manual consolidation and improving turnaround times

These use cases reinforced that AI adoption in finance is no longer experimental; it’s already delivering measurable operational impact.

Adapting AI to Existing Workflows and Systems

One of the most important themes was integration.

Rather than replacing existing systems, Agentic AI is most effective when it:

• Integrates with ERP and financial platforms

• Adapts to existing workflows and business rules

• Works within current operational structures

This approach reduces disruption and allows organizations to layer intelligence onto their current ERP systems, rather than rebuilding from scratch.

From Adoption to Execution: What It Takes to Implement

The final part of the discussion focused on how to move from interest to implementation.

Key takeaways included:

• Start with high-impact use cases where manual effort is highest

• Adopt a phased approach, expanding as systems prove value

• Align with internal readiness, including data quality and process maturity

Participants emphasized that successful adoption requires balancing quick wins with long-term scalability.

A Conversation Built Around Practical Progression

What stood out about the session was how intentionally it unfolded.

Each agenda topic built on the previous one:
Understanding → Opportunities → Use cases → Integration → Implementation

This structure helped finance leaders move beyond theory and begin thinking in terms of practical application within their own organizations.

The discussion continued over drinks and dinner, where attendees exchanged perspectives and explored how these ideas translate into real-world constraints and priorities.

Looking Ahead

The conversations in New Brunswick pointed to a clear direction:

Agentic AI is evolving from a capability to a core part of how finance teams operate.

As adoption continues, the focus will shift toward:

• Embedding AI within everyday workflows

• Scaling use cases across functions

• Driving consistent, measurable outcomes

The opportunity isn’t just to automate, it’s to build more adaptive, intelligent finance operations.

Stay connected and follow us on LinkedIn, as we will continue these conversations with finance leaders across regions.

If you’re exploring how Agentic AI could fit into your finance workflows, it may be worth taking a closer look at where it can create the most immediate and scalable impact. Book a demo with us now.