Heather Larkin, EVP CFO at Deltek on AI and Finance
Deltek's CFO Heather Larkin explores AI's role in shifting finance from reporting to shaping performance, the critical need for data and how to drive ROI
TL;DR
- AI is accelerating the shift in finance from reporting past performance to actively shaping future business outcomes.
- Despite 91% of firms deeming AI critical, less than half report significant productivity gains due to challenges in moving from experimentation to integrated workflows.
- AI's usefulness is contingent on the quality of underlying data and systems; many project-based firms struggle with fragmented data.
- Successful AI integration requires defining a shared ROI, securing finance sponsorship, and prioritizing areas with clear, immediate financial impact.
- Preparing for autonomous AI agents involves addressing governance, data quality, controls, accountability, and identifying which decisions can be automated versus requiring human oversight.
- Balancing cost controls with AI investment means being deliberate about spending and expecting a clear return on investment, rather than indiscriminate cuts.
- Strongest firms combine financial discipline with strategic investment in integrated systems to improve efficiency.