AI disrupts finance workflows, human oversight still key, study shows

By Puja Sharma

Artificial intelligence is no longer just automating back-office tasks in banks and financial institutions—it’s actively redefining the roles of finance professionals at all levels. From regulatory reporting to credit risk analysis, the future of financial services will see AI not as a replacement, but as a catalyst for a more strategic, judgement-led workforce.

According to the latest AI Monitor report by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), the gradual integration of AI over the next few years will fundamentally change how finance teams operate, not just in accounting, but across broader FinTech ecosystems. As AI automates repetitive tasks like reconciliations or compliance checks, professionals will shift focus towards higher-value activities such as setting controls, defining data outcomes, and ensuring systems remain transparent and compliant.

AI’s Growing Role in Financial Services

AI-powered tools are already commonplace in consumer-facing finance—think automated loan underwriting, fraud detection, or robo-advisory platforms. But within financial institutions themselves, especially at the enterprise level, adoption is still in its early phases. ACCA’s research suggests that only a minority of finance and accounting teams have fully implemented AI solutions. Yet investment in AI is growing steadily, driven by increased cloud adoption and regulatory push towards digital resilience.

What’s emerging is a hybrid model: AI handles the grunt work, while humans provide judgement, oversight, and client interaction. Alistair Brisbourne, ACCA’s Head of Technology Research, noted that “professionals who can embrace uncertainty, develop strong judgement skills, and continuously adapt their expertise will thrive—even as specific tasks change or become automated.”

From Risk & Compliance to Strategic Advisory
Four key shifts are expected as AI adoption deepens across financial services:

• A contraction in routine processing: Tasks like transaction monitoring, data reconciliation, and regulatory reporting will increasingly be handled by AI systems.
• An expansion in strategic and advisory roles: Finance professionals will focus more on decision-making, interpreting AI outputs, and advising business leaders on financial strategy.
• Evolution of mid-level roles: Instead of data entry or report compilation, mid-level finance roles will require judgement, ethical considerations, and client interaction.
• New responsibilities at the intersection of technology, risk, and strategy: Ensuring AI models remain accurate, compliant, and aligned with regulatory frameworks will become core to financial teams’ responsibilities.

Human Judgement Will Still Rule Critical Junctures

The report highlights that while AI can make processes more efficient, trust in financial systems remains a fundamentally human-driven concept. Transparency, oversight, and ethical governance can’t be fully automated. Professionals will need to continuously assess where human intervention adds irreplaceable value, particularly in sensitive areas like risk assessment, credit scoring, and regulatory compliance.

As Kush Ahuja, ACCA’s Head of Eurasia and Middle East, pointed out, “Finance professionals today are not just adopting AI—they’re being called upon to ensure its ethical and effective use.” In FinTech-driven regions with strong digital innovation policies, such as the Middle East, this dual focus on technology adoption and trust-building is becoming a defining characteristic of the financial services workforce.

Why the Talent Strategy Matters
Much like the broader FinTech talent gap banks face today, managing AI adoption isn’t just about deploying technology; it’s about aligning people, processes, and skills. Organisations must make deliberate decisions around:

• Where AI adds genuine value
• How to structure workflows to maintain both efficiency and oversight
• How to cultivate skills that complement, rather than duplicate, technical capabilities

ACCA anticipates financial institutions will increasingly move towards integrated workflows, not simply distinguishing between ‘high-value’ and ‘low-value’ tasks, but focusing on outcomes, quality, and regulatory alignment.

The Talent Equation in FinTech + AI

For FinTech leaders, this AI-driven shift is another layer on top of existing talent challenges. Already struggling to find cloud architects, core banking implementation experts, and regulatory specialists, banks must now also think about building internal expertise in AI governance, model validation, and ethical AI use.

This is why many institutions are looking at hybrid models: building in-house AI governance capabilities while partnering with FinTech service providers for execution and scale. Much like the broader FinTech talent strategy, the winning approach lies in combining internal leadership with external partnerships.

Looking Ahead: AI in FinTech Is Still Evolving

Despite growing momentum, the report cautions that widespread, general-purpose use of AI in finance may take longer than anticipated. Current adoption rates suggest the profession is still in the invention and early adoption stage. To support this shift, ACCA has even updated its qualification framework, ensuring that emerging advances in AI and sustainability are now embedded into financial professionals’ core learning.

In summary, AI is not here to replace finance professionals—it’s here to reshape how they work. Success will depend on building flexible talent strategies, adopting responsible AI policies, and focusing on where human expertise and technology can complement each other best.