Generative AI has quickly become one of the largest areas of corporate investment. Yet for many companies, the results have been disappointing. CFOs are increasingly being asked the same question by boards and CEOs: Why are we spending so much on AI without seeing commensurate returns?
A paradox which continues to puzzle me is how chief financial officers (CFOs) and controllers can be aware that their managerial accounting data is flawed and misleading, yet not take action to do anything about it.
Now, I’m not referring to the financial accounting data used for external reporting; that information passes strict audits. I’m referring to the managerial accounting used internally for analysis and decisions. For this data, there is no governmental regulatory agency enforcing rules, so the CFO can apply any accounting practice or cost allocation method that he or she likes.
CFO.University isn’t original in using the People, Process and Systems model. The terms “golden triangle”, “business triangle”, even the “eternal triangle” to describe this critical business triumvirate has been in the business lexicon for as long as we can remember. What we believe is unique in our CFO Foundation - People Process System Assessment Tool is the simple and effective way it directs us to the True North for your Accounting, Finance and Treasury (AFT) department.
This edition highlights how leading AI platforms are moving quickly from simple assistants to active workplace collaborators. They can understand intent, remember context, connect with business tools, generate code, create designs, and complete multi-step workflows. The common direction is clear: AI is becoming more practical, integrated, and capable of supporting daily knowledge work across finance, operations, technology, and strategy.
Let me ask you something, and I want you to be brutally honest with yourself: When was the last time you asked, “Am I truly fulfilled at work?”
