Finance transformation is no longer just about automation. AI in finance operations is helping teams move beyond manual processes and static reports to achieve faster, smarter, and more strategic outcomes.
Recent findings from our Accounts Payable Automation Trends 2025 report reveal how quickly this shift is happening.
- 29% of finance teams now use AI in their accounts payable processes, up from just 7% in 2024.
- 51% are actively considering AI adoption in the next 12 months, while
- 35% remain unsure, highlighting an opportunity for more education and practical guidance.
AI adoption is clearly accelerating, and its early benefits are beginning to show. Respondents identified the top three use cases in accounts payable as invoice data extraction and entry, automated matching and approvals, and detection of duplicate or fraudulent invoices — all areas that directly target inefficiencies, delays, and risk.
Here are five ways AI in finance operations is already driving transformation.
1. Simplifying Invoice Data Extraction and Entry
Data entry remains one of the most time-consuming and error-prone tasks in finance operations. AI-powered document understanding tools can now extract, validate, and categorize invoice data automatically — learning from every transaction to improve accuracy over time.
It’s no surprise this was the most common use case identified in the 2025 research, as finance teams look to eliminate repetitive work and redeploy staff toward analysis and supplier management. By integrating AI with ERP or AP automation systems, teams are achieving near real-time processing and significantly reducing manual intervention.
2. Smarter Matching and Approvals
Matching invoices to purchase orders and receipts has long been a bottleneck in accounts payable. AI is changing that by enabling intelligent, rule-based matching that learns from historical approval patterns and data discrepancies.
Through machine learning, the system can flag exceptions early and even predict which invoices are likely to need manual review. These capabilities are helping finance teams achieve higher touchless processing rates — a clear marker of progress in their transformation journey.
3. Detecting Fraud and Duplicate Payments Before They Happen
Duplicate or fraudulent invoices remain a top risk area in finance operations, especially for large or multi-entity organisations. AI can now identify subtle anomalies — such as repeated supplier names, mismatched amounts, or unusual timing — that traditional rule-based systems often miss.
In the 2025 study, fraud and duplicate detection ranked among the top three AI use cases. This reflects a shift toward prevention, not just correction — a sign that finance transformation is increasingly tied to building resilience and control, as well as efficiency.
4. Delivering Predictive Insights for Smarter Decisions
Beyond automation, AI is unlocking new value in forecasting, spend analysis, and working capital management. Predictive models can anticipate cash flow trends, highlight supplier risk, or suggest opportunities for early payment discounts.
By turning historical data into forward-looking insight, finance teams gain a clearer view of performance and can respond faster to change. This marks a key phase of finance transformation — moving from reactive reporting to proactive, insight-driven leadership.
5. Empowering Finance Teams to Lead Transformation
As AI handles repetitive processing, finance professionals can focus on interpretation, decision support, and continuous improvement. Yet, as the research shows, 35% of respondents remain unsure about adopting AI, signaling that transformation depends as much on people as on technology.
Education, governance, and upskilling are essential. Finance operations teams that invest in AI literacy — understanding how models work, where they add value, and how to monitor them — will be best placed to lead transformation initiatives with confidence.
From Automation to Intelligence
AI is no longer a future concept for finance operations – it’s a present-day driver of transformation. The next wave of finance leaders will combine data, technology, and human judgment to create functions that are faster, more transparent, and strategically aligned.
To explore more insights, download the Accounts Payable Automation Trends 2025 report and see how your organization compares.
