Why should CFOs trust a robot?

NEW DELHI, INDIA: These days when questions are being raised about increased dependence on artificial intelligence, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a global body for professional accountants, has raised pertinent questions on whether CFOs should be weary of robotic software in the finance organization.

According to a new ACCA study, finance leaders hiring robots may be the next step in delivering a more effective and efficient business.

Advocates are claiming compelling numbers in support of robotics in finance, with a potential 50 percent reduction in future costs one of the headline figures.

Jamie Lyon, co-Author of the report and Head, Corporate Sector, ACCA, said, “Robotics is evocative, it’s high-tech and most importantly, it is emblematic of what many see as the next natural step in the evolution of business process delivery. Namely fewer people in favour of intuitive, machine-based learning technologies.

“However, talking to finance leaders during our research, they are clearly not sure about the benefits of wholesale automation of this type. Many still can’t understand what it really means for finance.”

According to Lyon, there is considerable trepidation among CFOs on the issue, and rightly so: “There needs to be far more clarity around the proposition for finance beyond headcount reduction. Yes, the numbers seem appealing, but finance directors are unclear about the hard benefits of robotics over and above its cost-efficiency when compared to employees.”

“Finance leaders are always seeking better practices. If robotics is going to make the kind of inroads into the finance function that many believe they should, the value proposition needs to be around domain-rich, transformative solutions.”

As per the report, the relatively poor penetration into finance that robotics has experienced to date may be down to the approach taken to selling the technology, both by external vendors and internally to budget holders.

Deborah Kops, Co-Author and Managing Principal, Sourcing Change explains: “When you build a value proposition for robotics in finance, you have to remember that this is not a product sale. You are selling a whole new way of working and it must be approached in this manner.”

Here are some tips for vendors targeting the CFOs:

• Don’t price the software as a lower cost alternative to employees.

• Serve up a cost proposition that demonstrates the cost-benefit against the total cost of ownership.

• Resist the urge to over-scope or over-price. There is a tendency to wave robotics in front of budget holders like a shiny new toy but changing an entire way of working takes time.

• Be willing to start small and scale up.