AI in Finance: From Back Office to Growth Engine
AI is shifting finance from transaction processing to a core driver of growth. In a recent webinar, Sage leaders outlined how generative and agentic AI are giving finance teams time back, improving accuracy, and surfacing insights that move the needle.
A live poll showed 35% of attendees still don't use AI in their business. As Erika More noted: "Sage research found that globally, 86% of CFOs said they have adopted AI, but only 49% have deeply integrated it into their finance." The gap between adoption and integration is where competitive advantage is built.
What's new in Sage Intacct
Sage Intacct is cloud native, so teams can log in from any device at any time. Four updates roll out automatically each year; in the last financial year alone, over 230 new functions landed. It supports multi-entity, multi-currency structures with granular permissions and security to ensure the right people see the right data.
More emphasized Sage's focus on embedding native, accurate and authentic AI across finance functions: "It's a trusted and responsible AI built for Sage." The goal: real-time visibility, automation where it counts, and control that scales with the business.
AI agents now live in Intacct
- Accounts Payable Agent: Ingests supplier transactions via a designated email address so users can review and post quickly, cutting manual entry and cycle time.
- Timekeeping Agent: Automates capture and validation of time data to improve billing and cost allocation.
- Close Agent: Assists with period-end tasks to reduce rework and shorten the close.
- Assurance Agent: Surfaces anomalies and control concerns for earlier intervention.
- Finance Intelligence Agent (new): Brings analysis and recommendations into the flow of work.
Tasneem Dajee also showcased Sage Intacct Copilot in the general ledger-using AI for quick statistics, spotting inconsistencies, and guiding investigation. Because Intacct uses dimensional accounting with tags, analytics extend naturally across entities, locations, projects, and more.
Outliers get flagged, users can view transaction history, ask questions, collaborate, and authorise exceptions-all with a preserved audit trail. That means fewer surprises and faster decisions with documented context.
Practical outcomes finance leaders can expect
- Faster close with fewer manual adjustments and less spreadsheet friction.
- Lower AP processing time and errors through email-to-entry automation.
- Real-time visibility across entities and currencies, grounded in dimensions.
- Stronger controls and audit readiness via exception tracking and trails.
- Scalable workflows as volumes grow-without adding headcount linearly.
Metrics to prove the impact
- Days to close (monthly and quarterly)
- AP cycle time and first-pass yield
- Exception rate on transactions and journals
- Forecast variance (by revenue, expense, cash)
- % of automated entries versus manual
Where to go from here
If AI is on your 2026 roadmap, close the adoption-to-integration gap with targeted pilots in AP, GL anomaly detection, or the period-end close. The Sage presales team is available to demonstrate full capabilities and map use cases to your processes.
For product details, visit Sage Intacct. For upskilling your leadership team on AI strategy and governance, explore the AI Learning Path for CFOs.
Your membership also unlocks:
