KPMG Global AI in finance report

June 2, 2026 - 09:13

A new report from KPMG details how artificial intelligence is pushing finance departments beyond traditional number-crunching roles into becoming central drivers of business strategy. The analysis, titled "Thriving in an AI-Driven Era," argues that finance functions must evolve from backward-looking reporting to forward-looking, predictive operations.

According to the findings, organizations that successfully embed AI into their finance workflows are seeing significant gains in efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making speed. The report highlights that AI tools are now capable of automating routine tasks such as data reconciliation, invoice processing, and compliance checks. This frees up finance professionals to focus on higher-value activities like scenario modeling, risk assessment, and strategic planning.

KPMG emphasizes that the shift is not just about technology adoption but requires a fundamental change in mindset and skills. Finance teams need to develop new competencies in data science, algorithm interpretation, and ethical AI governance. The report also warns against a piecemeal approach, urging companies to build a clear AI roadmap that aligns with overall business objectives.

While the potential is immense, the report notes challenges including data quality issues, legacy system integration, and the need for strong change management. However, firms that navigate these hurdles stand to gain a competitive edge by turning their finance function into a real-time, insight-driven engine for growth. The era of AI in finance, KPMG concludes, is not coming -- it is already here.