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2024 in Review: The Rise of Agentic AI in Accounting and Finance

By
Nominal Team
Jan 9, 2025
5
min read

As we step into 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we learned in 2024 about the evolution of AI, which has redefined the finance and accounting industries by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making speed.

Industry Data At a Glance:

  • According to Deloitte’s 2023 study, 42% of CFOs are moving forward with implementing AI software into their business
  • AI has cut manual data entry tasks by 55%
  • Processes like finance reports, balance sheets, and financial close are now completed 40% faster
  • Decision-making accuracy has improved by 30%
  • 54% of accounting firms believe they would face closure without AI integration
  • 66% of CFOs believe AI will significantly impact daily financial activities

Industry Highlights

Enhanced Decision-Making Powered by AI

Deloitte’s 2023 study shared that 42% of CFOs are adopting AI software for their teams. This shift highlights the growing interest on AI in the financial industry to optimize manual tasks, minimize human errors, and make real-time strategic decisions. AI is helping companies streamline processes while providing a solid foundation for smarter and faster decision-making.

Efficiency Gains Across the Financial Landscape

AI is creating great impacts on accounting operations. Companies that have integrated AI solutions report saving over 200 hours annually on manual tasks with automation. Processes like financial reporting, balance sheet creation, and financial close are now completed 40% faster. Manual data entry tasks have decreased by 55%, allowing organizations to focus more on strategic and complex objectives.

Precision in decision making

A McKinsey report indicates that decision-making accuracy has increased by 30% through precision analytics. In today’s fast-moving market, precise forecasting is critical. As companies move faster, accurate forecasting is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge, and AI provides the ability to allow teams to make well-informed, and timely adjustments.

The Big 4 Accounting Firms

The Big 4—KPMG, PwC, EY, and Deloitte—have been early adopters in AI integration, setting new industry standards for others to follow. These firms have heavily invested in advanced AI technologies, delivering innovative solutions to clients while continuously enhancing modern accounting practices.

Looking Ahead

As we enter into the new year, the momentum of AI's transformative impact on finance and accounting continues to expand. Agentic AI is reshaping company operations, automating accounting workflows, and minimizing the need for manual data processing. This shift empowers accounting and finance professionals to focus on high-value strategic tasks.

A majority of CFOs are already embracing AI to scale their businesses and uncover new opportunities. In 2025, the influence of Agentic AI will continue to grow, fostering innovation, driving strategic growth, and opening new possibilities across the industry.

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About the writer

Nominal Team
Nominal Team

Meet the Nominal Team - a collective of AI pioneers, data scientists, and community builders empowering accounting and finance professionals with practical AI applications that transform how finance and accounting teams work. We're passionate about demystifying AI and helping teams unlock new potential through innovative technology.

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