If you’re a CFO, operating partner, or finance leader in the mid-market, you’re aware that we’re in the early innings of the AI shift in finance and accounting.
At Consero’s recent AMPLIFY event in New York, CPA.com CEO Erik Asgeirsson sat down with Consero CEO Dave Sawatzky to talk about what that shift looks like in practice.
The conversation covered AI in the back office, Consero’s 20-year run leading Finance as a Service (FaaS), and the opportunity for businesses to modernize the office of the CFO through better systems, data, automation, and strategic partners.
Why Finance as a Service (FaaS) is in the Spotlight Now
Investor-backed finance and accounting teams are under pressure to move faster, deliver better insights, and support more complex business decisions.
As Erik and David explain, this is an especially important moment for companies considering outsourced accounting and finance support. New technology is creating a step-change in what finance teams can accomplish.
Finance as a Service helps companies access:
- Scalable finance and accounting operations
- Better financial reporting and visibility
- Faster, higher-quality close processes
- More advanced technology and automation
- Strategic support for the office of the CFO
For businesses that need more than basic bookkeeping, FaaS offers a more modern way to run finance.
AI Is Changing the Office of the CFO
The wave of AI capabilities being introduced for financial professionals are creating new opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making.
David explains that Consero is actively building its AI strategy around three key areas:
- Build: Developing internal AI-driven capabilities to improve finance operations
- Platform: Using technology, data, and reporting tools to strengthen client outcomes
- Ecosystem: Partnering with leading technology and AI companies to deliver more value
Consero is not adopting AI for the sake of innovation. The goal is to use AI to create better finance processes, improve quality, and help clients close faster.
Consero’s Role as an AI Orchestrator
David describes Consero as an AI orchestrator for the office of the CFO.
That means Consero is helping clients navigate a growing ecosystem of tools, platforms, and AI capabilities. Rather than expecting companies to figure out every solution on their own, Consero brings together the right technology, processes, and expertise.
This includes working with core finance platforms and ecosystem partners such as:
Through this approach, Consero helps businesses connect systems, extract data, and turn financial information into useful reporting and insight.
The Technology Foundation Behind Outsourced Accounting
The conversation also highlights how cloud technology helped create the foundation for modern outsourced accounting services.
Cloud accounting, bill payment, and connected finance platforms made it possible for Consero to deliver scalable finance and accounting support in a more efficient way.
Now, AI is building on that foundation.
The next phase of Finance as a Service is about combining cloud-based systems with intelligent automation, stronger data infrastructure, and more strategic advisory support.
Why Private Equity-Backed Companies Are Paying Attention
Asgeirsson noted that private equity-backed companies are one of Consero’s important client segments.
These companies require state-of-the-art financial tools, clean reporting, and scalable processes that can support growth. They also need finance teams that can move quickly and provide reliable information to investors, executives, and boards.
FaaS helps private equity-backed businesses address their common challenges:
- Limited internal finance resources
- Manual reporting processes
- Slow or inconsistent month-end close
- Lack of visibility into performance
- Need for scalable systems after investment or acquisition
As AI and automation continue to advance, more companies are rethinking whether outsourced finance and accounting can give them a stronger operating model.
The Market Is Still in the Early Innings
CPA.com and Consero agree that Finance as a Service is still in the early stages of its evolution.
Even after years of growth in outsourced accounting, cloud finance tools, and advisory services, the industry is only beginning to realize what is possible with AI-enabled finance operations.
After two decades of helping disrupt and modernize finance and accounting, Consero is focused on building for the next 20 years.
That next chapter will be shaped by AI, automation, data, reporting, and deeper partnerships across the finance technology ecosystem.
