CFOs: How to scale AI when control is non-negotiable

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Above the Ledger - October 2025
How AI is reshaping finance and business strategy.

Welcome back to Above the Ledger, your guide to navigating the evolving landscape of modern finance and business leadership.

 

This issue explores how AI is reshaping finance and business strategy. We examine how finance leaders are moving beyond proof-of-concept experiments to embed intelligent agents in workflows that deliver measurable impact on cash, compliance, and productivity. In addition, we shift perspective to founders: how AI is forcing companies to rethink strategy, products, and organisational design to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

 

Together, these insights show how leaders can bridge ambition and execution—leveraging technology not for novelty, but to achieve clarity, operational discipline, and tangible results.

Konstantin Dzhengozov

CFO and Co-Founder, Payhawk

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AI Office of the CFO

From Pilot Paralysis to Profit

Finance teams are finally cracking the AI paradox. Many organisations talk about AI, but few move beyond experiments. In this issue, we explore how intelligent agents are being embedded into workflows that deliver measurable impact on cash, compliance, and productivity. Learn why operational discipline, governance, and closed-loop processes matter far more than chasing the latest model.

Thought leadership corner

Building AI-Native Advantage

AI is more than a tool—it’s a strategic catalyst reshaping companies from the inside out. Founders face a stark choice: adapt or risk irrelevance. This article shows how to rethink strategy, transform products, and redesign organisational processes to create sustainable AI-native advantages that survive the “prompt era” and deliver long-term competitive impact.

Top industry insights

1.

Why 95% of AI Projects Fail (And How to Fix It Before It’s Too Late)

Most AI pilots never make it past the testing phase—but it’s not the algorithms that are failing. The real culprit? Bad data. Discover why unreliable pipelines and messy production data are sinking enterprise AI initiatives—and what leaders can do to build a strong foundation for success.

 

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2.

AI in Banking: Beyond Cost-Cutting to Revenue Growth

Banks have embraced AI for efficiency and fraud prevention—but the real opportunity lies in turning data into new revenue streams. From hyper-personalisation to predictive analytics and dynamic pricing, discover how AI can transform customer engagement while staying compliant and building trust.

 

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CFO spotlight

Simplify Your Finance Workflow Like Workable

Workable cut month-end closing from nine days to six by switching to Payhawk — replacing Spendesk and Expensify with a single platform for corporate cards, reimbursements, and AI-powered bookkeeping. With real-time NetSuite integration, embedded expense policies, and faster reconciliations, managing spend has never been easier.

Payhawk solutions spotlight

More Productivity, Less Effort – The AI Office of the CFO

With specialized AI agents, your finance team can automate routine tasks like receipt management, approvals, and expense analysis. This saves time, boosts efficiency, and keeps you in full control. Procurement, payments, or travel – complex processes become simple, guided workflows that ensure compliance, transparency, and security.

Upcoming events

Meet Payhawk at the CFO Summit London

Join finance leaders on November 5, 2025, at the CFO Summit in London, where Payhawk will be on-site showcasing how AI-powered corporate cards, automation, and real-time spend insights are transforming finance workflows. Discover proven strategies for boosting efficiency, improving compliance, and driving strategic growth — and connect directly with the Payhawk team to see the platform in action.
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