In the age of AI, what is the role of a CFO?

The role of the Chief Financial Officer (CFOs) has evolved dramatically over the past few years.

With artificial intelligence there is another layer of complexity…and opportunity, says CFOs across the Southeast.

We spoke to local finance leaders to learn how they’re navigating the Age of AI and how new tools are being used to rethink their financial strategy, speed up decision-making, and redefine what it means to be a modern CFO.

Beyond the Numbers: The Modern CFO’s Mandate

In the AI Age, how do CFOs view their position?

 “The CFO role moved beyond mere financial reporting about a decade ago and today it’s a mix of finance, operations and strategy, with an emphasis on the latter,” says Justin Smith, CFO & COO at FinQuery (formerly LeaseQuery).

Alisha Loos, owner of Atlanta-based CFO to Grow: Contract CFO Services, describes the role as someone who is “actively copiloting the business—not just sitting back as a steward of financial reporting and governance.” For her, CFOs provide strategic navigation, turning data into insight and shaping the company’s financial narrative in ways that stakeholders can trust.

Joelle Fox, CFO and Operating Partner at Atlanta-based Tech Square Ventures, told Hypepotamus that the role requires a professional to embrace constant evolution.

“My definition of today’s CFO is, first and foremost, a steward of capital—but also an integrator and validator of data and strategy, helping the organization grow with confidence,” Fox added.

Leading In An AI World

Every CFO we spoke to acknowledged AI’s transformative impact, but none see it as a replacement for human judgment. Instead, they view it as a powerful workplace accelerant.

“AI has absolutely rocked the foundations of business,” added Loos. “I don’t think it has replaced or changed decision-making itself for a CFO, but it’s certainly added a new dimension. Every choice now comes with an extra lens: ‘is there a smarter, faster way to do this with AI?’”

Smith agreed, adding that the “fundamentals haven’t changed. I’m still responsible for all of the same things, however, AI has increased the cadence at which we can operate because we can drive research, analyses and workflows more efficiently with the benefit of AI. Regarding AI we are still in its infancy because most of the AI being used in the CFO suite today are partial enhancements to legacy SaaS or through AI Chat. Fully relying on AI to automate reporting, compliance and financial analyses across all systems is still on the horizon.”

Fox finds particular value in using AI to break down complexity.

“One of the most valuable ways I use AI is in breaking down highly complex legal, tax, and accounting issues into clear concepts and summaries. That makes it easier for me to identify the right questions to ask our experts — and ultimately helps reduce the time and fees spent getting to an answer,” Fox told Hypepotamus.

Darren Joel, regional director of The CFO Centre, says today’s CFOs are navigating a generational divide.

“You’ve got CFOs who have been in the industry for 20 to 30 years, and all of a sudden they’re being confronted with these young guns who are coming in, and they understand the technology and they understand AI, but they don’t necessarily have the wisdom and experience to leverage it the way a CFO could,” he explained. “There’s a bridge that needs to happen.”

Skills for the Next Generation

All the CFOs we spoke to emphasized that fundamentals still matter, but the competitive edge comes from uniquely human capabilities.

“Just like the invention of calculators and Microsoft Excel didn’t excuse us from learning algebra, the basics still matter,” says Loos. “But the real edge for new professionals will come from those who master these AI tools and focus on the higher-level skills that AI can’t as easily replicate: financial storytelling, generating insight with business context, and influencing teams.”

“The best finance professionals are the ones who ask ‘why.’” Smith added. “They want to understand the drivers behind the numbers, and they’re comfortable learning new tools. As AI takes on some of the repetitive work, the value shifts to interpretation and strategic insight. I’m less worried about automation replacing people, and more focused on how we upskill and position teams to deliver higher-value work.”

For Fox, “strong analytical and technical skills remain essential, but just as critical are communication, decision-making, adaptability, and critical thinking. The real differentiator is the ability to prioritize and pivot—to identify which responsibilities drive the most impact for our stakeholders.”

An AI Investment Dilemma?

Investments in specific AI tools or building out new AI products present a unique challenge for finance leaders looking to show strong ROI for each business decision. As technology changes at breakneck speed, teams are trying to figure out exactly what is the right path forward for their AI strategies.

Smith approaches AI investment with the same discipline he applies to other capital allocation decisions.

 “We adopt new AI tools in limited scale and for short durations to allow appropriate tests before we scale up with material investments,” he told Hypepotamus.

Fox added that “The ROI on AI is less predictable than traditional investments, so I think in terms of scenarios: where it could generate cost savings, where we might see productivity gains, and what strategic opportunities could emerge.” She said that “the speed at which existing software platforms are embedding AI has allowed us to defer some investments we were considering, since tools we already own are beginning to solve those use cases. Looking ahead, I’m hopeful we’ll eventually see some of those productivity gains passed along to customers by vendors — particularly in areas like audit, tax, fund administration, and legal — though I suspect that won’t happen until there’s more competitive pressure to do so.”

For Loos, AI implementation decisions are crucial.

“AI isn’t cheap, but falling behind is way more expensive. In a world where tech is evolving daily, an AI strategy isn’t optional—it’s the difference between staying competitive or becoming irrelevant,” Loos added.

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Featured photo from Unsplash