Corporate Finance: How Manual Tasks Waste Valuable Time for Financial Controllers

The Hidden Cost of Repetitive Manual Work

In today's fast-paced business environment, agility and data-driven decision-making have become essential. Yet, many financial controllers still spend an overwhelming portion of their time on repetitive, manual tasks. According to a PwC study, finance professionals spend up to 70% of their time on manual operations such as copying and pasting data between Excel files or consolidating information from various systems for monthly closures.

These tasks are not only time-consuming but also subject to human error. A recent conversation with a CFO revealed that his team of financial controllers spends several days reconciling data from disparate ERP systems—leaving little room for more strategic initiatives and high-value analysis.

The Strategic Shift: From Data Cleaning to Decision Making

Imagine what could be achieved if this manual effort was redirected toward activities that generate strategic value, such as:

Scenario planning and predictive analysis
Monitoring and optimizing financial KPIs
Supporting operational teams in strategic decisions

Unfortunately, outdated workflows and a reliance on spreadsheets keep many organizations stuck in a loop of operational inefficiency.

Artificial Intelligence and Automation: Game Changers for Financial Teams

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and financial process automation are reshaping the landscape of corporate finance. By automating tasks such as data consolidation, anomaly detection, and budget forecasting, AI tools free up controllers to focus on value-added responsibilities.

Benefits of automating finance processes include:

Time savings: Drastically reduce the hours spent on routine operations like reconciliations or report generation.
Improved data accuracy: Eliminate manual data entry errors, enhancing the quality of insights.
Real-time reporting: Make informed decisions faster with up-to-date financial dashboards.

Is Automation Still Optional?

As business cycles accelerate, financial teams must evolve. Automation is no longer a luxury—it is a performance lever and a competitive advantage. Companies that embrace digital transformation in finance are able to adapt rapidly, safeguard compliance, and provide real-time strategic insights to leadership.

If your controlling team is still stuck in Excel spreadsheets, it might be time to rethink your approach. Ask yourself: "Are we driving strategy, or just managing data?"

Ready to Take Control of Your Time?

Reclaim valuable hours for strategy and growth by introducing automation into your financial processes. Explore how Predimail can help your finance teams boost productivity and make smarter decisions.

Visit our website: www.predimail.com