The Future of Finance Is Intelligent: How Esker Is Redefining the CFO’s Role with AI-Powered AP & AR Automation

Finance operations are no longer just about crunching numbers and overseeing transactions. Today’s CFOs are expected to steer businesses through uncertainty and drive operational efficiency, while at the same time identify new avenues for growth. This mission requires a blend of strategic vision, agility, and advanced intelligence — both human and artificial. Enter AI-powered automation, now a cornerstone in the transformation of modern finance.

Esker is proud to be at the forefront of this shift, empowering finance leaders with AI-driven automation tools to navigate uncertainty and unlock new opportunities for growth. As a contributor to Forrester’s 2025 trend reports “Top AI Use Cases For Accounts Payable Automation in 2025” and “Top AI Use Cases For Accounts Receivable Automation in 2025”, Esker believes it is helping shape the next generation of finance, powered by intelligent platforms, unified data and real-time decision-making.

The next generation of finance

Like any major shift, the evolution of the Office of the CFO brings new complexities. When organizations rely on a patchwork of disconnected systems, inefficiencies begin to surface — from delayed approvals, data silos and fragmented visibility to increased security risks. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in adopting a unified platform approach. Esker connects Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) processes in a single intelligent environment, enabling CFOs to move beyond reactive problem-solving toward proactive, data-driven strategy.

When technology works in harmony, Finance teams gain the clarity and control they need to truly lead. With Esker’s unified platform, organizations can:

• Eliminate inefficiencies through intelligent automation
• Strengthen relationships with customers and suppliers through greater transparency
• Improve cashflow and minimize risk with real-time, actionable insights
• Accelerate decisions using centralized, unified data

Proven impact, real transformation

Where basic automation ends, Esker Synergy AI begins: it interprets, analyses and predicts. Finance teams can shift from chasing invoices to managing working capital strategically, unlocking financial resilience while optimizing cashflow. As Forrester analyst Meng Liu writes in his research:

• “AI significantly benefits AP and AR transformation, but using the wrong algorithms for the wrong use cases can lead to poor results. Enterprises need a pragmatic AI adoption plan for their AP and AR transformation journey.” – “Top AI Use Cases For Accounts Payable Automation In 2025”, Forrester, March 14, 2025.

Esker customers across different industries are seeing results, such as faster invoice processing, stronger business relationships and unprecedented visibility into financial operations. Most importantly, CFOs can focus on what truly matters: building lasting business success.

Esker isn’t a new player when it comes to AI: We’ve been developing various AI technology alongside our tried-and-tested automation solutions for over 15 years. By contributing to Forrester’s AI trend reports, Esker believes it is helping to shape the future of finance: not just automated, but connected, intelligent and forward-thinking.