Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way finance teams operate, from financial forecasting and reporting to the skills required to lead them in an increasingly AI-driven environment. Yet, for many organisations, knowing where to start and how to introduce AI effectively remains a challenge.
At The Consultancy Group (TCG), our conversations with CFOs and Finance Directors have highlighted a growing demand for practical guidance, shared experiences and greater confidence in adopting AI. This led us to introduce our Finance Leadership Roundtables, a series of small, interactive discussions focused on the real-world applications of AI across the finance function.
Hosted in partnership with GenFinance.AI and led by its Founder and Director, Peter Beard, the roundtables offer senior finance professionals an opportunity to exchange perspectives, challenge existing approaches and explore the role of AI within their organisations.
From Forecasting And Budgeting To More Informed Financial Decisions
Our September Finance Leadership Roundtable focused on AI for Budgeting, Forecasting and Scenario Modelling, examining how AI is influencing financial planning and supporting more informed decision-making. The discussion explored how finance leaders are applying AI to improve forecasting accuracy, model alternative financial scenarios and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, while maintaining data accuracy, oversight and human judgement.
Reflecting on the September session, a CFO from a private equity-backed SaaS business shared: “One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of maintaining control over AI development, costs and internal knowledge, rather than becoming overly reliant on third-party providers. As CFOs, we need to put the right financial controls in place while remaining flexible as technology evolves. It was an incredibly valuable session and a reminder of how much opportunity still lies ahead for AI in finance.”
The Value Beyond The Technology
While AI remains the central topic, the value of these roundtables extends beyond technology itself. For Phil Dye, Director of TCG and host of the roundtables, the aim was to move away from traditional conferences and presentations, creating a more personal and interactive setting. With each session limited to approximately ten attendees, the roundtables encourage open discussion, shared experiences and meaningful exchanges between finance leaders.
“We introduced the Finance Leadership Roundtables after recognising a common challenge through conversations with our clients. Finance leaders understood the potential of AI, but many were unsure where to start or how to apply it within their teams. We wanted to create a space where CFOs and Finance Directors could come together, have honest conversations, share experiences and learn from one another. By keeping the sessions small and interactive, we're able to move beyond theory and focus on practical insights that leaders can take back to their businesses.” – Phil Dye, Director, The Consultancy Group
AI for Group Finance
Building on September's discussion, our October Finance Leadership Roundtable took place on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, with a focus on AI for Group Finance.
As finance operations become increasingly complex, the discussion will examine how AI is being applied to group reporting, consolidation and financial oversight. Led once again by Peter Beard, the session will explore opportunities to reduce time spent on these processes while maintaining clear audit trails, strengthening financial controls and governance, and identifying practical applications of AI within existing finance workflows.
The importance of exploring these applications was also reflected in feedback from a Head of Finance at an enterprise software business, “The real value of these sessions is hearing how other finance leaders are using AI in their day-to-day workflows, while also understanding the potential risks and challenges. Although we already use AI extensively within our business, exploring its application in creating audit-ready workbooks was a particularly interesting takeaway and gave me a new perspective on what’s possible.”
Continuing The Conversation
This series reflects TCG's wider commitment to building meaningful relationships with senior finance professionals, encouraging knowledge-sharing and contributing to the future of finance leadership. With further sessions planned, we look forward to growing this community, continuing the conversation and exploring the skills, strategies and capabilities finance leaders need to prepare their teams for the future.
Interested in joining one of our upcoming Finance Leadership Roundtables?
To find out more about future sessions or express your interest in attending, get in touch with Phil Dye at phil@consultancygroup.com
