Stats to support the change
What Autonomous Finance Means for the IT Leader of a Consulting Firm
Finance transformation is no longer just finance’s problem — it’s yours, too. As consulting firms adopt AI and automation, the success of those initiatives hinges on technology. Without integrated systems, clean data, secure architectures, and scalable cloud environments, autonomous finance initiatives stall before they start.
But when IT leads the charge, autonomous finance becomes a catalyst for firmwide transformation. It simplifies your tech stack, improves governance, and frees your team from the constant cycle of patching, troubleshooting, and building one-off integrations.
Where autonomous finance drives impact
- Unified, secure data models that connect finance, delivery, and CRM systems, breaking down silos and improving data accuracy.
- Platform consolidation that reduces maintenance burdens and total cost of ownership while enabling automation across the enterprise.
- Scalable cloud infrastructure to support AI workloads, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation.
- Continuous learning and self-optimizing systems that improve forecasting, compliance, and financial operations over time.
3.7x ROI
for every $1 invested in generative AI, which autonomous finance relies on, the average ROI is $3.70, with leaders reaching $10x. (IDC’s AI opportunity study)
75%
GenAI adoption rose from 55% in 2023 to 75% in 2024, accelerating digital transformation across finance. (Microsoft)
59%
of shared services and GBS leaders cite data quality and availability as the biggest barrier to AI adoption — underscoring IT’s central role. (SSON Autonomous Finance Market Report)
What changes for you and your org
Your team shifts from reactive support to strategic enablement. Rather than being asked to integrate disconnected systems or clean up bad data, IT becomes the architect of the firm’s financial transformation. You’ll shape data governance policies, design secure integration frameworks, and ensure platforms can scale as AI adoption deepens.
It also means partnering more closely with finance and operations to align on data definitions, automate critical workflows, and deploy AI agents across the enterprise. The payoff: a simpler, more resilient tech landscape that supports smarter decisions, faster financial cycles, and greater profitability.
Where to start
- Audit your data architecture to identify silos, inconsistencies, and security gaps.
- Implement governance policies that standardize data definitions and ensure auditability.
- Collaborate with finance to align the integration of roadmaps with business goals.
- Pilot scalable AI infrastructure to prepare for automation and analytics at scale.
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Reach out to us to start a conversation about how you can begin your autonomous finance journey with consulting360 and Microsoft.
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