Diving overview:
- Only 14% of CFOs fully trust artificial intelligence technology to provide accurate accounting data on their own, according to a Wakefield Research survey released Wednesday.
- The majority of survey respondents (97%) say human oversight is important to ensure data accuracy in accounting when implementing AI.
- “While most finance teams are already using AI tools, trust in their accuracy is not absolute, and many are experiencing unreliable or illusory output,” the report said.
Dive Insight:
The company said the study, commissioned by technology vendor Maximor AI, identified a “significant trust gap” that could hinder CFOs’ ability to fully execute on their AI ambitions.
The survey comes as experts predict many business leaders will look to make even bigger bets on AI this year, increasing the need to address data accuracy risks and other challenges.
More than half (54%) of finance executives say their digital transformation priority in 2026 will be the integration of AI agents into their departments, Big Four accounting and consulting firm Deloitte found in its latest CFO Signals survey released earlier this month. “This likely reflects a growing interest in advanced tools to enhance workflow and decision-making,” the report said.
Of CFOs surveyed by Wakefield, 88% said they use at least one agent AI tool in their accounting and finance processes. However, fewer than half (40%) say they have fully integrated AI into their finance function. Most respondents (86%) said their finance team has encountered inaccurate or “illusory” data at least once while using AI.
“CFOs overwhelmingly agree that AI needs to know when to act autonomously and when to escalate decisions to humans to maintain control and auditability,” the report states.
In late September, Wakefield conducted a survey of 100 CFOs at mid-sized companies in the United States.
