The responsibilities of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are changing as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more common in business. Finance leaders across the Southeast say AI is adding both complexity and opportunity to their roles.
Justin Smith, CFO & COO at FinQuery, explained that the CFO’s job has expanded over the past decade. “The CFO role moved beyond mere financial reporting about a decade ago and today it’s a mix of finance, operations and strategy, with an emphasis on the latter,” he said.
Alisha Loos, owner of Atlanta-based CFO to Grow: Contract CFO Services, described modern CFOs as active participants in business growth. She said they are “actively copiloting the business—not just sitting back as a steward of financial reporting and governance.” According to Loos, CFOs now help turn data into insight and shape the company’s financial narrative for stakeholders.
Joelle Fox, CFO and Operating Partner at Tech Square Ventures in Atlanta, told Hypepotamus that today’s finance leaders must be ready for constant change. “My definition of today’s CFO is, first and foremost, a steward of capital—but also an integrator and validator of data and strategy, helping the organization grow with confidence,” Fox said.
All interviewed CFOs agreed that AI is transforming their work but does not replace human judgment. Instead, they see it as a tool that speeds up processes.
“AI has absolutely rocked the foundations of business,” Loos said. “I don’t think it has replaced or changed decision-making itself for a CFO, but it’s certainly added a new dimension. Every choice now comes with an extra lens: ‘is there a smarter, faster way to do this with AI?’”
Smith pointed out that while core responsibilities remain unchanged, AI allows for faster research and analysis. He noted that most current uses involve enhancements to existing software or chat tools rather than full automation: “Fully relying on AI to automate reporting, compliance and financial analyses across all systems is still on the horizon.”
Fox finds value in using AI to simplify complex issues: “One of the most valuable ways I use AI is in breaking down highly complex legal, tax, and accounting issues into clear concepts and summaries. That makes it easier for me to identify the right questions to ask our experts — and ultimately helps reduce the time and fees spent getting to an answer,” she told Hypepotamus.
Darren Joel, regional director at The CFO Centre, observed generational differences among finance professionals adapting to new technology. He said experienced CFOs are working alongside younger colleagues who understand technology but may lack experience: “There’s a bridge that needs to happen.”
Despite these changes, fundamentals remain important. Loos compared learning new tools like calculators or Excel without forgetting basic skills such as algebra. She believes future professionals will stand out by mastering AI tools while focusing on skills like storytelling with numbers and providing insights within business context.
Smith emphasized curiosity: “The best finance professionals are the ones who ask ‘why.’ They want to understand the drivers behind the numbers… As AI takes on some of the repetitive work, the value shifts to interpretation and strategic insight.”
Fox highlighted other key abilities: “Strong analytical and technical skills remain essential… just as critical are communication, decision-making, adaptability, and critical thinking.”
When considering investments in AI tools or products, Smith applies strict discipline by testing them before making larger commitments: “We adopt new AI tools in limited scale and for short durations to allow appropriate tests before we scale up with material investments,” he told Hypepotamus.
Fox noted that returns from investing in AI can be unpredictable compared to traditional projects. She considers scenarios where cost savings or productivity gains might occur instead of expecting immediate results. She also mentioned that rapid improvements in existing software sometimes make separate investments unnecessary.
Loos stressed how crucial these decisions are: “AI isn’t cheap, but falling behind is way more expensive. In a world where tech is evolving daily, an AI strategy isn’t optional—it’s the difference between staying competitive or becoming irrelevant,” she added.
