AI tools for finance managers

Analyzes plan versus actual, builds cash flow forecasts, prepares KPI dashboards and explanations for the owner.

Tools ranked for this role

Best tool for each task

ChatGPT

All-purpose chat assistant with web search, file and spreadsheet analysis, voice and custom GPTs. Paid plans from $20/mo. Free plan available.

Copilot in Excel

Formulas, pivot tables and pattern finding in an Excel table from a plain-language request. Paid plans from $20/mo.

Gemini in Google Sheets

Gemini side panel in Sheets: formulas, summaries and anomaly checks with no copying of data into a chat. Paid plans from $14/mo.

Data that stays out of public AI tools

• Management reports with real names of divisions, products and clients: into a public service with codes and placeholder names
• Receivables and payables with counterparty names and amounts: a trade secret, replace them with codes
• Terms of loans, collateral and investor agreements: never into third-party services without a corporate agreement
• Access to online banking, ERP and BI systems: keys and passwords are never pasted anywhere
• Model assumptions in a forecast: list them under the table and verify them yourself instead of taking them on trust

Tasks with a prompt and steps

• Analyze budget variances, actual versus plan 30 min
• Build a 12-week cash flow forecast 45 min
• Explain the numbers to the business owner 15 min
• Design a KPI dashboard for the business owner 40 min
• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request 10 min
• Run a quick counterparty check before a deal 20 min
• Build a quarterly results presentation 40 min
• Reconcile the trial balance with the bank and source documents 30 min
• Categorize a bank statement by cash flow line 20 min
• Find discrepancies in a counterparty reconciliation statement 20 min
• Write a sales proposal 30 min
• Run a risk review of a contract for your side 25 min
• Write a weekly report to your manager 10 min