Will AI replace Treasurers and Controllers?

AI can do 76% of the work Treasurers and Controllers do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 3 of their 22 tasks, while 12 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 6 still need a person.

AI is already doing this3 · 27% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Prepare or direct preparation of financial statements, business activity reports, financial position forecasts, annual budgets, or reports required by regulatory agencies.Mostly automated14% of time
  • Analyze the financial details of past, present, and expected operations to identify development opportunities and areas where improvement is needed.Mostly automated10% of time
  • Maintain current knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, federal and state policies and directives, and current accounting standards.Mostly assisted4% of time

AI could do this next12 · 49% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Supervise employees performing financial reporting, accounting, billing, collections, payroll, and budgeting duties.10% of time
  • Coordinate and direct the financial planning, budgeting, procurement, or investment activities of all or part of an organization.10% of time
  • Advise management on short-term and long-term financial objectives, policies, and actions.7% of time
  • Provide direction and assistance to other organizational units regarding accounting and budgeting policies and procedures and efficient control and utilization of financial resources.5% of time
  • Monitor and evaluate the performance of accounting and other financial staff, recommending and implementing personnel actions, such as promotions and dismissals.4% of time
  • Develop internal control policies, guidelines, and procedures for activities, such as budget administration, cash and credit management, and accounting.4% of time
  • Evaluate needs for procurement of funds and investment of surpluses and make appropriate recommendations.4% of time
  • Prepare and file annual tax returns or prepare financial information so that outside accountants can complete tax returns.2% of time
  • Lead staff training and development in budgeting and financial management areas.1% of time
  • Compute, withhold, and account for all payroll deductions.1% of time
  • Perform tax planning work.1% of time
  • Determine depreciation rates to apply to capitalized items and advise management on actions regarding the purchase, lease, or disposal of such items.1% of time

Robots can technically do this1 · 1% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Receive cash and checks and make deposits.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time

Still needs a person6 · 23% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Monitor financial activities and details, such as cash flow and reserve levels, to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.7% of time
  • Receive, record, and authorize requests for disbursements in accordance with company policies and procedures.5% of time
  • Conduct or coordinate audits of company accounts and financial transactions to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements and statutes.4% of time
  • Develop and maintain relationships with banking, insurance, and external accounting personnel to facilitate financial activities.4% of time
  • Handle all aspects of employee insurance, benefits, and casualty programs, including monitoring changes in health insurance regulations and creating budgets for benefits and worker's compensation.2% of time
  • Delegate authority for the receipt, disbursement, banking, protection, and custody of funds, securities, and financial instruments.1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. Real use is still behind at 23 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 3 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 12 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 6 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Financial Managers92%Investment Fund Managers98%Human Resources Managers78%Security Managers79%Computer and Information Systems Managers80%Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers80%

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