Driving Greater Use of Real-Time Data, Enabling Better Business Decisions: Global Report

By Dr. Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: A new global report by ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the finance profession, with more than 60% of finance teams increasing their use of real-time operational data over the past two years to support better business insights and decision-making.
The report, titled “Enabling Finance Insight,” highlights a significant shift from traditional retrospective reporting to real-time and forward-looking analysis. This transformation is being driven by wider access to operational data, unstructured internal information, and the growing adoption of AI-powered analytical tools.
Based on a global survey of 1,600 finance professionals, the report found that nearly 60% of finance teams now work closely with IT and data specialists, reflecting stronger cross-functional collaboration and the breakdown of traditional organisational silos.
Despite the rapid adoption of AI, the report found that 93% of finance professionals remain concerned about the integrity and reliability of AI-generated insights. Key concerns include AI hallucinations, inaccuracies, incomplete datasets, lack of transparency, and algorithmic bias.
ACCA Chief Executive Helen Brand OBE said the findings demonstrate that finance teams are evolving from reporting functions into strategic partners that generate enterprise-wide insights. She stressed that organizations must invest in AI training, governance, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and robust validation processes to ensure responsible AI adoption.
CA ANZ Chief Executive Officer Ainslie van Onselen said AI has become an essential component of the finance toolkit but should enhance professional judgment rather than simply accelerate existing processes. She emphasized that continuous learning and close collaboration with IT and data teams are essential for managing AI-related risks.
The survey also highlighted a growing skills gap, with 72% of respondents reporting only basic or no generative AI skills. However, 41% said they are actively pursuing AI training and upskilling independently.
Globally, 45% of respondents identified strategic priorities, while 43% cited regulatory requirements as the main drivers behind increased investment in data analytics. The biggest challenges facing finance teams include poor data quality (42%), lack of relevant skills (42%), and difficulty integrating multiple data sources (40%).
The report concludes that finance functions can maximize their strategic value by strengthening expertise in generative AI, predictive analytics, data governance, ethical AI practices, collaboration, and data-driven storytelling. It offers practical recommendations for Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and finance leaders to build trusted AI governance frameworks, improve decision-making, and create long-term business value.