CFO Series: AI in the Digital World

Overview

The CFO Series provides a convenient, one-stop way for CFOs and those who aspire to be CFOs, to earn an entire year of CPE with a single decision, featuring high-quality presentations and an interactive, executive level colleague-to-colleague approach with case studies, group discussions, and team exercises.

Highlights

This presentation focuses on four perspectives on how technology has changed our profession and life. Are you and your organization using AI? Are you using AI effectively? We must stay abreast of and be aware of the myriad uses, perils, ethics, and advantages of AI.

Module 1: Living in the World of AI – How AI Has Changed Ethics

AI (Artificial Intelligence) has already reshaped the way we work, offering immense opportunities alongside serious ethical and organizational challenges. How should we use AI responsibly without slowing innovation? Is using AI ethical? Is it right? Is not using AI ethical? How can we build trust in tools we don’t fully understand, avoid bias, and address employee resistance? Explore how to deploy AI ethically, engage teams with clarity, and ensure these powerful tools are used in ways that empower people, strengthen organizations, and create sustainable long-term value. The goal is to make better use of the power of AI, in a sustainable and ethical way.

Module 2: Accounting in the Age of AI: What Every Leader Must Know

AI is showing up everywhere, from “autonomous” general ledgers to AI-powered fraud detection and tax research agents. But for many leaders, these tools are either misunderstood or overhyped. Staff are concerned about being replaced. Managers are concerned about the use of AI causing chaos. Learn a grounded look at how AI is impacting real-world accounting departments. Explore how these tools work, what they can (and can’t) do, and what finance leaders should be doing now to prepare their teams and processes for the changes that will happen.

Module 3: AI Is Not the Enemy: Practical Tools to Harness Technology

Are you and your organization using AI effectively today? AI is not coming - it’s here already. As a leader, you do not need to be an engineer, but you must be in control. Conscientious professionals must get a clear handle on AI - what it does well, where it goes wrong, and how to keep it from becoming a liability. Discuss the real risks behind the buzzwords, from deepfakes and fraud to flawed decision tools and hidden bias. Break down what smart oversight looks like and how AI can expose gaps in your internal controls. Most importantly, this is not all  doom-and-gloom. It is about how to lead confidently in a world where AI plays a growing role in financial decision-making - whether you are already deploying AI or not?

Module 4: Beyond Likes and Shares: Can Social Media Really Work at Work?

In our social media world of scrolling, liking, sharing, and sometimes reporting; there is a dilemma that hits hard in the workplace. Should we use social media and how can we use social media responsibly? Can we separate our personal self from our professional self? Discuss the numerous errors made when dealing with social media and the negative fallout. Social media often drives cultural trends and conversations. Even if someone is not directly participating in these conversations online, they may still be exposed to them through mainstream media, conversations with others, or public events. Review what is acceptable, and not, for a professional. Your people ARE using social media, but are they using it to inadvertently damage the organization and the brand? Be prepared with a plan before a social media fiasco happens.

Prerequisites

Participants should have at least six months of industry or public experience and a thorough knowledge of financial accounting principles and practices. Management experience is helpful.

Designed For

Financial leaders, regardless of title, who are, or aspire to be, chief financial officers. Discussions will be geared towards those working in medium-sized organizations.

Objectives

• To identify common ethical risks related to AI adoption, including bias, misinformation, and lack of transparency. 
• To understand the organizational impact of AI implementation and how to manage internal resistance. 
• Understand practical strategies for training and using AI responsibly in business settings. 
• The need to develop internal policies and frameworks that support ethical, sustainable AI use. 
• To evaluate how ethical leadership can improve adoption, trust, and long-term success with AI tools?
• How to evaluate AI tools, the reality vs the hype.
• Understand the risks, benefits, and realistic capabilities of those tools
• Evaluate how AI may change staffing, processes, and external CPA relationships.
• Develop a practical mindset for assessing future AI-enabled solutions.
• Common AI use cases in accounting and finance
• Fraud, deepfakes, data abuse and related risks
• Governance frameworks and oversight responsibilities
• The EU AI Act and regulatory developments in the U.S.
• AI bias, discrimination, and transparency concerns
• Internal control and documentation challenges
• Questions finance leaders should ask before adopting AI
• Aligning AI oversight with your audit and compliance functions
• To understand the need for a coherent social media policy. 
• To understand how social media can be abused.  

Notice

Note: This course is a live virtual replay.