AI Is Now Part of the CFO Job Description — Here’s Your 90-Day Action Plan to Stay Ahead
Many CFOs I’ve spoken to recently are eager to help the C-suite shape AI strategy across the organization. And as it turns out, that responsibility has quickly become an expectation of the role.
In January 2025, 27% of CFO job listings included AI in the job description, up from only 8% last year.
What does this tell us? Businesses are no longer asking if CFOs understand AI, they’re asking how well they understand it. But given how quickly AI keeps changing, cutting through the noise to develop meaningful fluency can be a tall order.
While CFOs don’t have to become AI experts overnight, they do need a plan to learn and act on the technology’s potential. If you’re unsure where to start, a focused effort like a 90-day plan can spark momentum.
A CFO’s 90-day action plan for AI fluency
Since starting at Esker as CFO, I’ve seen the role evolve dramatically, from a siloed, back-office function to a growth architect. Now, as I help global organizations harness AI to transform their operations, it’s undeniable that CFOs should be at the center of tech investment conversations.
Since CFOs are strategists far beyond the Finance team, any AI learning has to be cross-functional. A holistic understanding of AI’s potential impact is what enables Finance leaders to guide transformation and invest in technology with long-term ROI in mind.
If I were advising a CFO today, here’s where I’d recommend they start:
1. Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into AI
The first two weeks are your exploration phase. Begin with the AI basics, like explainers on various large language models (LLMs) or financial automation case studies, to understand key terminology and the AI landscape.
It’s also helpful to prioritize content related to your business priorities. If your Accounts Payable team is processing thousands of invoices each month, you might consult resources on AI use in invoice data extraction or approval workflows.
Additionally, experiment with AI tools in your day-to-day work, whether to summarize financial reports or draft communication. Low-stakes applications give you a firsthand view of its strengths and limitations.
2. Weeks 3-4: Learn from the people closest to the work
Next, tap into your organization’s institutional knowledge. Colleagues in IT are well-positioned to share where AI is currently deployed or planned for rollout.
From there, speak to teams that are actively experimenting with AI. Hearing from a department lead about how they identified a relevant use case offers insight into how to tailor AI initiatives to business needs.
Externally, connect with CFOs in your industry to further guide your strategy. Think about reaching out to peers in your network or joining industry groups to exchange perspectives on AI adoption approaches.
3. Weeks 5-7: Identify use cases for a targeted pilot
With this context, consider launching an AI pilot back home in the Finance department.
Bring your team into the conversation to home in on specific processes that slow reporting cycles or lead to frequent errors. Their input will help identify a use case worth testing to build internal trust before implementation.
Chances are, many team members are eager to use AI and expect leadership to support these capabilities. Adaptable, forward-thinking staff are prime candidates to participate in a small pilot to validate your selected use case.
4. Weeks 8-11: Translate findings into a leadership strategy
As your pilot progresses, evaluate it like any other strategic initiative — with clear benchmarks and a balanced view of cost versus impact. Compare implementation expenses such as software and training against gains in accuracy or decision-making speed.
Treat the pilot as a foundation for your overarching AI strategy. The insights it provides can inform how you assess the potential ROI of future investments. For instance, uncovering data governance gaps can clarify necessary next steps to scale AI responsibly.
Just as importantly, you’ll gain the confidence to cut through the AI hype and learn how to ask potential vendors the right questions about functionality, fit and proven value in similar environments.
5. Week 12 and beyond: Create a plan for continuous learning
Ninety days is a strong start, but continuous AI upskilling is what will differentiate your leadership.
Use the results of your pilot to inform what comes next. If the outcomes were promising, begin laying the groundwork to scale. If not, apply what you learned to refine your approach and test new use cases.
At the same time, establish simple habits to help you stay informed. Whether you subscribe to a daily newsletter or host monthly AI roundtables, these touchpoints will keep you aligned with advancements relevant to your industry.
The next chapter of CFO leadership starts now
As CFOs take on a strategic role in the organization, they’re no longer just stewards of the bottom line. This shift introduces a new level of responsibility — including being prepared to weigh in on where and how AI can drive value.
AI offers countless opportunities to retain talent, improve forecasting accuracy and unlock faster insights across the business. Although Finance leaders don’t need to master every technical detail, they do need to lead with curiosity and intention.
How will you start engaging with AI today?
Written By Emmanuel Olivier , Worldwide Chief Operating Officer, Esker