Skip to main content
Smiling people looking at a computer screen

Building Trust With Sage Intacct AI

Empower your finance team with AI to help improve accuracy, streamline workflows, and drive value.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is actively redefining core finance and accounting functions, transitioning from a theoretical potential to a practical imperative through modern systems like Sage Intacct. This evolution requires a structured journey for finance departments, aligning with established AI maturity frameworks and best practices in governance, data management, and ethical deployment. Sage Intacct AI provides tools and a strategic framework aimed at streamlining this transformation, focusing on automating routine tasks, delivering actionable insights, and building user confidence and trust. The objective is a significant shift in the role of finance professionals—from performing routine operations to offering strategic advice—driven by the development of advanced analytical skills and supported by AI tools under human oversight.

The New Finance Professional: A Strategic Advisor

The daily work of the finance professional is moving beyond manual data entry and routine reconciliations. AI-powered tools, such as Sage Intacct’s Outlier Detection for continuous transaction monitoring and its AP Automation features, are handling these foundational tasks. This automation allows finance teams to dedicate more time to strategic analysis, proactive exception handling, and insightful advisory roles. As organizations progress through AI maturity stages, from initial experimentation to embedding AI in core processes, the finance function can inherently become more strategic.

Generative AI tools like Sage Copilot are accelerating change in the finance world. These tools help make advanced financial tasks—such as analysis, forecasting, and strategy—more manageable. As a result, more team members, even in smaller companies, can take on a greater role in decision making.

However, using AI effectively requires finance professionals to build new skills. They need to understand data, recognize what AI can and can’t do, think critically about AI-generated insights, and commit to continual learning.

Navigating the AI Journey: A Practical Road Map for Adoption

Successfully integrating AI into finance generally requires a thoughtful, phased approach, rather than a headlong rush. Your organization’s journey should align with both its stage of AI maturity and business objectives.

As generative AI continues to reshape financial processes, Sage offers a practical road map for integrating AI.1 The framework emphasizes a phased approach that can help finance teams integrate AI effectively while building confidence and capability over time.

  1.  Define Clear Objectives
    Organizations should begin by identifying specific business needs or pain points that AI can address, for example, reducing an average seven-day, month-end close or improving persistent error rates. This step requires a clear understanding of the decisions that need to be driven by data. Setting well-defined goals can help AI initiatives be purposeful and align with strategic priorities.
  2.  Start Small With Pilot Projects
    The framework suggests starting with focused, manageable pilot projects. These could include using Sage Intacct’s Outlier Detection in an area where inefficiencies occur or automating a segment of accounts payable. Such pilots allow teams to test AI tools, learn from early outcomes, and uncover any vulnerabilities or areas for improvement. This approach reflects Sage’s guidance and aligns with current research from the MIT Center for Information Systems Research, particularly the “experiment and prepare” and “build pilots and capabilities” phases of AI maturity, helping organizations prepare for what’s next.2
  3.  Scale Strategically
    As initial projects succeed, organizations can expand AI initiatives. This may involve selecting tools that are tailored to their unique business needs and helping teams access proper training. Continuous monitoring of AI system performance is essential, too, as is staying informed about the latest AI developments. This ongoing vigilance can help reduce disruption and enhance long-term value.

Building an Unshakeable Bedrock: Trust in AI-Powered Finance

In a profession where accuracy, integrity, and accountability are paramount, fostering trust in AI-powered accounting systems is critical. The finding by the PCAOB in 2023 that 46% of inspected audits were deficient highlights a pressing need for tools that can enhance accuracy and reliability.3 AI offers a path forward, but only if built on a foundation of trust.

Sage Intacct’s AI commitments provide a strong model for achieving this. A core principle is keeping the user in control; AI may analyze and suggest, but human professionals provide the ultimate check, approval, or rejection. Further, explainable AI is essential. Tools like Sage Intacct’s Outlier Detection and Sage Copilot are designed to provide explanations for results, moving away from opaque “black box” solutions. This transparency can help professionals understand the “why” behind AI insights.

When AI features, such as real-time error flagging during transaction processing, become transparent and reliable, they can significantly boost confidence in the numbers and the systems that yield them.

The Future of Finance With Sage Intacct AI

The positive impacts of thoughtfully implemented AI in finance extend far beyond internal efficiencies. The enhanced accuracy, speed, and insight gained within the finance department create a ripple effect, strengthening relationships and trust across the broader business ecosystem.

For instance, when Sage Intacct’s AP Automation streamlines processes, leading to more accurate and timely payments, the technology can facilitate improved vendor relationships. This can help encourage a more collaborative value chain. Further, Sage Intacct AI offers capabilities that can enhance financial reporting by:

  • Automating error detection and identifying discrepancies in real time.
  • Improving data accuracy and visibility through multidimensional reporting.
  • Accelerating the close process and reducing manual effort.
  • Using AI and machine learning to uncover insights and detect anomalies in financial data.

These capabilities can help improve operational performance and position finance teams as strategic enablers of trust and growth across the organization.

Sage’s Commitments & What’s Ahead

Sage has made a clear commitment to building trust in AI by prioritizing transparency, explainability, and human oversight within Sage Intacct and its other software tools. These principles are thoughtfully integrated into its product design and road map, with the goal of supporting finance professionals in their roles—enhancing their contributions rather than replacing them.

Updates From Sage Future 2025

At Sage Future 2025, the Sage Intacct team unveiled a forward-looking product road map, offering clients a compelling preview of the AI-powered capabilities set to transform finance operations. By introducing the next wave of innovations, including agentic AI, Sage is paving the way for deeper automation, orchestration, and insights that can empower finance teams.

Companies can look forward to exciting new AI solutions, including:

  • Close Assistant: Proactively monitors close management processes. This solution can enhance visibility and facilitate navigation for standardized month-end closing tasks, including:
    • Unposted transactions in accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), and general ledger (GL)
    • Bank reconciliation in Cash Management
    • Subledger and GL close status
  • Enhanced AP Automation With Purchasing: Streamlines purchasing management throughout the complete AP process.
  • Sage Copilot Cash Requirements: Enables cash forecasting by predicting customer payment trends and improving vendor payment efficiency, empowering finance leaders to manage cash flow more effectively.
  • Sage AI Services, Developer APIs: Provides developers with tools to extend Sage Copilot’s capabilities, enabling the creation of tailored AI-driven workflows and integrations that meet specific business needs.

How Forvis Mazars Can Help

Don’t fall behind the curve when it comes to AI and automation. Discover insights and elevate performance with AI built for accounting professionals. Business Technology Services at Forvis Mazars is a Sage accounting and Sage Intacct software value-added reseller, offering a full suite of consulting services. As a certified Sage Partner, our experienced team of technology consultants can help you transform your financial processes. Connect with us to learn more about Sage Intacct AI and start your next project today.

Related reading: The Future of Finance: How CFOs & CIOs Can Leverage AI

  • 1“Generative AI in 7 easy steps: A practical business guide,” sage.com, February 15, 2024.
  • 2“What’s your company’s AI maturity level?,” mitsloan.mit.edu, February 25, 2025.
  • 3“Building Trust and Inspiring Hope in the Accounting and Auditing Profession,” pcaobus.org, September 24, 2024.

Related FORsights

Like what you see?
Subscribe to receive tailored insights directly to your inbox.