As finance and accounting teams weigh how to adapt to new automation tools, speakers at the CFO Live: The Future of Finance event agreed that technical skills alone will not be enough to succeed. While the tools themselves are evolving quickly, what stands out is the continued importance of communication, empathy, and adaptability in how professionals use them. 

CFO.com reported that Jack Castonguay, associate professor of accounting at Hofstra University, compared the rise of AI in finance to WebMD’s effect on medicine. People come to experts with information, but not always the right conclusions. He said accountants will increasingly need to explain why an AI-generated analysis may not tell he whole story. That ability to communicate clearly with clients, and not just interpret data, is becoming more valuable. 

Panelists also spoke about the growing need to collaborate with IT. Chris Ortega of Fresh FP&A said that breaking down siloes between departments begins with trust, not just process. John Glasgow of Campfire added that relationships outside formal meetings, like lunches or off-site events, can make those collaborations more effective when difficult conversations happen later. 

UHY-US CFO Laura LaPeer said that accountants today have to “show up differently” for clients, staying informed about new technologies while maintaining the professional skepticism that defines the role. The message across all panels was similar: as automation expands, human understanding (how people listen, explain, and connect) remains central to the profession’s future.