Greatest Hits: Why AI Still Feels Hard for Finance Teams
November 10, 2026
In this Greatest Hits episode of CFO Weekly, Alex Curran, Chief Executive Officer at Aptitude Software, joins Megan Weis to revisit why AI adoption in finance is fundamentally an architecture problem, not a model problem. Drawing on more than two decades of experience modernizing finance and accounting systems, Alex explores what it takes to build an AI-ready finance function, why real-time and auditable data matter, and how CFOs can embrace a more strategic role in the era of autonomous finance.
AI adoption in finance is moving quickly, but many organizations are discovering that having access to AI tools doesn't necessarily mean their finance function is ready to use them effectively.
In this Greatest Hits episode of CFO Weekly, Megan Weis speaks with Alex Curran, Chief Executive Officer at Aptitude Software, about why AI adoption in finance is fundamentally an architecture problem, not a model problem.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience helping organizations modernize their finance and accounting systems, Alex explains why traditional ERP systems, fragmented data, and outdated infrastructure are holding finance teams back from real-time intelligence and automation.
He explores what it truly means to become AI-ready, why a new category of finance ERP is emerging, and how CFOs can move beyond retrospective reporting to become more forward-looking strategic operators.
Whether you're evaluating AI for your finance function or preparing your organization for the next stage of digital transformation, this episode offers valuable perspectives on building a finance architecture that supports smarter, faster, and more accountable decision-making.
What You'll Learn:
- Why AI adoption in finance is an architecture problem rather than a model problem
- How traditional ERPs were built for batch processing rather than real-time intelligence
- What it truly means for a finance function to be AI-ready
- Why finance data must be real-time, structured, and fully auditable
- How finance ERP is emerging as a distinct category alongside operational ERP
- Which AI use cases offer the most immediate value to finance teams
- How CFOs can evolve from retrospective stewards to forward-looking strategic operators
Learn more about Alex:
Episode resources:
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Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzie
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- Why Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris Miles
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- What Lights You Up? with Jordan Grumet
- Become a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William Washington
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