Moderated by Emily, Digital Transformation Consultant at Hyperbots
Emily: Hi, everyone! This is Emily, and I’m a digital transformation consultant with Hyperbots, Inc. I’m pleased to have Dave on the call with me. Dave Sackett is the VP of Finance at Persimmon Technology, thank you so much for joining us today, Dave.
Dave Sackett: Yeah, thank you, Emily.
Emily: So, Dave, the topic we’ll be discussing today is debit or credit entry postings and the different nuances across ERP systems like QuickBooks, SAP S/4HANA, and NetSuite. To keep it brief, my first question is, how do the postings of debit and credit entries differ across these ERPs specifically when a vendor invoice is posted?
Dave Sackett: Okay, to answer that, I’ll categorize by small, medium, and large data requirements. QuickBooks might have the simplest and shortest journal entries in terms of debits and credits, followed by NetSuite, then SAP. SAP has a lot more complexity and required fields to post a transaction, so it’s a bigger effort in SAP compared to QuickBooks. NetSuite falls somewhere in between.
Emily: Understood. Thank you, Dave. Moving on, what are the main differences you’ve seen in tax handling among QuickBooks, SAP, and NetSuite when posting vendor invoices?
Dave Sackett: Similar to the number of fields each system requires, when it comes to tax compliance, there are tools that each ERP can leverage for tax assistance. QuickBooks, which I’m currently using, is quite simple. NetSuite offers more functionality and good APIs for tax services, while SAP is the most complex and thorough ERP, especially in handling international taxes.
Emily: Understood. So, Dave, what unique features does SAP S/4HANA offer for handling vendor invoices that differentiate it from QuickBooks and NetSuite?
Dave Sackett: With SAP, there’s a far greater opportunity for granularity in data tracking. You can track by vendor, region, or almost any business-specific criteria, which allows for detailed outbound reporting. It’s very complex, with many required fields, which support robust data tracking and reporting. So, if in-depth tracking is important, SAP might be the best choice.
Emily: Understood. Since you mentioned you’re currently using QuickBooks, what limitations does QuickBooks have in handling complex vendor invoices compared to SAP or NetSuite?
Dave Sackett: QuickBooks is generally geared toward small businesses, treating data somewhat like a checkbook. It doesn’t offer the depth of analytics found in NetSuite or SAP, which are better at tracking vendor assignments, purchase history, and FP&A analytics. So, compared to the other two, QuickBooks is limited in data gathering and analysis.
Emily: Understood. Also, Dave, how can AI-based external tools help improve the accuracy and automation of GL posting?
Dave Sackett: That’s an excellent question. Each ERP system can support AI integration, and the more complex the system, the greater value you gain from having API connections to third-party solutions for enhanced accuracy and automation.
Emily: Understood. Thank you so much, Dave, for discussing the differences between ERP solutions and explaining how AI can enhance them. It was great having you, and thank you for joining us today.
Dave Sackett: Yeah, thanks, Emily.
Moderated by Emily, Digital Transformation Consultant at Hyperbots
Emily: Hi everyone, this is Emily, a digital transformation consultant at Hyperbots, Inc. I’m happy to have Claudia Mejia, managing director at Ikigai Edge, with us again. Thank you, Claudia, for joining us.
Claudia Mejia: I am happy to be with you.
Emily: The topic today is a chart of accounts and GL coding in Microsoft Dynamics. For a small but growing business, what are some key considerations when setting up a chart of accounts in Microsoft Dynamics?
Claudia Mejia: One of the beauties of Microsoft Dynamics is its multidimensional capabilities. This allows you to set up different dimensions like departments, call centers, regions, eliminating the need to create multiple GL accounts for every dimension combination.
Emily: So, Claudia, how can businesses leverage Microsoft Dynamics features to maintain an effective chart of accounts as they scale up?
Claudia Mejia: When designing the chart of accounts, they should definitely define the dimensions that meet their needs. By using dimensions, you can match transactions to specific departments, product lines, geographical locations, or business units. You can also use advanced rules to automatically allocate expenses to specific multi-dimensions and GL accounts. Additionally, you can configure your account structure to define which financial dimensions go with each account.
Emily: Got it. That was insightful. What are some common mistakes businesses make when setting up their chart of accounts in Microsoft Dynamics, and how can they avoid them?
Claudia Mejia: Businesses coming from a small business system to Microsoft Dynamics tend to create GL accounts for every combination, which can be complex and time-consuming. To avoid this, ensure you design financial dimensions and use them properly. Additionally, leverage the chart of accounts designer tool to ensure you use the right combinations and avoid future issues when allocating expenses.
Emily: Understood. So, how can businesses create a flexible and scalable chart of account structure that maximizes Microsoft Dynamics capabilities?
Claudia Mejia: There are four functionalities to consider: defining dimensions, using account structures and their combinations, using rules to ensure expenses go to the right accounts, and using the chart of accounts designer to be proactive in how you use these combinations. Many small businesses don’t utilize these capabilities to their full potential. So, study the functionalities and establish a process for setting up these structures.
Emily: Got it. How can businesses leverage AI capabilities outside of Microsoft Dynamics to maintain a chart of accounts integrity?
Claudia Mejia: My preference would be an AI platform that connects via API to the system. This way, AI can read transactions, ensure they are allocated to the proper accounts, and perform predictive analytics to automate certain compliance tasks. Platforms like Hyperbots can do this in one solution. There are also other solutions for specific tasks, like AI for automatic account reconciliation or machine learning tools to identify duplicate entries. However, my favorite would be a solution that can automatically integrate into the system.
Emily: Got it. Got it. Can you provide an example of how Microsoft Dynamics financial dimensions can reduce complexity in the chart of accounts?
Claudia Mejia: Let’s say you want to track travel expenses for a department and a project. You can set up dimensions for department and project. Instead of creating GL combinations for marketing and project A or marketing and project B, you can simply create the dimensions and automate rules to ensure specific vendors and transactions go to the designated dimension and GL account.
Emily: Got it. Understood. One last question. How can AI facilitate migrating from Microsoft Dynamics to another ERP or consolidate multiple Dynamics instances?
Claudia Mejia: AI can read the context of GL account descriptions. If you have two Dynamics instances to consolidate, an AI tool can identify and map the corresponding GL accounts to avoid duplication and recommend how to do it. This, combined with a data migration framework in Microsoft Dynamics, can significantly improve efficiency by eliminating manual mapping. AI can reduce errors and ensure compliance, leading to sound financial reporting. Matching accounts properly is crucial.
Emily: Got it. Thank you so much, Claudia, for these insightful answers on managing and scaling the chart of accounts in Microsoft Dynamics. It was great having you, as always.
Claudia Mejia: Oh, thank you, Emily. Great talking to you.
Moderated by Emily, Digital Transformation Consultant at Hyperbots
Emily: Hi, everyone. This is Emily, and I’m a digital transformation consultant at Hyperbots. I’m really pleased to have Dave Sackett, the VP of finance at Persimmon Technologies, on the call with me. So thank you so much for joining us, Dave.
Dave Sackett: Yeah. Thanks, Emily.
Emily: So, Dave, today we’ll be discussing the chart of accounts in Sage Intacct. Let’s quickly dive into the first question. Could you please explain the key components of an effective GL coding scheme in Sage Intacct, and how exactly it benefits financial management?
Dave Sackett: Yep, what you want to do is set up your chart of accounts with logic, using a numerical scheme. One could be assets, two could be liabilities, four for revenue, and three for equity. Having that range, so that all your assets begin with one and all your liabilities begin with two, sets up a logical format for any chart of accounts. This is useful for report writers or using an AI model to categorize your data logically. When creating your chart of accounts, you should have gaps in there, so you’re not just adding one account to the next.
Dave Sackett: As you add new ones, plan for expansion. My suggestion would be to space out your accounts by at least five spaces across. So, whatever your number is—dot 005, dot 010, dot 015—if you need to place accounts in between, you can structure them without having to remap them with a report writer.
Emily: Got it. So apart from what you just mentioned, Dave, are there any other best practices you’d recommend when setting up or maintaining a chart of accounts in Sage Intacct?
Dave Sackett: Yes. You want to avoid miscellaneous as best as you can because people are always asking, “What’s in miscellaneous?” So if you can understand your business and code things to the right place in the chart of accounts, reporting becomes easier. But at the same time, you don’t want to go overboard and capture everything with a separate account.
Dave Sackett: One exception to that might be project accounting, where you want to track all the costs for a specific project. But for prepaid, for example, you don’t need one for every vendor. You want general accounts to cover prepaid marketing expenses or prepaid insurance expenses. Even if you have multiple policies or meetings, you’re still grouping similar assets into one category without cluttering your chart of accounts. You don’t want your chart of accounts to be 40 pages long like they used to be. Today, people prefer a cleaner, more succinct chart of accounts. If they want details, they can extract those from another report if the chart of accounts is set up properly.
Emily: Got it. Now, shifting gears to common mistakes or errors companies make when creating or managing a chart of accounts, what are some of those?
Dave Sackett: One common mistake is taking the existing account structure and trying to force it into a new system without considering future needs. Businesses change—new revenue models emerge. So anytime you have the opportunity to review your chart of accounts, don’t just copy what you did before. Take a new perspective and ask, “What’s my goal with this chart of accounts? What will future reports look like?”I like to think of the end goal and work backward. So, look at the future management reports you want, then figure out what you need to set up in the chart of accounts to achieve that final output. By doing this, you can avoid missing accounts or setting things up incorrectly.
Emily: Understood. So how would you suggest a company build a flexible and scalable chart of accounts to accommodate growth?
Dave Sackett: You need to structure it logically, so automation can assist you. For instance, using ChatGPT to look at examples of charts of accounts might reveal new things like leases or new accounting rules that require new accounts. For example, right-of-use asset or right-of-use liability accounts are now needed due to new accounting rules. Having an eye on both the present and future will help ensure your chart of accounts is flexible and scalable.
Emily: Understood. How can AI help maintain the integrity of the chart of accounts in Sage Intacct?
Dave Sackett: The benefit of AI is that it loves patterns and data. An ERP system structures things in a way that’s easy for AI to understand. It can analyze ranges, and you can train your model based on your logically-kept data. AI can easily find assets, liabilities, and other categories based on account ranges. If your chart of accounts is clean and logical, AI will have a much easier job, reducing errors in your modeling process.
Emily: Got it. Can you provide an example of how a fast-growing company might benefit from using AI to manage its chart of accounts in Sage?
Dave Sackett: AI can provide suggestions and perform flux analysis on the chart of accounts. It can analyze what accounts are missing, what accounts are not being used, or if any settings are wrong. AI can also flag anomalies in the chart of accounts. This can help the company diagnose issues in the account structure, making it easier for AI to assist in improving the system.
Emily: Got it. Is there any advice you’d like to give companies transitioning from a smaller accounting solution like QuickBooks to a more robust system like Sage?
Dave Sackett: Yes, as a company grows, transitioning to a more robust system is essential. Sage offers far more features and is more future-focused than QuickBooks. Using AI to assist in the transition can be a significant time saver. I’m personally transitioning from QuickBooks to Epicor, and similar principles apply.
Emily: To wrap things up, how often should a company review and update its chart of accounts, and what triggers these reviews?
Dave Sackett: Typically, reviews are triggered by changes in the business, such as new revenue models, different departments, or new reporting requirements. If your business changes direction, you need to ensure your chart of accounts is ready. Attend budget and forecast meetings to understand where the business is going, and prepare the chart of accounts accordingly. I recommend reviewing it at least once a year or as needed based on new developments.
Emily: That’s great advice. Thank you so much, Dave, for sharing your insights on managing the chart of accounts in Sage Intacct, leveraging AI, and planning for growth. Your expertise is invaluable for any company looking to optimize its financial management processes. Thank you for being here.
Dave Sackett: Yeah, thank you, Emily.
Moderated by Jane, a financial technology consultant at Hyperbots
Jane: Hello, everyone! This is Jane, a financial technology consultant here at Hyperbots, and today we are joined by Dave Sackett, who is the VP of Persimmon Technologies. Welcome, Dave. Thank you for joining in.
Dave Sackett: Yeah, thanks, Jane.
Jane: Let’s dive straight into it. The topic we’ll be discussing today is revenue heads in the chart of accounts. This topic is critical for effective financial management and strategic decision-making in any organization. To start, can you please tell us why structuring revenue heads properly in the chart of accounts is so important for organizations, especially across different industries?
Dave Sackett: Yeah. So what you have are compliance issues, and different stakeholders need to know revenue accounts to manage the business properly. Depending on the industry you’re in, it can vary significantly. If you’re a SaaS company, you’re looking at usage, internet clicks, etc. If you’re a manufacturing company, you have product revenue. In a service company, the revenue structure differs again. So, regardless of the industry, you may have vastly different ways to look at revenue.
Jane: Understood. What are some common mistakes or errors accountants make when creating revenue heads in the chart of accounts?
Dave Sackett: People who like data often want everything at their fingertips. They might create a revenue structure with very tight granularity, capturing every detail. But in reality, it works better to have a simplified chart of accounts and use other reports for additional details. This helps focus the audience on the right revenue and keeps everyone on target. When you have new business lines or revenue streams, that’s the right time to expand how you look at revenue.
Jane: Got it. Can you share some best practices for structuring revenue heads to avoid these common mistakes?
Dave Sackett: Yep. You want to meet with your stakeholders and figure out what your end product and reports will look like, and who needs the data. It may be for regulatory compliance or reporting to a parent company that consolidates results. Revenue tracking can be critical, especially for accounting eliminations. It’s important that everyone is on the same page when it comes to revenue, and you want to avoid overcomplicating it.
Jane: Understood. How can AI help improve the management and structuring of revenue heads in the chart of accounts?
Dave Sackett: Luckily, we’re in the age of AI, where advancements are happening quickly. AI can support you not only in creating revenue accounts but also in analyzing revenue changes, performing flux analysis, and digging into variances. So, AI has become almost a partner in accounting and finance. Focus on the problem first, then see how AI can support it. As technology progresses, AI’s ability to help will only increase.
Jane: Understood. Can you provide an example of how a specific industry, such as retail or manufacturing, benefits from an AI-validated chart of account structure for revenue heads?
Dave Sackett: Yes. I work in a manufacturing company where we make robots. AI helps us by analyzing variances and providing guidance on whether transactions are going to the correct accounts, or if revenue should be structured differently. AI can alert you if you have transactions that look incorrect based on descriptions, helping guide you in setting up revenue accounts and suggesting whether to add or consolidate accounts. It’s like having another set of eyes to assist in your accounting work.
Jane: Got it. How often should organizations review and update their revenue heads in the chart of accounts, and what factors should trigger these reviews?
Dave Sackett: Right now, I’m transitioning to a new ERP system, which is a great time to revisit revenue categorization. My goal is to keep things simple and basic, and as the business grows and new revenue streams come in, we’ll add accounts but starting with a strong foundation and adding as necessary is key. I wouldn’t recommend changing revenue categorizations frequently, but major milestones like a new compliance report or a new product or service might trigger a review. If no major events occur, an annual review, perhaps during budget planning, is a good rule of thumb.
Jane: Understood. Finally, what advice would you give to CFOs or financial managers looking to optimize their revenue structures in the chart of accounts?
Dave Sackett: Look to the future. Consider tools available today that weren’t available two or five years ago and see how they can help you. AI is very powerful now, especially with advancements in large language models. These AI systems can now really understand your business, and you can train them to support your efforts in tracking revenue.
Jane: Understood. That’s it. Thank you, Dave, for sharing your valuable insights on managing revenue heads in the chart of accounts. Your guidance will surely help many organizations optimize their financial structures and enhance their decision-making processes.
Dave Sackett: Great, thanks, Jane.
Jane: Thank you.
Moderated by Emily, Digital Transformation Consultant at Hyperbots
Emily: Hi everyone. Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, depending on where you are. I’m Emily, a digital transformation consultant at Hyperbot Systems, and I’m very pleased to have Mike Vaishnav on the call with me. Mike is a CFO, consultant, and strategic advisor to various privately-held organizations. Before we get started on our discussion on how AI can be a friend rather than a foe to companies, Mike, could you tell us a little more about yourself?
Mike Vaishnav: Of course, thank you, Emily. I’ve been working in Silicon Valley for close to 30 years in various roles, ranging from controllership to FP&A, treasury, tax, significant M&A transactions, and process improvement system implementations. I’ve worked with companies of different sizes, from $60 million to $22 billion. In my last two roles as a CFO, I also managed HR, legal, and IT functions. So, that’s my overall background. Let’s focus on our topic rather than my background.
Emily: Thank you so much for the introduction, Mike. Today’s discussion will cover three broad categories: technology evolution in finance, the perceived threats of AI, and the benefits of AI. Starting with technology evolution, Mike, as you mentioned, you’ve spearheaded different finance functions in various organizations of varying sizes. Would you like to briefly share your key experiences?
Mike Vaishnav: Of course. I’ve seen technology evolve from mainframe computers in the early ’90s to the latest cloud-based technology. The speed and analysis of data have changed significantly. Automation and process improvements have been tremendous. We’re now entering a stage where AI can further evolve technology, especially in the finance industry.
Emily: You’ve been part of different waves of technology in finance, from manual bookkeeping to advanced ERP systems. What technological evolution have you seen over the years?
Mike Vaishnav: Automation has progressed from manual processes to cloud-based systems. Adding AI and other solutions to existing ERP systems can automate processes and make finance functions more efficient and effective.
Emily: These days, there’s a lot of buzz around AI. How do you see AI affecting the finance function?
Mike Vaishnav: AI can significantly enhance the finance function. AI is essentially human intelligence on a computer, helping finance take the next step. AI can gather and analyze large amounts of data, complementing human efforts. It can provide real-time, accurate data, improving decision-making and operational efficiency. AI can help finance executives focus on detailed analysis to improve profitability and efficiency.
Emily: Thank you, Mike. In the next part, we will discuss the potential threats of AI.
Emily: Welcome back, Mike. Here, we’ll talk about the threats of AI. AI is seen as a threat by some and a friend to others. Why are the perceptions so different?
Mike Vaishnav: People see AI as a threat mainly due to fears of job losses, data security, and privacy issues. There’s also a concern about people becoming too reliant on AI and potential biases in data. Since AI is still evolving, these perceptions persist.
Emily: Is the perception of threat real? What can companies do to change this perception?
Mike Vaishnav: The threat isn’t entirely real. While some routine jobs may be impacted, AI will create opportunities for more analytical roles. Companies need to educate their employees about AI, showing that it can complement human intelligence rather than replace it. People doing routine jobs can be redeployed to learn new skills.
Emily: We just spoke about job security. How real is this threat, or do you see it as an opportunity?
Mike Vaishnav: I see it more as an opportunity. While some entry-level positions may be affected, AI will create chances for employees to learn new skills and take on more analytical roles. The perceived threat can be mitigated through proper education and redeployment of resources.
Emily: Another threat you mentioned is data security. How real is it, and what can be done to mitigate it?
Mike Vaishnav: Data security is a real concern, but it has become more manageable with sophisticated AI systems. Ensuring data privacy and security involves everyone interacting with the data, not just the data administrators. Companies need to maintain high ethics, integrity, and trust in data handling to mitigate this threat.
Emily: That’s quite concerning for companies considering AI-driven processes. Thank you for your inputs, Mike. In the next part, we will cover the benefits of AI.
Emily: Welcome back, Mike. In the previous sections, we discussed the evolution of technology in finance and the threats posed by AI. Now, let’s explore the benefits of AI. Can you share some examples where AI simplifies the life of finance professionals?
Mike Vaishnav: AI can collect data, assist in decision-making, eliminate human error, simplify complex information, and reduce costs. It provides real-time data for analysis, making the finance function more efficient. AI helps finance professionals by automating data collection and analysis, saving time, and improving accuracy.
Emily: What skills should finance professionals acquire to take advantage of AI technology?
Mike Vaishnav: Finance professionals don’t need specific new skills because they are generally system-savvy. The key is to be open-minded and understand how to interpret and use AI-generated data. Trust in AI is built on understanding how data is collected and algorithms are written.
Emily: Can AI be a trusted friend, or should you always keep a watch on it? Can you give an example where AI can be fully trusted and another where its output must be reviewed?
Mike Vaishnav: AI can be a trusted friend for finance professionals if the data collection and algorithms are accurate. For instance, AI can reliably process and analyze large datasets. However, for complex decision-making, it’s essential to review AI outputs to ensure accuracy and relevance. Trust in AI comes with proper data handling and algorithm design, but human oversight remains crucial.
Emily: Thank you so much, Mike, for the insightful discussion. I’m sure this will provide our audience with clarity on embracing AI in their finance processes while avoiding potential threats.
Mike Vaishnav: Absolutely, thank you so much. It was a great discussion.
A revolutionary change was stirring within the walls of a once-traditional accounting department. The introduction of an AI assistant, aptly named Aiden, marked the dawn of a new era for Leo Burman and his colleagues. Aiden, with its advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities, was about to transform the tedium of invoice processing into a thing of the past.
Leo’s days, once mired in the monotony of manual tasks, were now filled with a newfound sense of purpose and efficiency. Aiden, the digital assistant, took on the laborious chore of sifting through endless emails, seamlessly distinguishing between irrelevant correspondences and crucial invoices with the precision of a seasoned expert. It effortlessly identified and extracted invoices from the digital pile, relegating unwanted distractions to the background.
But Aiden’s capabilities didn’t stop there. It delved into the intricate details of each invoice, interpreting and structuring unstructured data with an accuracy that left Leo in awe. Purchase orders were no longer puzzles to be painstakingly matched by human hands; Aiden effortlessly aligned them with their corresponding invoices, adhering strictly to the company’s policies.
In cases where discrepancies arose, Aiden took the initiative, routing the unmatched invoices for approval to the desks of finance controller Sean or the relevant department heads. This automation not only streamlined the process but also ensured that Leo’s involvement was reserved for truly critical decisions.
Leo’s transformation was profound. Freed from the shackles of mundane tasks, he discovered a sense of liberation that permeated every aspect of his work. The stress and errors that once haunted his days were now distant memories, replaced by the reliability and precision of Aiden’s digital prowess.
With Aiden by his side, Leo’s productivity soared to heights previously unimaginable. He found himself handling ten times the volume of invoices in the same period, a feat that would have seemed like a fanciful dream in the days before AI. The bulk of the workload was now expertly managed by Aiden, leaving Leo to focus on higher-order tasks that demanded his expertise and critical thinking.
The impact of Aiden extended beyond the confines of invoice processing. Leo’s manager took notice of his newfound capacity for strategic projects, entrusting him with responsibilities that tapped into his true potential. Leo’s career, once stunted by the limitations of manual processes, was now on an upward trajectory, fueled by the opportunities unlocked by automation.
But perhaps the most significant change was in Leo’s demeanor. The frustration and boredom that once clouded his days had vanished, replaced by a vibrant enthusiasm for his work. Aiden, more than just a tool, had become a trusted companion on his professional journey, a symbol of progress and innovation.
The story of Leo Burman, once a tale of drudgery and dissatisfaction, had transformed into a narrative of empowerment and success. In embracing AI technology, Leo and his colleagues had not only revolutionized their workflow but also redefined their roles within the company. Aiden, the AI assistant, had ushered in an era of efficiency and job satisfaction, proving that the future of accounting was not just about numbers, but about the potential to achieve more with the power of technology.
In the heart of a bustling city, Leo Burman, an accountant with a sharp mind and an eye for detail, finds himself trapped in the monotonous cycle of manual invoice processing. His day begins at 9 AM in a stark office, where the hum of fluorescent lights and the distant chatter of colleagues set the backdrop for his daily ordeal.
As the clock ticks, Leo starts his routine by opening the first of many invoices, a task as familiar as it is tedious. Each invoice, a paper trail leading to an endless sea of numbers and terms, demands his undivided attention. He meticulously reads through the details, ensuring no discrepancies lie within. But as the minutes morph into hours, the lines between numbers start to blur, and Leo’s focus wanes under the weight of repetition. And his worries about committing errors unknowingly increase.
By 11 AM, he’s already opened and scrutinized dozens of invoices, each one adding to the monotony of his day. The process of matching each invoice to its corresponding purchase order becomes a test of patience. Leo flips between documents, his eyes scanning for matching figures and terms, a task that feels more like finding a needle in a haystack with each passing hour.
Lunchtime offers no respite for Leo. While others enjoy their break, he’s often found chasing approvals, his phone glued to his ear as he navigates through the bureaucratic labyrinth of his company. Each call is a dance of persuasion, trying to secure the necessary sign-offs to move the process forward. The frustration builds as Leo encounters the all-too-familiar responses of delay and indecision.
As the afternoon sun casts long shadows across his desk, Leo tackles the general ledger entries. The precision required for this task is immense, and any mistake could lead to hours of additional work. The pressure mounts with each entry, a constant reminder of the importance of his role, yet the repetitive nature of the task strips it of any sense of achievement.
By 5 PM, the office starts to empty, but Leo’s day is far from over. The pile of invoices seems just as tall as it was in the morning, a daunting reminder of the never-ending cycle of his job. The clock hands move closer to 6 PM, and with it, the realization that another day has passed in much the same way as the one before.
As he finally shuts down his computer and turns off the lights, Leo can’t help but feel a profound sense of frustration. The knowledge that tomorrow will be a repeat of today weighs heavily on him. The monotony of manual invoice processing, a task that once challenged him, now serves as a constant reminder of the potential for improvement and efficiency that AI-driven automation could bring.
Leo Burman’s story is a testament to the pains and frustrations faced by many in the world of accounting. It highlights the urgent need for change in processes that have remained unchanged for too long and the importance of embracing AI technology to liberate talented individuals from the repetitive tasks that stifle their potential.