Future-Proofing Your Finance Function: Insights from 27 Years of Supporting Finance Teams
As FinanSys celebrates its 27th anniversary this September, we share insights gathered from nearly three decades of experience supporting finance teams around the world.
From implementing finance and ERP systems to building innovative automation solutions, we’ve had a front-row seat to how the finance function has evolved—and where it’s heading next.
One thing is clear: finance leaders who want to thrive tomorrow must act today.
Future-proofing your finance function is no longer optional—it’s essential to long-term success.
Drawing on 27 years of experience, here are some of the most important insights organisations can use to build a finance function that is future-ready, efficient, and positioned for growth.
Technology as the Foundation of Modern Finance
The days when finance could run on spreadsheets and paper-based approvals are long gone.
We’ve seen countless organisations reach breaking point with manual processes, only to discover that embracing cloud platforms unlocks not just efficiency, but also strategic edge.
Cloud-based systems such as Infor SunSystems Cloud and Oracle NetSuite give finance teams agility and scalability. They make it easier to adapt to fast-changing regulatory and business needs.
Meanwhile, a platform like UniFi shows how automation and autonomous processes can transform the day-to-day experience of finance teams.
The insight? Technology isn’t just a tool—it’s the backbone of a modern, future-ready finance function.
From Transactional to Strategic Finance
Over the years, we’ve observed that the role of the finance team has shifted dramatically.
Where finance was once seen purely as a transactional function, today it is increasingly regarded as a strategic partner to the wider business.
This shift depends on one thing: real-time visibility.
Boards and leadership teams need insights they can trust, delivered quickly and in a form that drives decisions. That requires a single source of truth for financial data and a system capable of flexible reporting—capabilities that UniFi BI provides through intuitive dashboards and real-time analytics.
We’ve seen organisations unlock significant value when finance steps into this strategic role.
Instead of spending hours chasing paper invoices or reconciling spreadsheets, finance teams become advisors who guide investment, risk, and growth strategy.
The lesson? Finance teams must embrace their role as strategic enablers, not just record keepers.
People and Culture Matter
While technology provides the platform, people make transformation possible.
Over the years, we’ve learned that a culture open to change is as important as the system itself.
Organisations that succeed with digital transformation don’t just roll out new software; they bring their people on the journey.
That means investing in training, communication, and change management. It also means listening to finance teams about where pain points lie, so the new solutions genuinely improve their daily work.
We’ve also seen how automation reduces stress. By removing repetitive manual tasks, finance professionals can focus on more rewarding and higher-value activities.
That not only boosts efficiency but also improves retention and morale.
The takeaway? Future-proofing is as much about your people as it is about your systems.
Delivering Value Beyond Finance
Another key insight from our years of experience is that modern finance functions don’t operate in isolation—they create value across the entire organisation.
For example:
- Faster invoicing improves cash flow and strengthens client relationships.
- Transparent reporting builds trust with stakeholders and regulators.
- Streamlined processes reduce audit burdens and compliance risks.
In short, when finance runs efficiently, everyone benefits. That’s why so many organisations we’ve worked with now see investment in finance transformation not just as a cost-saving exercise but as a driver of competitive advantage.
The message? An efficient finance function creates ripple effects of value throughout the business.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Finance
If the past 27 years have taught us anything, it’s that change is constant.
Regulations evolve, business models shift, and technologies disrupt. To thrive, finance functions must see future-proofing as a continuous process, not a one-off project.
Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are already reshaping how finance operates, from predictive analytics to autonomous data capture.
Organisations that embrace these tools early will be positioned to lead in efficiency, accuracy, and strategic insight.
At FinanSys, we believe that combining powerful systems like Infor SunSystems Cloud or Oracle NetSuite with flexible platforms like UniFi gives organisations the best of both worlds: a robust finance core and adaptable automation for whatever comes next.
Conclusion
For 27 years, FinanSys has partnered with finance teams across industries, geographies, and complexities.
The lessons we’ve gathered along the way can be summed up simply: future-proofing your finance function requires the right technology, a strategic mindset, empowered people, and a culture of continuous improvement.
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re proud to continue supporting organisations with the solutions they need to simplify complexity, improve efficiency, and unlock growth.
Ready to future-proof your finance function? Get in touch with us today to discover how our solutions can help you build a finance function that’s efficient, reliable, and ready for the future.
