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Unveiling the AI Skills Gap in Corporate Finance

In a recent study conducted by OneStream, a leader in enterprise finance management, alarming results concerning the adoption of AI in corporate finance have surfaced. The survey gathered insights from 2,504 participants, including finance professionals and college students in the field, to examine the current landscape and the future implications of AI in the industry.

AI Adoption in Finance: A Mixed Picture

The findings reveal an interesting yet concerning picture of AI integration in corporate finance. While 66% of finance professionals currently use AI in some capacity, there exists a stark contrast in expectations and preparedness among upcoming talent and seasoned experts. An overwhelming 86% of respondents, which encompasses both students and professionals, anticipate utilizing AI tools at least occasionally in their careers. However, confidence levels vary:

• - 57% of finance professionals believe new hires should possess tech skills beyond basic accounting.
• - Surprisingly, only 11% of seasoned professionals wish they had AI skills when they began their careers, indicating a realization of its importance too late.

Despite growing up in a tech-driven environment, new graduates seem unsure about implementing AI in their work. This uncertainty could potentially hinder their career growth as the demand for AI proficiency in finance continues to heighten. It raises a critical question: how can organizations bridge the AI skills gap and prepare the workforce for future advancements?

The Generational Divide

Furthermore, a notable generational divide was highlighted, shedding light on the disparities in AI readiness across different career stages. While 89% of finance students feel confident in their AI skills, only 54% of finance professionals with over ten years of experience share this sentiment. Younger finance professionals are slightly more optimistic, yet 63% still fall short in confidence. The study highlights that 57% of finance professionals acknowledge a technological divide as a significant challenge in their organizations, with contributing factors including:

• - AI skills gap: 44%
• - Rapid technology changes: 44%
• - Resistance to AI replacing tasks: 40%

Tom Shea, CEO of OneStream, emphasized the necessity for finance teams to tackle these skills gaps and increase AI readiness while managing burnout, particularly as demands for swift forecasting and risk identification rise.

Gender Disparities in AI Adoption

The study also delves into the gender disparities within the realm of AI and technology within corporate finance. It reveals that women in finance are trailing behind men regarding both AI adoption and confidence levels:

• - 71% of male finance professionals report using AI regularly, compared to 61% of female professionals.
• - Among young finance professionals, only 56% of young women believe they are prepared to use AI, versus 69% of young men. Notably, 30% of young women foresee automation and AI as the most daunting challenge in their careers in the upcoming decade.
• - For students, only 12% of female finance students expect to heavily rely on AI, while 68% of male students share this outlook. Experience levels also differ significantly, with only 65% of female students feeling competent in their AI skills, in contrast to 93% of male students.

Such disparities can have lasting effects on the future of women in finance, highlighting the need for initiatives that promote technology skills among underrepresented groups in the industry.

Reality Check: Workload vs. Perception

When it comes to entering the finance profession, many students perceive it as a path of job stability (63%), high salary (57%), and clear growth opportunities (55%). However, they have an unrealistic expectation regarding work hours and burnout:

• - 79% of students anticipate working less than 40 hours weekly.
• - Only 15% associate finance careers with long work hours, and just 16% see burnout as a potential issue.

Contrarily, seasoned finance professionals indicate a different reality:

• - 58% report working over 40 hours weekly.
• - 57% have personally experienced burnout, with top turnover reasons identified as work-life balance issues (44%) and burnout itself (35%).

While only 51% of current professionals believe graduates are fully prepared for real-world finance roles, they provided insights into essential skills for new hires:

• - Technical Acumen: 22%
• - Strong Work Ethic: 21%
• - Business Strategy and Problem-Solving: 20%

Pam McIntyre, SVP at OneStream, noted that the evolving landscape demands businesses invest in early training programs to prepare new finance professionals for the realities they will face.

Conclusion: Bridging the Gap

As AI continues to infiltrate the finance sector, bridging the skills gap and addressing generational and gender disparities will be crucial for the industry. Preparing young talent with the necessary tools and skills will not only enhance their confidence but also drive innovation and effectiveness in corporate finance, equipping organizations to meet future challenges head-on. With a strategic focus on these areas, finance teams can ensure they’re set to lead in an increasingly competitive and tech-driven environment.