#Finance AI #Board #Continuous Planning

Transforming Finance into a Strategic Powerhouse with AI

On March 18, 2026, Board made a monumental announcement during the Board Beyond event held in London: the launch of its Office of Finance Agents, designed to reshape how organizations approach financial planning. This innovative solution seeks to transition finance from merely a reporting function to a strategic catalyst for growth, a move that reflects the evolving landscape of business its dynamics.

Advancements in Continuous Planning with AI

The Office of Finance Agents encompass two key components: the Financial Planning and Analysis (FPA) Agent and the Controller Agent. These agents are engineered to significantly diminish the manual workload typically faced by finance teams, allowing them to channel their efforts towards higher-value analyses and strategic decision-making initiatives. The FPA Agent specializes in streamlining processes such as three-statement modeling, revenue and margin planning, and adaptive forecasting. Meanwhile, the Controller Agent enhances capabilities related to financial closure, consolidation, and comprehensive reporting, ensuring that organizations can operate with greater efficiency without compromising the reliability of their financial data.

By incorporating finance-targeted, explainable AI technologies, Board connects various finance functions within a cohesive framework that drives accurate and timely decisions.

Chris Xu, Chief Accounting Officer for Ammega, expressed enthusiasm over the FPA Agent's performance: _“The Board FPA Agent gives me new ideas beyond my usual patterns. It delivers genuinely out-of-the-box insights that challenge my experience.”_

Revamping the Planner Experience with Microsoft Integration

Recognizing that many finance professionals continue to work predominantly in Excel, Board has significantly enhanced its integration with Microsoft 365. This new integration allows users to work seamlessly in their familiar Excel environment while staying connected to Board’s governed data, business logic, and financial models. The Board Flex Grid enables a more interactive and enhanced spreadsheet experience. This approach facilitates day-to-day planning tasks without reverting to unmanaged spreadsheets, thereby improving accuracy and efficiency.

Will Deer, FPA Manager at EBSCO Industries, noted, _“Board for Microsoft 365 allows us to maintain a single governed data model in Board while democratizing access to reporting. Business users can quickly pull trusted data into Excel and conduct their own analysis, significantly speeding up reporting and reducing dependency on centralized report development.”_

Transforming Market Volatility into a Competitive Edge

In today’s turbulent market, accurate forecasting has become more crucial than ever. Many enterprises find themselves juggling inconsistent demand signals, resulting in misalignment and increased risks. Board's new platform unifies financial and operational planning, which is vital for navigating the complexities of demand fluctuations. Following the acquisition of Prevedere in 2024, Board now integrates top-tier econometric forecasting capabilities powered by AI. This fusion can boost forecast accuracy by up to 50%, allowing organizations to forecast with confidence and adapt proactively to market changes.

David Marmer, Chief Product Officer at Board, expressed the urgency of enhancing planning processes: _“Planning no longer has the luxury of waiting for the cycle to catch up. Demand signals move faster, forecasts face greater scrutiny, and teams must understand change while there is still time to respond.