From AI to ROI: Unlock Value with AI Agents by Turning Insight into Action

Finance experts have been experimenting with AI for a few years now, testing how the technology can help with forecasting and surfacing insights that aid strategic decision making.

Some are seeing promising results, while others still have a way to go in identifying where and how AI can drive the greatest operational value for their business.

One thing is clear though: insight alone isn’t always enough.

To achieve tangible, quantifiable returns, and solve the problems that will make the biggest difference, organizations need AI that will help to do the do…not just explain it. They need tools that move beyond insight and analysis and begin to execute tasks. This is where agentic AI comes in.

Our newly published report, From AI to ROI: Unlock Value with AI Agents, produced in partnership with Financial Times Longitude, highlights how organizations moving beyond experimentation are starting to see results.

Among the key findings:

• Overall, AI ROI increased from 35% to 67% over the past year.
• Agentic AI deployments deliver higher ROI, with an average of 80%.
• Nearly one in four leaders report returns exceeding 101% after agentic AI implementation.
• 72% of leaders say their AI agents have already been successful within their finance function.

The findings suggest that while many finance teams remain in exploratory stages, with plenty of opportunity for growth, those already applying AI agents in targeted processes are realising significant operational and financial benefits.

What can agentic AI offer that traditional AI tools can’t?

Traditional AI tools are great at digging into financial data. They spot trends, make forecasts, and offer up smart advice to help businesses make important decisions that fit their goals. But that’s usually where things stop. After that, teams must dig into the recommendations themselves and start manually tackling the tasks.

So how is agentic AI different? Agentic AI tools bridge the gap between insight and execution. They enable systems to execute tasks autonomously within clearly defined rules and governance frameworks. As Kevin Kamau, Director of Product Management for Data and AI at Basware, explains in the report: “AI agents go a step further by executing work within defined boundaries. That shift from informing decisions to carrying them out is what turns AI into an operational asset and explains why agentic deployments deliver higher ROI.”

In practical terms, this means AI agents can handle structured, repeatable work, helping finance teams manage complex workflows more efficiently while maintaining control and oversight.

Why Accounts Payable is a natural starting point

Looking for a smart place to kick off your organization’s AI journey? Accounts Payable, (AP) is where many start. According to the latest report, about three out of four finance leaders say AP is the most suitable place for AI adoption. AP is full of structured data, repetitive steps, and strict rules to follow. And that makes it the perfect place for AI to step in and make a real difference, boosting efficiency you can actually measure.

Organizations deploying AI agents in AP report benefits such as:

• Streamlined compliance checks (used by 50% of leading organizations).
• Automated cash-flow management and financial reporting (46%).
• Improvements inefficiency, accuracy, and overall process optimisation.

As Kamau notes:

“AP combines structured rules, repeatable steps, and measurable outcomes. It’s one of the few finance processes where AI can be applied safely and responsibly at scale.”

For finance teams still early in their AI journey, AP offers a manageable and relatively low-risk opportunity to test how AI agents can support day-to-day operations.

Moving from exploration to impact

AI is generating intense interest across industries, so naturally, organizations want to explore its full potential. But according to our report, finance teams achieving standout results tend to concentrate their efforts in three main areas.

1. Establishing governance and guardrails Setting up proper governance and clear rules is key when bringing AI agents into the mix. In fact, 46% of leaders say they wouldn’t even think about using an AI agent unless there are well-defined guidelines and oversight in place.
2. Building internal understanding of AI capabilities Knowledge gaps remain a barrier to adoption. One in ten leaders say they still do not fully understand what AI agents are capable of, highlighting the importance of continued learning and experimentation.
3. Addressing workforce concerns early The most successful organizations see AI as a tool to support finance teams, not replace them. By letting AI handle the repetitive bits, professionals can spend more time on meaningful work, like digging into the numbers, shaping strategy, and focusing on tasks that really add value.

Turn AI Potential into measurable performance

AI is really shaking things up in finance, but different companies are moving forward at their own pace. The magic happens when AI goes beyond just giving you insights, it actually helps you take action right inside your business processes. Agentic AI is what connects the dots between knowing what to do and actually doing it.

If you're curious about real-world examples and use cases, check out the full report: AI to ROI: Unlock Value with AI Agents