AI Adjacency in Finance

The recruitment industry does love a label, something that explains or associates in very few words. One such label, I am increasingly noticing locally, is ‘AI-adjacent’.  I think we could all make a fair guess about what this term refers to. 

When generative AI exploded after ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, people began using AI-adjacent informally to describe organisations, products and roles that benefit from AI without actually building AI themselves. The earliest documented use I could find was in an IBM Research paper in 2021 describing multidisciplinary teams working alongside AI developers. In that context, the term referred to people such as product managers, designers and domain experts collaborating on AI projects, rather than developing AI models themselves.

Originally, AI-adjacent meant working alongside AI. Today, the meaning is broader:

AI-adjacent: ‘a role, company or profession that creates significant value through AI, even though AI isn’t its primary product or discipline.’

For example:

AI Role	AI-Adjacent Role
Machine Learning Engineer	Financial Controller using Copilot
AI Research Scientist	Tax Manager using AI research tools
LLM Engineer	Audit Manager using AI-assisted analytics
Prompt Engineer	Finance Business Partner using AI for forecasting
Data Scientist	Corporate Finance Manager using AI scenario modelling

Why the term is gaining traction in finance.

Professional bodies like ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA increasingly argue that future finance leaders will not be AI engineers—they will be AI-enabled finance professionals. In other words, they’ll combine accounting expertise with the ability to use AI effectively, critically and responsibly.

An AI-adjacent finance professional can:

• use Microsoft Copilot/ChatGPT/Claude etc daily
• automate repetitive work
• interpret AI outputs rather than simply accept them
• improve business processes
• communicate commercial insights
• understand governance and AI risk
• remain accountable for decisions

We are talking about professionals who are still accountants first and foremost.

Personally, in the not too distant future, I can see that “AI-enabled” may resonate more with employers than “AI-adjacent” but that is just my guess.  We could well see Job Titles such as:

• AI-Enabled Financial Controller
• AI-Enabled Finance Business Partner
• AI-Enabled Tax Manager
• AI-Enabled Audit Senior

These titles communicate that the person is a finance professional whose effectiveness is enhanced by AI, rather than suggesting they work in AI itself. (I have tried this approach recently with some positions I am hiring for – the jury is still out).

So which roles are becoming strongly AI-adjacent?

Financial Controller – 95%

Probably the clearest example. Instead of spending hours producing management accounts, an AI-enabled FC can:

• draft board reports
• explain variances
• summarise month-end
• analyse cash flow
• identify unusual transactions
• perform technical accounting research
• create first drafts of policies

Employers are increasingly asking about AI capability hiring at this level. Especially with SME’s where the lure of efficiency gains are highly attractive.  Again employers do not expect coding skills, but because AI-capable Financial Controllers produce higher-quality work faster. 

Finance Business Partner – 90%

This role becomes even more valuable with AI. AI helps with:

• forecasting
• scenario modelling
• trend identification
• presentation creation
• board packs

The FB Partner adds:

• commercial judgement
• influencing
• storytelling
• strategic recommendations

This is one of the safest and highest profile finance careers because it centres on advising the business.  Professionals in this role need strong people skills and the ability to negotiate and present.

Management Accountant – 80%

Increasingly AI-adjacent. Tasks a Management Accountant is likely to use AI for:

• commentary generation
• budgeting
• KPI analysis
• forecasting
• cost analysis
• variance explanations

The Management Accountant role is shifting from reporting numbers to explaining them.

Audit Manager – 80%

AI is already assisting with:

• sampling
• document review
• risk identification
• analytical procedures
• anomaly detection

Auditors increasingly spend their time, challenging assumptions, interviewing clients, assessing judgement, evaluating risk rather than performing manual testing.  Saving time while delivering the required quality is what this role is now all about!

Corporate Tax Manager – 90%

AI is excellent for:

• legislation research
• summarising Finance Acts
• comparing tax treatments
• drafting advice

But the tax professional still provides, interpretation, planning and judgement. HMRC strategy and client advice are still firmly in the realms of the Advisor. The focus from compliance to advisory driven work is well underway.

Internal Auditor / Risk Consultant – 90%

Superbly matched, a true AI-adjacent role. AI assists with:

• control testing
• policy review
• fraud detection
• exception reporting
• risk identification

Auditors remain responsible for governance, recommendations, Board reporting and regulatory judgement.

Treasury Manager – 80%

AI alongside specialist systems can analyse:

• liquidity
• FX exposure
• borrowing costs
• covenant compliance
• cash forecasting

Treasury professionals will still make funding and risk decisions and recommendations.

CFO – 100% ?

Perhaps the ultimate AI-adjacent role. Here, AI becomes an executive assistant for:

• board papers
• acquisition analysis
• scenario planning
• KPI reporting
• investment modelling
• market intelligence

The CFO remains responsible for:

• strategy
• capital allocation
• leadership
• investor confidence
• decision-making

Why is the move to AI enablement good for all Accountants?

For many years I have heard Accountants say that they can offer more than just financial reporting, so here is the opportunity!  Accountants can lead and support projects, advise on strategy formulation, seek efficiencies across departments and spend more time developing talent.  Careful what you wish for…