Leaving the office on time: How technology is reshaping lives in finance

As it turns out, when machines take over the drudgery, humans can reclaim the purpose, writes Narain Viswanathan.

The conversation around automation has always carried a consistent undercurrent of anxiety. With every new wave of technology, there are the same cries of “this will take our jobs”. Yet for a profession that relies on data and processes, surprisingly, this isn’t the case when it comes to accounting and finance.

Financial reporting, sustainability management, audit, and risk have seen improved efficiency, reduced costs, and, most importantly, an era of balance, clarity and culture ushered in by new technology and systems.

Instead of grinding through late nights, weekends and holidays with documents, spreadsheets and endless grunt work, accountants and financial professionals are finding themselves engaged in value-added tasks, strategic thinking and data-driven decision making.

The work is not only faster and more accurate – it is more fulfilling. Stress levels are dropping, overtime is declining, and teams are finding more opportunity for education, collaboration and, above all else, life.

Saving time and improving culture

As some of our peers are experiencing now during yet another reporting season, it has been and remains far too common for people working in accounting and finance to work long, stress-filled hours.

With constantly growing reporting regulations and requirements for organisations, the reality for many remains they’ll have to go days without sunlight just to get the job done.

But for others, that is no longer the case. The adoption and integration of new technology has revolutionised the industry: reducing workloads, creating a less chaotic and intense environment, decreasing overtime or out-of-hours work, and improving the overall wellbeing of workers.

Recent research backs up this claim: an impact study analysed the effects technology had on Forrester Consulting, revealing significant time savings.

The time spent on a single audit went from 200 hours to 120 hours in the first year – with 3,600 hours saved annually, while there was a 65 per cent reduction in time to produce ESG reports – which previously took 700 hours.

All of this has resulted in fewer experiences of burnout from workers, and significant improvements to their mental health and wellbeing. More time out of the office means more time living. And less stressful workplaces create better environments for productivity.

Even just a few minutes away from a desk can make all the difference. At a recent event we held in London, a speaker said she was finally able to take lunch breaks again thanks to AI.

No jobs lost. Just happier people doing fulfilling work.

A speciality workforce

With automation taking on the most menial of tasks – such as uploading, organising, linking and sharing files – away from a workforce whose skills are destined for more than grunt work, new doors of opportunity have opened. Workers can concentrate on specialised skills, jobs, and responsibilities.

It’s no longer repetitive, manual, and time-consuming journal entries, and data aggregation and entry. Instead, it’s vital analysis, forecasting, and strategic decision making.

The ability to focus on growing expert knowledge, applying critical thinking, and providing regulatory insight is invaluable in accounting and finance. These are irreplaceable skills essential for ensuring accuracy, compliance, and meaningful analysis.

A workforce full of experts creates a never-ending stream of learning, innovation, and mentorship.

It’s clear that technology and systems can bring amazing upside for people and organisations. But there remains a level of pessimism when it comes to what it can enable and whether it can be trusted – particularly among Australians.

What’s best for the workers is best for business

According to the 2025 Workiva Executive Benchmark Survey, 94 per cent of Australian executives agree that the business reporting technology their company currently uses is insufficient for complying with new climate regulations.

Australian organisations need to do more than just lean on technology; they need to integrate it correctly to suit their unique needs. For some, it is adjusting to new reporting requirements, while for others, it will be to combat staff shortages in finance and accounting.

Either way, businesses shouldn’t fear innovation and instead look to integrate it – because other organisations are, and those that don’t may be left behind.

Business leaders need staff to get the work done, and practitioners are feeling the strain of small teams with high workloads. Technology, including AI, can improve outputs and revolutionise workplaces, and it should be welcomed by all with open arms.

New technology and systems will forever change financial and ESG reporting, as well as audit and risk management – not just by improving many aspects of operations, but by providing a better overall culture and experience for financial and accounting staffers.

As it turns out, when machines take over the drudgery, humans can reclaim their purpose.

Narain Viswanathan is the area director in ANZ at Workiva.