Recent AI-in-finance research (2023–2025)
Why Now
AI and automation in finance are moving from experiments to scaled use. Research from firms like PwC, Deloitte, and others points to AP, AR, and the close as some of the first workflows to be transformed over the next 1–2 years.
OpsBridge Sprint gives you a defensible, vendor-agnostic way to choose tools before that wave hits.
Pilots → production
CFOs are being pushed to move beyond scattered AI pilots and show real value in core back-office workflows.
Government & audit pressure
Boards and regulators now expect clear criteria, risk notes, and an evidence trail for AI tools, not just promises.
Vendor sprawl & time pressure
Finance teams don't have weeks to untangle overlapping platforms. They need scripted demos, apples-to-apples scoring, & a board ready recommendation
Source: Synthesized from 2023–2025 AI-in-finance research by big-four firms and industry analysts.
How the Sprint Works
Four steps. Two weeks. Independent advisory. No production changes.
Step 1
Map
We confirm the workflow, lock scope, and baseline current metrics. Then we define decision criteria, finalize the vendor list, and schedule scripted demos.
Output: Discovery map, baseline metrics, and demo scripts v1.
Step 2
Demos & Pilot
We run apples-to-apples demos in sandbox/read-only mode and, where offered, a vendor-run pilot. We orchestrate and capture evidence, without implementing.
Output: Evidence logs, risks & controls notes, access checklist complete.
Step 3
Measure
We measure lift against the baseline:
accuracy, exception rates, and throughput. Then we model ROI/TCO ranges and define a clear accept-park-defer view.
Output: Weighted scorecard, ROI/TCO ranges, assumptions log.
Step 4
Handoff
You keep the full artifact bundle: weighted scorecard, scripted demo flows, risk & compliance memo, ROI/TCO ranges, and a board-ready recommendation. Ready to brief leadership or proceed to negotiation.
Output: board-ready brief and artifact bundle.
1
Accounts Payable (AP)
Evaluate intake → match → approvals via scripted, apples-to-apples demos in vendor sandboxes or read-only mode. No production changes. Vendors are scored in a weighted scorecard with risks & controls and ROI/TCO ranges.
Outcome: defensible recommendation and rollout considerations to cut manual touchpoints and speed invoice-to-pay.
2
Accounts Receivable (AR)
Assess cash application, dunning/collections, and risk-signal workflows via scripted demos in vendor sandboxes or read-only mode. No production changes. We score vendors against your criteria with risks & controls and ROI/TCO ranges.
Outcome: cleaner cash application and smaller aging buckets.
3
General Ledger Close
Evaluate tooling for recurring JEs, allocations, variance notes, and close checklists via scripted demos in vendor sandboxes or read-only mode. No production changes. Evidence rolls into a weighted scorecard with risks & controls and ROI/TCO ranges.
Outcome: tighter close, fewer last-minute scrambles, clearer audit trail.
Each sprint focuses on one workflow at a time. That keeps the evaluation contained, controlled, and measurable.
Workflows we evaluate
Delivered in a 14-day advisory sprint (Lite/Core)
Trusted. Secure. Proven.
Independent, vendor-agnostic advisory for finance. Decision-grade findings in 14 days, using read-only / sandbox access, least-privilege credentials, no production changes, and audit-ready documentation with a clean handoff.
Sprint Packages — Lite & Core
Two advisory packages • 14-day sprint cadence
Sprint Lite
Best for focused evaluations or a first sprint
What we do
✔ Scripted, apples-to-apples demos in vendor sandboxes or read-only mode. No production changes
✔ Compare options against your criteria and today’s baseline
metrics
What you get
✔ Weighted scorecard
✔ SRI/IRT notes
✔ Risk & compliance memo
✔ ROI/TCO ranges (documented assumptions)
✔ Executive one-pager + readout
Sprint Core
Best for broader diligence or multiple stakeholders
What we do
✔ Everything in Lite + deeper evidence capture
✔ Expanded risk & controls questions
✔ Negotiation prep & rollout considerations
What you get
✔ Weighted scorecard (expanded evidence)
✔ Deeper SRI/IRT notes
✔ Expanded Risk & compliance memo
✔ ROI/TCO ranges with sensitivities
✔ Executive one-pager + readout + board-ready brief
Independent • Vendor-agnostic • Read-only/Sandbox • No implementation
What You Get in 14 Days
You keep every artifact. No lock-in. No implementation.
Discovery Map + Baseline Metrics
Document one core finance workflow end-to-end, capturing volumes, accuracy, and throughput benchmarks. This becomes your quantified starting point.
Scripted Demos + Read-Only Sandbox
Shortlist 3–4 vendors, then run scripted, read-only demos in vendor sandboxes. Evidence is captured without using production data
Weighted Scorecard + ROI/TCO Model
Every vendor is scored against defined criteria. ROI and TCO ranges with documented assumptions and quantified risk factors.
Risk + Compliance Memo
Includes SOX/IA/IT notes, data-flow diagram, access checklist, and control observations. Ready for the audit trail.
Executive Brief + Board Deck Insert
Concise one-pager linking problem → approach → measurable lift → next steps. Board-ready in minutes.
Handoff Session + Next-Sprint Options
A 60-minute enablement session with Q&A, a light SOP outline, and next-step options to keep momentum.
Prefer email? Contact us
Benefits
Fewer touchpoints
Faster cycle time
Cleaner close
Audit-ready by design
Automate intake, triage, and routing. Staff touch fewer steps while controls and approvals stay intact.
Shorten invoice-to-approval and cash-application loops with smart queues and automated nudges.
Pre-filled journals, variance notes, and close checklists make month-end predictable, auditable, and tidy.
Least-privilege access, rollback plans, and documented SOP outlines support defensible, audit-ready operations.
Frequently asked questions
Connect with Us
Chesapeake, VA • Remote-first • By appointment
© 2025 OpsBridge Sprint. All rights reserved.