# AI for Finance: faster preparation without weaker control

> Make recurring finance work easier to prepare, explain and review without weakening control.

Finance teams practise sourced research, reconciliation support, variance analysis, scenarios and management commentary. Every workflow keeps assumptions, evidence and final approval visible.

## What this program changes in practice

Finance teams can save time with AI, but only if speed does not hide the assumptions behind a number or weaken the route to approval. The useful opportunity is often in preparation: structuring research, forming reconciliation questions, explaining variances and drafting commentary that a finance professional can then challenge. The workshop keeps the source trail, the calculation owner and the final sign-off visible throughout that process.

The session is not a fixed sequence of demonstrations. The facilitator works with the team on Choose the finance workflow, Research and source trails, Reconciliation and variance, using Spreadsheets & data tools, AI search & deep research, Microsoft Copilot when those systems are approved and available. Participants compare first results, make missing context visible and improve the work together. They learn not only which request works, but why an output is reliable enough to move into the next working step.

The value should not end when people leave the room. Exercises therefore produce concrete outputs such as Finance workflow brief, Source and assumption trail, Human review checklist. They give colleagues a traceable starting point, show where human review is still required and make the next pilot smaller and more realistic. Optional follow-up work can build on those artefacts instead of beginning again with another general introduction.

## What an AI Workshop looks like

These are photographs from real AI Workshop sessions in Switzerland—not generated illustrations. The captions preserve the actual session context, even when an image is used to show a wider part of the learning experience.

![George facilitates an AI-in-finance exercise with participants. Innovation Time Lausanne × AI Workshop · UNIL · May 2026.](https://aiworkshop.ch/images/evidence/ai-finance-facilitated-exercise-lausanne.webp)

_George facilitates an AI-in-finance exercise with participants · Innovation Time Lausanne × AI Workshop · UNIL · May 2026_

![The facilitator introduces the next practical step to the cohort. Innovation Time Lausanne × AI Workshop · UNIL · May 2026.](https://aiworkshop.ch/images/evidence/university-ai-workshop-finance-agent-presentation-lausanne.webp)

_The facilitator introduces the next practical step to the cohort · Innovation Time Lausanne × AI Workshop · UNIL · May 2026_

![A participant turns the discussion into a written workflow brief. Innovation Time Lausanne × AI Workshop · UNIL · May 2026.](https://aiworkshop.ch/images/evidence/university-ai-workshop-student-worksheet-exercise-lausanne.webp)

_A participant turns the discussion into a written workflow brief · Innovation Time Lausanne × AI Workshop · UNIL · May 2026_

![The university cohort works with laptops, worksheets and live guidance. Innovation Time Lausanne × AI Workshop · UNIL · May 2026.](https://aiworkshop.ch/images/evidence/university-ai-workshop-innovation-time-lausanne-classroom-wide-view.webp)

_The university cohort works with laptops, worksheets and live guidance · Innovation Time Lausanne × AI Workshop · UNIL · May 2026_

## Program facts

- Recommended format: Core workshop · 4–6 hours
- Alternative formats: Focused workshop · 4 hours
- Delivery: On-site / in person, online, or hybrid
- Languages: Delivered in English, French or German
- Prerequisites: No technical prerequisite; exercises use approved tools and non-sensitive examples.
- Audience: FP&A, controlling, accounting, treasury, finance operations and finance leaders.
- Reviewed: 2026-07-10

## Tools participants use

- **Spreadsheets & data tools:** Explore tables, test assumptions and create checked summaries without losing the source trail.
- **AI search & deep research:** Find, compare and cite current sources, then separate evidence from interpretation.
- **Microsoft Copilot:** Work with approved Microsoft 365 capabilities across documents, meetings, email and business information.

## Outcomes

- Use AI for preparation while retaining finance ownership
- Investigate variances with explicit assumptions
- Create management commentary linked to evidence
- Design a reviewed pilot for recurring work

## Practical syllabus

### 1. Choose the finance workflow

Identify recurring work with clear inputs, controls and owner.

**Working output:** Finance workflow brief

### 2. Research and source trails

Build current briefs that distinguish source facts from interpretation.

**Working output:** Source and assumption trail

### 3. Reconciliation and variance

Use AI to structure checks, questions and explanations—not approve numbers.

**Working output:** Human review checklist

### 4. Scenarios and commentary

Make assumptions visible and draft concise management narratives.

**Working output:** Reporting template and pilot plan

### 5. Controls and pilot

Set data boundaries, review steps and a small controlled pilot.

**Working output:** Finance workflow brief

## What the team takes away

- Finance workflow brief
- Source and assumption trail
- Human review checklist
- Reporting template and pilot plan

## Prepared delivery

- Sponsor alignment call
- Short participant questionnaire
- Examples adapted to your work
- Facilitated live practice
- Digital resources
- Concise facilitator summary

## Frequently asked questions

### What will our team achieve in the AI for Finance workshop?

Make recurring finance work easier to prepare, explain and review without weakening control. The practical outcomes are: Use AI for preparation while retaining finance ownership; Investigate variances with explicit assumptions; Create management commentary linked to evidence; Design a reviewed pilot for recurring work.

### Who is the AI for Finance workshop designed for?

FP&A, controlling, accounting, treasury, finance operations and finance leaders.

### Which tools will participants use?

The practical stack includes Spreadsheets & data tools, AI search & deep research, Microsoft Copilot. Exercises are adapted to the licences and systems your organisation has approved.

### How long is the workshop and how is it delivered?

The recommended format is Core workshop · 4–6 hours. Every core workshop is designed to stay within four to six hours; alternatives include Focused workshop · 4 hours. Choose an in-person session at your organisation or an agreed venue, a fully online workshop, or a hybrid format. Delivery is available in English, French or German.

### What preparation is required?

No technical prerequisite is required. We hold a short sponsor alignment call and participant questionnaire, then adapt examples to approved tools and non-sensitive work.

### What does the team take away?

The working package includes Finance workflow brief, Source and assumption trail, Human review checklist, Reporting template and pilot plan, digital resources and a concise facilitator summary.

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Provider: AI Workshop Switzerland  
Canonical page: https://aiworkshop.ch/workshops/ai-for-finance/  
Contact: hello@aiworkshop.ch