BlackLine redefines finance with future proofed automation

In the drive for digital transformation, the finance department has often been viewed as the last sacred dominion, tethered to processes and probity issues.

Yet the pandemic and the global WFH shift has insisted that innovation sweeps through the F&A areas.

The automated, shared services finance movement is now viewed as a competitive game changer and a progressive platform can keep organisations agile and resilient to meet new challenges. For BlackLine, VP of sales, mid-market APAC, Vijay Raghvani, automation has transformed the finance function for his clients as he has watched the F&A function rapidly reposition itself from a backroom operation to an enabler for change. 

Raghvani, points out that no matter the pace of technology change, the people element of the finance function remains crucial. “For BlackLine, from day one, we were always very customer-centric and putting the customer first. It is about the people. It's not just about technology for technology's sake and that means disruption isn't just for disruption's sake either. It means being thoughtful, and thinking it through,” Raghvani explained. 

CFOs are increasingly focussing on adaptability, collaboration and decision-making in their departments. Facing pressures on ESG, greater governance around cloud computing, local legislation and retaining staff, Raghvani notes that these new elements demand new modes of support for the finance team in terms of technology and automation.

“The disruption has been late to the finance team. We've got to take advantage of the momentum or change that we build up in finance teams. As what happens when you bring that cultural change in, is you move away from the dependency from the old manual processes and they start to see themselves adding more value. They're no longer just an operator, they are a business partner to the organisation and they're making a more meaningful impact.”

He adds that BlackLine is seeing that organisations globally are using automation to redesign productivity and retain the talent of the future.  “When we're talking about the way technology and automation is impacting the finance function, really we're talking about the people inside of those functions and how you increase the productivity of the investments you've already made and focus on the outcomes that will drive the business forward. And that's a transition that we're seeing across the more innovative finance organisations,” he states.

BlackLine is a key sponsor of Digital Nation’s, Digital as Usual Report.