Advanced search
1 file | 950.56 KB Add to list

Digitalization of the finance function : automation, analytics, and finance function effectiveness

Author
Organization
Abstract
Contemporary digital technologies provide new opportunities for organizing work within the finance function. In this study, we examine two digital technologies that are particularly relevant to the operation of finance functions – automation and analytics. We argue that variation in the use of these technologies is related to the interplay between firm-level digitalization strategy and the objectives of the finance function. Drawing on prior literature, we distinguish between two finance function objectives: an efficiency objective and a business partnering objective. Based on survey responses from 137 finance function professionals and complementary insights from 11 interviews, we show that the use of digital technologies within the finance function is associated with both firm-level digitalization strategy and the specific objectives of the finance function. Specifically, we find a positive interaction between an emphasis on firm digitalization strategy and an efficiency objective on the use of both automation and analytics. In contrast, digitalization strategy and a business partnering objective have positive but independent effects on the use of analytics. We also find that finance functions that simultaneously use automation and analytics have lower effectiveness, which might be a result of resource constraints. Overall, our paper adds to our understanding of the drivers and consequences of digitalization in the finance function
Keywords
Analytics, Automation, Digitalization, Management accounting, Finance function, Strategy, MANAGEMENT CONTROL-SYSTEMS, ORGANIZATIONAL AGILITY, BEHAVIORAL-RESEARCH, FIRM PERFORMANCE, BIG DATA, TRANSFORMATION, CAPABILITY, STRATEGY

Downloads

  • publisher version.pdf
    • full text (Published version)
    • |
    • open access
    • |
    • PDF
    • |
    • 950.56 KB

Citation

Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:

MLA
Bedford, David S., et al. “Digitalization of the Finance Function : Automation, Analytics, and Finance Function Effectiveness.” MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH, vol. 67, 2025, doi:10.1016/j.mar.2025.100942.
APA
Bedford, D. S., Derichs, D., Hoozée, S., Malmi, T., Messner, M., Sinha, V. K., … Verbeeten, F. (2025). Digitalization of the finance function : automation, analytics, and finance function effectiveness. MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH, 67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mar.2025.100942
Chicago author-date
Bedford, David S., David Derichs, Sophie Hoozée, Teemu Malmi, Martin Messner, Vikash Kumar Sinha, Berend Van der Kolk, and Frank Verbeeten. 2025. “Digitalization of the Finance Function : Automation, Analytics, and Finance Function Effectiveness.” MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH 67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mar.2025.100942.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Bedford, David S., David Derichs, Sophie Hoozée, Teemu Malmi, Martin Messner, Vikash Kumar Sinha, Berend Van der Kolk, and Frank Verbeeten. 2025. “Digitalization of the Finance Function : Automation, Analytics, and Finance Function Effectiveness.” MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH 67. doi:10.1016/j.mar.2025.100942.
Vancouver
1.
Bedford DS, Derichs D, Hoozée S, Malmi T, Messner M, Sinha VK, et al. Digitalization of the finance function : automation, analytics, and finance function effectiveness. MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH. 2025;67.
IEEE
[1]
D. S. Bedford et al., “Digitalization of the finance function : automation, analytics, and finance function effectiveness,” MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH, vol. 67, 2025.
@article{01K0ACDW701AV06E01JE4ETQP5,
  abstract     = {{Contemporary digital technologies provide new opportunities for organizing work within the finance function. In this study, we examine two digital technologies that are particularly relevant to the operation of finance functions – automation and analytics. We argue that variation in the use of these technologies is related to the interplay between firm-level digitalization strategy and the objectives of the finance function. Drawing on prior literature, we distinguish between two finance function objectives: an efficiency objective and a business partnering objective. Based on survey responses from 137 finance function professionals and complementary insights from 11 interviews, we show that the use of digital technologies within the finance function is associated with both firm-level digitalization strategy and the specific objectives of the finance function. Specifically, we find a positive interaction between an emphasis on firm digitalization strategy and an efficiency objective on the use of both automation and analytics. In contrast, digitalization strategy and a business partnering objective have positive but independent effects on the use of analytics. We also find that finance functions that simultaneously use automation and analytics have lower effectiveness, which might be a result of resource constraints. Overall, our paper adds to our understanding of the drivers and consequences of digitalization in the finance function}},
  articleno    = {{100942}},
  author       = {{Bedford, David S. and Derichs, David and Hoozée, Sophie and Malmi, Teemu and Messner, Martin and Sinha, Vikash Kumar and Van der Kolk, Berend and Verbeeten, Frank}},
  issn         = {{1044-5005}},
  journal      = {{MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH}},
  keywords     = {{Analytics,Automation,Digitalization,Management accounting,Finance function,Strategy,MANAGEMENT CONTROL-SYSTEMS,ORGANIZATIONAL AGILITY,BEHAVIORAL-RESEARCH,FIRM PERFORMANCE,BIG DATA,TRANSFORMATION,CAPABILITY,STRATEGY}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{14}},
  title        = {{Digitalization of the finance function : automation, analytics, and finance function effectiveness}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1016/j.mar.2025.100942}},
  volume       = {{67}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

Altmetric
View in Altmetric
Web of Science
Times cited: