Finance Automation Progresses Slowly, New Research Finds
A new study by Rillion reveals that only 8% of finance departments are fully automated, with most still relying on manual tasks and facing significant barriers.
Finance departments are slowly moving towards greater automation, but full adoption remains elusive, according to new research from Rillion. The "State of Finance Automation in 2025" study surveyed 100 CFOs and finance leaders, finding that only 8% of departments have achieved complete automation. A significant majority, 64%, report being either significantly or partially automated, indicating that manual processes continue to be prevalent.
The primary obstacles hindering further automation are budget constraints, cited by 29% of respondents, and system integration challenges, reported by 28%. Resistance to change (14%) and a lack of technical skills (15%) also present substantial barriers. Data security concerns (11%) and difficulties in proving return on investment (ROI) to leadership (2%) were also identified as impediments.
"Becoming fully automated with FinTech tools requires more than just adopting technology. It requires a mindset change and it requires a champion within the company to push the company to fully automate," said Sam Stull, VP of Sales at Rillion. He added that such a champion fosters a culture of innovation that prioritizes efficiency.
The findings underscore the uneven adoption of automation tools and highlight opportunities for organizations looking to modernize. As businesses navigate 2025, overcoming these barriers to embrace automation is presented as crucial for enhancing efficiency and achieving better cost control.