Is Your Finance Team Ready for AI and Automation? What to Look for in New Hires

There is no denying that AI and automation are no longer optional but essential in today’s evolving financial workplace. For client organizations seeking top-tier finance and accounting talent, the priority has shifted. It’s not just about technical credentials or industry experience, but also about data fluency, automation savvy, and a strategic mindset. At Gratus Staffing, we help recruiting teams identify candidates who bring both analytical rigor and the flexibility to thrive with AI-enabled tools. Below, we outline three critical dimensions to evaluate in new hires, so your finance team is able to lead.

Building a Tech-Savvy Finance Team: The Role of Data Skills and Digital Fluency

To begin with, a modern finance team needs to demonstrate strong technical proficiency and high data literacy. In fact, 74% of finance professionals agree that understanding and working confidently with data is essential for their current roles, but only about 34% have received formal training to support this need.

Moreover, AI literacy is now the fastest-growing skill that leaders expect from employees, while 60% of organizations report a significant AI literacy gap in their workforce. These facts underline why hiring candidates with both technical fluency and strategic understanding of AI for finance teams is mission-critical.

Key Components

Firstly, candidates have to be comfortable with data tools like Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, SQL or Python. This ensures they extract, clean, analyze, and visualize financial data accurately. Additionally, they need familiarity with finance team automation tools, including RPA and AI-enabled platforms, which enable faster reconciliations, anomaly detection, and predictive planning. Furthermore, a data-literate hire turns raw data into actionable insights, which, according to Cognizant, improves decision quality, drives competitive advantage, and increases operational efficiency.

Consequently, equipping your finance team with technical and data skills enables reliable automation and AI for finance teams. Deloitte’s CFO Signals survey reports that 42% of organizations are already experimenting with generative AI, and 15% have integrated it into their strategy, making data readiness and technical capability essential prerequisites. In summary, when evaluating candidates, prioritize technical competence and robust data literacy; they’re the foundation for successful finance team automation and impactful use of AI for finance teams. With those bases covered, you’re ready to move on to how an automation mindset and process thinking complement those technical skills in creating a truly future‑ready finance team.

From Routine to Strategic: Cultivating an Automation Mindset in Your Finance Team

As finance functions evolve, technical skills are just the beginning. Equally important is hiring professionals who bring an automation mindset, individuals who not only use digital tools, but also think critically about how to improve workflows. This mindset allows a finance team to move beyond manual tasks and embrace more strategic roles, unlocking the full potential of AI for finance teams.

Core Traits of an Automation-Oriented Hire

To start, candidates with process thinking tend to identify inefficiencies and suggest improvements without being prompted. They look for repetitive, rules-based tasks that are streamlined using finance team automation tools like robotic process automation (RPA), AI-powered reconciliation, or exception-based reporting.

Moreover, these professionals understand the value of systems integration. They are comfortable working cross-functionally with IT and operations to ensure automation doesn’t exist in silos, but rather supports the entire financial ecosystem, from accounts payable to forecasting.

Practical Indicators in the Hiring Process

When interviewing, listen to candidates who describe how they’ve implemented new tools or redesigned a process to reduce bottlenecks. For example, someone explains how automating vendor invoice approvals reduced cycle time and improved reporting accuracy, an ideal use case for AI for finance teams. Even without coding expertise, these individuals tend to grasp system logic, user flow, and data dependencies. They also show curiosity toward emerging platforms that enhance finance team automation, such as low-code tools or AI-enabled dashboards.

Ultimately, the automation mindset bridges the gap between vision and execution. Hiring for this quality helps ensure your finance team isn’t just using technology, it’s helping shape how that technology works. Next, let’s explore why soft skills like adaptability and communication are just as critical when it comes to scaling AI for finance teams across the organization.

Human Skills in a Tech-Driven World: Why Soft Skills Still Matter

While technical expertise and an automation mindset are vital, soft skills are what truly bring transformation to life. As AI for finance teams becomes more integrated into daily operations, finance professionals need to be able to communicate insights, manage change, and collaborate across departments. In short, human skills are the glue that holds successful finance team automation efforts together.

Key Soft Skills to Prioritize

First and foremost, communication is essential. Even the most sophisticated AI tools won’t make an impact if a team member does not explain insights clearly to stakeholders. Whether it’s presenting data trends to executives or training colleagues on a new automation process, clarity is key.

Next, adaptability is a non-negotiable. Tools evolve fast, and the professionals you hire need to be comfortable navigating change, not resisting it. A forward-thinking finance team thrives when its members are eager to learn, test new tools, and refine processes continuously.

Lastly, collaboration enables smoother implementation of automation initiatives. Finance doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Hiring candidates who work across finance, IT, and operations helps ensure your AI for finance teams’ strategy is both scalable and sustainable.

In essence, it’s the combination of soft and technical skills that transforms a good hire into a future-proof asset. As your organization continues to integrate finance team automation, investing in well-rounded professionals ensures your team stays aligned, agile, and ready for whatever’s next.

Future-Proofing Your Finance Team Starts with Smarter Hiring

As AI and automation continue to reshape financial operations, the success of your finance team requires strategic hiring. The ideal candidates not only bring technical fluency and data literacy but also embody an automation-first mindset and strong interpersonal skills. These are the professionals who help you turn disruption into opportunity, unlocking the full potential of AI for finance teams and driving meaningful finance team automation across your organization.

At Gratus Staffing, we understand what it takes to staff a future-ready finance department. Our deep industry knowledge and consultative approach allow us to connect you with candidates who are not just qualified but transformative. If you're ready to elevate your finance team and stay ahead of the curve, let’s talk. The future of finance is here; make sure your team is ready for it.

About Gratus Staffing

Gratus Staffing is a nationwide recruiting agency specializing in finance, accounting, and operations placements. With over 28 years of experience and a track record of filling 300+ roles, our team partners closely with Fortune 500 companies, C-level executives, and mission-driven organizations to deliver guaranteed results. We offer personalized support for both clients and candidates, from resume enhancement to strategic talent acquisition, backed by an 83% fill rate and a reputation for responsiveness and precision.

Learn more at gratusstaffing.com or contact us at (240) 552-9846.