In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Gerhard Hartman discusses how technological innovations like AI have the ability to transform finance departments for the better.

Hartman is the Regional Vice President for Medium Business at Sage Africa and the Middle East.

He has worked at Sage for nearly 20 years and has extensive experience helping SMBs achieve their full potential.

In his current role, Hartman is leading Sage’s strategic expansion of its accounting, human resources, and payroll businesses across Africa and the Middle East.

In this What’s Next interview, Hartman discusses why financial professionals should be excited about AI, rather than worried about it.

He reveals where AI can offer the most value to CFOs and finance departments.

Hartman then discusses the other tech skills that CFOs should prioritise to keep up with the rapid advancement of the finance function.

He also shares how CFOs must break down silos to adapt to the changing business landscape, as well as how the CFO role will continue to evolve in the years ahead.

Hartman concludes the discussion by explaining how CFOs can prepare themselves today for the finance department of the future — all while maintaining a healthy work-life equilibrium.