- AI, ESG, NetSuite Financial Management
Gone are the days when the finance function was simply about closing the books. As expectations shift, finance leaders are stepping into more strategic roles, helping to shape long-term success across the business.
Two key forces are driving this transformation: the rise of AI and the growing importance of ESG. Once considered future-focused, both areas are quickly becoming relevant as businesses aim to improve efficiency, manage risk, and meet the demands of stakeholders.
In response, many finance teams are re-evaluating their processes, technology, and skillsets — searching for smarter ways to manage data, support automation, and contribute to ESG goals. These themes were central to a recent NetSuite webinar titled Top Trends Supporting Businesses to Maximise Success, which explored how organisations can prepare for the future by aligning people, processes, and technology. Here’s a look at the key takeaways.
Aligning Technology, Processes, and People
The webinar highlighted a clear starting point: before AI can deliver real value, businesses need strong foundational processes and systems. As NetSuite experts highlighted, AI is only as effective as the data and workflows it’s built upon. When implemented correctly, AI can:
• Automate manual tasks and reduce human error
• Improve forecasting through predictive modelling
• Enhance scenario planning and supply chain risk analysis
• Accelerate access to business-critical insights
But it’s not about replacing people, it’s about freeing them up. AI enables finance teams to move from data gathering to data interpretation, allowing for better decision-making.
This is where modern financial accounting software like NetSuite makes a difference. With built-in automation, real-time reporting, and intelligent workflows, NetSuite helps finance teams shift gears from reactive to proactive, and from operational to strategic.
ESG Reporting Is Rising Up the Agenda
With regulatory pressures mounting, particularly the EU requirements for ESG reporting starting with financial year-ends in 2025, the finance function is being called on to play a pivotal role in gathering, validating, and reporting ESG data.
The key message from the webinar? Start now.
Integrating ESG into your financial systems today helps avoid a scramble later. NetSuite’s unified data model, for instance, supports ESG tracking by combining financial and operational data giving teams a single source of truth. AI can also help simplify ESG efforts by:
• Collecting and analysing environmental and social impact data
• Automating ESG reporting
• Monitoring progress against sustainability targets in real time
By embedding ESG into core systems and processes now, finance teams can move beyond compliance to create genuine competitive advantage — building trust with stakeholders and increasing long-term resilience.
OSSM is actively supporting businesses on this journey, helping teams align ESG tracking and reporting within their existing NetSuite systems.
Why Many Finance Teams Are Still Struggling
Despite these opportunities, many businesses are still facing barriers that limit agility and insight. The webinar highlighted common roadblocks, including:
• Legacy systems that aren’t truly cloud-based
• Fragmented data and siloed teams
• Manual processes that are time-consuming and error-prone
• Limited collaboration across functions
These issues not only slow down reporting, but they also make it harder to respond to market changes or meet evolving compliance requirements.
The takeaway? Now is the time to modernise. Teams need flexible, scalable systems that support automation, real-time insight, and continuous improvement.
Laying the Groundwork for Smarter Finance
Every organisation is at a different stage of transformation, but the best starting point is to evaluate where your finance team stands today. Here are some practical steps inspired by the webinar:
• Map out your current processes: Identify bottlenecks and duplication
• Review your tech stack: Are your systems supporting or hindering progress?
• Engage your team: Upskill staff to work with new tools and interpret new data
• Connect with leadership: Show how finance transformation supports broader goals
Whether you’re preparing for ESG compliance or exploring AI capabilities, a strong foundation in people, processes, and technology is key.
Looking Ahead
Whether your organisation is preparing for ESG compliance, seeking better reporting, or exploring how AI can support automation and analysis, finance teams have a unique opportunity to lead meaningful business transformation.
From engaging with organisations across Ireland and the UK, it’s clear that future-ready finance teams are taking proactive steps today. Rather than waiting, they’re embracing innovation to stay ahead and add strategic value across the business.
Let our team here at OSSM guide you on the right ERP journey to meet your current and future challenges. Are you ready to modernise your finance and ERP systems for long-term success? Book a NetSuite demo and discover how a unified platform can simplify your processes and drive true business transformation.
About the Author
Ray Ryan
Ray Ryan is the CEO of the Noledge Group.
With over 30 years of experience in the software industry, Ray's expertise spans from Unix systems to modern cloud ERP solutions. As CEO, he leads the Noledge Group in delivering cutting-edge technology that simplifies business operations for our clients.
