The pace of AI adoption in audit and finance is picking up speed—but where do you actually start, and what’s working out in the wild? That’s exactly what the teams at Validis and DataSnipper unpacked in their recent webinar, “Escaping the Data and Document Dumpster Fire: AI Applications for Audit and Finance Professionals.”
This fast-paced, insight-packed session featured Michael Turner, CEO of Validis, and Remco de Vries, VP of Demand Gen at DataSnipper. Together, they broke down how AI is reshaping the profession, what’s working today, and how to prep for what’s coming next.
Missed it live? No worries—we’ve rounded up our top five takeaways from the session below (and included a link to the recording at the end of the post).
1. Manual Document and Data Review Are Still a Massive Time Sink—And Mostly Unnecessary
Despite all the talk of automation, many auditors are still stuck doing hours of repetitive, manual work. A quick poll during the webinar showed that most professionals are losing at least 4 hours a week just digging through documents and data.
That’s half a workday—gone.
Why is this such a pain?
- It’s slow—especially when you’re reviewing huge volumes of nearly identical info.
- It’s error-prone—which, let’s face it, is a big deal in a world of rising regulatory pressure.
Watch this clip to hear more:
2. AI-Powered Tools Are Ready (and You Should Be Using Them)
So, how do we escape this “soul-destroying” cycle of manual drudgery? Turns out, the tools are already here—and they’re pretty great.
Turner and de Vries talked through a few examples:
- Data extraction and document review tools (like Validis and DataSnipper) that process unstructured data at scale—automatically.
- LLM-powered knowledge bases that sit on top of regulatory guidance and quickly serve up answers to complex compliance questions.
- AI-assisted testing and sampling that helps flag inconsistencies, reduce risk, and fine-tune sample selection.
- And importantly: audit work that’s not just faster, but better documented and easier to trace.
As de Vries put it: “This is work no human should have todo anymore.” (Amen.)
3. Not All AI Is Created Equal—So Choose Wisely
AI tools are everywhere—but not all of them deserve a spot on your team. So how do you tell the hype from the help?
Look for tools that are:
- Traceable. You should be able to see exactly what the AI did and why.
- Actionable. The output should actually move your work forward.
- Supportive. AI should make your life easier, not more confusing.
- Specific. No hallucinations, just clear, accurate results you can trust.
One thing the speakers emphasized: AI should empower, not replace. You still bring the professional judgment. The AI just helps youget there faster—and with fewer headaches.
Get the full scoop:
4. People Are Onboard—Organizations Are Catching Up
From using ChatGPT to write code to asking AI for research help, individuals are already weaving AI into their daily lives. Engineers do it. Marketers do it. And yes—auditors are starting to as well.
But here’s the catch: companies (especially incompliance-heavy industries like audit and finance) are moving a little slower.
This clip breaks it down:
5. You Won’t Lose Your Job to AI—But You Might Lose It to Someone Who Uses AI
Let’s bust the biggest myth: AI isn’t coming for your job. But it is creating a divide between the people (and firms) who adapt—and those who don’t.
- For firms, using AI is becoming a hiring edge, especially with younger talent who expect modern tools.
- For employees, AI can help you stand out, scale your impact, and spend more time on work that actually matters.
It’s not about replacing people. It’s about equipping them with superpowers.
Conclusion: AI Is Here, and It’s Not Just For the “Tech Savvy”
AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a seriously powerful sidekick already transforming how audit and finance teams work. From cutting down on document drudgery to surfacing red flags faster, it’s reshaping what it means to “get through the work” in this profession.
That said, adopting AI doesn’t mean flipping a magic switch. It means aligning the right tools with your firm’s goals, helping your team build the skills to use them well, and creating a culture where experimentation and continuous improvement are the norm (and not something that gets buried in busy season).
As de Vries and Turner reminded us, the firms that will win in this new era won’t just be the ones with the best tech—they’ll be the ones bold enough to challenge the status quo.
No matter where you are in your AI journey—dipping a toe in or already knee-deep—the direction is clear: AI is changing the game. And it’s not waiting for anyone to catch up.
Watch the Webinar On-Demand
Still curious? Want to hear it straight from the experts(with a few laughs along the way)? Watch the full on-demand webinar here. It’s packed with real-world examples, sharp insights, and practical takeawaysyou can bring back to your team today.
