PwC and OpenAI Redefine Enterprise Finance with AI Agents
AI native finance function is at the core of a groundbreaking collaboration between PwC and OpenAI, aiming to reshape how finance teams operate within enterprises. Announced in May 2026, this partnership brings together PwC’s deep expertise in finance transformation and OpenAI’s advanced agentic AI to create a new paradigm for finance operations. By introducing AI agents that combine automation with human oversight, the two organizations are setting the stage for smarter, more agile finance functions.
From Theory to Real-World AI in Finance
This partnership stands out by focusing on real-world implementation rather than theoretical design. PwC and OpenAI are actively building AI agents for core finance processes—such as planning, forecasting, procurement, payments, treasury, tax, and accounting close—within the OpenAI finance organization itself. For instance, a procurement agent is already in use, and insights from this deployment are helping to develop additional agents for other critical workflows. This hands-on approach accelerates innovation, allowing both firms to validate and enhance the AI native finance function through practical use and continuous feedback.
Beyond Automation: The Rise of Intelligent Finance Operations
The AI native finance function moves enterprise finance beyond simple task automation. Using advanced AI agents, finance teams can execute complex work, collaborate across workflows, and deliver faster, more insight-driven decisions. According to Tyson Cornell, US Advisory Leader at PwC, finance is transitioning from process efficiency to intelligent, decision-centric operations. Through this collaboration, organizations can embed agentic AI into the fabric of the finance function, unlocking proactive insights, stronger controls, and a more adaptive operating model.
The Evolving Role of Finance Professionals
As AI agents take on more operational tasks, finance professionals’ roles are shifting. They now focus on supervising, governing, and improving these AI systems over time. While agents automate repeatable tasks, human experts remain accountable for judgment, controls, and outcomes, setting policies and guardrails that guide agent behavior. Using tools like Codex and OpenAI’s emerging product interfaces, domain experts can quickly build customized applications for finance workflows—such as accruals, close activities, reconciliations, and reporting—without lengthy software development cycles. This approach enables rapid innovation and creates a finance function that is AI native by design and continuously improving.
Strategic Impact and Agility for Finance Leaders
Sarah Friar, CFO at OpenAI, emphasizes that finance has always relied on judgment and trust amid complexity and change. With the AI native finance function, finance leaders gain powerful tools for foresight and agility, allowing them to make impactful decisions in real time. The collaboration between PwC and OpenAI goes beyond efficiency, empowering finance leaders to operate with greater strategic impact across the business.
Building an Enterprise-Ready AI Finance Model
The joint effort focuses on developing high-value, practical AI agents for tasks like procurement, contract review, risk assessment, and more. By leveraging Workspace Agents, Codex, and OpenAI’s latest products, finance teams can automate workflows, produce reliable outputs, and follow consistent operating patterns. These agents connect to enterprise systems with robust controls, ensuring governance and transparency in all operations. Bespoke applications further streamline finance processes, enabling faster adoption and improved service to stakeholders.
Continuous Innovation and Alignment with CFO Priorities
Through ongoing collaboration, PwC and OpenAI maintain a continuous feedback loop between emerging AI innovations and real-world execution. This agile model allows both organizations to test, refine, and scale new capabilities rapidly, ensuring solutions remain closely aligned with the evolving needs of CFOs and finance leaders. The ultimate goal is to deliver enterprise-ready, AI-powered finance solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems, policies, and controls.
Shaping the Future of Intelligent Finance
PWC’s collaboration with OpenAI demonstrates how an AI native finance function can be deployed responsibly and effectively within enterprise environments. As AI becomes an increasingly integral part of finance operations, the partnership is setting new standards for governance, transparency, and strategic impact.
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