PwC launches AI-powered managed services for the Finance function
Described as a major shift in its traditional delivery model, professional services firm PwC has launched a new managed services offering for the finance function.
Geared towards private and mid-sized companies and intended as the first in a series of releases, the new AI-powered managed service uses agents to perform a wide, variable range of finance function tasks, with continued oversight from PwC professionals.
Traditionally designed for large enterprises, the firm said its new, cost-effective offering opens up the option of managed services for smaller Australian businesses, which can also struggle with talent shortfalls and regulatory and technological complexity.
“This is built for complex finance work that requires professional judgement, regulatory knowledge, and continuous improvement, not just volume and cost reduction,” stated advisory practice leader Rohit Antao. “It gives private and mid-market businesses an end-to-end solution, with confidence that critical finance work is being completed consistently, securely, and to a high standard.”
A year in development, the firm said an initial 90-day pilot of the service across accounts payable workflows resulted in a near halving of processing hours while achieving 93 percent ‘first-run’ accuracy, with payroll, compliance, and reporting among the many other areas the service can cover. Around 150 clients have already signed up, with PwC providing varying degrees of support.
The leader: Jade Dixon
The new business will be led by Sydney managing partner Jade Dixon, who stressed its built-in security and governance; “Bringing AI into client financial data is not something we take lightly, and we have spent time understanding the risks. PwC operates and is accountable for the services and the AI agents within it, and our people remain in control of the judgement and review.”
She continued; “As a future-ready, scalable finance function delivered as a service, this is a fundamentally new way of working. AI agents handle the routine, repetitive tasks with speed and precision, while our PwC people provide the oversight and accountability our clients rely on. It’s an end-to-end model where we advise, build, and operate – together with our clients.”
Delivery model
Following up on its earlier release of agentic-AI professional services solutions on the AWS marketplace, the latest launch provides the foundations for PwC to further evolve its delivery model, with a broader suite of managed service offerings expected to follow in areas such as cybersecurity, financial crime compliance, human resources, procurement, and analytics.
“This is about giving small businesses access to the capability, technology, and oversight they need in a way that is scalable, practical and cost-effective while improving transparency and quality,” said recently re-elected CEO Kevin Burrowes. “AI does the necessary but repetitive tasks, while our people focus on what matters most for our clients – trusted insights and outcomes.”
