Finance teams across the UK and Europe are increasing their use of automation to tackle fraud and reduce regulatory red tape, according to a new survey.
Research conducted by Equals Money and Censuswide surveyed 1,000 senior finance decision-makers in the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, and found that 81% of respondents increased their use of automation over the past year. Of those, 34% reported significant growth in automation adoption within their departments.
The data indicates that many finance teams are grappling with complex regulatory requirements, with 31 per cent citing compliance and regulatory complexity as their top operational inefficiency. Increasing regulatory demands are driving finance leaders to seek technology-enabled solutions to manage workloads more efficiently.
Combatting fraud
Finance leaders view automation as a crucial tool for combating fraud and enhancing accuracy. According to the survey, 72% believe automation reduces fraud and errors, and 37% say it significantly improves fraud prevention and the accuracy of financial reporting.
Automated technologies being adopted include tools that detect duplicate payments (37%), eliminate manual data entry (36%), and flag unusual activities in real time (35%). These safeguards are increasingly seen as essential in minimising risk.
"Finance teams aren't just crunching numbers anymore – they're defending the business," said Matthijs Boon, Chief Revenue Officer at Equals Money. "Automation gives them the clarity and control to do that faster and smarter. It's gone from being a cost-saving tool to a critical line of defence and a catalyst for growth."
This shift moves the role of finance teams beyond traditional bookkeeping. The survey also found that 49% of finance leaders cite time savings as the chief benefit of automation. Yet, nearly all respondents (99%) stated that automation allows them to focus on higher-value, strategic work within their organisations.
Strategic focus
The use of automation is also freeing finance experts to take on more strategic responsibilities. Over the past year, half of businesses surveyed have automated billing and payroll procedures, while 45% have adopted subscription automation, and 40% have implemented digital wallets.
In terms of future investment, finance leaders are shifting attention to technologies that offer enhanced connectivity and intelligence. Key areas for further adoption include application programming interfaces (APIs) for embedded finance (36%), AI-powered credit decisioning tools (35%), cash flow forecasting solutions (35%), spend management platforms (34%), and cross-border payment automation (33%).
The trend towards greater automation coincides with government efforts to harness artificial intelligence in public sector processes. The UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer recently announced GBP £1 billion of additional funding for AI, including a government-built tool to process planning applications and reduce bureaucracy. Many private sector finance leaders are adopting similar technologies to address their own administrative challenges.
Automation in action
Equals Money has launched an Efficiency Calculator intended to help businesses identify areas where manual financial processes may be causing inefficiencies. The calculator provides estimates of potential time and cost savings when businesses move to optimise their workflows using automation.
The survey, conducted in May 2025 by Censuswide, highlights the growing importance of automation in transforming finance teams from a back-office resource to a more central role within organisations. The results suggest that finance leaders view automation not only as a means of addressing external pressures, such as regulation, but also as a way to drive business growth and enhance accuracy in their financial operations.
