We’ve just completed our first AI Analyst hire at Darwin Hawkins, and it marks a pivotal shift in how finance teams are evolving in the face of rapid technological change.
The AI Analyst role we delivered was not your typical hire for a finance function. The role sits at the intersection of data analytics, operational improvement, and digital transformation. The successful candidate had to be fluent in the practical use of AI tools, experienced in building off-the-shelf automation, deploying chatbots, data analytics, and integrating systems. Crucially, they needed to bridge the gap between tech and finance—translating complex tools into tangible business value.
This type of role will become increasingly critical. Finance teams can no longer afford to work in silos, relying purely on spreadsheets and legacy systems. AI isn't just about automation—it's about augmenting decision-making, streamlining workflows, and enabling better insights, faster.
For finance professionals, what does this mean?
AI won’t replace you—but someone using AI will. The smartest accountants, analysts, and CFOs I know are already upskilling, learning how to prompt AI effectively, automate repeatable tasks, and think strategically about where human intelligence adds the most value.
Some areas where AI is being actively implemented in finance functions:
- Data Preparation & Management
- Predictive & Prescriptive Modelling
- Automation of Routine Tasks
- Anomaly & Fraud Detection
- Scenario Analysis & Decision Support
- Visualisation & Communication
Core AI skills worth learning:
- Prompt engineering & GenAI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini)
- Python for data analysis & automation
- Workflow automation (Workato, Zapier, Power Automate)
- AI model evaluation & use-case design
- Chatbot deployment using Microsoft Teams or Slack
- Data platforms like Snowflake or BigQuery
Want to upskill in AI? Here is link to some top college-level options in Ireland.
Where it’s all going…
As AI becomes embedded across the finance function, we’ll see finance leaders playing a bigger role in digital strategy. The days of “finance is just numbers” are behind us. Now, it’s about insights, automation, and agility.
At Darwin Hawkins, we’re doubling down on supporting this shift—placing AI-savvy finance professionals who understand the tools and the numbers.
If you're a finance leader thinking about your next strategic hire, or a finance professional looking to future-proof your career, now is the time to act.