Three in four Australian SME finance leaders want AI automation, but only one in four are using AI tools today
PRESS RELEASE
Sydney, Australia, 20 April 2026
New CFO Survey data from Australian SMEs shows a major “AI implementation gap” inside finance teams: while 75% of respondents say they are interested in using AI to automate finance workflows, only 25% report currently using AI-enabled tools.
Based on 106 completed survey responses collected in March 2026, the findings suggest that AI is no longer a novelty for finance leaders. It’s becoming an expectation. Yet adoption is lagging behind intent, indicating that integration, governance, and practical deployment are now the central challenges for Australian SMEs looking to modernise finance operations.
Inflation and cash flow pressures are intensifying the need for automation
The survey highlights a tough operating environment for finance leaders:
- 67% selected rising costs and inflation as a major challenge
- 43% selected cash flow management
At the same time, manual work remains a heavy drag on productivity. Three-quarters of respondents estimate that manual, repetitive tasks take up 20 to 59% of their finance team’s time.
Small SMEs are more sceptical about AI, despite widespread workload pressure
While interest is high overall, readiness is uneven. Micro businesses (1 to 19 employees) were far more likely to report low interest in AI automation (36%) than larger SMEs (20 to 99 employees: 7%; 100 to 199 employees: 4%).
This suggests a clear segmentation in the market: many mid-sized firms are moving toward AI-led efficiency, while the smallest businesses may need stronger proof, simpler implementation pathways, or clearer ROI before committing.
The finance tech stack is established, but AI isn’t yet mainstream
Most respondents reported using cloud accounting software (74%) and payroll or HR systems (56%), showing a widely adopted foundation layer. However, only a quarter said they currently use AI-enabled tools, even as interest climbs.
What finance leaders want next: cash flow, forecasting, and AI
When asked what topics they want more of, respondents prioritised:
- Cash flow strategies and liquidity management (64%)
- AI and automation in finance (61%)
- Forecasting and scenario planning (50%)
The message is clear: finance leaders are actively looking for practical ways to turn technology, including AI, into real-time visibility, tighter control, and stronger forecasting confidence.
Download the full CFO Survey report
Survey methodology:
The survey was conducted via Typeform and captured 106 completed responses between 17 March 2026 and 24 March 2026. Respondents included CFOs, Finance Directors, Finance Managers, and Business Owners or Managing Directors with finance responsibility across Australian SMEs.
For media enquiries contact:
Lizzie Babarczy Chief Marketing Officer lizzie.babarczy@budgetly.com.au
About Budgetly
Budgetly is an AI-driven spend management platform built for Australian SMEs to eliminate overspending before it happens. Budgetly gives finance teams real-time visibility and control across company spend, while automating the manual work that slows down month-end.
With physical and virtual cards, budgets and smart spending rules, and receipt capture at the point of purchase, Budgetly helps businesses replace reimbursements, receipt chasing and shared-card chaos with clear accountability. Transactions can be automatically categorised and synced to accounting systems like Xero for faster reconciliation and cleaner books, backed by top-rated, Australian-based human support.