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The True Cost of Manual Finance: Reclaiming Strategic Capacity in your Organisation 

Wednesday 3rd December, 12:30 BST
Hosted on Zoom
Hosted by National Technology News, in association with Bottomline

UK finance teams are caught in a productivity paradox. While 25 per cent of finance professionals spend over three-quarters of their time on tasks that could be automated, only 11 per cent of organisations have achieved comprehensive automation. This gap represents not just wasted hours, but missed opportunities for strategic contribution and business growth. The true cost extends far beyond efficiency – manual processes drive up error rates, limit real-time decision-making capability, and prevent finance functions from fulfilling their potential as strategic business partners and moving from a cost centre to value centre.

From spreadsheet-dependent cash visibility to fragmented payment workflows, finance leaders recognise which tasks could be automated, yet implementation continues to lag. The barriers expand beyond technology to encompass investment prioritisation, change management challenges, and legacy system constraints that keep organisations trapped in operational inefficiency.

Join National Technology News for this exclusive webinar sponsored by Bottomline, building upon the findings of our recent report 'Overcoming Operational Hurdles: The Role of Technology in Finance Management'. Expert speakers will quantify the real cost of manual operations, explore why awareness hasn't translated to action, and identify the quick wins that deliver immediate ROI whilst building momentum for comprehensive transformation.

When: Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Time: 12:30 BST
Where: Zoom

Topics for Discussion:

• Finance leaders recognise which tasks could be automated, yet implementation lags significantly. What are the primary barriers preventing organisations from acting on this knowledge - is it budget constraints, risk aversion, or something else?
• With 36 per cent of organisations still relying on manual speadsheet tracking for cash visibility, what risks does this create beyond simple inefficiency? How do you make the case that these aren't just 'operational inconveniences' but genuine business threats? 
• What metrics and frameworks are most effective for securing C-suite and board buy-in for finance automation investments, particularly in organisations with competing technology priorities?
• Beyond technology selection, what are the human and cultural challenges of moving finance teams from manual to automated workflows? How do you address resistance and ensure successful adoption?
• Many organisations have multiple capable systems operating in isolation. Is the real challenge acquiring new technology, or better integrating what you already have? How do you approach this strategically?
• Some finance leaders express concern that automation increases risk or reduces control. How do you address these concerns whilst demonstrating that modern automation actually enhances security, compliance, and fraud prevention?

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