The New CFO: How AI Is Rewriting the Finance Function | Figma CFO Praveer Melwani

AI is fundamentally transforming the finance function from a reactive, manual data-reconciliation role into a proactive, strategic business enabler. By leveraging automation and AI tools, finance teams can move beyond tedious SQL queries and manual data stitching, allowing them to focus on high-level decision-making and rapid experimentation. Figma CFO Praveer Melwani emphasizes that the modern finance organization requires intellectual curiosity and deep business ownership, where AI serves as a force multiplier rather than a replacement for critical thinking. While technical automation is essential, maintaining data integrity and consistent definitions remains the foundation for effective reporting. Ultimately, the shift toward "automation-first" workflows allows finance professionals to spend more time on strategic insights and business growth, turning the CFO’s office into a central hub for organizational intelligence and innovation.