Finance Ai specialist
Smarter Finance, One Experiment at a Time
This website documents my personal journey as a finance professional exploring what’s possible when AI, automation, and modern tooling meet real finance operations. I’m working toward a simple but ambitious goal:
Eliminate 50% of repetitive work and achieve a reliable 5-day month-end close.
This space isn’t about hype or selling tools.
It’s about sharing honest insights, working examples, failed experiments, and practical steps other finance teams can use right away.
If you’re trying to understand what AI actually means for finance — without the buzzwords — you’ll feel at home here.
Why I started this journey
Throughout 15+ years in finance, from operations to leadership, I saw the same disconnect everywhere:
- Smart people stuck doing low-value, repetitive work
- Month-end processes dependent on spreadsheets and heroics
- AR teams manually handling emails systems should answer
- Too much data entry, too little analysis
- Tools that promise more than they deliver
During my time at Channable, I led a full AI-driven finance transformation that reduced manual workload by 25% and changed how our team worked day-to-day.
It showed me that:
Finance doesn’t need more people — it needs smarter systems.
AI won’t replace finance teams. But it can replace a lot of what slows them down
That idea became the foundation of this site.
What You’ll Find Here
This is not a sales-driven website — it’s a learning space for finance people.
1. Practical, Real-World AI Tips
Clear, actionable steps you can apply today.
From AR automation to close acceleration, to using AI safely within your ERP.
2. Honest Reviews of Finance Tools
I test software in real finance environments and share what I genuinely think.
No sponsorships. No polished marketing.
What works stays. What doesn’t gets documented too.
3. My Own AI Experiments
I share prototypes, workflows, and experiments — including the ones that didn’t go to plan.
Because understanding the limits of AI is just as important as knowing its potential.
4. Step-by-Step Progress Toward a 5-Day Close
You get a front-row seat to each milestone, strategy, bottleneck, and improvement.
Tools I’ve build
Collect faster. Reply smarter.
The Accounts Receivable Agent is built to streamline and automate repetitive inbox tasks. Around 90% of incoming AR emails ask the same recurring questions.
This AI agent automatically processes those requests through integrations with tools like Outlook, Mollie, Stripe, Exact Online, Chargebee and your internal help center. It pulls relevant data from various sources and generates a ready-to-send draft email.
Downloads
Independent Software Advice for Modern Finance Teams
Besides running my own experiments, I also help finance teams navigate the rapidly growing landscape of AI-first finance tools.
The market is evolving fast — new tools launch every month, existing tools mature, and traditional platforms are starting to add AI layers that may or may not deliver real value. On this site, I share:
1. A curated overview of AI-first finance software
A living directory of the tools reshaping finance — from AI-native ERPs to smart AP/AR platforms, close assistants, FP&A engines, and workflow automation tools.
You can find my full overview here:
AI-First Finance Tools Database (continuously updated)
2. Realistic assessments of what these tools can (and can’t) do
I test many of these tools in real environments and share honest feedback:
- Where they fit into the finance stack
- When they replace legacy solutions
- Which tools pair well together
- Where the gaps or risks still are
3. Transparent, unbiased recommendations
Because I build my own solutions too, it’s important to be clear:
I do not partner with vendors or accept referral incentives.
All advice is based on hands-on experience — including the frustrations, limitations, and unexpected wins that tools create in real operations.
4. Guidance for teams moving toward an AI-first finance stack
If you’re rethinking your stack, or exploring tools like Payhawk, Pigment, Datarails, DualEntry, Campfire, or AI-assisted ERPs, I share practical paths to adopt them responsibly and efficiently.
Help finance teams make better decisions, avoid expensive mistakes, and move toward a more automated, insight-driven future.
Tools we work with
Tools we work and connect with
Finance ai specialist
I’m Paul Stolk — a Finance Manager, entrepreneur, and founder with over 15 years of experience at the crossroads of finance, automation, and online business.
Throughout my career at Channable and various ventures, I’ve consistently focused on optimizing financial processes. Whether leading finance teams, building B2B comparison platforms, or managing digital operations, one thing has become clear: manual finance work is holding businesses back.
That’s why I started NexFin AI — to bring smart AI solutions to financial workflows. I help companies automate and improve their financial operations using intelligent tools that eliminate inefficiencies and increase accuracy.
Why I share everything publicly
The finance AI world is full of noise.
This site aims to be the opposite — practical, transparent, grounded.
I share:
- What actually saved time
- What introduced risk
- What failed completely
- What surprised me
- What AI can safely automate today
- What still requires human judgment
- How to build trust in new processes
- How to modernize without breaking everything
If something doesn’t work, I say it.
If something is great but fragile, I explain when and why.
We all move faster when knowledge is shared openly.
Lets connect: If you’re exploring AI in finance too…
Then welcome.
Use what helps you. Adapt everything to your own team. Ignore the rest.
Finance is entering a new era — one where automation, reasoning engines, and AI-native tooling reshape how teams work.
This website is here to help you navigate that shift safely, smartly, and realistically.
Here’s to building a smarter finance function — one honest experiment at a time.
As a Finance AI Specialist, I help SMEs and scale-ups transform their finance operations with practical, ready-to-use AI workflows. Whether it’s automating accounts receivable, accelerating the month-end close, or reducing manual data entry, I design and implement AI-driven solutions that deliver measurable results. With hands-on experience in tools like n8n, Airtable, Softr, and leading ERP and payment systems such as Exact, QuickBooks, Mollie, and Stripe, I ensure finance teams can adopt AI without the need for heavy IT projects.
What Does a (Freelance) AI Specialist Do? Tasks, Skills, and Services
More and more organizations are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to make processes smarter and more efficient. An AI Specialist plays a key role in this transformation. Whether as a full-time employee or a freelance AI Specialist, this professional translates complex data and algorithms into practical solutions that deliver real business value.
Key Tasks of an AI Specialist
The daily work of an AI Specialist is diverse and depends on the industry and organization. Common tasks include:
- Developing AI models: building, training, and optimizing machine learning and deep learning models.
- Data analysis and preparation: cleaning and structuring data to ensure reliable AI outputs.
- Integration with business processes: connecting AI solutions with existing systems such as ERP, CRM, or financial software.
- Testing and improving: monitoring AI systems, detecting errors, and optimizing performance.
- Advisory and strategy: guiding organizations on where and how AI creates the most value.
Essential Skills of a Successful AI Specialist
A strong AI Specialist combines technical expertise with communication skills. The most important qualities include:
- Analytical mindset: ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights.
- Programming knowledge: experience with languages such as Python, R, or SQL, and frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
- Problem-solving skills: designing creative AI-driven solutions for business challenges.
- Communication and collaboration: explaining AI clearly and building buy-in across teams.
- Curiosity and continuous learning: AI evolves rapidly; a good specialist keeps up with the latest tools and trends.
Services Offered by a Freelance AI Specialist
Hiring a freelance AI Specialist gives companies flexible access to AI expertise without committing to a full-time hire. Typical services include:
- AI consultancy: advice on AI strategy, use cases, and implementation.
- Proof of Concept development: setting up small-scale pilots to quickly demonstrate AI’s value.
- Workflow automation: streamlining processes using AI-powered bots and agents.
- Training & workshops: teaching teams how to apply AI tools in their daily work.
- Custom AI solutions: developing tailored applications for finance, marketing, or operations.
Why Hire a Freelance AI Specialist?
With a freelance AI Specialist, businesses gain quick access to niche expertise without lengthy hiring processes. Freelancers adapt flexibly to the size and scope of a project, making them an ideal choice for companies that want to explore AI opportunities or scale fast.
Why You Should Hire an AI Expert for Finance Automation
Finance teams across the world are under increasing pressure: close the books faster, reduce manual errors, and provide insights for strategic decision-making. Yet many departments still spend countless hours on repetitive tasks like invoice matching, payment reminders, and reconciliations.
This is where hiring an AI expert for automation in finance can be a game-changer. By combining artificial intelligence with workflow automation, companies can transform their finance operations from reactive to proactive.
The Case for Finance Automation
According to recent reports, over 60% of finance teams still haven’t implemented AI into their workflows. The main reasons? A lack of internal expertise, unclear ROI, and concerns about data security.
But the teams that have embraced AI are already seeing results:
-
80–90% of AR emails handled automatically.
-
Month-end close reduced from 10 to 5 days.
-
Error rates in reconciliations cut by more than half.
The benefits are too significant to ignore. Automating repetitive finance processes doesn’t just save time — it directly impacts cash flow, compliance, and employee satisfaction.
What an AI Expert Brings to the Table
Hiring an AI expert means you don’t have to experiment blindly with tools or frameworks. Instead, you get a specialist who understands both finance processes and modern AI workflows.
An AI expert can help you:
-
Identify the right use cases
From accounts receivable to month-end close, the first step is mapping the processes that deliver the highest ROI when automated. -
Integrate AI with your existing stack
Whether you use Exact Online, QuickBooks, or Stripe, an expert can connect these tools to AI models and automation platforms like n8n. -
Design smart workflows
Imagine reminders that stop the moment a customer pays, or inbox replies that include the latest invoice and payment status. AI experts design these workflows to reduce DSO and manual effort. -
Ensure compliance and security
Finance data is sensitive. An experienced expert will set up GDPR-compliant processes with EU hosting, encrypted connections, and audit logs. -
Upskill your team
Beyond building workflows, a good AI expert trains your finance team to use and trust the new systems.
Example Use Cases
Here are some automation projects where hiring an AI expert pays off quickly:
-
Accounts Receivable Automation: Smart reminders + AI autoresponder for incoming emails.
-
Month-End Close: Upload PDFs with balances, and let AI draft journal entries directly into your ERP.
-
Data Reconciliation: Automatically match payments with invoices across multiple systems.
-
Dashboards & Reporting: Build real-time dashboards for DSO, cash flow, and AR status without manual exports.
Why Not Just Do It Internally?
Some CFOs assume their teams can experiment with AI on their own. The reality is that finance staff rarely have the time or technical skills for proper implementation. Without guidance, projects stall or remain surface-level experiments.
By hiring an AI expert, you skip the trial-and-error phase and move directly to proven solutions. This saves months of wasted effort and ensures a faster ROI.
Getting Started
If you’re ready to explore finance automation, start small. Pick one process — such as AR reminders — and let an AI expert design a workflow that delivers quick wins. Once your team sees the value, scaling to other processes becomes straightforward.
At Finance AI specialist, we help businesses implement AI-driven finance automation with tools like our accounts receivable AI automation and FinClose for month-end close.
Conclusion
Hiring an AI expert for automation in finance is not just about efficiency. It’s about building a smarter, more resilient finance function that can support growth and strategy. From automating AR to streamlining compliance, the opportunities are endless — and the sooner you start, the sooner you benefit.
