For all the obvious benefits of automation, some frontline accounting and finance workers are understandably nervous about what the future holds for them when machines have become adept at an increasing array of tasks.

In April 2022, Tradeshift commissioned research in the US, UK, France and Germany to get a better understanding of what frontline finance and accounting professionals really think about automation. Workers we surveyed do not want to be forever fated to perform low-value, repetitive tasks. By handing the bulk of this work to a machine, they saw an opportunity to do more strategic, interesting work while also preserving a healthy work-life balance. The message to businesses of all sizes is clear. The current war for talent will be won by organizations that invest in technology and training that empowers employees to become more strategic, more collaborative, and ultimately more visible.