Fuelling Finance Transformation Through AI and Digital Mindset

In this interview, Ali Mehfooz, Group Financial Controller at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, explains how he works closely with the technology team to drive transformation across the organisation. Moving from a different industry into banking presents both challenges and opportunities, but Ali notes that the fundamentals remain the same: success depends on strong relationships between finance and technology, and on combining deep financial expertise with equally capable technical talent. By collaborating with architects and technology leaders, his team explores solutions that support a more modern and efficient finance function.

Ali also describes how AI adoption begins with building awareness. He encourages his team to experiment with tools like ChatGPT in their personal lives to spark curiosity and develop an innovative mindset. As usage grows, the team increasingly identifies new ways to apply AI, from advanced analytics to support forecasting, to automating tasks such as accounts payable, reconciliations and narrative preparation.…