Tech, trust and transformation: the factors shaping the finance function: A conversation with Taimur Abdaal and Peter Croeze

In this episode of Finance in Flow, host Taimur Abdaal, Lucanet’s Managing Director of xP&A, sits down with Peter Croeze, VP of Product at Lucanet, to explore the future of finance and the growing role of AI. They discuss how CFOs and finance teams are navigating digital transformation, the skepticism and opportunities around AI adoption, and the cultural shift toward tech-driven finance solutions. From regular use cases like reporting and automation to the challenges of data integration and trust, this conversation highlights the strategies shaping finance in 2025 and beyond.About the guest:Peter Croeze, VP of Product at Lucanet, is an experienced Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the internet industry. Peter is skilled in Business Process, Operations Management, Requirements Analysis, Coaching, and Agile development.Key Quotes“It’s not a trend—AI is here. It’s moving very fast, and finance teams need to adopt and adjust.” – Peter Croeze“Even really basic AI features—like meeting transcriptions in Teams—can be hugely valuable for day-to-day work.” – Taimur Abdaal“All new features should be AI-first. We need to ask: can an agent do this job instead of building another button in the UI?” – Peter CroezeTime Stamps[00:00:00] – Introduction[00:00:50] – Digital Transformation in Finance[00:01:50] – CFOs’ Perspectives on AI[00:03:08] – Big vs. Small Companies[00:04:34] – Low-Hanging Fruit for AI in Finance[00:05:48] – AI in Products & Tools[00:07:57] – Prototyping & Product Development with AI[00:08:43] – Challenges in Adoption[00:10:20] – AI-First Product Strategy[00:12:42] – Evolving Role of the CFO[00:14:06] – Tech-Savvy Finance Teams[00:15:33] – The Data Integration Challenge[00:16:53] – Looking Ahead[00:17:30] – Closing ThoughtsLinksConnect with Taimur on LinkedInConnect with Peter on LinkedInLearn more about Lucanet Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.