Virtual classroom - Generative AI in finance: smarter operations and sharper decisions
Harness the power of Generative AI to transform finance operations, enhance accuracy, and drive smarter, more strategic decisions across your organisation.
*New for 2026*

This 6-hour course is delivered over three, 2-hour, live virtual classroom sessions. This highly interactive course blends expert insight, peer learning, and practical tools for immediate workplace application.

Session 1 – Foundations, ethics and core accounting applications

Focus: This first session builds your foundation. You’ll explore what GenAI really is, how it works, and how to use it responsibly within ICAEW’s ethical framework. By the end, you’ll understand how to integrate GenAI confidently into core accounting processes.

Learn it – Build understanding
Discover how Generative AI differs from traditional automation and why it’s becoming essential to modern finance. Learn ICAEW’s Five Fundamental Principles in the context of AI and explore key tools and use cases across the accounting cycle.

Apply it – Build capability
Practise effective prompting using the T.P.C.E.F. model (Task, Persona, Context, Examples, Format) to generate accurate, reliable, and verifiable results. Learn how to manage common AI risks, including bias, hallucinations, and data confidentiality.

Use it – Put it into practice
Apply your new skills to real accounting scenarios: recording transactions, reconciling accounts, and producing first-draft reports.

Practical workshop: Draft multi-line journal entries from text inputs and identify reconciliation discrepancies using GenAI.

Session 2 – Apply it: smarter operations, transactions and optimisation

Focus: This session turns theory into practice - showing how GenAI can transform the operational heart of finance. You’ll learn how to automate transactional processes, enhance accuracy, and create more time for value-added analysis.

Learn it – Understand opportunity
Explore where GenAI can drive operational efficiency across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Expense Management. Understand how automation can reduce errors, improve speed, and enhance compliance.

Apply it – Build efficiency
Use GenAI to automate data extraction, perform invoice matching, detect anomalies, and analyse payment patterns. Extend its use to cost and revenue optimisation through automated variance commentary and profitability analysis.

Use it – Deliver value
Turn AI-generated insights into practical actions that drive better decisions and stronger performance.

Practical workshop: Use GenAI to review expense claims for policy breaches, draft escalation emails, perform break-even analysis, and model pricing sensitivity scenarios.

Session 3 – Use it: sharper decisions, cashflow, budgeting and strategy

Focus: The final session moves from efficiency to influence. You’ll learn how to use GenAI to support sharper, data-driven decisions - from liquidity management to strategic forecasting - and plan how to embed these tools in your own finance function.

Learn it – Strengthen insight
Understand how GenAI enhances financial foresight through dynamic forecasting, scenario planning, and real-time analysis. Learn the principles of integrating AI into cash flow and budgeting models.

Apply it – Build strategic capability
Use GenAI to automate cash flow forecasting, stress-test liquidity, consolidate budgets, and generate driver-based forecasts and commentary.

Use it – Lead change
Design a practical 90-day roadmap to introduce GenAI into your finance team and embed these practices sustainably.

Workshop: Draft a 13-week cash flow forecast, run liquidity stress tests, and build a tailored “First 90 Days” adoption plan for your finance function.

Early Bird Pricing
15% discount automatically applied on bookings made up until 6 weeks before the course date

How are the courses delivered?

All Virtual Classrooms are run by live on Zoom. These are interactive and not recorded, interaction and delegate involvement is encouraged.

When will I receive joining instructions?

You will receive a email with joining instructions after enrolling. Materials and any other resources for the course will be sent to you shortly before the course start date.

Are there breaks?

Yes, no fixed timings - will depend on the length of the course.

How do I access the course slide deck?

Depending on the course you will either be sent in the lead up to the course or after.

What if I miss the live date?

The Virtual Classrooms are not recorded so we recommend you attend all sessions.

What if I am going to be 15 minutes late?

This is not a problem, the classroom starts at the start time, but you will be let in if you are delayed for any reason. Trainers do their best to accommodate catch-up, but this is not guaranteed. Where possible please let us know of any delays so we are aware when doing role call the beginning of the session.

Can I have my colleague with me in the live course?

Yes, if you purchase a second place. Each booking is valid for one person only.

Can I record the training?

No, virtual classrooms are not recorded.

Do the courses on this programme count as verifiable CPD?

Yes, these courses contribute verifiable CPD, so long as you can demonstrate that the content is relevant to your role. Additional information about CPD can be found here: Your guide to CPD.

How many people will be on the course?

Virtual Classrooms are designed to resemble a real classroom. Therefore, group sizes vary between 6 – 22 delegates per course.