Inside AI’s Impact on Finance and Accounting: Meta’s Jason Pikoos on Shifting Roles, Smarter Strategies, and New Expectations for Graduates
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept in finance and accounting; it is actively reshaping roles, accelerating decisions, and redefining what success looks like for professionals and graduates alike. In a recent AACSB Pulse podcast, Meta’s Director of Modern Finance, Jason Pikoos, shared powerful insights into this transformation, highlighting how AI is turning traditional finance teams into strategic enablers.
Pikoos leads finance transformation and automation at Meta, a role focused on large-scale initiatives, portfolio management, and last-mile automation. He describes “Modern Finance” as moving far beyond reporting and compliance. Finance professionals today partner directly with business leaders to enable growth, manage complex transformations, and drive outcomes that matter to employees and customers.
One of the biggest shifts, according to Pikoos, is the democratization of technology. Tools like agentic AI systems now allow non-engineers to build solutions using plain English. This dramatically accelerates development cycles and changes how finance teams prioritize projects. Engineering focuses on major platforms, while finance professionals handle targeted, high-impact automation that delivers quick value.
Will AI make accountants redundant? Pikoos offers a balanced view: no, but roles will evolve significantly. Transactional and manual work is rapidly being automated as AI improves at handling routine tasks. However, complex judgment, accounting standards application, financial diligence, and strategic business enablement still require human expertise. AI makes these higher-value activities more efficient, freeing professionals to focus on strategy rather than spreadsheets.
Finance leaders are becoming true strategic partners– At Meta and similar tech giants, finance teams actively support major business transformations, including massive infrastructure builds powered by AI. This embedded role demands stronger collaboration, outcome-focused thinking, and the ability to translate technology into business value.
For the next generation of graduates, Pikoos emphasizes new expectations. Technical skills in AI tools, data analytics, and automation are now essential. Equally important are soft skills: critical thinking, professional judgment, strategic communication, and adaptability. Business schools must evolve their curricula to blend traditional accounting principles with hands-on AI experience, ethical considerations, and real-world strategic projects.
Pikoos stresses that AI adoption brings both opportunities and risks. Organizations need robust governance, risk management frameworks, and clear guidelines especially around areas like SOX compliance. Finance leaders who lean into AI will gain a competitive edge, while those who resist risk falling behind.z
The message is clear: AI is not replacing finance professionals, it is elevating them. Success in the future of finance belongs to those who combine deep domain knowledge with technological fluency and strategic vision. As Pikoos notes, the pace of change is staggering, and those who embrace it will shape the next era of modern finance.
