As an accountant in the Accounts Advisory team at Dains, staying organised is critical. My role demands precision and efficiency, with every day packed full of deadlines, data, and ensuring the details are flawless. I’m always searching for tools that make processes smoother and help me deliver greater value to my clients. When I was introduced to Copilot for Finance, I immediately knew it was a game-changer.
Streamlining Workflows and Reducing Stress
One of the standout features of Copilot for Finance is its ability to save significant time. The "Reconcile Data" tool, for example, has revolutionised how I approach reconciliation tasks. The capability to process thousands of lines in Excel within seconds is transformative.
Reconciling data has never been simpler. Recently, I used Copilot to reconcile three years’ worth of sales data—about 6,000 transactions—from Xero to a fuel distribution system. What would normally take over a day and a half manually was reduced to just one hour. The system completed most of the reconciliation, leaving only around 200 lines for manual review. This saved my client both time and money while allowing me to focus on providing strategic insights.
Even everyday tasks, like reconciling a bank account that traditionally takes 30 minutes, now take just a few minutes. If the data is correctly prepared—consistent dates and descriptions are key—Copilot manages the heavy lifting. Its ability to clean data, such as prompting the removal of unnecessary bank description elements, saves even more time.
Using Copilot has transformed my workflow. It enhances productivity, reduces stress, and enables me to dedicate more time to advisory tasks that add real value for our clients.
Lee Foster, Chief Information and Technology Officer at Dains said: “Seeing how Jack has embraced Copilot for Finance highlights exactly what we aim to achieve at Dains—empowering our people to deliver exceptional results for our clients. Jack’s ability to leverage this technology to save time, and elevate the quality of his work is a fantastic example of how innovation can transform day-to-day tasks. It’s great to see him using tools like Copilot to enhance both his own efficiency and the value we provide to clients.”
Data Security, Quality, and Trust
In our profession, the confidentiality, accuracy, and security of client data are paramount. Copilot for Finance prioritises security, employing robust encryption to safeguard all uploaded data. Whether handling sensitive financial information or personal details, I can trust that the platform meets stringent data protection standards.
However, it’s important to recognise that Copilot is a tool—albeit a powerful one—and its effectiveness relies on the expertise and quality assurance we apply as professionals. At Dains, we ensure that every result generated by Copilot undergoes thorough review and validation by our team to guarantee accuracy and relevance for our clients. By combining the tool’s efficiency with our specialist knowledge, we can confidently deliver high-quality, reliable outcomes that meet the exacting standards our clients expect.
Joining a Supportive AI Community
I discovered Copilot for Finance through T-Tech and later joined their AI Academy. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the experience was incredibly energising. Through this community, I’ve connected with peers exploring the full potential of AI tools, gaining insights into how to maximise Copilot’s capabilities.
At Dains, we handle various reconciliations—from bank accounts to sales and purchase ledgers, as well as wages—and Copilot is becoming an increasingly valuable tool to deliver quality and timely results for our clients. Its ability to tackle high transaction volumes efficiently has been particularly valuable in our Accounts Advisory department.
Beyond Financial Reconciliation
What surprised me most was how Copilot evolved into a multi-functional tool. I now use it as a research assistant, streamlining tasks like sourcing industry insights. Instead of browsing multiple websites, I can rely on Copilot to deliver accurate, consolidated answers, saving me time and effort.
It’s also been a game-changer for managing notes from industry events. Previously, I would manually compile notes from seminars like Accountex, which was time-consuming. Now, I scan handwritten notes, upload them to Copilot, and let it generate polished summaries. For someone who thrives on numbers rather than writing, this has been an invaluable time-saver.
Exciting Developments on the Horizon
Currently, the Reconcile Data feature is my go-to tool, but I’m particularly excited about the upcoming "Analyse Variances" feature. This will allow us to delve deeper into strategic advisory work, creating even greater value for our clients.
Conclusion
Integrating Copilot for Finance into my workflow has been transformative. It has simplified complex reconciliations, enhanced productivity, and ensured data security while supporting my research and reporting tasks. For accountants looking to optimise efficiency, reduce stress, and focus on high-value advisory work, Copilot for Finance is an indispensable tool.
To see more about how I use Copilot for Finance, check out my video here: