How does using AI for bookkeeping and financial review change the role of a fractional CFO or advisory-focused firm?

One member, who runs a fractional CFO firm, explained that fractional CFO work traditionally requires also doing the books and month-end close, but they want to spend more time on advisory work since clients call frequently with things like cash flow questions. Using AI to handle more of the bookkeeping work frees them up to be available for those advisory calls and 'thinking on the fly' rather than being tied up in close. It was noted that clients who get more advisory attention tend to want even more of it, creating a virtuous cycle. Another participant added that AI isn't replacing the client relationship itself—clients hire firms for that human relationship and peace of mind—so AI just gives practitioners more time to build deeper connections with clients.