AI and automation are reshaping business priorities, according to a new report from BILL, a financial operations platform for small and midsize businesses. The 2025 BILL Report: Building the Future of Finance, which surveyed business owners and finance leaders, reveals that businesses across the country are increasingly turning to AI to help them improve cash flow, fight fraud, and adapt to economic uncertainty.

“AI is a factor influencing every finance leader as they are making operational decisions to run their business – from fighting fraud, to growing cash flow, automating manual tasks or adapting their operations,” said René Lacerte, CEO and Founder of BILL. “Leaders are clear-eyed about the need and opportunity to transform their operations, and as companies change how they work, who they work with, and how they win, there is one certainty: the finance leader’s job of tomorrow will look very different to anything we’ve seen before.”

Key findings of the survey include:

Fraud is on the rise, and AI is both an asset and a liability. An overwhelming 92% of businesses are worried about fraud, with 56% reporting an increase in fraud attempts in the last year. AI is both an ally and an adversary in this fight: 54% report AI is improving their ability to detect fraud, but 46% say AI is increasing their overall fraud risk. The result is an innovation battle that makes fraud an increasingly complex problem – with AI right at the center.

An overwhelming 92% of businesses are worried about fraud, with 56% reporting an increase in fraud attempts in the last year. AI is both an ally and an adversary in this fight: 54% report AI is improving their ability to detect fraud, but 46% say AI is increasing their overall fraud risk. The result is an innovation battle that makes fraud an increasingly complex problem – with AI right at the center. Established businesses are leading the way on AI adoption. Businesses started in the last 12 months reported the highest levels of skepticism around AI, while established businesses were the most enthusiastic. Among businesses operating for over 20 years, 70% believe AI will strengthen financial forecasting, compared with just 47% of businesses under 5 years old.

Businesses started in the last 12 months reported the highest levels of skepticism around AI, while established businesses were the most enthusiastic. Among businesses operating for over 20 years, 70% believe AI will strengthen financial forecasting, compared with just 47% of businesses under 5 years old. AI is breaking down barriers for start-ups: 68% believe AI will make it easier to start a new business, and nearly two-thirds believe it will help survive the first year (63%) and reach the five-year milestone (61%).

68% believe AI will make it easier to start a new business, and nearly two-thirds believe it will help survive the first year (63%) and reach the five-year milestone (61%). Businesses lean into smart cash flow management. Companies are recalibrating their strategies for success amidst economic uncertainty. In the next six months, businesses are planning to diversify suppliers (40%), increase prices (39%), and accelerate automation (38%) to stay competitive.

Companies are recalibrating their strategies for success amidst economic uncertainty. In the next six months, businesses are planning to diversify suppliers (40%), increase prices (39%), and accelerate automation (38%) to stay competitive. The filing cabinet is in the crosshairs: Businesses have bold timelines for achieving paperless operations. One-third plan to be paperless by 2026, while 90% believe going paperless within five years is realistic.

Businesses have bold timelines for achieving paperless operations. One-third plan to be paperless by 2026, while 90% believe going paperless within five years is realistic. Cash flow blind spots create risk: Most businesses lack real-time financial visibility. Almost two-thirds of businesses can’t access their current cash positions on demand. For one in five businesses, it can take days or weeks. Half of businesses see better cash flow management as essential to enable faster responses to opportunities.

Most businesses lack real-time financial visibility. Almost two-thirds of businesses can’t access their current cash positions on demand. For one in five businesses, it can take days or weeks. Half of businesses see better cash flow management as essential to enable faster responses to opportunities. Accounting talent shortage forces businesses to innovate: Due to an ongoing talent shortage in the accounting industry, 77% of businesses anticipate rising costs of accounting services, while 60% are preparing for the possibility of handling more accounting work in-house. At the same time, 56% maintain strong relationships with their accounting partners.

To read the full report, visit https://www.bill.com/blog/the-2025-bill-report-building-the-future-of-finance