Author: Prathamesh Bhingarde

  • Process Intelligence: The Modern CFO’s Tool for Smarter Finance and Risk Control 

    Process Intelligence: The Modern CFO’s Tool for Smarter Finance and Risk Control 

    The Modern Chief Financial Officer is Navigating a Perfect Storm.

    Geopolitical instability is disrupting supply chains, persistent inflation is eroding margins, and a complex web of regulations, from ESG reporting to new data privacy laws, creates a minefield of business risk. In this environment, the traditional tools, like spreadsheets and business intelligence (BI) dashboards, are no longer enough.

    These tools are like a car’s rearview mirror. They tell you that margins dropped last quarter or that audit findings spiked. But they can’t tell you why. They can’t show you the traffic jam building up ahead.

    To navigate today’s landscape, CFOs need a windshield, a forward-looking, real-time view into the operational DNA of the business. This is precisely what process mining delivers. It’s no longer a niche analytics tool, but an essential co-pilot for strategic financial leadership.


    From Post-Mortem Audits to Proactive Assurance

    For decades, risk management and compliance have operated on a cycle of retrospection and assumption. We conduct sample-based audits, find issues months after they occur, and then scramble to fix them.

    However, in a world where a single compliance failure can result in millions of pounds in fines and irreparable reputational damage, this lag is a critical vulnerability. According to a recent study, organisations lose an estimated 5% of their revenue to fraud annually, often due to internal control weaknesses!

    By tapping directly into the event logs of your core systems (ERPs, CRMs, etc.), it reconstructs every single process as it actually happens, not as it has been drawn on a flowchart.

    For instance, imagine being able to monitor 100% of your transactions for Segregation of Duties (SoD) violations in real-time. Instead of waiting for an auditor to discover that the same employee created a vendor and approved their invoice, you get an alert the moment it happens.

    Process mining platforms doesn’t just flag the Policy Violation Rate. It also quantifies the value-at-risk for each deviation and pinpoints the root cause, whether it’s a system misconfiguration, a training gap, or intentional malpractice.

    This transforms compliance from a periodic, manual checklist into a dynamic, automated, and always-on defence mechanism.


    Turbocharging the Financial Close with Surgical Precision

    The record-to-report (R2R) process, culminating in the month-end close, is the heartbeat of the finance function. Yet for many organisations, it’s a source of chronic pain characterised by a chaotic scramble of late journals, manual reconciliations, and intercompany breaks that extends the Days to Close and inflates the Manual Adjustment Rate

    Traditional reporting might indicate that the close is delayed. However, it can’t tell you that 30% of the delay is caused by one specific team struggling with intercompany reconciliations in a newly acquired subsidiary.

    Process mining provides this control tower or a birds-eye view. It dissects the entire R2R cycle with surgical precision, revealing the hidden bottlenecks and inefficiencies that create friction, like:

    • Late & Back-Dated Journals: Instantly identify entries that bypass the closing calendar, pinpointing their origin and impact.
    • Intercompany Breaks: Flag mismatches the moment they occur and track Intercompany Difference Ageing, allowing teams to resolve high-value breaks before they stall consolidation.
    • Control Overrides: Surface every instance where standard approval workflows or authority limits were bypassed, turning hidden exceptions into transparent, data-backed facts.

    By making the entire process transparent, you can transition from month-end hustle to a controlled, predictable, and ultimately faster close, paving the way for the strategic goal of a near-continuous financial close.


    The Next Frontier: AI-Powered Finance and the Autonomous Enterprise

    The true power of process mining is unlocked when it’s combined with AI and Machine Learning. This is where the finance function moves from diagnosis to prognosis and, eventually, to self-healing.

    • Predictive Process Monitoring: The future isn’t just about seeing what went wrong; it’s about predicting what will go wrong. AI models trained on your process data can identify patterns that signal a future problem. For instance, the system could predict with 95% confidence that a specific high-value invoice will miss its payment deadline based on its initial attributes, allowing the accounts payable team to intervene proactively.
    • Prescriptive Recommendations: The next logical step is for the system not only to predict a problem but also recommend or even automate the solution. Imagine the platform detecting a bottleneck in the approval workflow and automatically rerouting tasks to an available, authorised manager to keep the process moving. It is the foundation of the autonomous enterprise, where processes can dynamically adapt to changing conditions without human intervention.
    • Conversational Intelligence: With the rise of Generative AI, we are stepping into an era where a CFO can simply ask their system about the primary driver of increase in rework during a certain quarter and flag the automation initiatives with the highest ROI. The system would respond not with a dashboard, but with a full root-cause analysis with data-backed recommendations.

    This is the next logical evolution of financial management underpinned by process mining and AI. The organisations that embrace this will build a level of operational resilience and strategic agility that their competitors can only dream of matching!

    For the modern CFO, whose role has expanded to that of a strategic partner and driver of enterprise-wide transformation, relying on outdated tools is akin to flying blind. Process mining provides the necessary instrumentation to visualise, understand, and optimise the intricate processes that underpin financial performance and corporate integrity

    Harnessing this power requires more than just software. It demands a platform built for the complexities of modern finance, implemented by a team cross-skilled in the art of data science, enterprise applications, process automation and AI.

    At FUTUROOT, we are such a team. Our mission is to provide the process intelligence that translates complex operational data into the clear, actionable insights CFOs need to navigate today’s challenges and build the resilient, autonomous finance function of tomorrow.

  • Why Data Security Is the Crucial Test for Process Intelligence Providers and How to Choose the Right One

    Why Data Security Is the Crucial Test for Process Intelligence Providers and How to Choose the Right One

    Modern businesses collect and use huge amounts of data every day—data that touches core operations, finances, and client relationships. As organizations accelerate digital transformation and embed process intelligence across their operations, the crucial question emerging is how to leverage data-driven insights without compromising security.


    Why Data Security Matters Most

    Every activity in a company creates data, and some of it is extremely sensitive. If this information is not protected properly, it can lead to lost money and a damaged reputation. The reality is that threats are increasing. Cyber attacks and data breaches now cost organizations billions each year in direct and reputational losses. The stakes—and the scrutiny—have never been higher.


    Yet, as enterprises adopt advanced process intelligence platforms, some procurement teams focus too narrowly on product features, while overlooking the security model that will keep their most vital records protected. This is a mistake—security is the biggest test vendors must pass.

    What to Look for: Security by Design

    Pick a vendor who builds security into every layer of their system. Security shouldn’t be added
    as an afterthought. Ask these questions:

    • Are there protections at every step, from pulling in data to creating dashboards?
    • Do they keep their security controls up to date as threats change?
    • Providers like FUTUROOT, who lead in this space, make security part of their base design, not just an extra feature.

    Security by design must become the default expectation.


    Proving Security: Certifications

    Independent certifications are not just for compliance—they are a sign that a vendor is serious
    about safety and welcomes outside scrutiny.The most important signs to look for are:

    • ISO 27001: This means the provider treats security as an ongoing process, with regular improvements.
    • SOC 2 Type 1: This is an independent check that core protections are in place.

    A strong partner is not shy about showing up-to-date certificates and letting customers see how
    they stay compliant.

    Infrastructure That Grows with You

    As your business adds more data and users, the security needs to keep up. Look for vendors who:

    • Use dedicated and isolated environments, like Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) on secure cloud providers such as AWS or Azure.
    • Limit access to sensitive data using clear roles and only grant permissions to those who really need it.
    • Keep different parts of the system separate, so if something happens in one area, it doesn’t affect the whole company.

    Features that Keep Work Easy and Safe

    Security must not slow teams down. The best tools combine protection with productivity:

    • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for anyone entering sensitive systems.
    • Single Sign-On (SSO) so teams use their normal business login for access.
    • Precise permissions to make sure each person only sees what they need for their job.

    Making Sure Data Stays Protected

    Encryption should never be optional. A trustworthy vendor uses:

    • TLS 1.2 or better so data stays private while moving.
    • AES-256 for encrypting data stored on their systems.
    • Regular, automated, encrypted backups to protect against accidental loss or ransomware incidents
    • Controlled data deletion with clear rules for keeping or deleting old data, giving you complete authority over your data lifecycle.

    Staying Alert and Testing Regularly with Third-Party Reviewers

    Security is not a one-time job. Good vendors:

    • Use advanced monitoring systems and Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to constantly watch network activity for any suspicious behaviour in real time.
    • Maintain detailed audit logs that give administrators full visibility into every user action, ensuring accountability and quick detection of any unusual activity.
    • Rigorously review and test all security controls after every meaningful update, ensuring no vulnerabilities slip through as new features are added.
    • Conduct routine penetration tests, both internally and by independent external experts, to proactively identify and fix security weaknesses.
    • Share summaries of these tests and the corrective actions with customers, demonstrating transparency and commitment to ongoing protection.

    Questions to Ask Every Vendor

    Before making a decision, ask:

    • Do you have international security certifications?
    • Is your infrastructure truly separated and strictly access-controlled?
    • How often are your defences tested, and by whom?
    • Will you share evidence of your data handling and controls?

    The FUTUROOT Promise: Built on Trust. Secured by Design

    A partner like FUTUROOT is an enterprise-grade solution that puts security at the centre. They hold up-to-date certifications, run regular external security checks, and share compliance details openly. From ISO 27001 and SOC 2 compliance to private cloud hosting on AWS, continuous monitoring, scheduled backups, and proactive penetration testing, everything in FUTUROOT’s ecosystem is designed for durability and trust.


    FUTUROOT is simplified, scalable, and human.

  • Why your CHRO and CFO Should Be Having the Process Mining Conversation Now

    Why your CHRO and CFO Should Be Having the Process Mining Conversation Now

    For: C-suite executives, CHROs, CFOs, and HR transformation leaders

    The bottom line: HR inefficiencies contribute to $8.8 trillion in lost productivity globally1, yet most organizations lack visibility into where the breakdown occurs.
    Process mining solves the accountability gap between HR spending and business outcomes.


    Here’s the conversation happening in boardrooms right now: CFOs want HR to prove ROI. CHROs can’t, because they’re managing processes they can’t see.

    Companies where CFOs and CHROs collaborate on workforce planning report 20% higher productivity and 30% better budget predictability. Yet this partnership remains elusive at most organizations, not because of misalignment, but because HR operates without the operational transparency that finance considers baseline.


    The result? HR remains a cost centre in the minds of boards and investors, despite managing the organization’s largest expense and most critical competitive asset


    The Execution Problem No One Talks About

    Your organization invested heavily in an ATS. You upgraded your HRMS. You launched a learning platform. The technology works. But can you answer these questions with data:

    • Why does it take 47 days to fill a mid-level role in one business unit and 89 days in another?
    • Which of your five recruitment agencies delivers candidates who stay past the
      first year?
    • What percentage of your L&D budget connects to measurable performance
      improvement?
    • Where exactly do high-potential candidates drop out of your hiring process?

    Most CHROs answer these questions with anecdotes, averages, or educated guesses.
    That’s not enough when operational inefficiencies cost businesses up to 30% of total
    revenue and you’re being asked to defend every dollar of talent spend.


    What Finance Sees That HR Doesn’t

    CFOs view operations through process conformance, variance analysis, and exception reporting. They know immediately when invoice processing deviates from standard workflow or when procurement spend concentrates in unplanned categories.


    HR lacks this operational rigor. You have KPIs—time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, engagement scores—but you don’t have process transparency. You know the average, but you can’t isolate the exceptions. You measure outcomes without understanding the mechanics that drive them.

    This is where process mining creates strategic value. It applies the same analytical rigor that finance uses for spend management to the talent lifecycle. By analysing system logs from your HR tech stack, it reveals:

    • Where processes break down: Not that hiring is slow, but that 60% of delays occur in a single approval step that could be redesigned
    • Where money disappears: Not that training costs are high, but that 40% of registered employees never complete programs you’ve already paid for
    • Where talent slips away: Not that candidate experience needs improvement, but that application abandonment spikes specifically after background checks take longer than seven days

    This specificity transforms HR from “we need to do better” to “here’s exactly what to fix
    and what it will yield.”

    The Strategic Reset

    The real opportunity isn’t operational efficiency—it’s strategic repositioning. When HR
    can demonstrate the same process discipline as finance, three things happen:

    • The budget conversation changes. Instead of defending headcount, you’re presenting data on how restructuring approval workflows will accelerate hiring by 23% and reduce agency spend by $2.3M annually. That’s a CFO conversation, not an HR conversation.
    • The C-suite conversation changes. Organizations with business-integrated HR experience 40% lower turnover and 38% higher engagement. Process mining enables this integration by giving CHROs the operational command that earns them board-level strategic influence.
    • The talent conversation changes. When you can show that specific process improvements directly impact employee experience and retention, talent strategy becomes inseparable from business strategy.

    Why now?

    Three factors make this urgent:

    • First, 80% of organizations are doing more to balance HR costs than they were a year ago, but most are managing costs blindly. You need visibility before you need cuts.
    • Second, the gap between HR technology investment and measurable business impact continues to widen. The tools exist. The data exists. The insights don’t, because no one is analysing how these systems operate end-to-end.
    • Third, the CHRO role is under pressure. Those who demonstrate financial discipline and strategic impact survive. Those who can’t are increasingly seen as expendable. Process mining is the bridge to demonstrating both.

    The Next Conversation

    The question isn’t whether HR processes should operate with the same transparency as finance and operations. They should, and increasingly, they must.


    The question is whether your organization will build this capability before or after you lose the next budget battle, before or after your best talent competitor demonstrates what data-driven HR actually delivers, and before or after your board questions why HR remains unable to connect workforce spending to business outcomes.


    For CHROs and CFOs willing to have this conversation now, process mining offers a path to partnership—one where HR earns its seat at the strategy table not through lobbying, but through demonstrating the operational excellence and strategic discipline that defines every other function at that table.

    What to do: If your HR function can’t answer “why” and “where” questions about process performance with data, start with a diagnostic. Map your three highest-cost talent processes end-to-end. Measure variation. Find the breakdowns. That’s where value hides.


    FUTUROOT delivers Process Mining as a Service (PMaaS) purpose-built for HR functions. We help CHROs and CFOs establish the operational transparency needed to transform HR from cost centre to strategic asset—with AI-powered analytics that reveal exactly where processes break down, where budgets leak, and where talent experience suffers. Connect with us to close the execution gap between your HR strategy and measurable business outcomes.

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