Finance function and IT 1 / 2

Interaction between IT and Finance

Traditionally IT was viewed as a cost and the interaction was limited to budgeting and investment appraisal decisions on new systems.

IT is now viewed as an important aspect of the organisation.

 A good IT system can provide significant competitive advantage to businesses.

What are the reasons increased interaction between both functions?

  1. Smarter investment in IT - guidance of the IT function on which technology will help the company achieve its strategic goals and increase competitiveness

  2. Information security and compliance - Finance function and IT function can work together on minimising the threat of data theft and loss.

  3. Data analytics - to turn data into business intelligence and use it for decision making

  4. Cost benefit analysis - Improving system design is a cost of information. The finance function will assist this process by producing a cost benefit analysis.