How to Securely Innovate with AI in Enterprise Finance and Accounting

Modern finance and accounting are increasingly reliant on speed, accuracy, and agility, and AI has emerged as a powerful accelerator.

But for many finance leaders, the question isn’t just about whether to adopt AI, it’s about how to do it securely, responsibly, and in a way that builds long-term trust with the users and stakeholders.

In a recent BlackLine podcast, Chief Information Security Officer Jill Knesek and Chief Technology Officer Jeremy Ung sat down to discuss what it truly takes to innovate with AI in enterprise finance, without compromising security, compliance, or auditability.

Every AI model is only as good as the data and tools that support it. In enterprise finance, that means organizations must be hyper-aware of the risk of “unknown unknowns”—flaws in third-party models or datasets that could introduce serious compliance issues.

That’s why BlackLine evaluates every AI model and vendor with the same scrutiny as any other supply chain partner. Whether it’s internal models or third-party integrations, transparency, data lineage, and model governance are non-negotiables.

BlackLine has built its reputation on trust, with nearly two decades of investment in secure software development. We maintain certifications, including ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, and are already laying the groundwork for ISO 42001, the gold standard in AI governance.

Security isn’t an afterthought. It’s a guiding principle that ensures any innovation, including AI, is secure by design.

In AI-driven finance, poor data inputs lead to poor outputs. That’s especially risky for public companies, where inaccurate financial data can trigger compliance issues, reputational damages, or misinformed decisions and loss of stakeholder trust.

BlackLine ensures that data feeding into its AI models is clean, accurate, and fully auditable. From automated reconciliations to predictive forecasting, outputs can be traced and verified at every step.

Jeremy Ung and Jill Knesek agree: the only way to innovate securely at speed is to “shift left.”

By integrating security into the earliest stages of development, BlackLine ensures AI innovations are reviewed for risk long before they reach customers. Security and development teams work in lockstep, balancing agility with guardrails that protect both users and data.

Security isn’t just a checklist. It’s part of BlackLine’s DNA. Every employee, from engineer to executive, is trained to think security-first. This mindset fuels a culture where innovation is encouraged, but never at the cost of customer trust or compliance.

As the AI ecosystem grows more complex, finance and accounting leaders must hold vendors to a higher standard. BlackLine recommends evaluating AI partners based on certifications, transparency, and how they handle sensitive data. This due diligence is critical to mitigate downstream risks and avoid buyer’s remorse.

Even after a tool is onboarded, the work isn’t done. BlackLine continuously monitors its AI partners, building compliance checks into procurement and vendor management processes to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

From SEC disclosures to GDPR obligations, today’s AI risks extend far beyond the IT department. BlackLine’s approach centers on proactive compliance, with ongoing security reviews and a clear roadmap to meet evolving regulations.

Emerging standards like ISO 42001 signal a shift toward more formal AI oversight. BlackLine is already aligning with these global trends, helping customers stay ahead of new regulatory expectations and reduce risk over the long term.

Agentic AI refers to systems capable of making autonomous decisions within set boundaries. In finance, this can mean self-optimizing workflows, proactive issue resolution, or fully automated reporting.

BlackLine is investing in agentic AI to support next-generation finance and accounting teams, but always within a secure, governed environment.

Autonomous tools without oversight are a recipe for disaster. That’s why BlackLine prioritizes infrastructure, auditability, and controls before deploying advanced automation. It’s not just about what AI can do—it’s about doing it right.

Both Knesek and Ung emphasize the importance of ongoing education. Whether it’s subscribing to threat intelligence briefings or exploring AI governance frameworks, staying ahead means staying informed.

The key to secure AI adoption isn’t to avoid innovation—it’s to pursue it with intention. With the right culture, tools, and mindset, CFOs can harness AI to drive value while preserving trust.

AI can help enterprise finance teams break limits, eliminate friction, and become truly unstoppable. But only if it’s built on a foundation of accuracy, security, and auditability.

At BlackLine, that foundation is already in place—empowering CFOs to innovate without compromise.

Learn more about secure AI innovation at BlackLine or connect with Jill Knesek and Jeremy Ung on LinkedIn.