FIN calendar

Want better answers from AI? Start with better prompts.

This 1-hour Power Hour is a practical session focused on how to communicate effectively with large language models (LLMs) to get reliable, usable results in finance-related work.
The session starts with a very brief refresher on LLMs and then moves quickly into prompting. The emphasis is on why traditional “Google-style” searching does not work well with AI tools, and how moving to clear, structured instructions significantly improves output quality.

Participants will learn different prompting approaches and then go deeper into a structured 5-part prompting technique that can be reused across tools and use cases. The session includes live examples based on common finance workflows rather than abstract or marketing-style prompts.

Examples are drawn from four typical finance use cases: Personal productivity and daily work organisation; Documentation and written outputs (emails, memos, guidelines); Getting help with tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, or finance systems; Analytical thinking and structured analysis support. The session also covers how to evaluate AI outputs critically, including how to improve prompts iteratively, how to validate results, and how to recognise when an output should not be trusted.
In this session, participants will:

• Understand why effective prompting is a core skill when working with AI
• Learn different prompting techniques and when to use them
• Apply a clear 5-part prompting structure that works across LLM tools
• See practical, finance-related prompt examples used live
• Learn how to improve, test, and validate AI-generated results
• Understand how prompting differs for regular chat models, reasoning models, and deep research tools

The session includes 45 minutes of content followed by a 15-minute Q&A, allowing participants to ask questions and discuss their own prompts and use cases.
Cost - £30 + VAT

The role of FP&A is changing rapidly. As AI evolves from simple chat interfaces to intelligent
agents capable of gathering data, generating insights and supporting decision-making,
finance leaders have an opportunity to rethink how planning, forecasting and performance
management are delivered.
In this practical session, Simon Ritchie, Founder of Blox, will explore:
• Why many FP&A teams still spend too much time on manual reporting, data preparation
and spreadsheet-driven processes
• The latest developments in AI, including the shift from chat-based tools to agentic AI and
multi-agent workflows
• How leading organisations are using AI to improve forecast accuracy, accelerate reporting
cycles and free up capacity for higher-value strategic work
• What the future of FP&A software and business intelligence looks like in an AI-first world
• A live demonstration showing how AI-powered planning and forecasting can be applied in
practice

Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of where AI is heading, what it means for
finance teams, and practical ideas they can begin applying immediately within their own
organisations.

🧠 What’s happening?A live, free, informal discussion with AI trainer & automation specialist, Gerlyn Tiigemae, who will discuss how businesses can leverage AI and automation to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and stay competitive. She’ll share practical tools, real-world examples, and insights on what’s working, what’s hype, and where the future is headed.
💬 Featuring: Gerlyn Tiigemae (AI Trainer and Consultant)🎙️ Hosted by: Kirsty Mackenzie📅 Date: May 15th🕒 Time: 1pm📍 Location: Live (register below)
Why attend?

• Learn how AI and automation are transforming finance workflows
• Get insider tips from Gerlyn Tiigemae on practical tools and strategies she uses daily
• Hear honest takes on what’s hype vs. what’s delivering real results
• Ask your own questions and join a candid conversation

Join Ian Chapman, Office of the CFO Partner and Head of Technical and Deal Accounting at AAB, as he shares how he is using AI to transform the way he works.
By combining deep finance expertise with AI-powered development tools, Ian has built software, enhanced spreadsheets, created practical solutions, and driven operational efficiencies. He believes AI is creating a major shift in the profession, giving subject matter experts the ability to build their own tools and solve business problems without relying solely on traditional software development teams.
In this session, Ian will share real-world examples of how he's applying AI to improve client delivery and create innovative solutions. He'll discuss why AI is empowering finance professionals to become technology creators, and how this is changing the relationship between expertise, technology and value creation.
The conversation will also explore the future of finance and the profession itself. As AI becomes more accessible, what opportunities will emerge for finance teams? Which skills will become more valuable? And how can finance professionals embrace these technologies while continuing to provide the insight, judgement and trust that organisations depend on?
Whether you're experimenting with AI, looking to improve efficiency, or curious about what the future holds for finance and the profession, this promises to be an insightful and thought-provoking discussion.

Come meet the worker who never sleeps.
In this session, you’ll discover what a digital worker actually is, how it operates, and we'll discuss the real challenges and rewards of adopting them. Perfect for anyone curious about the future of work and the practical impact of AI‑powered automation.

🌿 Walk with Wisdom: A Unique In-Person Meetup for Strategic Finance and Business LeadersStep away from spreadsheets and strategy decks and join a curated group of CFOs, Finance Directors, and senior finance leaders, alongside Founders, CEOs, Non-Execs, and Strategic Advisors, for an energising walk where ideas flow as freely as the conversation.This is a space to:

• Connect with peers across the leadership spectrum
• Share insights on innovation, transformation, and continuous improvement
• Gain fresh perspectives away from the usual office or screen
• Enjoy nature, intentional dialogue, and a moment to recharge
• (Dogs are welcome too! 🐾)

🗓 Next Walk: Nov 12th, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
📍 Location: The Meadows (meeting Söderberg, The Meadows, 27 Simpson Loan, Edinburgh EH3 9GG)

Whether you're leading finance strategy, driving change, or simply seeking space to reflect and connect — Walk with Wisdom offers a unique opportunity to do just that, with purpose and presence.

What does month-end look like when AI is doing the work, not just answering questions? In this FIN webinar, we explore how Tugger’s CFO, Mark Dugdale, is using AI to run an automated end-of-month close and reporting process across a multi-entity group.

Mark has moved well beyond prompt-based experimentation. Using Claude and Tugger, he consolidates entities, generates P&L reports, and produces monthly management accounts and Board-ready reporting automatically. Data flows from Xero through Tugger into Claude, creating a seamless pipeline that’s redefining how finance teams operate.
We’ll also see a demo of Tugger, which brings together systems like Xero, HubSpot and Simpro® into a single, secure data warehouse.
With AI Insights, you can ask questions in natural language across all your financial and operational data and get instant, traceable answers. No SQL. No dashboards. No waiting.
This is a real-world, peer-driven story for CFOs and Financial Controllers who want practical insight, not theory. We’ll unpack what’s working, what surprised him, what was clunky at first and how he maintains control and trust in the numbers.
Format: Fireside chat (peer conversation)
Designed as an interview rather than a presentation, this session brings out the detail and nuance that matters most to finance leaders.
You’ll be joined by Tugger’s co-founder Craig Morrall and their CFO Mark Dugdale who are happy to share their story.
If you’re curious what a genuinely AI-enabled month-end and Board reporting process looks like, this is the conversation.

AI is promising to change finance faster than any other function, but most of the investment going into it isn’t paying off. Research results vary but most suggest 80-95% of AI projects still fail to show a measurable return. Join our upcoming webinar to understand exactly why that happens - and how to cut through the noise so your team can be in the successful 5-20% actually driving value. We’ll cover what AI is actually good for in a small finance function (and where simple automation still wins), how roles are genuinely shifting rather than disappearing, and a practical five-step framework to trial AI safely without wasting time or budget. 

Learning objectives: by the end of the session be able to:
• Explain why most AI investment currently fails to deliver ROI, and what that means practically for a small business
• Distinguish where AI genuinely helps finance work versus where simpler automation is the right tool
• Identify one or two realistic, low-risk use cases to trial in your own finance function
• Understand how finance roles are shifting (not disappearing) and what skills to build into your teams now
• Ask informed questions when evaluating AI-enabled finance tools and vendors