L’impatto della digitalizzazione sulla funzione Amministrazione, Finanza e Controllo (AFC). Evidenze da un’indagine esplorativa

The digital transformation process is significantly impacting the activities of the Finance, Accounting and Control functions of companies. IT and digital technologies have the potential to reshape accounting information systems and “disrupt” the organization of the functions and the work of accountants. Particularly, the concept of integration has deeply changed, from integration of processes and databases it has become “cognitive” integration, thus representing a threat for the traditional activities of the accountants and, at the same time, an opportunity to reshape their role. Considering what has been said, the aim of this paper is twofold. First, through the analysis of both academic literature and professional publications, the paper aims to investigate the dynamics relating to the organization, the activities, and expertise of the accountancy and finance professionals, in the context of the transition to the digital paradigm. Second, the research intends to examine, with an exploratory purpose, the awareness and application of existing and emerging technologies, within the Finance, Accounting and Control functions of Italian companies, ascertaining the effective implementation, as well as the existence of any limiting factors and obstacles to the use of emerging technologies. To this end, an exploratory survey is conducted involving all CFOs who belong to ANDAF, the main Italian Association of administrative and financial directors. The study – which provides a first analysis necessary to lay the foundations for further in-depth research, combining mixed qualitative and quantitative approaches – shows that CFOs are aware of the changes triggered by digital transformation and of the importance that IT can assume for the activities of the functions. However, findings also highlight a generalized delay in the implementation of digital technologies, due to obstacles deriving from economic factors (costs to support investments in digitization), as well as cultural and technical ones. In particular, findings suggest that scholars, practitioners and professional accounting organizations need to pay attention to the new skills required to accountancy professionals to maintain relevance and add value.