Better Data vs Better AI: What Really Matters for Finance with Alex Curran

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper welcome Alex Curran, CEO of Aptitude Software, to discuss AI-native ERP, the changing role of CFOs, and how finance teams can prepare for AI adoption. Alex explains why strong data foundations, flexible architecture, and real-time finance systems are becoming essential.

Alex Curran is the CEO of Aptitude Software, a company with decades of experience building finance solutions for complex organizations. After more than 12 years at Aptitude, Alex became CEO in late 2023 and now leads the company’s focus on AI-native finance technology, including the Fynapse platform.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why CFOs are becoming strategic partners in business decisions.
• Why clean, detailed data is essential for effective AI adoption.
• What makes an ERP system truly AI-native.
• How CFOs can evaluate legacy and newer AI-native ERP platforms.
• Why flexible AI models and real-time finance are becoming more important.

Alex explains that successful AI adoption requires more than adding AI features to existing finance systems. Organizations need the right data and architecture to support changing AI technologies while meeting complex finance requirements.

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow Alex:

Website: http://fynapse.app/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-curran-9aa593b/

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:56] – Meet Alex Curran

[02:32] – Aptitude Software and Fynapse

[05:16] – The Changing CFO Role

[07:03] – Finance’s Data Problem

[10:53] – AI-Native Finance Systems

[14:33] – Evaluating ERP Options

[17:32] – The Future of AI-Native ERP

[18:59] – Closing Thoughts