8020 Consulting, a finance and accounting advisory firm, and Invoke, an AI and automation company, have announced an exclusive partnership aimed at solving a critical hurdle in the financial sector: the lack of specialized domain expertise in AI implementations. This collaboration is designed to help CFOs and finance leaders navigate the complexities of AI strategy, ensuring that technology investments translate into measurable ROI while effectively managing operational risks.
8020 Consulting and Invoke form an exclusive partnership for finance-focused AI.
The alliance bridges the gap between deep finance domain knowledge and technical AI execution.
Focus areas include month-end close, financial systems, business analytics, and FP&A.
The model emphasizes "strategy plus execution" rather than just advisory or technical builds.
Distinctive approach separates automation (reconciliations) from AI (pattern recognition).
Structured for reduced time-to-value with incremental, high-leverage project phases.
A common challenge for finance teams is the disconnect between technology vendors and the practical realities of the finance function, such as audits and operational KPIs. This partnership addresses that by pairing consultants who have real-world operational experience with technical professionals skilled in AI architecture and automated workflows. The goal is to provide a comprehensive service that covers everything from initial diagnosis to final delivery.
"Finance teams aren't looking for another technology vendor. They're looking for a partner who understands their world—the close, the audit, the operational KPIs. One who can advise them on their AI and automation strategy and then work alongside them on execution, driving results that move the needle," said Kellen Smith, CEO, 8020 Consulting. "That's what we built this partnership to be, and we built it to show results quickly, not just eventually."
The partnership highlights a nuanced understanding of technology, differentiating between standard automation and advanced AI. While automation is utilized for transaction matching and data movement, AI is deployed for more complex tasks like variance interpretation and anomaly detection. By applying these technologies deliberately in the correct contexts, the firms aim to deliver value at scale immediately.
Johnny Ramondino, President of Invoke, said, "The benefits of this partnership for the office of the CFO are twofold. 8020 delivers exceptional domain knowledge spanning month-end close, financial systems, monthly reporting, and business analytics. Invoke has the technical depth to not only build the tools but also recognize the meaningful distinctions among technologies. Together we create solutions that deliver value immediately and at scale."
To avoid the pitfalls of long-range implementations that stall before producing results, the 8020 Consulting-Invoke model uses a phased approach. Initial engagements are focused on scoped assessments to identify high-leverage opportunities. This incremental methodology allows finance teams to adapt to new technologies gradually, building confidence and compounding ROI over time through focused projects like automated variance analysis and rapid reconciliations.
About 8020 Consulting
8020 Consulting is a finance and accounting advisory firm that helps companies empower finance teams to drive organizational efficiency and performance. The firm combines deep technical accounting knowledge with a practical focus on process and systems—helping finance teams operate more effectively at every stage of growth. For more information, visit www.8020consulting.com.
About Invoke
Invoke is an AI and automation company that helps organizations design and implement intelligent workflows. Invoke specializes in translating AI and automation capability into real, operational outcomes—building solutions that deliver value from the start and scale with the business.
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