Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere, but what’s delivering value in finance? And what’s just marketing fluff? For CFOs bombarded with vendor promises and board pressure to “get smart with AI,” here’s a reality check on where AI is working and where it isn’t.

This article explains the critical role of an Integration Management Office (IMO) in ensuring successful mergers and acquisitions. It highlights how Vector Advisory structures their IMO around six key principles—strategic alignment, project governance, resource allocation, risk management, stakeholder communication, and performance monitoring—to help companies achieve integration objectives and capture transaction value. The approach emphasizes the shift from M&A failure rates of 70% two decades ago to today’s 70% success rate, largely due to sophisticated integration methodologies.

This article breaks down the 5 essential capabilities PE sponsors expect from their finance functions, from actionable reporting to execution support during M&A.