Finance in Flow

The future of disclosure management: automation, AI, and regulatory change: A conversation with Janis Steinmann, Edgar Findling, Julia Sudwischer

Episode Summary

In this episode of Finance in Flow, host Janis Steinmann sits down with Edgar Findling, Partner at FDE Consult, and Julia Sudwischer, Lead for Report Creation at Lucanet, to explore the future of disclosure management. They discuss the biggest challenges finance teams face with manual reporting processes, how regulatory changes like ESEF and CSRD are reshaping disclosure practices, and the transformative role of AI and automation in improving efficiency and accuracy. Packed with practical insights and forward-looking perspectives, this conversation is a must-listen for finance leaders navigating today’s fast-evolving reporting landscape.

Episode Notes

In this episode of Finance in Flow, host Janis Steinmann sits down with Edgar Findling, Partner at FDE Consult, and Julia Sudwischer, Lead for Report Creation at Lucanet, to explore the future of disclosure management. They discuss the biggest challenges finance teams face with manual reporting processes, how regulatory changes like ESEF and CSRD are reshaping disclosure practices, and the transformative role of AI and automation in improving efficiency and accuracy. Packed with practical insights and forward-looking perspectives, this conversation is a must-listen for finance leaders navigating today’s fast-evolving reporting landscape.

About the guests:

Edgar Findling is a seasoned consultant with FDE Consult, specializing in strategic advisory and operational efficiency. He brings extensive expertise in guiding organizations through complex challenges, driving sustainable growth, and delivering tailored

Julia Sudwischer is the Lead for Report Creation within the Professional Services team at Lucanet. She specializes in developing and optimizing financial and business reports, helping organizations gain clear insights and streamline their reporting processes. With her expertise, Julia ensures clients receive high-quality, tailored solutions that drive better decision-making.

Transcript:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vIEHuanZP4V5PQWMD6LbJAo5hOIdflNp/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116570385380258913857&rtpof=true&sd=true

Key Quotes

“Tools don’t sleep, they don’t get sick, and they don’t miss deadlines. They free up your team to focus on what really matters.”– Edgar Findling

“You can’t expect magic from automation if your data is messy — structure your data first, then build trust in the system.” – Julia Sudwischer

“The European Single Access Point should be a wake-up call — soon your digital report may be the first thing everyone sees, not the PDF on your website.” – Janis Steinmann

Time Stamps

00:00 – Introduction

02:25 – Traditional Pain Points in Disclosure Management

09:03 – Impact of Regulation and Stakeholder Demands

13:13 – Automation vs. Growing Teams

15:41 – AI and Automation in Disclosure Management

19:40 – Customer Attitudes Toward AI

23:38 – Starting the AI Journey

28:21 – Digital-First Reporting & the European Single Access Point (ESAP)

31:39 – Challenges of Migrating to True Digital-First Reports

36:34 – Rapid-Fire Round

39:54 – The Next 2–3 Years of AI in Disclosure Management

Links

Connect with Edgar on LinkedIn

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn

Learn more about Lucanet