In episode 1 of our new blogcast series, *Cash Flow Matters*, we sat down with Kartik Sudeep of Houlihan Lokey to discuss the finance automation wake-up call that's driving digitization of the Office of the CFO.
At Centime, we've been having behind-the-scenes conversations with finance leaders and strategists about what's actually happening in the world of cash flow, automation, and the evolving role of the CFO. The insights have been too good to keep private.
We're turning those conversations into a new blogcast series, *Cash Flow Matters* — and in Episode 1, Centime CEO BC Krishna sits down with Kartik Sudeep, Managing Director at Houlihan Lokey and head of its Payments Technology practice. Together, they dig into why the Office of the CFO is becoming the next frontier of tech adoption — and what's still holding it back.
Meet Kartik: An Investment Banker Who Thinks Like an Engineer
Most people don't associate investment banking with system design — but Kartik Sudeep's background makes him a different kind of advisor. He spent a decade as a hardware and software engineer at IBM before pivoting into investment banking. That technical foundation is part of why he thrives in fintech and B2B payments: he sees financial operations not just as strategy, but as a system to be optimized.
In his current role, Kartik leads Houlihan Lokey's Payments Technology practice, helping fintech and back-office software companies navigate capital raises, acquisitions, and exits. His perspective: real value comes from solving foundational finance problems like cash flow, not chasing surface-level innovation.
The Real Role of Investment Bankers (for Midmarket Operators)
Many midmarket leaders still associate "bankers" with money managers. Kartik sets the record straight: investment bankers, especially in the fintech space, act more like strategic growth consultants. They help operators figure out how to scale, raise capital, structure deals, or exit — especially when navigating complex, tech-driven markets.
Most crucially, they offer an outside-in perspective. While founders are deep in the day-to-day — revenue targets, churn metrics, roadmap priorities — bankers like Kartik help frame where the company sits within broader market trends, valuation multiples, and buyer demand.
The Rise of Office of the CFO Software — and Why It Took So Long
Sales had Salesforce. HR had Workday. Finance? For years, finance had Excel.
That's changing. Research analysts and investors are finally recognizing "Office of the CFO" (OCFO) software as a full-blown category — encompassing everything from AP/AR automation to forecasting, treasury, and spend control. But the lag wasn't accidental.
As Kartik explains, finance was historically slow to digitize because legacy workflows worked, albeit inefficiently. And many CFOs — particularly at midmarket firms — were skeptical of tools that promised more than they delivered. Now, however, adoption is accelerating as better tools emerge and new finance leaders demand change.
The Paradox: A $500B Investment and Still Under 5% Market Penetration
Despite more than $500 billion invested in finance tech companies, penetration is shockingly low. BC cites a stat that fewer than 5% of the AP market has adopted automation tools — despite decades of available solutions.
Kartik explains that the market is massive, fragmented, and still deeply manual. But that's exactly what excites investors: even a small gain in penetration can yield outsized returns. The adoption curve is finally steepening — especially as CFOs become more tech-savvy and efficiency-focused.
Why Cash Management Is the Center of Gravity in Finance Tech
Kartik doesn't mince words: cash management is now one of the most in-demand capabilities in the Office of the CFO, and it's not hard to see why.
Cash touches everything — payables, receivables, forecasting, credit, and capital allocation. But for years, businesses managed cash reactively, often in spreadsheets. Now, the expectation is shifting toward proactive, real-time cash visibility — driven by automation and better analytics.
Solutions that help finance teams plan, visualize, and act on cash flow are no longer "nice-to-haves." They're critical infrastructure.
Finance Doesn't Buy Hype — It Buys Confidence
There's a reason finance automation adoption has been slower than in other departments: the bar is higher. As BC points out, automation tools don't just need to be faster — they must match the rigor and reliability of existing workflows.
For a CFO to trust automation, it needs to be auditable, predictable, and resilient. In short: tech must prove it can replace the manual process without sacrificing control. That's why trust, not trendiness, is the real adoption driver in finance.
Final Thoughts: Automation Is a Process, Not a Product
Kartik and BC wrap with a shared point: successful finance transformation isn't about buying the latest tool. It's about understanding how each process — from AP to forecasting — contributes to cash flow health, and how automation can be a force multiplier.
This conversation is the first in a broader series exploring what finance transformation looks like in practice, not just theory. Whether or not you use Centime, our goal is to help you run a more confident, cash-smart finance operation.
Watch the full episode on YouTube
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