How to Use AI in Finance

In Part 1 of this series, I introduced Claude- what it is, how it's structured across three modes (Chat, Cowork, and Claude Code), and where it fits in the day-to-day work of a finance professional. If you haven't read that piece yet, I'd encourage you to start there. It provides the foundation for everything that follows. This article is about getting good at it. I have a sneaky suspicion that most people who try Claude - or any AI tool - have a similar experience. They type

It’s fair to say that since January 2026 what it means to be a finance professional has shifted massively. With the launch of Claude for Excel and now Claude for Finance, it has become one of the most talked-about tools in finance. Vibecoding is no longer a buzzword for the tech forward crowd; everyday accountants are doing it and in the process redefining the value of their profession and their skills. And of course, every conference panel, vendor pitch, and LinkedIn post