Agentic AI: What Does It Mean — and Why It Matters for Planning & Budgeting 

Written By Lesa Muir

Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems capable of pursuing complex goals autonomously – making decisions and taking actions with minimal human supervision. Unlike traditional or generative AI, which waits for an input and responds, agentic AI actively plans, reasons, and adapts toward objectives. It’s not reactive; it's proactive. 

  • IBM describes it as AI that “can accomplish a specific goal with limited supervision,” coordinating subtasks within multi-agent systems. 

  • Oracle positions agentic AI as a “manager” rather than a “technician”—capable of choosing paths, orchestrating tools, and improving via feedback loops Oracle. 

  • MIT summarises that agentic systems “pursue complex goals with autonomy and predictability,” adjusting to shifting contexts.  

In short: agentic AI doesn’t just think—it acts, and it learns while doing so. 

Why Agentic AI Is a Game-Changer for FP&A 

Within the context of planning, budgeting, and forecasting, agentic AI signals a fundamental shift—from spreadsheet-driven processes to truly intelligent financial workflows: 

  • A growing number of finance teams now harness machine learning and AI-native agents for strategic planning, significantly accelerating model generation and forecast accuracy. More than 25% of teams reportedly use ML in quarterly planning cycles. 

  • Agentic AI can automate forecasting and budgeting, reforecast in real time based on live ERP/CRM data, identify trends, and suggest optimal budget shifts—without waiting for manual inputs. 

  • By powering real-time scenario modelling, agentic AI helps finance professionals adapt seamlessly to market shifts—turning forecasting from a static task into a dynamic, continuous process. 

  • The result: a move away from reactive reporting and toward proactive, strategy-led financial leadership, aligning planning more closely with overarching business goals.  

 

Pivot2’s Perspective: Agentic AI in EPM Evolution 

At Pivot2, we see Agentic AI as the next frontier in Enterprise Performance Management. Here's how we view its integration with planning, budgeting, and forecasting: 

  • From spreadsheets to agents: Transitioning finance teams from manual models to agentic systems begins with foundational work—clean data, standard definitions, and unified driver models that agents can rely on. 

  • Pilot, then scale: Our implementation strategy favours small, high-impact pilots—using agentic agents to automate forecasting or scenario planning, then expanding as trust and infrastructure strengthen. 

  • Governance-first deployment: Like a CFO overseeing policy, we help clients embed governance plays—ensuring model transparency, audit capabilities, human-in-the-loop checkpoints, and alignment with finance leadership. 

  • Positioning for tomorrow: Agentic AI isn’t buzz—it’s an inevitable component of the finance function stack. Teams that build modern, structured foundations can leverage its value faster and more safely. 

 

Agentic AI represents a shift from AI as “assistant” to AI as “analyst”—able to act autonomously, adapt, and collaborate across financial processes. For FP&A leaders, that means real-time, intelligent planning rather than spreadsheet chasing. 

Finance teams that invest today in clean data, structured logic, and governance frameworks are not just preparing—they’re gaining a strategic edge. 

Agentic AI isn’t on the horizon. It’s emerging now. And with the right foundation—which is exactly where Pivot2 comes in—the future of planning is already within reach. 

Ready to prepare your finance team for the agent era?

At Pivot2, we help CFOs and FP&A leaders across ANZ move beyond spreadsheets and build the foundations for modern, AI-ready planning.

Definition & autonomy: IBM IBM, Oracle Oracle, MIT CSAIL Alliances 

Lesa Muir
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