Top 5 Takeaways from DataSnipper Connect NYC 2025

DataSnipper kicked off October by hosting NYC Connect ‘25 in the heart of Manhattan at the iconic Times Center. The event brought together audit and finance professionals from across the country—and even a few international attendees—for a deep dive into AI, automation, and the future of audit and finance. 

Connect was alive with energy, featuring thought-provoking sessions, hands-on demos, and dynamic discussions that sparked new ideas and left attendees excited about the evolving possibilities in audit and finance. 

Whether it was exploring the latest agentic AI tools, learning from industry leaders, or connecting with peers who are navigating similar challenges, the event underscored one truth: the future of audit isn’t about humans versus machines—it’s about humans and machines working together to create smarter, more strategic work. 

Here are the top 5 takeaways from DataSnipper’s Connect ’25:  

DataSnipper Enters the Agentic Era

Disclosure Agents and Excel Agents are built to solve our customers’ biggest pain points—manual testing, complex disclosures, and fragmented workflows. By embedding AI directly into the tools professionals already use, we’re helping teams move faster, reduce risk, and reclaim time for higher-value work. - Vidya Peters, CEO, DataSnipper

During her keynote, Peters emphasized that AI is meant to augment human intelligence, not replace it. As she put it, “AI is making audit fun again.” The energy in the room was palpable, as attendees saw firsthand how these technologies can transform tedious workflows into dynamic, insight-driven work. 

Vidya Peters, CEO of DataSnipper, opening Connect

DataSnipper Developments: The Latest Product Innovations

During the recent presentation, product leaders highlighted several exciting updates across the DataSnipper platform. Apart from the launch of AI agents, Version 25.1—released in August—introduced expanded document retention controls, enhanced commenting and markup tools, and significant improvements to DocuMine. Looking ahead, even more enhancements are on the way with our upcoming 25.2 launch in November.

Investing in AI: Capturing Real Value and Impact

One of the recurring questions throughout Connect ‘25 was simple: AI is here—but how do you actually capture value from it? 

Two sessions addressed this from complementary angles: 

The ROI of Automation: Real Metrics, Real Impact 

Finance and audit leaders shared how their organizations measure the tangible value of automation from efficiency gains and cost savings to risk reduction and improved decision-making. The discussion highlighted that true ROI is not just about speed or cost; it’s about enabling higher-quality work and insight generation. 

As Mitch Krzyzek, Consultant – Audit Enablement & Risk Advisory at The Jackson Laboratory put it, "ROI is strongest when you quantify both hard benefits (money/time saved) and soft benefits (risk reduction, employee satisfaction, competitive advantage)."

Mitch Krzyzek, Consultant – Audit Enablement & Risk Advisory at The Jackson Laboratory, during a break out session on getting the most from your AI investments

The Buyers’ Guide: What to Look for When Evaluating New Technology 

This session provided a practical roadmap for finance teams evaluating emerging tools. From aligning technology with strategic goals to ensuring scalability, security, and user adoption, attendees walked away with actionable guidance to build a strong business case and navigate internal stakeholder dynamics. 

By the end of the session, participants were able to: 

1. Identify key criteria for evaluating new technology solutions, including alignment with business objectives, usability, and long-term scalability.

2. Develop a structured approach to building a business case and securing stakeholder support for new technology investments.

By the end of these breakout presentations, it was clear: adopting AI is only the first step; realizing value requires intentional planning, integration, and human oversight.

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Expert AI Tips for Audit and Finance Teams

Across the event, speakers shared practical tips for modernizing audit workflows. Key sessions explored how AI and automation can remove friction, accelerate audits, and enhance collaboration.  

Highlights included: 

The Future of Audit in the Age of AI & Automation 

Lexy Kessler, Chair of the AICPA and Association Partner at Aprio Advisory Group, shared insights on how firms can combine human expertise with intelligent automation to strengthen audit quality and efficiency. 

Eliminating Friction: Smarter Audit Requests and Document Analysis in Financial Services 

Leaders from Walker and Dunlop discussed strategies for using AI to streamline document collection and analysis, turning previously manual bottlenecks into smooth, automated processes. 

Building a Modern Audit Organization at JetBlue Airways 

Gina Buckner, Chief Audit Executive at JetBlue, shared how her team leverages technology to redefine engagement workflows, making audits faster, more accurate, and more meaningful. 

Ameer Muhammad, Sr. Director Corporate Sales at DataSnipper and Gina Buckner, Chief Audit Executive at JetBlue, discussing the future of audit.

Why Now is the Time to Switch: The Power of an AI-Powered PBC 

Omoshalewa Muhammed, IT Risk & Compliance Consultant formerly at Forvis Mazars, illustrated how AI-powered prepared-by-client (PBC) tools reduce errors, enhance transparency, and allow auditors to focus on judgment rather than manual data wrangling.

Traditionally, managing PBC lists means hours of back-and-forth emails, spreadsheets, and manual evidence tracking. UpLink automated the entire process, linking requests, tracking evidence, marking up documents, and even generating the Excel testing documentation. The result is faster workflows, cleaner documentation, and major time savings. - Omoshalewa Muhammed, IT Risk & Compliance Consultant formerly at Forvis Mazars

These sessions underscored a recurring theme: AI doesn’t replace auditors—it enables them to work smarter and more strategically.  

Partners in Innovation: Advancing AI in Audit and Finance

A cornerstone of Connect ‘25 was collaboration. By working with partners who share DataSnipper’s vision for AI in audit and finance, we can move the profession forward together.  

The event showcased DataSnipper partners contributing their expertise on key challenges, highlighting critical insights as audit and finance navigate a pivotal inflection point in AI and automation. 

Protiviti on risk: Building AI-ready resilience  

Attendees participated in a fast-paced, interactive risk management simulation powered by AI. Taking on the role of company leadership during a sudden disruption, participants made high-stakes decisions in real time, balancing financial, operational, and reputational risks. By embedding AI into risk frameworks, organizations can identify emerging threats sooner, strengthen governance, and transform how they respond under pressure. 

Genpact on delivering impactful client experiences 

A fireside chat between Carrie Bosworth, CRO at DataSnipper, and Vidhya Darshan Batra, Sr. Partner Enterprise Risk Consulting at Genpact, explored how strategic partnerships drive competitive advantage. Leaders from Genpact and DataSnipper shared the story behind their collaboration, highlighting how aligned AI strategies can create real value for customers and organizations alike. The most successful organizations in the AI era will be those that treat technology partnerships as part of their client value chain.

Microsoft on AI Agents in Excel and Audit 

This session, led by Ankeet Dedhia, Managing Director - AI Transformation at Microsoft, showcased the agentic enterprise, where AI agents act as trusted collaborators across roles and devices. Attendees saw how humans and AI can scale work, improve decision-making, and maintain compliance while delivering secure, outcome-driven solutions. 

Across these sessions, the message was clear: the future of audit is collaborative, connected, and agentic. 

Attendees taking in DataSnipper’s new agentic capabilities

Shaping the Future of Audit and Finance with AI 

NYC Connect 25 made one thing clear: the future of audit and finance is being shaped by collaboration between humans, technology, and partners. AI isn’t replacing auditors—it’s empowering them to work smarter, focus on judgment, and deliver greater strategic impact. From agentic Excel tools to AI-powered prepared-by-client workflows, the event showcased how intelligent automation can transform the way audit work gets done. 

As Jessie Kanter, Partner in Charge of Assurance Innovation and Methodology at Citrin Cooperman puts it: “2026 will be the year of agentic AI for external audit.”