Paylocity Expands into CFO Territory with AI-Driven Spend Management Suite
Paylocity is officially entering the CFO’s office. The cloud-based HR and payroll powerhouse just launched Paylocity for Finance, a new suite of integrated tools designed to bring HR and finance under one roof. The move is a bold step toward closing the long-standing gap between two critical business functions—people and money—by centralizing operations around the most fundamental asset: the employee record.
At the heart of this expansion is Paylocity’s integration with Airbase, a Gartner-recognized Visionary in accounts payable automation. The result? A single, AI-powered platform where organizations can manage payroll and non-payroll spend, track headcount against budget, automate expense reporting, and streamline procurement—all without bouncing between disconnected systems or spreadsheets.
“This is a natural evolution of our mission to simplify work through innovation,” said Toby Williams, President and CEO of Paylocity. “We’re giving finance the same intelligent automation and UX gains that transformed HR.”
From HCM to Unified Business Operations
The move reflects a broader trend in HCM: expanding the employee system of record into a central hub for business operations. According to Forrester’s 2025 HCM Solutions Landscape report, platforms like Paylocity are well-positioned to serve as connective tissue across the enterprise—not just for HR, but for finance and operations, too.
Here’s what that looks like in practice.
Inside Paylocity for Finance: Five Core Modules
The new offering includes a full suite of spend and headcount tools, deeply integrated with Paylocity’s core HCM platform and compatible with top ERP and GL systems like NetSuite, QuickBooks, MS Dynamics, and Sage Intacct.
1. AP Automation
Streamlines invoice processing and global vendor payments with built-in approvals and compliance, across 200+ countries.
2. Expense Management
Introduces AI-powered, touchless expense reports. This enhanced system becomes the default for all new clients using Paylocity’s HCM and finance tools.
3. Corporate Cards
Lets clients issue virtual or physical cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) with real-time visibility and controls to prevent rogue spending.
4. Guided Procurement
Simplifies purchase requests with policy-aligned workflows and cross-departmental transparency.
5. Headcount Planning
Enables real-time workforce planning and budget alignment across Finance, HR, and Talent Acquisition teams—an increasingly urgent need in volatile hiring environments.
One Interface, One Experience
What sets Paylocity’s approach apart is its deep user integration. Employees and managers use the same system for everything: submitting expenses, tracking time, requesting purchases, or approving time off. This streamlined experience is expected to drive higher adoption and eliminate administrative bottlenecks.
A fully integrated mobile version of Paylocity for Finance is set to launch in Fall 2025, promising the same seamless experience on-the-go.
The Strategic Stakes
By linking finance and HR workflows in a single, data-driven system, Paylocity is positioning itself as a next-gen enterprise platform, not just an HCM vendor. It’s also joining a growing field of HR-tech players expanding into financial operations—a trend driven by demands for real-time data, tighter budget alignment, and reduced administrative overhead.
This makes Paylocity a serious contender for CFOs who’ve outgrown legacy accounting software but aren’t ready for the overhead of full-blown ERP systems. Instead, they’re getting AI-powered automation, centralized controls, and enterprise-level visibility—built on HR’s trusted system of record.
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