Former Microsoft execs launch AI agents to end Excel-led finance | TechCrunch

"Despite millions spent on financial software, many finance teams still rely on Excel to close their books and reconcile numbers while preparing them for audit. Two former Microsoft executives view it as a problem - and they have started Maximor to replace spreadsheets with AI agents for the grunt work finance teams perform. Excel spreadsheets are everywhere in finance. Even with dedicated ERP, CRM, and billing systems, many mid-sized companies and enterprises still export transactions into Excel for manual reconciliation."

"The startup uses a network of AI agents that connect directly to ERP, CRM, and billing systems to continuously pull transactions. That, co-founder and CEO Ramnandan Krishnamurthy (pictured above, right) said in an exclusive interview, helps unify operational and financial data and provide real-time financial visibility - instead of waiting until month-end to sort it all out. The approach should help reduce the time needed for the month-end close, he believes."

"For instance, Maximor says that proptech firm Rently, one of its early customers, cut its closing from eight days to four and avoided two additional accounting hires. Rently was able to redirect nearly half its team's time to strategic work after using Maximor's agentic platform, Rently's CFO Dustin Neel said. Maximor's financial agents plug into ERPs like NetSuite and Intacct, accounting tools such as QuickBooks and Zoho Books, and a range of payroll, CRM, and other SaaS platforms."

Maximor uses a network of AI agents that connect directly to ERP, CRM, and billing systems to continuously pull transactions and unify operational and financial data. The agents generate workpapers, reviewer notes, and audit trails to streamline audits and provide real-time financial visibility instead of month-end reconciliation. Customers report shorter month-end closes and reduced hiring needs; Rently cut its closing from eight to four days and redirected nearly half of its team's time to strategic work. The platform integrates with NetSuite, Intacct, QuickBooks, Zoho Books, payroll, CRM, and other SaaS platforms to automate reconciliation and reduce reliance on Excel.

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