Advancing Finance Transformation Through AI and Leadership

Luis Juarez, Vice President of Accounts Payable, Global Shared Services, FirstService Residential

Luis Juarez, Vice President of Accounts Payable, Global Shared Services, FirstService Residential

As the Vice President of Accounts Payable for our Global Shared Services, Luis led a nationwide team to shape and execute our accounts payable strategy. He supports FirstService Residential’s broader objectives by driving operational excellence and growth and also champions innovation through technology—leading transformation initiatives that streamline processes and enhance service delivery

I began my professional career at FirstService Residential as a Corporate Accounts Payable Accountant and I have had the privilege of working alongside talented individuals who’ve shaped my perspective and approach. My operational strategy is grounded in a broad foundation across key finance and accounting disciplines—including accounts payable, accounts receivable, finance, treasury and general ledger. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how each function contributes to the overall business, allowing me to design strategies that are both practical and scalable. FirstService Residential has also invested in my growth through leadership programs, which have strengthened my ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive innovation through technology and execute transformation initiatives that enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. This combination of hands-on experience and leadership development enables me to align strategy with the company’s long-term goals while fostering collaboration and agility across our shared services model.

With this approach, I focus on building strong cross-functional partnerships from the start. That means bringing the right stakeholders into the room early—whether it’s operations, IT, or finance—and creating space for feedback and testing throughout the process. I actively engage user groups to understand what’s working, what’s not and how we want things to work going forward. This feedback loop helps shape practical, user-informed solutions that support both operational needs and strategic goals.

“Learn about automation tools and emerging technologies, find mentors, build your network and take calculated risks with your career”

I rely on structured planning, clear communication and detailed project tracking to keep initiatives on course. Metrics are used not only to measure success but also to monitor performance in real time—whether it’s adoption rates, processing times or risk indicators—so we can make informed decisions and course-correct when needed. By staying close to the teams doing the work and keeping the strategy grounded in real outcomes, we’re able to drive change that’s both effective and sustainable.

AI Transformation and Strategic Growth in Finance

Looking ahead, I believe artificial intelligence will be one of the most transformative innovations shaping the future of finance. Its ability to automate routine tasks, reduce error rates, detect fraud and generate actionable insights offers tremendous potential for improving accuracy, efficiency and decision-making across finance and accounting functions. However, I believe widespread adoption will likely be gradual. Organizations must navigate challenges such as risk and compliance concerns, change management complexities, data quality and integration issues and uncertainty around cost and ROI. While the technology is already available, its successful integration will depend on how effectively companies address these barriers and build trust in AI-driven solutions.

I used to think strong technical accounting experience was the key to a successful career in financial services. While it’s definitely important, my advice is not to get too narrowly focused. Take time to understand how other areas—like accounts payable, accounts receivable, and treasury—connect to the broader operations. Build a solid foundation by making a few lateral moves early on. Earning certificates and advanced degrees can be valuable, but volunteering for large-scale projects doesn’t cost anything and can accelerate your growth. Learn about automation tools and emerging technologies, find mentors, build your network and take calculated risks with your career – don’t make moves if your heart’s not in it.