ChatGPT is an incredible tool. Like any platform, it has its strengths and limitations—and knowing when to use it vs consider product-integrated AI is key to building an efficient, modern finance workflow.

There’s never been a better time to explore AI in finance. The tools are powerful, the use cases are expanding, and the upside is huge. But not all AI is created equal. Some tools are designed for flexibility and brainstorming. Others are purpose-built for structured workflows. Understanding the difference can help you get the most out of both.

What AI Is Actually Good At Right Now

But before we get into when to use what, let’s take a moment to ground ourselves in what AI can actually do today. The hype is loud, but underneath it, the progress is real.

AI is already strong at handling structured, rule-based tasks—especially when there’s clear context. That includes:

• Coding transactions

• Surfacing anomalies

• Drafting word-based responses (e.g. policies, memos, commentary)

• Reviewing human work for consistency

Where it still struggles:

• Complex judgment or interpretation

• Tasks requiring deep business context and consistency

• Full autonomy in sensitive workflows (e.g. audit signoff, policy enforcement)

That’s where understanding how to work best with AI, and keeping a human in the loop is important—and where choosing the right type of AI matters just as much.

ChatGPT vs. Product-Integrated AI: What’s the Difference?

🧠 ChatGPT, Claude, and similar tools are flexible, open-ended interfaces that excel at:

• One-off projects

• Brainstorming ideas

• Writing first drafts

• Quick, unstructured research

They shine when you need a fast starting point or a creative jumpstart. But they rely on you to provide context and ensure quality, making them less suited for high-volume, high-risk workflows.

⚙️ Product-Integrated AI (like Campfire) integrates AI directly into your financial systems. It understands your up to date data, structure, and policies—because it’s operating within them.

At Campfire, we operate as a modern general ledger for mid-market finance & accounting teams—embedding AI & automation directly into your workflows so you can close fast, and scale faster.

With Campfire’s product-integrated AI, you can:

• Audit the close by uploading your ASC 606 policy and having AI flag out-of-policy transactions

• Generate flux commentary with context-aware narrative tied to your actuals and budgets

• Draft complex, customized reports with a single prompt—no VLOOKUPs required

• Identify budget variances instantly and get AI-powered commentary

• Enforce policies by comparing memos to real-world entries (like prepaids or revenue schedules)

In other words: this is AI that’s ready to run your process—not just assist with it.

The Framework: When to Use What

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

Both tools have value. The key is knowing where each fits.

Why It Matters

You wouldn’t reconcile cash in a text editor. And you wouldn’t run your board reporting process in a Slack thread.

ChatGPT can be a powerful partner in ideation, policy writing, and ad hoc analysis. But when the workflow repeats, the data matters, and collaboration or compliance is on the line—that’s where product-integrated AI like Campfire shines.

Campfire’s AI doesn’t just generate responses. It understands your business context, operates with audit trails, and helps your team scale without adding headcount.

TL;DR

• Use ChatGPT for one-off tasks, brainstorming, and drafts.

• Use product-integrated AI like Campfire for workflows that are structured, sensitive, or repeatable.

• The best finance teams use both—strategically.

ChatGPT is a great place to start—whether you’re drafting a policy, exploring a new idea, or building a one-off analysis. But when you’re ready to execute those ideas at scale, tools like Campfire can help bring structure, context, and efficiency to your workflows.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re curious to see how Campfire AI to help modern accounting & finance teams close faster and unlock insights. 👉 Book a Demo.