MAVI Emerges From Stealth to Match U.S. Companies With AI-Skilled Global Accountants

MAVI, an AI-powered talent marketplace for finance and accounting professionals, has emerged from stealth with a model that connects U.S. companies with experienced global talent within days.

Founded in 2023 by Molly Liu and Aman Puri, MAVI focuses on mid-level and senior finance and accounting roles. The company also handles administrative requirements associated with international hiring, including cross-border contracts, legal and compliance work, and payroll.

Liu, MAVI’s co-CEO, said the company is addressing two related problems: a shrinking U.S. accounting workforce and a growing need for finance professionals who can work effectively with AI tools.

MAVI Targets a Changing Accounting Workforce

Liu said automation alone will not solve the talent shortage facing finance teams. She expects AI to reduce the number of entry-level accounting roles, which could eventually make it harder for companies to find experienced mid-level professionals.

“AI will automate away many entry-level roles in finance and accounting, which will further exacerbate the talent shortage at the mid-level experience level,” Liu said.

At the same time, companies still need experienced professionals to make judgment calls, review AI-generated work and handle tasks that require deeper financial expertise. Liu said senior finance employees are increasingly expected to apply more reasoning while teams are asked to accomplish more with fewer resources.

What MAVI Calls an AI-Proficient Accountant

MAVI defines an AI-proficient accountant as someone with strong finance and accounting fundamentals who can also direct AI tools, identify errors in AI-generated work and integrate large language models into finance workflows.

These professionals may also be familiar with newer AI-native enterprise resource planning systems and other finance tools. Liu contrasted that with traditional accountants who may understand core accounting but have less experience incorporating AI into daily workflows or supervising AI systems.

The company is also betting that U.S. employers will become more comfortable hiring globally as the quality of international finance talent improves. Liu said MAVI focuses on long-term, full-time placements that complement existing in-house finance teams rather than replacing them.

MAVI Has More Than 3,000 Professionals on Its Platform

MAVI raised a $4 million seed round led by Harlem Capital last year, though the company did not announce the financing until it emerged from stealth.

Liu said more than 3,000 accounting professionals are now on the platform. MAVI’s enterprise customers include personal care company Athena Club.

The company’s strategy centres on finding experienced finance professionals who can combine traditional accounting expertise with the ability to manage and evaluate AI-powered workflows.

“We have a very strong point of view as to what the future of the finance team looks like,” Liu said, adding that MAVI is focused on high-skill talent and the human judgment required as finance teams adopt more AI.