Pactio launches beta of Rowan, an AI Excel assistant built for accountants

Last week, fintech startup Pactio launched the beta version of Rowan – an AI assistant built natively into Microsoft Excel and designed specifically for accountants. Rowan is already helping in-house and external accounting teams work up to 10x faster, from spreadsheet building and audit checks to data import and output formatting.
Unlike most AI tools that require accountants to learn entirely new systems, Rowan is built to fit seamlessly into existing Excel workflows. Built in collaboration with an alpha user cohort of accountants, Rowan continues to evolve quickly based on real-world feedback.
“Rowan is all about enhancing the workflows accountants already run in Excel – it’s automation where it matters most,” said Eric Heimark, Pactio’s founder and CEO. “We’re going deep on accounting workflows and embedding accounting knowledge within Rowan, so he can automate repetitive tasks and surface expertise right where it’s needed.”
Rowan’s current beta features include:

Extracting data from source documents directly into Excel
Reviewing and auditing spreadsheets for errors and inconsistencies
Automating multi-step workflows like reconciliations, forecasting, and audit workbook preparation

Even in beta, Rowan pairs powerful functionality with a focus on enterprise-grade security – including encryption, enhanced certifications, and strict safeguards around model training – making it secure and ready-to-use for firms of any size.
Watch Rowan’s beta launch video here.
Rowan is now expanding its early user group. If you’re an accountant or part of a firm eager to shape the future of accounting, join the waitlist today.