Helping CFOs Sleep Better at Night: A Conversation with Yuval Brot, CEO & co-founder of Celery

Payroll is one of those necessary evils that every CFO has to manage—it's essential, but it can also be a huge source of stress. If you’re a CFO, you know that the smallest mistake can actually cost you millions. Yet, despite its importance, many companies still rely on outdated processes that leave payroll vulnerable to errors.

So how can CFOs sleep better at night? How can they be sure their payroll is accurate, compliant, and done right? The answer, according to Yuval Brot, CEO and co-founder of Celery, is automation.

Celery is changing the game when it comes to payroll. In this conversation, Yuval shares how Celery is helping businesses eliminate payroll errors, automate tedious processes, and ultimately give CFOs the peace of mind they’ve been searching for. Here’s how it all works.

The payroll nightmare: why CFOs are losing sleep

Payroll might seem like an administrative task, but for many CFOs, it’s a full-on nightmare. From calculating wages and deductions to managing taxes and compliance, it’s easy for things to go wrong. And when errors do occur, the consequences can be significant—$35 billion worth of errors in the US alone, according to recent estimates.

The problem is that there’s no universal standard for payroll management. Each company is left to figure out what works best for them, which usually means relying on manual processes, spreadsheet tracking, and time-consuming audits. This lack of standardization not only makes payroll complex and inefficient but also sets businesses up for costly mistakes.

For CFOs, this creates a constant cycle of worry: is payroll being processed correctly? How many errors are going unnoticed?

And, rightfully so, because there is no best-practice rulebook to follow.

How businesses are coping without an industry standard

Without a common set of standards, every company ends up creating its own solutions, often resulting in inefficient and error-prone processes.

Take spreadsheets, for example. Many businesses rely on them to track payroll data, and while they’re great for organizing information, they don’t offer the level of automation or accuracy needed for today’s fast-paced business environment. As Yuval points out, relying on spreadsheets leaves plenty of room for human error, data discrepancies, and missed calculations—things that could lead to major financial and compliance issues down the road.

Many CFOs are doing their best to cope, but they’re stuck in a cycle of manual payroll reviews and last-minute fixes. This reactive approach often leads to a false sense of security, with CFOs assuming payroll is error-free until something goes wrong. But in reality, mistakes are often missed until it’s too late.

By automating payroll, Celery helps businesses break free from this cycle. With automated audits and real-time error detection, 

The solution: Celery

That’s where Celery comes in. Yuval and his co-founder Hillel Shalev set out to create a payroll solution that would eliminate the uncertainty that comes with manual review processes. The goal was simple: to give CFOs the tools they need to ensure payroll is both accurate and automated.

Celery uses advanced AI tools and machine learning to monitor payroll data in real-time, which allows it to automatically flag discrepancies and identify errors before they become problems. Unlike traditional payroll softwares that require constant manual checks, Celery ensures that payroll review is handled quickly and accurately—without the need for constant oversight.

The system does not “fix” problems, it flags all inconsistencies, patterns and potential compliance issues so your team knows how to focus their time and what needs to be looked at. Instead of guessing what they may be looking for, they know.  

Celery eliminates the guesswork and gives businesses control to ensure that their payroll is accurate and compliant from the start.

As Yuval explains, “CFOs don’t have to worry about payroll anymore. With Celery, it’s just done—and done right. We’ve automated the process so businesses can focus on what really matters.”

Payroll review is one of the most important areas of a business. Automation isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Celery’s payroll software offers businesses an easy way to eliminate manual reviews and time-consuming processes. Here's why CFOs love the Celery approach:

• Real-time error detection: Payroll discrepancies are flagged instantly, allowing CFOs to make adjustments before mistakes turn into costly problems.
• Seamless integration: Celery works alongside existing HR and accounting systems, so businesses don’t have to worry about a major overhaul.
• Scalability: Whether you’re a growing startup or an established enterprise, Celery scales with your business to meet evolving needs.
• Time savings: By automating payroll, CFOs and their teams can focus on more strategic financial tasks instead of spending hours checking data.

These benefits translate into more than just time saved—they also give CFOs a sense of peace of mind knowing that their payroll system is reliable and accurate.

The future of payroll: leading the way

Celery’s innovative approach to payroll is just the beginning. As payroll processes continue to evolve, the company is dedicated to pushing the envelope with even more automation, AI-driven features, and industry-standard solutions that help businesses scale and grow without worrying about payroll.

For Yuval and Hillel, Celery isn’t just about offering better payroll review software—it’s about changing the way businesses manage their financial operations. They believe that the future of payroll is automation, and they’re committed to leading the charge by setting new standards that will help businesses reduce costs, save time, and most importantly, prevent errors.

“By offering automated payroll solutions,” says Yuval, “we’re not just solving a problem—we’re creating a new way for CFOs to manage their businesses with confidence and ease.”

Final thoughts: sleep easier with Celery

At the end of the day, every CFO wants the same thing: a payroll review software that works seamlessly, is error-free, and provides peace of mind. Thanks to Celery, that’s now a reality.

By automating payroll, Celery removes the stress and uncertainty from the payroll process. With real-time error detection, AI-powered auditing, and seamless integration with existing systems, businesses no longer have to worry about errors slipping through the cracks.

For CFOs, that means better sleep, less stress, and the ability to focus on what really matters. With Celery, payroll is no longer a burden—it’s a smooth, automated operation that’s done right every time.