The Strategy Architect: The forward-thinking CFO

Half of the top 10 priorities of CFOs and finance leaders indicate a need for greater agility in finance organisations, according to Protiviti’s 2023 Global Finance Trends Survey. Marketplace uncertainties and economic challenges make the need for agility critical as organisations strive for growth and profitability.

Finance functions can leverage agentic AI to mitigate the effects of talent shortages and improve data production and analysis. These opportunities have profound implications on corporate finance groups, which should be prepared to add an entirely new labor category—autonomous AI agents.

New research reveals perception gaps in governance priorities and talent among CFOs and directors. Addressing these perception gaps is crucial for board and C-suite alignment, facilitating effective crisis management and innovation. The survey highlights the need for better communication and CFOs’ role in board discussions to overcome alignment challenges.

Economic conditions and inflationary pressures, followed by cyber threats and rising labour costs, are the top near-term concerns for finance chiefs, according to the 2025 Executive Perspectives on Top Risks global survey.

Prioritising technology enablement is key to optimising costs throughout the enterprise given the interrelated nature of cost optimisation and technology. More value is generated by investments in advanced technologies and tools when there is minimal technical debt created by outdated legacy systems.

The new era of ESG data management and reporting is ultimately about risk management. Mitigating myriad risks that can arise from unsubstantiated or otherwise deficient ESG data and report narratives requires CFOs to assert more discipline and control over ESG programmes.

Global economic uncertainty, inflation and supply chain disruptions are just some of the major headwinds that organisations are facing across many industries. The incredible events of the past few years have proved that making a business as agile as possible is key to success over time. While it's impossible to predict the future, CFOs can prepare their organisations to be agile, resilient and better prepared for the long term.