Outlook
CFO's annual beginning-of-year outlook package.
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Average enterprise business handles 40-plus bank accounts
A survey of finance leaders by fintech provider Adyen and Boston Consulting Group aims to quantify the complexities of running a large business.
By Dan Niepow • Jan. 28, 2026 -
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American CEOs bullish on M&A in 2026: EY
A recent survey conducted by the Big Four firm shows more than half of U.S. chief executive respondents planning to “actively” pursue mergers and acquisitions this year.
By Dan Niepow • Jan. 27, 2026 -
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What CFOs need to know for 2026
Finance leaders should become familiar with these trends and topics to minimize surprises and maximize leadership impact this year.
By CFO.com editorial staff • Jan. 26, 2026 -
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Will private equity’s pivot to continuation vehicles continue in 2026?
The phenomenon of private equity firms essentially selling portfolio companies back to themselves has grown rapidly in recent years, but investors — and likely many CFOs — aren’t totally sold.
By Dan Niepow • Jan. 22, 2026 -
Waseem Farooq. (2018). "Business meeting" [Photo]. Retrieved from pxhere.
Why CFO labor trends center on redesigning teams in 2026
This year’s finance labor trends are being shaped by the growing use of automation, a shift toward internal talent development and the need for CFOs to balance efficiency with adaptability.
By Adam Zaki • Jan. 15, 2026 -
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Economic fears prompt Americans to pare back on retirement savings
A new survey from Allianz Life shows a notable dip in the percentage of respondents who are still saving for retirement.
By Dan Niepow • Jan. 14, 2026 -
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Consumers head into 2026 with worries about inflation and jobs
A recent survey by the New York Federal Reserve points to persistent concerns about price increases over the year ahead.
By Dan Niepow • Jan. 13, 2026 -
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7 finance trends CFOs can’t ignore in 2026
Finance chiefs are entering the year facing new pressures around talent, tax policy, capital allocation and risk.
By Adam Zaki , Dan Niepow • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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SMBs still fret about the economy but see good times ahead for themselves
After surviving a topsy-turvy 2025, companies are ramping up their growth plans.
By David McCann • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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CFOs targeting both business growth and cost reductions in 2026
A new survey by Gartner shows the “very explicit tension” finance chiefs expect to face in the year ahead.
By Dan Niepow • Dec. 17, 2025 -
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Mid-market investment in AI averaged $600K this year
A survey by Baker Tilly reveals concerns and spending priorities for leaders of midsize businesses heading into 2026.
By Dan Niepow • Dec. 15, 2025 -
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CFOs expect inflation to linger through 2027
Though more than half of finance chiefs surveyed by CNBC don’t anticipate a recession in the new year, a similar share think inflation will remain above the Fed’s target rate for a while.
By Dan Niepow • Dec. 10, 2025 -
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Finance leaders project modest revenue and profit gains in 2026
Despite a decline in optimism about the U.S. economy at large, finance execs are feeling pretty good about their own companies’ prospects.
By Dan Niepow • Dec. 9, 2025 -
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CFOs netted average of $8.4M in benefits via change in control pacts this year
A new report by Alvarez & Marsal details average benefits paid to leaders across a variety of companies in the S&P 1500.
By Dan Niepow • Nov. 20, 2025 -
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CFO Alliance develops new processes for finance to quantify what’s often qualitative
The group’s “Project Greenlight” guide is designed to provide actionable steps for CFOs to take at a time of rapid change and uncertainty.
By Dan Niepow • Nov. 19, 2025 -
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Tariff talk is dropping in earnings calls, but investors still have questions
Even as mentions of the word “tariff” have declined on Fortune 100 earnings calls, three experts with business advisory firm Riveron emphasized the importance of clear communication with investors. “Stay silent at your own risk,” said one.
By Dan Niepow • Nov. 18, 2025 -
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As airfares increase, companies ‘squeezing as much as possible’ out of business trips
Leaders are consolidating business trips as the costs of both domestic and international flights rise, according to recent data compiled by a Flight Centre Travel Group subsidiary.
By Dan Niepow • Nov. 12, 2025 -
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CFOs juggle a crush of competing priorities
Profit is top of mind for a plurality of finance chiefs, but most are emphasizing something else.
By David McCann • Nov. 7, 2025 -
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Private equity deals declined in Q3 as deal value surged
Though there were fewer private equity deals year over year in the third quarter, overall deal value surpassed $300 billion for the first time in 14 quarters, according to KPMG.
By Dan Niepow • Oct. 29, 2025 -
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CFOs aim to keep SG&A costs below revenue growth
Gartner’s 2026 Budget Assumptions survey shows finance chiefs targeting growth with a careful eye on headcounts.
By Dan Niepow • Oct. 21, 2025 -
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Accounting firms hop into business advising
A new survey by information services firm Wolters Kluwer finds a notable uptick in the number of accounting firms offering business advisory services.
By Dan Niepow • Oct. 15, 2025 -
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Finance chiefs do an about-face on economic concerns
Just months after CFOs were decidedly down over the effects of tariffs, more than half now have a positive outlook on the economy.
By David McCann • Oct. 6, 2025 -
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CFOs confident in their own companies but not in the economy
Deloitte’s latest CFO Signals survey shows a surge in finance chiefs’ confidence in their own businesses’ future amid more muted feelings on the economy at large.
By Dan Niepow • Oct. 3, 2025 -
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CFO optimism ticks up as uncertainty fears drop: Duke-Fed survey
Finance chiefs are “breathing a little easier” as some tariff-related uncertainty ebbs, though the potential for price increases remains.
By Dan Niepow • Sept. 24, 2025 -
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Corporate treasurers brace for shifting job expectations
In a recent survey by EY, treasurers say they’re facing increased pressure to create value at their organizations.
By Dan Niepow • Sept. 23, 2025
