A CFO action plan for 2026

From optimizing costs to effectively embracing technology, these are the actions finance chiefs should be prioritizing this year. 

By Steve McNally • Jan. 6, 2026

FloQast CFO on why the demand for accountants is ‘skyrocketing’

Even as companies explore new forms of automation, they’re still on the hunt for accounting talent, says Razzak Jallow.

By Dan Niepow • Jan. 5, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

The CFO Strategy for Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence’s impact on the office of the CFO continues to evolve, and finance chiefs must be aware of the opportunities it will create for growth. 

By CFO.com staff

10 buzzwords defining trends finance teams faced in 2025

From workslop and microshifting to conscious unbossing, the language of work this year reflected complicated operational and talent risks for CFOs.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 23, 2025

How data and discipline defined the mid-market CFO in 2025

Alignment challenges and capital scrutiny pushed CFOs in the post-startup, pre-IPO realm beyond reporting and into decision support and process recalibration.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 19, 2025

So far, few CFOs see substantial ROI from AI spending

But in an apparent contradiction, most finance chiefs expect the AI value equation to change quickly.

By David McCann • Dec. 19, 2025

CFOs expect pricing pressures to continue in 2026: Duke-Fed survey

In their most recent quarterly survey, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta find CFOs expect pricing pressure to persist due to tariffs.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 17, 2025

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

How CPA licensure became a CFO issue in 2025

What started as a professional standards debate became a CFO concern tied to audit quality and hiring.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 16, 2025

Cisco CFO highlights rival’s integration as M&A lesson: Trial Balance

At a recent conference, Mark Patterson criticized Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Juniper integration as a source of customer uncertainty.

By Lauren Muskett , Adam Zaki • Dec. 15, 2025

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

What M&A’s $4.8 trillion comeback means for CFOs

Rising valuations, larger deals and AI’s role in due diligence are expected to impact how many finance teams prepare for 2026.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 12, 2025

Earnings update: Zoom, Virgin Galactic, Nvidia, Warner Bros Discovery and more

CFOs, including Gunnar Wiedenfels of Warner Bros. Discovery and Colette Kress of Nvidia, addressed disciplined spending, sharper personalization and AI strategy on last month's earnings calls.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 11, 2025

54% of Gen Z finance employees say they ‘love’ Excel

A love-hate relationship that now spans generations is still the driving force that keeps the tool a focal point across corporate finance.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 10, 2025

John Glasgow on what’s fueling the heat behind Campfire

The dual CEO and CFO explains how buyers drove the platform’s funding strategy, why some CFOs still question newer ERPs and how he manages the demands of rapid growth with a young family at home.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 9, 2025

AI fraud-detection tools require human oversight: report

Finance leaders worry about the potential to misuse AI internally, given the prevalence of external fraud attacks.

By David McCann • Dec. 5, 2025

Templafy’s Cynthia Stephens on why tech CFOs need flexibility

The finance chief shares what she’s learned over nearly three decades leading financials for tech companies, including Amazon Web Services.

By Dan Niepow • Dec. 4, 2025

After a deal value surge in 2025, CFOs should brace for a split M&A market

Early data from Deloitte’s 2026 M&A Trends Survey shows rising optimism for dealmaking next year despite flat volume and mixed economic signals.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 3, 2025

How Astellas’ CFO weighs cash management, leadership and ‘nomikai’ culture

Atsushi Kitamura shares how the Japanese pharma firm is tightening cash discipline, preparing for transformation and adapting to the country's changing work culture.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 2, 2025

Elon Musk’s economic predictions may carry major CFO implications: Trial Balance

Musk sees a future where AI reshapes work and productivity, predicting rapid deflation, talent scarcity and a world where working will be optional.

By Lauren Muskett , Adam Zaki • Dec. 1, 2025

Faced with a skills shortage, CFOs prioritize AI and data analysis

New data suggests technology is redefining what it means to be a finance professional.

By David McCann • Dec. 1, 2025

Top 3 AI opportunities in collections to reduce past due by 20%

AI automates nearly 40% of pre- and post-work in collections, enabling the real past-due improvements to begin.

By Anurag Dixit, VP Product Marketing, HighRadius • Dec. 1, 2025

Despite incoming holiday layoffs, CFO bonuses are likely safe

New data shows almost a third of companies will implement layoffs before year's end, while most will still preserve the funds to keep executive bonuses in place.

By Adam Zaki • Nov. 26, 2025

Cybersecurity efforts and generative AI usage top internal auditors’ risk list

Both areas are hampered by a shortage of expert talent, research finds.

By David McCann • Nov. 24, 2025

Ex-Detroit Riverfront CFO appeals 19-year sentence as impermissible

William Smith’s legal team says the judge relied on invalid considerations like political corruption and “white flight” in Detroit when sentencing the former finance chief.

By Adam Zaki • Nov. 21, 2025

How Aaron Wilkins is taking nonprofit CFO skills to entrepreneurship

The former CFO of Human-I-T discusses starting his own business, how his CFO acumen helped propel his career and which tech companies delivered on ROI.

By Adam Zaki • Nov. 20, 2025