CFO Leadership Priorities in 2025-Part I

The role of the CFO is transforming into one who not only manages finances but also drives innovation, mitigates risks, and steers the organization toward future growth. Six critical priorities have emerged as the pillars of this transformation:

1.????? Shaping the future of finance with visionary leadership,

2.????? Cultivating top talent for sustainable financial success,

3.????? Harnessing data to drive actionable insights,

4.????? Leveraging AI to fuel organizational success,

5.????? Implementing robust risk strategies to safeguard the bottom line, and

6.????? Embracing agile practices for dynamic operations.

Together, these priorities form a cohesive blueprint for success that addresses both the opportunities and challenges facing modern financial leadership.

Each of these areas plays a vital role in ensuring long-term competitiveness.

• Visionary leadership provides the foresight needed to navigate emerging trends and technologies.
• Focusing on talent helps to ensure your finance team is equipped to capture the benefits of these opportunities.?
• Transforming data into a valuable asset enables organizations to make better informed ?decisions.
• AI provides a super power CFOs can use to automate routine processes and unlock powerful insights, further setting the stage for smarter decision-making.
• At the same time, robust risk management strategies are essential for protecting assets and maintaining financial stability when markets are volatile and unpredictable. ?
• Finally, an agile finance function is crucial for adapting to change swiftly and innovating effectively.

The connection between these priorities is key: AI and data analytics require skilled talent to fulfill their potential. Financial agility requires curiosity, creativity and, frequently, has a tech component. ?Proactive risk management underpins the success of strategic initiatives. Visionary leadership ties these elements together, ensuring that each priority reinforces the others and contributes to an integrated, forward-thinking approach. This synergy is what empowers CFOs and business leaders to not only respond to today's challenges but also to anticipate and shape the future of their organizations.

These six priorities are the foundation upon which the FinEx AmeriEuro Summit 2025 was built. Recognizing that the future of finance lies in embracing these interconnected strategies, the Summit brings together industry experts and thought leaders to share insights, practical solutions, and real-world success stories. The event is designed to equip CFOs and business leaders with the tools and knowledge necessary to drive innovation, manage risks, and lead their organizations into a successful future.

In this edition of the Future of Finance Leadership we explore the first 3 priorities, including the resources available to achieve success.? In next week's edition we will tackle the last 3 priorities.

1. The CFO’s Vision: Shaping the Financial Landscape of Tomorrow

The future of finance is being defined by innovative trends and breakthrough technologies that are reshaping the industry. CFOs must now adopt a visionary approach, anticipating and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This forward-thinking mindset is essential for crafting strategies that will sustain long-term growth and transformation.

Visionary leadership in finance requires embracing new technologies, reevaluating traditional business models, and fostering innovation at every level of the organization. CFOs who cultivate this mindset can drive transformative change, ensuring that their organizations remain competitive and agile in the face of uncertainty. This is the era where proactive vision sets the foundation for future success.

CFO.University offers an array of forward-looking resources to help finance leaders prepare for tomorrow. This newsletter, Future of Finance Leadership, is a prime example of leading edge thought in the CFO suite. ?This edition marks our 54th.?? Each edition focuses on helping you grow so you can be the shepherd of your career.? ????

Our CFO Talk with Aliyyah Abdullah, The Golden Age of the Finance Business Partner, describes how collaboration and teamwork across departments is creating value ?within our business and for our careers.??? In her talk, Aliyyah compares the business partner role to the traditional FP&A role.? For example, the FBP focuses on value creation over cost minimization to transforms business outcomes. There are a number of ways you can consume our CFO Talks – ?Video or Audio ?

These examples join a treasure trove of other resources that enable CFOs to build a robust strategic outlook that integrates emerging technologies, innovative business models, and evolving regulatory frameworks. By embracing a visionary approach, CFOs can not only lead their organizations through change but also set the stage for long-term success.

Mark your calendar for the FinEx AmeriEuro Summit session

?? "The CFO’s Vision: Shaping the Financial Landscape of Tomorrow" on ?? March 27, 2025, at ?? 2:15 PM EDT.

Hear from industry trailblazers Andy Burrows , Michelle Kvello , Sue Rosen, FCA, PCC and Steve Rosvold as they outline the strategies for leading finance into the future.

?? Don’t miss it—register now – Prepare to lead the future of finance!

2. From Talent to Triumph: Driving Finance Success Through People

In an era where technology often takes center stage, the importance of human capital remains a cornerstone of financial success. ?CFOs recognize that the success of any finance function is deeply rooted in the talent driving it. Effective people management not only enhances performance but also fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation within the finance team.

The ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent is fundamental to building a resilient finance function that can drive strategic initiatives and foster innovation. For CFOs, effective talent management is not just about skills—it’s about creating an environment where diverse ideas and collaborative efforts thrive.

Leadership in finance now demands a dual focus: technological innovation coupled with a strong, people-first approach. CFOs are encouraged to cultivate an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, encourages continuous learning, and promotes professional growth. Such an environment not only enhances job satisfaction but also drives strategic success for the entire organization.

CFO.University provides a wealth of resources to support leadership and talent development. ?Whether its through our Courses or thought leadership pieces like the series. Managing Your Team and Career Through Today’s ‘New’ Economic Realities ?you’ll find the inspiration and teaching to develop your team while growing your executive presence.??? Take advantage of the resources CFO.University makes available to you.? They are from some of the brightest minds found in finance and business today.?

For you personal professional development be sure to tap into the CFO Readiness Assessment to help you design your professional development plan.?

These resources empower CFOs to build a vibrant, inclusive culture that not only attracts exceptional talent but also drives sustainable performance. By integrating people-focused strategies with cutting-edge financial practices, CFOs can transform their teams into strategic assets that propel organizational success.

Join the FinEx AmeriEuro Summit session on

?? "From Talent to Triumph: Driving Finance Success Through People" on ?? March 27, 2025, at ?? 12:25 AM EDT.

Engage with industry leaders Dave Bookbinder Julie Winkle Giulioni , Dr. Solange Charas and Stacy L. Colbert, CPA as they explore how effective talent strategies improve performance and retention.

?? Register now – Elevate your people strategy by attending this impactful session!

3. The Innovation Imperative: Transforming Data into Value

Data is the new currency in the business world, and its effective utilization can be a game-changer for financial performance. For CFOs, the challenge lies in turning vast amounts of data into actionable insights that drive growth and innovation. By harnessing advanced analytics and data visualization tools, CFOs can uncover trends and opportunities that were previously hidden in complex datasets.

The shift from data collection to data utilization is fundamental to achieving competitive advantage. By leveraging the latest technological advancements, CFOs can drive more informed decision-making processes that lead to sustainable growth. In this way, data becomes a strategic asset, fueling both short-term performance improvements and long-term business innovation.

CFO.University is a premier resource for learning how to convert data into strategic value. Our Library is stocked with content? on emerging opportunities in the D2A2 - Data, Digital, Automation and AI – space from leading experts on these topics, lie, Prashanth Southekal, Gary Cokins ?and Irina Steenbeek ?

With CFO.University's lineup of educational content focusing on analytics, performance management, and data-driven decision-making, CFOs can build the necessary skills to transform their organizations. This robust knowledge base supports the development of innovative financial strategies that align with modern business demands. These professional development tools help CFOs create the necessary competencies to harness data effectively, ensuring that insights translate into tangible business value. By embracing a data-centric approach, finance leaders can position their organizations to seize opportunities and navigate challenges with greater agility.

Don’t miss the FinEx AmeriEuro Summit session on

?? "The Innovation Imperative: Transforming Data into Value" on ?? March 27, 2025, at ?? 10:30 AM EDT.

Gain insights from global experts Gary... Gary Cokins , Gianluca Bisceglie , Prashanth H Southekal, PhD, MBA, ICD.D , and Tobias Zwingmann as they explore strategies to turn data into your competitive advantage.

?? Register now – Let’s turn data into your competitive advantage!

Join us again next week when we will cover priorities 4-6:

4.????? Leveraging AI to fuel organizational success,

5.????? Implementing robust risk strategies to safeguard the bottom line, and

6.????? Embracing agile practices for dynamic operations.

In the meantime share which of these priorities top your list or add it if yours isn't listed.

Post Script

Thank you for subscribing to the Future of Finance Leadership. The objective of the newsletter is to help you grow professionally by making you, your team & your business better. To the extent it is doing that, please share it liberally. To the extent it is not, please let me know. ????????

All the Best,

Steve

Steve Rosvold

Chief Learning Officer, CFO.University

CFO.University is a convenient, practical and performance enhancing development platform for CFO's, FDs, accounting, finance and treasury leaders.

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