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Hey there, CFOs! 💼
AI is transforming CFOs into growth architects, not just financial stewards. Automation and analytics now drive faster decisions and smarter investments.
Are you leading transformation or managing compliance?
📰 Upcoming in this issue
🤖 AI is Shifting CFOs From Compliance to Growth Leadership
🔐 Cyber Exposure Plagues Asset Managers
🧭 From Liability to Asset: Debrief of a Strategic Consolidation Broadcast
📈 Trending news
Align Finance and Product on Roadmap
Cut Labor Costs without Layoffs
Turn Data into Strategic Insight
🤖 AI is Shifting CFOs From Compliance to Growth Leadership
A new survey reveals that two-thirds of finance chiefs believe AI will reshape their role, focusing on growth and strategic decision-making. Budgets, governance, and talent strategies are evolving in response.
Key Takeaways:
📊 Mandate Shift: CFOs now prioritize revenue growth, faster decision-making, and customer impact while maintaining core stewardship responsibilities.
🧰 Where Money Goes: Investments focus on forecasting, close automation, analytics, and working capital optimization, delivering near-term ROI.
🔐 Guardrails Matter: Data quality, access control, and auditability ensure the reliable use of AI and compliance with boards and regulators.
👥 Skills and Operating Model: Teams are upskilling in analytics, partnering with IT and go-to-market teams, and refreshing KPIs to measure value creation.
🔐 Cyber Exposure Plagues Asset Managers
CFO.com highlights the rise of cyberattacks, tighter regulations, and costly outages affecting funds and advisers. The solution combines strong governance, vendor control, and real incident readiness.
Key Takeaways:
🧭 Risk on All Sides: Phishing, ransomware, and account takeovers target investors, staff, and systems, exploiting the complexities of fund operations.
🔗 Third-Party Weakness: Administrators, custodians, and cloud vendors expand the attack surface, requiring stronger contracts and continuous monitoring.
📜 Regulatory Heat: New SEC expectations raise standards for governance, disclosure, and response, linking cyber hygiene to fiduciary duty.
🛡️ CFO’s Playbook: Build resilience with immutable backups, MFA, zero trust, and tabletop drills, then review coverage with updated cyber insurance.
🧭 From Liability to Asset: Debrief of a Strategic Consolidation Broadcast
The CFO community shared insights on how consolidation can turn widespread costs into leverage. The session outlined funding, sequencing, and guardrails that protect long-term value.
Key Takeaways:
🧱 Foundations First: Standardize data, controls, and access policies before vendor rationalization to secure savings and visibility.
📈 Value Case Clarity: Link each consolidation step to margin gains, working capital improvements, or risk reduction with clear ownership and timelines.
🔗 Operate End-to-End: Align platforms, processes, SLAs, and teams to prevent stranded value and shadow workflows.
🧭 Change That Sticks: Communicate the purpose clearly, train teams effectively, and measure adoption to sustain progress after go-live.
Why It Matters
AI allows finance teams to focus on creating value and driving cross-functional impact. Start by automating close cycles and improving data visibility.
Success depends on effective governance, auditability, and skilled teams that can translate insights into growth.
Wishing you continued success,
Vanessa Carter
Editor-in-Chief
CFO Executive Insights
P.S. Interested in sponsoring a future issue? Just reply to this email and I’ll send packages!