Hey there, CFOs! 💼

Feel like your job description changed while you weren’t looking?

You’re not alone. This week, we uncovered how today’s top finance leaders are rewriting the rules—and it’s not about crunching numbers anymore. It’s about making moves.

From mastering AI that thinks for itself to negotiating benefits like a boss, and stepping up as strategic visionaries, CFOs in 2025 are doing way more than keeping the lights on—they’re fueling transformation across entire organizations.

If you’ve ever wondered what separates the reactive from the remarkable in the finance world… this week’s insights are your playbook.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Tech, Talent, and Tenacity: What’s Fueling Today’s CFOs? 💼

• The CFO’s Cheat Code: Winning the Benefits Game Without Breaking the Bank 💰

• AI Is Coming for the CFO Suite—But That’s a Good Thing 🧠 

📈 Trending news

• Virtual CFOs Are Quietly Powering SME Success

• From Number Cruncher to Visionary Leader: The Real Path to CFO in 2025

• The CFO as Strategist: Why Finance Deserves a Voice in Every Decision

Tech, Talent, and Tenacity: What’s Fueling Today’s CFOs? 💼 read the full 840-word article here

Article published: April 9, 2025

I just read What’s the backbone of CFO success? from The CFO, and it paints a fascinating picture of how the role of Chief Financial Officers has been utterly redefined in 2025.

No longer just number-crunchers, today’s CFOs are strategic powerhouses, wielding data, technology, and leadership like never before.

According to PwC, 78% now identify as strategic advisors, and a solid 64% are actively leading digital transformation.

The article shows that modern CFOs must balance vision with volatility—navigating economic turbulence, upskilling teams, and embracing cutting-edge tools like AI and predictive analytics.

It’s not about spreadsheets anymore—it’s about survival, speed, and steering the ship through constant change.

Key Takeaways:

• 💡 78% of CFOs see themselves as strategic advisors, driving growth, efficiency, and innovation beyond traditional finance duties.

• 📊 59% are investing in predictive analytics, using real-time data for sharper forecasting and more agile planning.

• ⚠️ 65% say risk management is now central, with cybersecurity, compliance, and ops risks taking top priority.

• 👥 56% cite talent acquisition and upskilling as a top goal, highlighting a growing need for tech-savvy finance teams.

The CFO’s Cheat Code: Winning the Benefits Game Without Breaking the Bank 💰 read the full 1,010-word article here

Article published: April 8, 2025

I just read How CFOs can negotiate employee benefit costs from CFO, and it’s practically a blueprint for how finance execs can stop accepting painful healthcare hikes as inevitable.

Author Steve McNally shares hard-won lessons from both corporate giants and small business trenches—including how he helped secure a multi-year flat healthcare premium deal. The secret? Choosing the right benefits partner, starting early, and treating the renewal process like a strategic playbook, not a passive task.

With premiums expected to rise 6% to 9% this year (and some already spiking 15%), CFOs must be proactive, inquisitive, and unafraid to go to market for better terms.

Key Takeaways:

• 🧠 Start 6+ months early in the renewal process to allow time for market comparisons, negotiation, and internal communication planning.

• 🤝 Vet and trust your benefits partner—look for curiosity, problem-solving, and a genuine desire to advocate for your team.

• 📄 Demand multiple carrier quotes and alternative plan designs to identify cost-saving opportunities that still meet employee needs.

• 📉 Multi-year contracts often mean lower premiums, especially when paired with stable plan designs and smart negotiation tactics.

AI Is Coming for the CFO Suite—But That’s a Good Thing 🧠 read the full 805-word article here

Article published: April 7, 2025

I just finished reading CFOs must prep for agentic AI ‘mindset shift’ from CFO Dive, and it’s not just a tech trend piece—it’s a wake-up call.

Myles Corson of EY argues that agentic AI isn’t just another automation tool—it’s a whole new mindset. Unlike traditional automation, which executes fixed tasks, agentic AI thinks, decides, and evolves. For CFOs, that means shifting from task managers to insight leaders, and from process owners to business partners.

But the kicker? You can’t just plug in AI and walk away. You need vision, collaboration with IT, and a culture that’s ready to experiment and embrace change.

Key Takeaways:

• 🤖 Agentic AI doesn’t follow rules—it learns: CFOs must “open the aperture” and rethink how value is created in finance.

• 💡 CFOs need to sell the vision: Clear communication doubles transformation success, per a 2024 EY survey.

• 🔍 Start small, stay focused: Tie AI adoption to a specific business problem to weigh ROI amid rapid tech shifts.

• 🧪 Build innovation “muscle memory.”: Empower teams to experiment with AI—learning through iteration is now part of the job.

Why It Matters

CFOs who stick to traditional roles are getting left behind. The ones leading the charge? They’re building AI fluency, rethinking cost control, and becoming the strategic voice their CEOs can’t live without.

These aren’t just trends—they’re signals. And if you’re ready to lead the next era of finance, this is where it starts: with adaptability, bold thinking, and a refusal to do “business as usual.”

Your seat at the table is already there. The question is—what will you do with it?

Vanessa Carter
Editor-in-Chief
CFO Executive Insights