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Hey there, CFOs! 💼

Welcome to this week’s edition of the newsletter, where we uncover the stories that are reshaping finance as we know it.

From breaking free of spreadsheets to embracing AI-driven strategies and navigating the complexities of pay transparency, the future is full of high-stakes opportunities. The question is—are you ready to lead the charge or risk being left behind?

Let’s dive into the insights and strategies that could define your next big move.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Can CFOs Escape the Spreadsheet Trap? 🚀

• The Pay Transparency Dilemma: Companies Say It's Crucial, But Are They Ready? 💰

• The AI Revolution in Finance: Game-Changer or Just Getting Started? 🚀

Can CFOs Escape the Spreadsheet Trap? 🚀 read the full 1,127-word article here

Article published: January 14, 2025

For all the buzz about digital transformation, the numbers don’t lie—CFOs are still stuck in a spreadsheet chokehold.

I dove into The CFO’s recent article, “Can CFOs Escape the Spreadsheet Trap?” by Marina Mouka, and here’s the headline: only 13% of organizations have achieved full digitization in their finance operations as of 2025. The rest? Grappling with manual processes that bog down efficiency, increase fraud risks, and threaten compliance.

Even as cloud adoption and generative AI start making waves, an alarming 71% of finance teams still retrieve bank statements manually. If that doesn’t scream “time for an upgrade,” consider this: fraudulent intra-bank transactions have surged 106%, and looming ISO 20022 compliance deadlines could wreak havoc for unprepared teams.

The clock is ticking for CFOs to ditch outdated systems and capitalize on tech-driven solutions before inefficiency becomes their downfall.

Key Takeaways:

• 📊 71% of finance teams still manually retrieve bank statements, wasting time and hindering decision-making accuracy.

• 🔒 Fraud vulnerabilities skyrocketed, with intra-bank fraud up 106%, highlighting the urgent need for tighter automation and controls.

• ⏱️ ISO 20022 compliance looms, yet 50% of organizations are unprepared for its sweeping data requirements by May 2025.

• ☁️ Cloud and AI adoption are gaining traction—28% plan to implement AI, but only 7% use it today for automation tasks.

The Pay Transparency Dilemma: Companies Say It's Crucial, But Are They Ready? 💰 read the full 801-word article here

Article published: January 16, 2025

Pay transparency is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s a survival strategy.

In CFO Brew’s article, “Companies Acknowledge Need for Pay Transparency, but Most Are Unprepared for It,” by Alex Zank, it’s clear companies are feeling the heat. Regulators demand it, employees expect it, and job candidates won’t settle for less. But here’s the kicker: only 13% of organizations globally—and just 19% in the U.S.—have actually implemented a pay transparency strategy.

The numbers don’t lie: 69% of job seekers want transparency, and employees now rank fair pay as the second-biggest reason they stay at a job, up from fourth in 2022. Yet most companies are woefully unprepared, with just 32% ready to meet global transparency requirements.

Pay ranges in job postings may soon be as common as job titles, but the gap between talk and action is widening. Can businesses catch up before they lose talent and face compliance penalties?

Key Takeaways:

• 💼 Fair pay climbs the ranks: Employees now cite fair pay as the #2 reason they stay at a company—up from #4 in 2022.

• 📉 Global readiness is lacking: Just 13% of organizations worldwide—and 19% in the U.S.—have implemented pay transparency strategies.

• 🗺️ Laws are spreading fast: California, Colorado, and New York already require pay ranges in job postings, setting the standard for others to follow.

• ⏰ Urgency is growing: With 69% of job candidates demanding transparency, businesses risk losing talent by delaying their strategies.

The AI Revolution in Finance: Game-Changer or Just Getting Started? 🚀 read the full 821-word article here

Article published: January 13, 2025

What happens when artificial intelligence meets corporate finance? Spoiler alert: it's more than just automating spreadsheets.

In CFO Dive’s electrifying article, “The Rise of AI in the Finance Function”, Rene Ho uncovers a seismic shift—AI is reshaping finance departments into data-driven powerhouses. Nearly 60% of companies have adopted AI tools, and only 1% plan to sit out this transformation over the next five years.

The real kicker? AI isn’t just crunching numbers. It’s steering strategy. A staggering 96% of utilities and energy companies reported AI’s positive influence on decision-making. And while the finance function lagged behind HR and procurement in adopting AI, it’s now catching up—fast.

From enhancing inventory management to reshaping team structures (45% plan to hire more AI-savvy talent), this is just the beginning. The future of finance? Smarter, faster, and powered by algorithms.

Key Takeaways:

• 🧠 AI takes the lead: 96% of utilities and energy firms report AI’s positive impact on their finance strategies—no hesitation here.

• 🚀 Adoption skyrockets: Six in ten finance teams already use AI, with just 1% planning to skip it in the next five years.

• 💼 Talent reshuffle underway: 45% of companies plan to grow AI expertise, signaling big changes for the finance workforce.

• 🌏 Regional leaders emerge: Australia and Singapore are dominating AI adoption, while U.S. and U.K. firms still lag behind traditional methods.

Why It Matters

The finance world is evolving at lightning speed, and those who hesitate risk falling behind. These stories matter because they highlight the critical shifts—like AI adoption, pay transparency, and digitization—that are transforming how businesses operate and compete.

The stakes are high, but so are the rewards for those willing to adapt. Now is the time to act, innovate, and secure your place at the forefront of this transformation.

Let’s make it happen.

Vanessa Carter
Editor-in-Chief
CFO Executive Insights