The CFO

🤔 Why don’t more businesses have a Corporate Happiness Plan? According to Mark Price, founder of WorkL and author of "Happy Economics", organisations often overlook #happiness as a key strategic priority—yet it’s critical for retaining talent and driving success. “Creating a happy organisation doesn’t just happen. It requires a plan,” says Mark. Are you ready to make 2025 the year your team thrives? 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e_vedAva #Leadership #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceStrategy #CFOInsights

The average tenure for CFOs in major US-listed companies has dropped to just 3.1 years, making it the shortest in the C-Suite. Yet the role’s significance—and its rewards—are growing: 💰 Average pay hit $3.8M in 2023, with top earners reaching $52M. 📈 #CFOs are increasingly seen as strategic partners to #CEOs, but the expectations are immense. What’s driving the churn? From sector-specific challenges to heightened performance demands, the role is evolving into a launchpad for top leadership—or a revolving door for those who can’t meet expectations. 👉 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eCSsjQnr #CFOTrends #Leadership #CorporateFinance #CFOChallenges

🚨 98% of Europe’s top 100 companies faced third-party breaches in the last year. With the #DORA deadline just weeks away (17 January 2025), a new SecurityScorecard report reveals alarming vulnerabilities in Europe’s largest organisations. 🔹 Third- and fourth-party supply chain risks are the weak link. 🔹 Energy firms face the highest exposure, while transport leads in resilience. 🔹 Regional divides persist – Scandinavia excels, but France struggles. Operational resilience isn’t just about internal defences—it’s about your entire supply chain. Are your third- and fourth-party ecosystems ready for DORA? 👉 https://lnkd.in/e-HFmdQW #CyberSecurity #DORA #OperationalResilience #CFOs #ThirdPartyRisk

Following our earlier coverage of the FRS 102 lease accounting changes, it is becoming crystal clear that early preparation is essential. The lessons from #IFRS16 are telling. Companies that waited found themselves scrambling with incomplete #data and strained resources. Meanwhile, those who moved early, like Mobico Group PLC, demonstrated how proactive planning leads to smoother transitions. With January 2026 approaching, we're seeing a divide forming between organisations taking decisive action and those risking falling behind the transition curve. Interesting case study in our latest piece on how businesses are turning this compliance challenge into an opportunity to strengthen their financial reporting. Worth a read if you're navigating these changes 👇 #LeaseAccounting #FRS102 #FinancialReporting IRIS Software Group https://lnkd.in/e8DmvNKV

In this week's edition of The CFO's weekly newsletter, read about CFOs, Fintech and the Future of Finance: - Digital transformation takes center stage as CFOs double down on automation, AI and digital payments. - Tailored IPO approaches from venture-backed BOKU to founder led PensionBee unlock growth, build credibility and fuel expansion. - Balancing excellence and education to achieve a performance driven culture. Are you ready for the next wave? #DigitalTransformation #CFOPriorities #FintechInnovation #IPO #LeadershipExcellence #StrategicFinance #AIInFinance #Automation #FinanceTrends #FutureOfWork

🚨 Top 5 CFO Interviews of the Year! As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to reflect on some of the most insightful conversations we’ve had with financial leaders who are shaping the future of their industries. From tackling global expansion and #sustainability to leveraging #AI and redefining leadership, these interviews capture the essence of #innovation and #resilience in the finance world. Curious to know who made the list? #CFO #Leadership #Finance #Innovation #YearInReview

When Steve Jobs launched the Apple iPod, he didn't talk about megabytes and specs - he promised "1,000 songs in your pocket." It's a powerful reminder that optionality isn't about features. The same principle applies to global #payments today. While we often focus on number of currencies or countries served, what matters is creating seamless local experiences. Traditional #banking methods take 3-5 days for cross-border payments, with costs reaching up to 20% of transaction value. But businesses that have adopted alternative payment methods report 25% higher customer satisfaction and 30% boost in international #sales. Not because they offer more payment options, but because they're removing friction from global #commerce. #GlobalPayments #FinancialInnovation #CrossBorderPayments i-payout https://lnkd.in/efV6PuYs

Back at #WDayRisingEMEA day 2, and Rachael Kennedy was listening in to customer journeys. One panel really cut through the AI hype. Mondelēz International's VP of Global Employee Experience put it perfectly: "AI is a tool—not a magic wand." What was striking was the candid discussion about the cost of waiting. While many finance leaders are hesitating on #AI adoption, the panel warned that delay carries its own steep price—especially when #competitors are becoming 30-50% more efficient. But success wouldn't come about if AI is deployed everywhere - an analogy to spaghetti being thrown at the wall was used. But targeting specific #painpoints where it creates measurable value... that's another story. For those trying to balancing AI #investments, the panel had a pragmatic take: you don't need to build everything in-house. Sometimes the smartest move is leveraging existing solutions and focusing your energy on implementation and outcomes. #AIStrategy #FinanceLeadership #DigitalTransformation #CFOInsights #BuildVsBuy https://lnkd.in/euc8cvUV

Yesterday, our own Rachael Kennedy was at Workday Rising EMEA's kick off. Unsurprisingly, #AI is dominating the docket. And perhaps it should. But one important takeaway from yesterday's keynote: "Technology does not DRIVE innovation. Technology ENABLES innovation. People DRIVE innovation." Think Carl Eschenbach hit the nail on the head there. #CFOInsights #CFOInnovation #FinanceTechStack #AIInFinance #WDAYRisingEMEA https://lnkd.in/gQ343QxK

Really interesting to to see how Swiss running brand On approached their tech growth. They rolled out enterprise-wide AI when they were just 600 people - way before most companies would consider it. They chose Workday as their partner. As Workday expands across Europe, what is striking is how the conversation around AI is shifting. Before it was about company size, but not it seems more about timing and scalability. On's story challenges conventional thinking about when to make big tech moves. Their Head of Talent Tech Andreas Hoeber makes an interesting point about systems that grow with you, rather than playing catch-up later. #BusinessGrowth #DigitalTransformation #TechStrategy https://lnkd.in/g563awAN