Daily CSR https://www.dailycsr.com/ us 2026-04-18T16:36:11+02:00 tag:https://www.dailycsr.com,2026:rss-96009992 CFOs Accelerate AI Investment to Boost Finance Performance Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:05:00 +0200 us Debashish Mukherjee CFOs Accelerate AI Investment to Boost Finance Performance
Bain & Company’s latest research shows that finance leaders are increasingly committing serious capital to artificial intelligence, with spending accelerating and benefits already emerging within finance teams.

In a global survey of more than 100 CFOs, 83% said they intend to raise company-wide AI investment by over 15% in the next two years, with a notable portion directed toward finance. Within that group, 42% expect their AI budgets to grow by at least 30% over the same period.

This upward trend is already evident in the short term. More than half of respondents are increasing AI spending by over 15% this year, while nearly 21% anticipate increases exceeding 30%. Over the coming year, most AI investment within finance will focus on financial planning, analysis, and reporting activities.

The survey sample includes a strong representation of large enterprises—half of the CFOs come from companies generating $5 billion or more in revenue, including 26 organizations with annual revenues above $10 billion.

According to Michael Heric, a partner at Bain & Company, finance leaders are at a critical inflection point. AI has moved beyond experimental use cases and is becoming central to finance operations. Meaningful investment in AI is now essential for improving productivity, managing risk, and influencing overall business performance.

The research also points to a clear relationship between the scale of AI adoption and the returns achieved. Among CFOs who have implemented AI broadly—whether through machine learning, generative AI, or autonomous agents—over 40% report high satisfaction with results. This compares to just 25% satisfaction among those still in pilot stages. Satisfaction levels rise above 60% for organizations with the most advanced AI capabilities, though overall satisfaction across all respondents stands at 31%.

While reducing costs and improving efficiency remain primary drivers for AI investment, CFOs identify speed as the most significant benefit. In a climate marked by economic uncertainty and supply chain challenges, AI enables finance teams to quickly detect risks, update forecasts, and redirect capital—offering a meaningful competitive edge.

Despite growing investment, most companies have yet to fully scale AI. Bain estimates that only 15% to 25% of CFOs have successfully expanded AI across their finance functions.

To turn AI investments into sustained performance gains, Bain outlines four key priorities for CFOs:
  • Prioritize speed as a strategic objective
  • Focus on building scalable systems rather than isolated pilot projects
  • Address inefficient or outdated workflows before introducing AI agents
  • Avoid letting early pilot efforts limit future ambitions
Media contacts
Mike Simon (New York) — Email: Michael.simon@bain.com
Gary Duncan (London) — Email: gary.duncan@bain.com
Ann Lee (Singapore) — Email: ann.lee@bain.com  

]]> https://www.dailycsr.com/photo/art/imagette/96009992-66978788.jpg https://www.dailycsr.com/CFOs-Accelerate-AI-Investment-to-Boost-Finance-Performance_a5700.html tag:https://www.dailycsr.com,2026:rss-93693575 Finance Leaders’ Top Priorities for 2026: AI, Growth, and Risk Management Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:21:00 +0100 us Debashish Mukherjee Finance Leaders’ Top Priorities for 2026: AI, Growth, and Risk Management
The Financial Education & Research Foundation (FERF), the nonprofit research arm affiliated with Financial Executives International (FEI), has published its Financial Executives Priorities 2026 Report, offering a detailed look at how finance leaders are responding to economic volatility through measured growth plans and increased reliance on technology.

Produced in collaboration with Forvis Mazars, the report draws on feedback from over 200 senior finance professionals—including CFOs, chief accounting officers, and controllers—representing a wide range of industries, geographies, and organizational sizes.

The study outlines finance leaders’ expectations and priorities for 2026, examining financial strategy, workforce planning, cybersecurity and risk oversight, and the expanding influence of artificial intelligence and digital innovation within finance operations.

Highlights From the 2026 Report
  • Technology and AI Move to the Forefront – Digital modernization continues to accelerate, with AI and technology adoption becoming essential tools for improving productivity and organizational resilience.
  • Measured Optimism Amid Economic Uncertainty – While finance executives remain positive about the U.S. economy and their sectors, they are approaching growth, mergers, and acquisitions with greater selectivity and discipline.
  • Cyber Risk Remains a Strategic Focus – Companies are strengthening security frameworks and leveraging automation and AI to mitigate increasingly complex cyber threats.
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  • Efficiency-Focused Spending – Investment decisions remain cautious, with an emphasis on digital initiatives that generate clear, high returns.
Additional Findings
Financial Strategy and Planning
  • Nearly half (48%) of respondents list revenue growth and market expansion as their primary financial objective for 2026, compared with 51% the prior year.
  • Cost control and optimization rank first for 24% of finance leaders.
  • Adoption of new financial technologies has grown in importance, cited by 14% of respondents, up from 10% in 2025.
  • Liquidity and cash flow management continue to decline as top concerns, mentioned by just 9% of participants, down from 14% last year.
Technology, AI, and Digital Enablement
  • AI and machine learning lead technology investment plans, identified by 64% of respondents as a top priority, a significant increase from 43% in 2025.
  • Only 15% say their organizations are well positioned to support advanced analytics and AI initiatives.
  • More than half (51%) report being unprepared or only partially prepared, underscoring a gap between strategic intent and operational readiness.
Talent and Workforce Planning
  • About one-third (32%) of organizations expect to add staff in 2026.
  • Demand for data, technology, and AI expertise now exceeds the need for traditional FP&A skills within finance teams.
  • Planned compensation increases generally track inflation, reflecting a stable labor market rather than aggressive hiring competition.
Cybersecurity and Risk Oversight
  • Intense concern around cybersecurity has eased, with 19% describing themselves as “very concerned,” down from 28% in 2025.
  • Nevertheless, 61% still express some level of concern, confirming cybersecurity as an ongoing financial and operational risk.
Beyond presenting future outlooks, the report illustrates a shift among finance leaders from inflation-driven caution to execution. Organizations are prioritizing practical, value-focused deployments of technology and AI while reinforcing governance, risk management, and talent development to support long-term performance.

“Finance leaders are entering 2026 with a clear emphasis on execution—translating strategy into results,” said Andrej Suskavcevic, CAE, President and CEO of FEI and FERF. “The data points to a finance function that is more confident, disciplined, and digitally enabled.”

“Technology has become a primary driver of value creation in finance,” added Jessica Coniglio, Consulting Assistant Managing Partner and Business Transformation Leader at Forvis Mazars. “Leaders are being far more selective in their investments, focusing on AI-driven digital initiatives that modernize the finance stack, improve planning, and strengthen operational resilience.”

Methodology
The Financial Executives Priorities 2026 Report is based on confidential survey responses from 212 FEI executive members spanning public, private, nonprofit, and government organizations. Data was collected between September 16 and October 24, 2025, and supplemented with anonymized, in-depth interviews with senior finance executives.

Click here to download the complete Financial Executives Priorities 2026 Report.

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