2025 Global Finance Leaders Survey

Seven in ten finance leaders tell us their role now spans stewardship, strategy, and technology enablement—often all in the same day.  

In the 2025 Global Finance Leaders Survey, we spoke with 751 CFOs, VPs of Finance, Controllers, and FP&A leaders across the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Brazil, and Benelux to learn how they are adapting to rising complexity, shifting market conditions, and the rapid advance of artificial intelligence.

The findings reveal three distinct leadership approaches—Expanders, Catalysts, and Protectors—and a shared conviction that AI-powered tools will separate tomorrow’s high-performing finance teams from the pack.

What you’ll learn in the report

• Three leadership approaches, re-defined. See how Expanders, Catalysts, and Protectors are recalibrating their risk appetite, investment plans, and AI adoption roadmaps.
• Top challenges to overcome. From data reliability and scalability to talent shortages, discover where finance leaders feel the pinch—and how AI and automation can relieve it.
• AI becomes mission critical. 63 % have already invested in machine-learning solutions, with another 26 % planning to follow within 12 months. Find out what they’re automating first.
• Tech priorities by industry. Learn why manufacturers focus on cost control, retailers on automation, and software companies on aggressive growth—and how each group is deploying AI to get there.
• Action plan for impact. Practical recommendations to strengthen data quality, future-proof your team’s skill set, and turn AI-driven insights into strategic growth—all drawn from the survey’s best performers.