Will the Future of Finance Be Shaped by Talent or Technology? EY Global DNA of the CFO Survey (EY)

Summary

• The EY Global DNA of the CFO Survey draws on responses from more than 1,600 CFOs and senior finance executives.p.4
• A majority (60%) of CFOs say they should define and shape value creation, yet fewer than 26% lead discussions on key value drivers and just 25% lead investment decisions where returns are uncertain.p.5
• Most (68%) of CFOs say they urgently need to reevaluate enterprise value metrics, yet 50% admit they cannot effectively measure value from new technologies, roles and ways of working.p.5
• Just 21% of CFOs rate their AI preparedness as leading or advanced.p.5
• 80% of CFOs expect AI-enabled business models to feature in their organization to a significant or moderate extent during the next 12 months.p.8
• 77% of CFOs predict they will continue to strongly consider geopolitical volatility in supply chain, investment and risk exposure decisions over the next year.p.8
• Only 27% of CFOs say the business primarily sees finance as a strategic partner in value creation.p.12

Key insights

1. More than two-thirds (68%) of CFOs say new mindset skills and leadership styles are required, yet people and culture leadership ranks only sixth in development priorities.p.5
2. The top barrier to measuring value creation is that return on investment is hard to define or prove up front, cited by 50%.p.8
3. 49% say standard financial metrics dominate even when they do not adequately capture future value.p.8
4. 45% say benefits are uncertain, indirect or take too long to fit typical investment timelines.p.8
5. CFOs expect time spent on strategic initiatives over the next two years to remain consistent (53% to 54%).p.12
6. Most CFOs prioritize defensive AI use cases such as fraud detection and risk assessment.p.5