Top finance skills

Top finance skills

In todayโ€™s complex, nonlinear, and constantly changing business environment, itโ€™s no longer possible for finance and accounting professionals to rely on existing skillsets. The rules of engagement have changed.

How can finance teams not just support but help develop strategy? How can automation be adopted and scaled to increase speed and success? What does the groundswell of interest in ESG mean to accountants? How can the finance function facilitate collaboration and good data governance? To be part of positive change and growth in organisations, what are the essential skills for the coming years?

In this series, we interview CFOs, finance directors, and other leaders from around the world to find out what skills are at the top of their minds. They said foundational finance skills will always be relevant, but other important competencies include machine learning, data analytics, Power BI, managing a remote team, empathy and listening skills, and connecting the dots. Published twice weekly, these interviews will give you a sense of what skills to develop for the future.

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2027 CFO forecast: Mergers and acquisitions on the rise

Half of CFOs and senior finance leaders believe their companies will pursue a merger or acquisition next year, according to research by Gartner.

FRC review shows streamlined reports in first year of revised code

The UK Financial Reporting Council said that reports submitted under its revised stewardship code are 20% shorter on average.

Digital monitoring of job performance linked to higher employee strain

Employees subject to algorithmic management reported higher job strain, with performance monitoring most strongly associated with poorer wellbeing outcomes.

Chancellor delivers UK Autumn Budget

A statement said that CIMA โ€œwould have liked to see stronger actionโ€ on employment costs and other barriers to business productivity.

UK mid-market business activity grows at highest rate in nearly 2 years

Strong demand for technology services, waning risk aversion, and increased sales opportunities accelerated growth for midsize companies in the UK.

ISSB seeks feedback on proposals for nature-related disclosures

The International Sustainability Standards Boardโ€™s proposals are intended to help companies provide material information to investors about nature-related risks and opportunities.

Overspending on AI is a concern for CFOs โ€” but itโ€™s not the only one

AI costs are exceeding budgeted amounts for many survey respondents, but finance leaders in the UK, US, France, and Germany remain confident in AIโ€™s value.

Two FRC thematic reviews aim to strengthen corporate reporting

The UK Financial Reporting Council reports highlight opportunities for improvement in the areas of financial instruments reporting and reporting on intangible value drivers.

UK hiring rises slightly, pay growth moderates

UK recruitment activity continues to reflect growing business confidence, a monthly report shows, but pay growth tempers amidst growing demand for staff.

CIMAโ€™s policy proposals for UK budget and Sri Lanka treasury

Removing tax barriers to SME growth is among six policy proposals in CIMAโ€™s UK Autumn Budget submission and a budget submission made to the Sri Lanka treasury.