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.

To receive weekly updates on this series, sign up for our CGMA Advantage newsletter. Visit the Global Career Hub from AICPA & CIMA for help with finding a job or recruiting.


CIMA named professional organisation of the year

CIMA is honoured at the International Accounting Awards. Also, the global Association recently released the flagship report for the Rise2040 Initiative and announced a partnership with a university in India focused on talent development.

The state of business travel: Clear value, unclear policy enforcement

Half of business travellers skirt or flout travel and expense policies, a new global survey shows. Companies can learn from the perception of business travellers to reconsider policy definitions and explanations.

Global sustainability reporting standardisation improving, report finds

The UKโ€™s largest 100 companies collectively are trending toward a less fragmented sustainability reporting landscape.

Alfred Ramosedi elected as CIMA president

The 93rd CIMA president will also serve as co-chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

Younger workers chase growth, not leadership titles

An annual survey shows that Gen Z and millennial workers equate success with steady progress and prioritise wellbeing over promotions.

SMEs confident on overseas growth, despite headwinds

A global report finds that most SME leaders are optimistic about international expansion opportunities now and in the future, but geopolitical concerns linger.

With UK permanent hiring in decline, temporary work plugs gaps

Temporary hiring rises at the sharpest rate in over three years, but permanent staff appointments fall considerably.

Organisational design, not skills, limits AI adoption

A new global report finds that organisational design might be limiting the potential of AI tools more than skills gaps.

Optimism mixed among US finance leaders

Finance decision-makers in business and industry are less optimistic about the US economy now when compared with the first quarter of this year, but they are slightly more optimistic about their own organisations, according to an AICPA and CIMA survey.

Manager disengagement stalls innovation, hits productivity

Gallup estimates a loss of $10 trillion in productivity in 2025, catalysed by decreased engagement amongst managers globally.