The strategic influence of chief financial officers (CFOs) is increasingly shaping investment decisions in the UK, according to a report by enterprise finance management platform OneStream.
According to the report, which surveyed 1,500 business leaders and 500 investors worldwide, CFO competency is now the second-highest priority for UK investors, ranking above CEO competency.
In the UK, over 60% of business leaders said they believe the CFO’s role will be even more crucial in the coming decade, with many CFOs already taking on diverse responsibilities. UK respondents suggested that CFOs are increasingly expected to function as “masters of everything,” with 65% indicating that today’s CFOs are tasked with balancing traditional finance roles alongside driving innovation and corporate value creation.
About 92% of UK investors stated they are more inclined to invest in firms with comprehensive net-zero strategies, emphasising the growing importance of sustainability in investment criteria.
According to the findings, investors would increase their initial investment by an average of 2.6% in companies where the CFO is seen as a primary driver of growth.
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The report highlighted that CFOs are increasingly central to organisational growth but are facing challenges with expanding responsibilities, particularly in the UK. While a majority of CFOs feel they are struggling to keep up with strategic and growth responsibilities, the role’s demands continue to increase, with added emphasis on metrics like ESG. Investors also said they view CFO competence as critical, with 83% of UK investors needing to see the CFO as a growth driver before committing funds. Key skills identified include strategic vision, technological skills, and AI proficiency, with investors willing to increase their investment when CFOs excel in these areas.
Data complexity and operational demands emerged as key barriers, preventing CFOs from focusing on strategy, with 71% of UK business leaders emphasising the future importance of data. To overcome these challenges, unified data and AI are seen as essential, with 74% of CFOs globally expecting AI to fully transform finance by 2035.
Bill Koefoed, CFO, OneStream, said: “Amid ongoing economic challenges like inflation and rising interest rates, as well as the evolving regulatory environment, including new compliance initiatives in the UK, business leaders and investors alike are looking to CFOs to steer their business towards sustainable growth. Today’s data underscores the evolving expectations of CFOs in the region and serves as a mandate for where finance leaders must put their attention to keep their businesses operationally resilient and thriving.”
