What changes most for CFOs when they become CEOs?

After reaching the top job, CFOs who became CEOs reflect on the transition, their responsibilities and what execution really requires.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 9, 2026

How finance transformation is becoming a people problem

A new collection of data from the Controllers Council suggests CFOs face new people pressures as automation rises.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 8, 2026

7 finance trends CFOs can’t ignore in 2026

Finance chiefs are entering the year facing new pressures around talent, tax policy, capital allocation and risk.

By Adam Zaki , Dan Niepow • Jan. 8, 2026

How Uncle Nearest’s finance debacle is becoming a lesson in controls

A lawsuit against the whiskey brand’s former CFO combines misconduct allegations, a nine-figure lender dispute and a court-appointed receivership into a governance case study.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 7, 2026

What control violations reveal about cyber risk: Metric of the Month

New APQC research shows how financial control violations fit into the enterprise risk picture. 

By Perry D. Wiggins • Jan. 7, 2026

PwC expands crypto services as stablecoins move into corporate finance

Paul Griggs, chief executive of the firm's U.S. operations, said clearer regulation is increasing conviction around stablecoins.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 6, 2026

A CFO action plan for 2026

From optimizing costs to effectively embracing technology, these are the actions finance chiefs should be prioritizing this year. 

By Steve McNally • Jan. 6, 2026

Venezuela and the CFO risk picture: Trial Balance

U.S. intervention in the South American nation is raising risk considerations across credit markets, banking exposure and commodity-linked assets.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 5, 2026

M&A professionals predict a continued market upswing in 2026

Large majorities of dealmakers say they’re anticipating a second straight year of gains in both deal volume and deal quality.

By David McCann • Jan. 5, 2026

Companies continue to ratchet up business travel activity

Third-quarter data shows a 20% gain in travel and expense volume and spending compared to Q3 2024.

By David McCann • Dec. 23, 2025

10 buzzwords defining trends finance teams faced in 2025

From workslop and microshifting to conscious unbossing, the language of work this year reflected complicated operational and talent risks for CFOs.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 23, 2025

The forces shaping M&A in 2026

Firms that combine strategic agility with intelligent operations will redefine how value is captured in the next era of M&A.

By J. Neely • Dec. 22, 2025

How Bevi’s CFO turned the tap on $100M of annual revenue

Wajeeha Ahmed, the water dispenser maker’s first finance chief, says that sharing financial performance with employees helps drive impact.

By Dan Niepow • Dec. 22, 2025

How data and discipline defined the mid-market CFO in 2025

Alignment challenges and capital scrutiny pushed CFOs in the post-startup, pre-IPO realm beyond reporting and into decision support and process recalibration.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 19, 2025

So far, few CFOs see substantial ROI from AI spending

But in an apparent contradiction, most finance chiefs expect the AI value equation to change quickly.

By David McCann • Dec. 19, 2025

8 CFO strategies to promote healthy work-life balance

December can be a stressful time, but also an opportunity to reflect on work-life balance — both our own and our team's.

By Steve McNally • Dec. 18, 2025

Employers peg pay hike budgets at 3.5% for 2026

With labor market pressure easing “considerably,” companies are taking a more conservative approach to compensation.

By David McCann • Dec. 17, 2025

CFOs expect pricing pressures to continue in 2026: Duke-Fed survey

In their most recent quarterly survey, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta find CFOs expect pricing pressure to persist due to tariffs.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 17, 2025

How CPA licensure became a CFO issue in 2025

What started as a professional standards debate became a CFO concern tied to audit quality and hiring.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 16, 2025

Bridging the GAAP: Why every CFO needs an EBITDA bridge schedule

In a landscape where stakeholders demand clarity and credibility, mapping out a clear EBITDA to cash flow bridge has become a strategic imperative.

By Michael Paull • Dec. 16, 2025

Cisco CFO highlights rival’s integration as M&A lesson: Trial Balance

At a recent conference, Mark Patterson criticized Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Juniper integration as a source of customer uncertainty.

By Lauren Muskett , Adam Zaki • Dec. 15, 2025

What M&A’s $4.8 trillion comeback means for CFOs

Rising valuations, larger deals and AI’s role in due diligence are expected to impact how many finance teams prepare for 2026.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 12, 2025

Boards value tech-driven R&D and M&A far above other priorities

Directors are paying less attention these days to direct support for key stakeholder groups.

By David McCann • Dec. 12, 2025

Earnings update: Zoom, Virgin Galactic, Nvidia, Warner Bros Discovery and more

CFOs, including Gunnar Wiedenfels of Warner Bros. Discovery and Colette Kress of Nvidia, addressed disciplined spending, sharper personalization and AI strategy on last month's earnings calls.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 11, 2025

54% of Gen Z finance employees say they ‘love’ Excel

A love-hate relationship that now spans generations is still the driving force that keeps the tool a focal point across corporate finance.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 10, 2025