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

SMBs still fret about the economy but see good times ahead for themselves

After surviving a topsy-turvy 2025, companies are ramping up their growth plans.

By David McCann • Jan. 8, 2026

CFOs targeting both business growth and cost reductions in 2026

A new survey by Gartner shows the “very explicit tension” finance chiefs expect to face in the year ahead.

By Dan Niepow • Dec. 17, 2025

Mid-market investment in AI averaged $600K this year

A survey by Baker Tilly reveals concerns and spending priorities for leaders of midsize businesses heading into 2026.

By Dan Niepow • Dec. 15, 2025

CFOs expect inflation to linger through 2027

Though more than half of finance chiefs surveyed by CNBC don’t anticipate a recession in the new year, a similar share think inflation will remain above the Fed’s target rate for a while.

By Dan Niepow • Dec. 10, 2025

Finance leaders project modest revenue and profit gains in 2026

Despite a decline in optimism about the U.S. economy at large, finance execs are feeling pretty good about their own companies’ prospects.

By Dan Niepow • Dec. 9, 2025

CFOs netted average of $8.4M in benefits via change in control pacts this year

A new report by Alvarez & Marsal details average benefits paid to leaders across a variety of companies in the S&P 1500. 

By Dan Niepow • Nov. 20, 2025

CFO Alliance develops new processes for finance to quantify what’s often qualitative

The group’s “Project Greenlight” guide is designed to provide actionable steps for CFOs to take at a time of rapid change and uncertainty.

By Dan Niepow • Nov. 19, 2025

Tariff talk is dropping in earnings calls, but investors still have questions

Even as mentions of the word “tariff” have declined on Fortune 100 earnings calls, three experts with business advisory firm Riveron emphasized the importance of clear communication with investors. “Stay silent at your own risk,” said one.

By Dan Niepow • Nov. 18, 2025

As airfares increase, companies ‘squeezing as much as possible’ out of business trips

Leaders are consolidating business trips as the costs of both domestic and international flights rise, according to recent data compiled by a Flight Centre Travel Group subsidiary.

By Dan Niepow • Nov. 12, 2025

CFOs juggle a crush of competing priorities

Profit is top of mind for a plurality of finance chiefs, but most are emphasizing something else.

By David McCann • Nov. 7, 2025

Private equity deals declined in Q3 as deal value surged

Though there were fewer private equity deals year over year in the third quarter, overall deal value surpassed $300 billion for the first time in 14 quarters, according to KPMG.

By Dan Niepow • Oct. 29, 2025

CFOs aim to keep SG&A costs below revenue growth

Gartner’s 2026 Budget Assumptions survey shows finance chiefs targeting growth with a careful eye on headcounts.

By Dan Niepow • Oct. 21, 2025

Accounting firms hop into business advising

A new survey by information services firm Wolters Kluwer finds a notable uptick in the number of accounting firms offering business advisory services.

By Dan Niepow • Oct. 15, 2025

Finance chiefs do an about-face on economic concerns

Just months after CFOs were decidedly down over the effects of tariffs, more than half now have a positive outlook on the economy.

By David McCann • Oct. 6, 2025

CFOs confident in their own companies but not in the economy

Deloitte’s latest CFO Signals survey shows a surge in finance chiefs’ confidence in their own businesses’ future amid more muted feelings on the economy at large.

By Dan Niepow • Oct. 3, 2025

CFO optimism ticks up as uncertainty fears drop: Duke-Fed survey

Finance chiefs are “breathing a little easier” as some tariff-related uncertainty ebbs, though the potential for price increases remains.

By Dan Niepow • Sept. 24, 2025

Corporate treasurers brace for shifting job expectations

In a recent survey by EY, treasurers say they’re facing increased pressure to create value at their organizations. 

By Dan Niepow • Sept. 23, 2025

CFOs adjust to private equity’s growing influence

As private equity firms buy up businesses across many industries, finance chiefs are navigating a more complicated leadership structure.

By Dan Niepow • Sept. 19, 2025

Labor tops challenges for municipal finance leaders

As cities face ballooning deficits, budget and pension concerns are also top of mind, according to a recent survey by HilltopSecurities.

By Dan Niepow • Sept. 17, 2025

Early-career finance and accounting workers overestimate aptitude

A new survey by the Illinois CPA Society identifies “notable disconnects” in perceptions of less experienced employees’ skill levels.

By Dan Niepow • Sept. 10, 2025

August earnings update: Affirm, Build-A-Bear, Intuit, MSG Entertainment, Rumble

Affirm outlines interest-rate impacts, Build-A-Bear warns about tariffs, and J.M. Smucker details its coffee pricing strategy, while Intuit and Rumble lean on AI and new revenue streams.

By Adam Zaki • Sept. 4, 2025

1 in 10 corporate finance and accounting execs report ‘significant’ talent shortages

A new survey by the nonprofit Controllers Council aims to quantify talent concerns in corporate F&A.

By Dan Niepow • Aug. 20, 2025

5 finance trends CFOs are watching in the rest of 2025

Finance chiefs are bracing for more C-Suite collabs, more tariff talk and more tech questions.

By Dan Niepow • Aug. 15, 2025

US employers coming around to pay transparency

In a WTW survey of American businesses, just over a third of respondents said they’re already communicating individual pay ranges with employees.

By Dan Niepow • Aug. 13, 2025