Federal regulatory activity dropped steeply in H1 2025

Analysis by information services firm Wolters Kluwer shows a sharp decline in both the number and severity of penalties for financial services businesses in the first half of the year.

By Dan Niepow • Aug. 7, 2025

CFOs report increased influence on company-wide decisions

A recent survey by professional services firm RGP quantifies the ways the role of the finance chief is expanding.

By Dan Niepow • July 30, 2025

US wage growth continues to slow

Research from hiring platform Indeed showed wage growth increasing by just 2.9% in June, down significantly from recent COVID-driven peaks.

By Dan Niepow • July 29, 2025

Employers project flat salary budgets in 2026

In a Willis Towers Watson survey of U.S. companies, participants said they’re planning to increase salary budgets by 3.5% in 2026, the same as actual increases this year.

By Dan Niepow • July 18, 2025

US firms’ cash conversion cycle improved in 2024: Hackett

Across the largest 1,000 publicly traded nonfinancial companies in the U.S., the time it took to convert investments to cash averaged 37 days last year, down from 38.3 days in 2023, according to the Hackett Group’s annual working capital survey.

By Dan Niepow • July 17, 2025

Manual tasks still clogging finance teams’ capacity

Just about eight in 10 of respondents in a recent survey by enterprise tech firm Zuora said their finance teams are “swamped” with manual tasks.

By Dan Niepow • July 15, 2025

CFO confidence experienced a sharp drop in Q2

Deloitte reports the second-largest quarterly drop in finance chiefs’ optimism within the last four years.

By Dan Niepow • July 9, 2025

M&A is up year to date. Will that last?

Bain research touts modest growth in transactions so far this year and suggests a brighter future for dealmakers, but many questions remain.

By Dan Niepow • July 2, 2025

CFOs, investors diverge on near-term economic prospects

A new survey by New York consulting firm Teneo shows marked differences in opinion about economic conditions over the rest of the year.

By Dan Niepow • June 26, 2025

A third of business leaders are pausing M&A deals over tariff uncertainty

Research by PwC suggests a slowdown in mergers and acquisitions for the remainder of 2025.

By Dan Niepow • June 18, 2025

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council report raises concerns about US trade tensions

Though the island nation is set to rake in billions of euros’ worth of revenue from corporate taxes paid by foreign multinationals, trade tensions spell uncertainty.

By Dan Niepow • June 13, 2025

US investors’ near-term optimism dips on tariffs

But they remain bullish for economic prospects beyond 18 months, according to new research by KPMG.

By Dan Niepow • June 12, 2025

One in five finance leaders say the US is already in a recession

A second-quarter economic outlook survey by the AICPA shows lingering concerns about the effects of tariffs.

By Dan Niepow • June 6, 2025

7 recent podcast episodes CFOs should listen to

These standout episodes feature finance leaders sharing strategies, stories, and lessons on budgeting, leadership, IPOs and private equity.

By Adam Zaki • May 9, 2025

Washington D.C.’s CFO warns of “disproportionate” impact of federal cuts as new $1B deficit looms

The U.S. capital’s finance leader says the impact of federal layoffs is making the district’s financial outlook grim, as he predicts a “mild recession” in fiscal year 2026.

By Adam Zaki • March 3, 2025

The next wave of payments: Speed, simplicity and going Big (with a capital B)

How fintech innovations are reshaping payments—and where Papaya Global fits into the big game.

Feb. 10, 2025

What finance leaders need to know for 2025

CFOs should become familiar with these trends and topics to minimize surprises and maximize leadership impact this year. 

By CFO.com Editorial Staff • Jan. 28, 2025

4 trends shaping the CFO’s technology agenda in 2025

As technology continues to develop at a rapid pace, here are the trends that should matter most to finance chiefs this year.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 23, 2025

34% of mid-market CFOs want to leave their job in 2025: study

Mid-market CFOs are feeling overwhelmed but are focusing on things like personal branding and consolidating tech stacks to make their jobs easier, according to data from The CFO Alliance.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 22, 2025

CFO Peer Audit: What does it take to be a great parent and CFO?

Finance leaders with kids share how they have been able to meet the demands of a CFO role while also being attentive to and active in their children’s lives.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 17, 2025

5 labor trends CFOs should be aware of in 2025

CPA certification changes, return-to-office initiatives, data leveraging, workforce collaboration and a roadmap to a CEO position will likely be on CFO radars this year.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 16, 2025

Collaborate or stagnate: 6 CFO trends for 2025

Throughout the year, finance leaders will navigate both their companies’ specific challenges and the changing dynamics of the CFO role by increasing finance’s impact across the organization.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 9, 2025

How DUDE Wipes’ CFO is preparing for 2025

Jeff Klimkowski shares his outlook on sustaining growth this year, providing finance chiefs with a real-life example of ways to balance demand and expansion.

By Adam Zaki • Jan. 3, 2025

Soaring CFO compensation supplements high turnover: report

CFOs of publicly traded companies are experiencing an inverse relationship between their tenures and the value of their compensation packages, according to a new Datarails report.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 18, 2024

Despite lingering inflation, Fed rate cuts are expected in 2024’s final meeting

CFOs should be aware of the discrepancies and impact of recent CPI numbers indicating stagnant inflation and a new report from the New York Fed that says consumer confidence is at a five-year high.

By Adam Zaki • Dec. 12, 2024