During a recent interview, Executive Vice President and Group Financial Controller at Sage Group, Jacqui Cartin, addressed the changing function of CFOs in the context of evolving business landscapes. Cartin, the Financial Operations Manager for Sage's enterprise resource planning software, which is designed for small and medium-sized businesses, regards the evolution of the CFO position as an exhilarating opportunity rather than a source of distress. According to Sage's "Secrets of Successful CFOs" report, which surveyed 1,221 senior finance leaders including 170 CFOs globally, Cartin's perspective aligns with the majority who foresee significant changes in the CFO role over the next few years.
The report highlights that 96% of respondents anticipate role transformations, emphasizing the growing strategic importance of CFOs in shaping business strategies. Cartin underscores the necessity for CFOs to navigate economic uncertainties while focusing on future-proofing their organizations through strategic foresight and effective prioritization. She advocates for leveraging technology to streamline financial processes and enhance productivity, echoing findings that 74% of finance leaders report over half of their financial operations are now automated. Cartin addresses the challenge of talent retention and the evolving skills required in today's CFOs, emphasizing the role's shift towards more strategic and collaborative functions across the C-suite and board.
