Nearly all CFOs plan on investing in finance technology, artificial intelligence, and automation over 2025, according to a new global report from business advisory firm FTI Consulting.

The company’s 2025 Global CFO Report revealed that 86% of chief financial officers intend to capitalize on new technologies, driven by a desire for more data-driven decision making and enhanced forecasting, which 85% identified as a priority in the coming year.    

FTI’s survey, which collected the views of 655 senior finance executives around the world, found a ‘proactive approach’ to integrating advanced financial tech into their businesses, with 79% planning to invest in more financial planning and analysis software, a 7% increase on last year.

Additionally, 87% of CFOs said they want to expand their use of AI tools over the next twelve months, with almost three-quarters (74%) saying they already use ChatGPT primarily to help with decision making and data analysis.    

However, despite those intended strategies, the majority of CFOs (79%) reported that outdated technology, tools and systems were a significant barrier, with even more (82%) frustrated by overly complex and manual processes impacting their firm’s ability to fully capitalise on new digital solutions.

Adding to these problems, 23% of CFOs reported a reduced focus on digital transformation initiatives overall, citing budget constraints and talent shortages in key areas, although critical areas remain a core concern, as evidenced by cybersecurity being ranked in the top three strategic priorities for CFOs across all regions.

The study also found that CFO turnover rates are changing. While over half (54%) of respondents still view the average tenure of a CFO to be between three and five years, the number who now believe CFO tenure is five years or longer has increased 5% from 2024. 

According to FTI, this shift suggests a stabilisation of CFO turnover with organisations valuing strategic leadership and institutional knowledge among their finance leadership, especially as they navigate more complex challenges and market uncertainty.

Alongside growing optimism about their own futures, CFOs also reported confidence in their firm’s, with almost three-quarters (72%) expecting revenue growth of 10% or more over the next twelve months.

For CFOs surveyed from larger companies, those with revenues greater than $5 billion (£4bn), there was even more positivity, with 77% highly optimistic about revenue growth in the coming year despite economic pressures, while those from mid-market firms were slightly less hopeful, with 67.5% of predicting double-digit growth for 2025, down from 76% in 2024.   

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“Despite market volatility and economic pressures, this survey reflects what we’re seeing from our CFO clients: confidence in the ability of their businesses to expand,” said Gina Gutzeit, global leader of the Office of the CFO Solutions practice at FTI Consulting. 

“Additionally, CFO roles have shifted beyond traditional financial stewardship; they are placing more emphasis on strategic planning to help navigate the technological advancements and evolving business models needed to stay competitive.”