In today’s digital era, the rapid advancement in technologies such as digital currencies, blockchain, and the burgeoning fintech sector are transforming the financial landscape. Coupled with increasing cybersecurity threats and heightened customer expectations for personalized services, these changes are leading to increased competition and complexity.
Gartner Finance, through a survey of 250 CFOs and finance leaders during “The Top Priorities for CFOs in 2025” webinar, uncovered that slower top-line growth and talent retention are perceived as the most pressing challenges for enterprise performance by 2025. The evolving financial landscape necessitates CFOs to proficiently communicate data-driven insights and adopt new technologies.
According to Alexander Bant, Chief of Research at Gartner Finance practice, CFOs are endeavoring to streamline their finance functions to finance two emerging skill sets needed for the future. The ongoing digital integration across various sectors has led to a shortage of specialized talent in data analytics, technology, and finance, thereby exacerbating retention issues for CFOs.
The pandemic-driven transition to remote and hybrid work models has intensified the competition for top talent. To combat these challenges, CFOs are urged to devise strategies to improve employee development, work-life balance, engagement, and compensation.
Key Survey Insights on Enterprise Performance Challenges in 2025
Slower top-line growth: 19%
Talent retention: 18%
Strategic alignment and execution gaps: 17%
Rising costs: 15%
Data quality: 14%
AI strategy and implementation: 9%
Political and regulatory shifts: 8%
To safeguard top-line growth, CFOs are advised to embrace five core practices outlined by Gartner:
Cycle discipline ensures resilience during market fluctuations.
Eradicating growth anchors that inadvertently divert resources.
Cultivating an environment that fosters overperformance.
Balancing cost-cutting measures without stifling growth.
Simplifying product offerings to enhance efficiency.
Emphasizing revenue innovation and workforce development is crucial for CFOs to navigate future challenges. Organizations are encouraged to pursue digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and foster a culture of innovation to remain adaptive and competitive.
As highlighted by Arjun Mahajan, Chief of Client Partnerships at AND Digital, attracting talent skilled in data analysis enables finance teams to streamline functions and generate actionable insights. Financial institutions must adopt a people-centric innovation approach, focusing on equipping staff with essential digital skills to withstand market pressures and enhance overall productivity.
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