Finance leaders face a year of uncertainty and transformation
Geopolitical conflicts, trade tensions, and slowing global growth are making 2026 planning increasingly complex. Within the organisation, CFOs are navigating the risks of misguided AI investments, widening finance talent gaps, and increasing pressure to deliver insights at speed.
Yet amidst these challenges, forward-looking finance leaders are focusing on opportunity, expanding their influence through automation, AI, and strategic business partnerships.
To uncover what’s ahead, SAP Concur gathered insights from CFOs and finance executives across industries and regions. The result: five defining trends shaping finance leadership in 2026.
The five key trends to watch in 2026:
- Despite more data, decision-making will be difficult.
- The CFO’s role as growth captain will be tested.
- The hidden challenges of AI will materialise.
- The push to attract young finance talent will intensify.
- Evolving roles will demand a new approach to regulation.
Voice from global finance leaders
“Our teams need to be comfortable with uncertainty and it’s our job as finance leaders to reward smart risk-taking.”- Sonja Simon, CFO, SAP Americas
“We have to accept that vulnerability to mistakes, to not being 100% precise, is part of a trade-off between being a good business partner and managing a company that can move at the speed required.” Therclo Lemos, Group CFO, Tenda Atacado
“Numbers only are part of the story. Finance leaders need to work with the rest of the organisation to create the capacity and pave the way for future growth.” Vikas Jain, Director- Global Head of Planning & Cost Insights, Strategic Cost Management, HSBC
Download the eBook, Top Trends for Finance Leaders in 2026, to explore these insights in depth. Learn what’s next for the finance function, the practical steps CFOs can take to address these challenges, and how to foster sustainable growth through technology, talent, and transformation.
Want more insights from CFOs to advance your career and grow your business? Visit our CFO Insights page.
