Choosing the CFO your business needs next
Published date: 15 September 2026
What sets great CFOs apart and where talent is heading
Traditionally, the CFO has been responsible for the numbers, but there is a growing expectation for them to influence future direction.
Today's CFO serves as a strategic partner to the CEO, driving transformation and playing an essential role in discussions around AI, technology, data, and enterprise-wide decision-making. This evolution is reshaping what organisations require from their CFOs and what senior finance leaders must bring to the role.
This report examines the changes at the top of the finance function, what distinguishes successful CFO appointments, and highlights areas where the global talent market is struggling to keep pace.
With insights from 23 markets across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, over 1.96 million CFO candidates, 75,375 active vacancies, and all Robert Walters placements from 2023 to 2026, the report provides a global perspective on the factors reshaping CFO leadership.
Download the guide by completing the form.
The expanding CFO mandate
For many years, the CFO's core responsibilities were clear: financial stewardship, reporting, compliance, and control. This definition is no longer sufficient.
82% of CFOs worldwide now report expanded responsibilities, which include ESG, M&A, corporate development, and strategic leadership.
Investment in finance technology is also becoming critical, as finance functions are expected to modernise, automate, and derive greater insights from data. The report explores how this expanded mandate is reshaping expectations for today’s CFO.
Key capabilities definig CFO success
As the CFO role expands, the definition of CFO talent must evolve accordingly.
While financial acumen remains essential, technical finance expertise is increasingly seen as a baseline requirement rather than a distinguishing factor.
The report identifies six capabilities that are essential for CFO success: strategic and commercial acumen, digital and AI literacy, stakeholder influence, leadership in change and transformation, people leadership, and financial acumen.
Discover what these capabilities mean for organisations evaluating their next CFO and for senior finance professionals preparing for the future.
Factors for successful CFO appointments
Another critical aspect of CFO success is the relationship with the CEO.
As CFOs take on the role of strategic partners, alignment with the CEO and board becomes integral to the position. When this relationship falters, even the most technically skilled appointment can fail.
45% of departing CFOs cite conflict with the CEO or board over strategic direction as a primary reason for their exit, surpassing performance issues, transformation failures, or cultural fit. The report examines the implications for CFO hiring, leadership fit, and the factors influencing the success and longevity of appointments.
The AI and data advantage
The expansion of the CFO role coincides with one of the most significant shifts in business leadership: the rise of AI and advanced data utilisation.
CFOs are increasingly positioned at the forefront of this change. They are expected to lead AI-enabled finance transformation, enhance data usage, and help shape AI governance and reporting. The report explores the capabilities organisations are seeking as these expectations rise and identifies where the CFO talent market is under the most pressure.
The future of the CFO talent pipeline
Traditional finance skills remain strong within the global CFO talent pool, while newer capabilities are gaining traction.
The report highlights the fastest-growing skills, including CEO/CFO certification, part-time CFO services, cash flow management, and strategic financial management, revealing trends about the future of CFO leadership.
Preparing for the next CFO appointment
Boards should begin with their organisation's priorities and the outcomes they expect from their next CFO.
Will the new CFO need to lead transformation? Collaborate closely with a new CEO? Guide the organisation through AI adoption? Reshape the finance function? Navigate growth, M&A, or increasing governance expectations?
These answers should shape the role's definition before the search begins.
For senior finance leaders, these changes provide a roadmap for the future: developing the strategic, technological, and leadership capabilities that will increasingly define the CFO of tomorrow.
Download the report to explore what exemplary CFO leadership looks like, why appointments succeed or fail, where the talent pipeline is under pressure, and how the role is evolving.
Download the guide by completing the form on the right.
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FAQs
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What skills define a successful CFO?
Financial acumen remains the foundation, but successful CFOs increasingly need strategic and commercial acumen, digital and AI literacy, stakeholder influence, change and transformation leadership, and people leadership. The report identifies these six capability clusters as the key attributes shaping CFO success across the global market. -
What should boards consider when hiring a CFO?
Boards need to look beyond technical finance expertise and assess whether a candidate can operate as a strategic partner to the CEO and wider leadership team. The report highlights the importance of strategic influence, transformation capability, technology and AI literacy, stakeholder management and CEO-CFO alignment. It also finds that 45% of departing CFOs cite conflict with the CEO or board over strategic direction as a primary driver of exit. -
How is the CFO role changing?
The CFO role is expanding from traditional financial stewardship into strategic leadership, transformation, technology, AI governance and wider enterprise decision-making. The report finds that 82% of CFOs globally report expanded responsibilities, reflecting a broader shift in what organisations expect from their senior finance leaders. -
How is AI changing CFO hiring?
As CFOs take a greater role in AI-enabled finance transformation, technology adoption and governance, organisations increasingly need leaders who can combine financial expertise with digital and AI literacy. The report identifies AI and digital leadership as one of the areas where demand is outpacing talent supply. -
What should CFOs consider when evaluating their next career move?
Beyond the scope and responsibilities of the role, the report highlights the importance of understanding the leadership environment and CEO relationship. As CFOs increasingly operate as strategic partners, alignment with the CEO and board can play an important role in the success and longevity of an appointment.