2026: The Six Defining Challenges for the Office of the CFO
By GrowCFO in partnership with Acterys
The role of the CFO is being redefined. As we approach 2026, finance leaders are navigating unprecedented change — from AI-driven transformation and cybersecurity risk to the collapse of spreadsheet-based planning. Finance can no longer simply report on what happened; it must predict what’s next. The challenge? Most teams are still constrained by outdated systems, fragmented data, and manual processes.
Together, GrowCFO and Acterys have identified the six defining challenges that will shape the Office of the CFO in 2026 — and how leading finance teams are turning disruption into advantage. From adopting AI as the most transformative force since the internet, to implementing continuous planning and strengthening financial data security, this research reveals the steps modern finance leaders are taking to thrive in an AI-enabled world.
Acterys — the unified planning and analytics platform built for Microsoft technologies — empowers finance teams to connect data, automate reporting, and forecast with precision. By combining GrowCFO’s practitioner insights with Acterys’ AI-ready architecture, CFOs can move from reactive scorekeeping to strategic foresight — leading the business with confidence, speed, and resilience.
- Discover the six defining challenges for CFOs in 2026
- Learn how your peers are embracing AI and automation
- See how Acterys and GrowCFO are enabling the next era of intelligent finance
Frequently asked questions
How is AI transforming the Office of the CFO?
AI is doing for decision-making what the internet did for connectivity. It’s automating manual processes, predicting outcomes, and uncovering insights humans alone could never find. For CFOs, the opportunity lies in shifting from reactive reporting to proactive, AI-driven strategy. Platforms like Acterys make this transformation achievable — unifying ERP, CRM, and HR data into a single governed model, enabling predictive forecasting, scenario simulation, and anomaly detection at scale.
GrowCFO Insight: AI won’t replace finance leaders — but those who harness it will replace those who don’t.
Why is cybersecurity now a financial issue — not just an IT one?
With over 75% of CFOs now accountable for enterprise data strategy, the financial risk of cyber incidents is rising fast. Recent attacks, such as those at Jaguar Land Rover and Marks & Spencer, show how a single breach can devastate profits and investor confidence. Acterys helps finance teams deploy AI and cloud solutions securely with SOC 2 Type II compliance and leading governance controls — rated highest in Governance, Risk & Compliance by Info-Tech Research Group.
GrowCFO Insight: Cybersecurity is now a non-negotiable pillar of financial leadership.
What’s driving the move from spreadsheets to AI-ready platforms?
Spreadsheets are familiar — but fragile. In 2026, finance needs real-time accuracy, governance, and scalability. By combining Microsoft Fabric’s unified analytics with Acterys’ write-back and modelling capabilities, finance teams can plan, forecast, and simulate directly in Power BI and Excel — with every number connected, current, and auditable.
GrowCFO members report 70% faster consolidations and 3–5× quicker forecasting cycles.
GrowCFO Insight: Data is the new capital — govern it with the same discipline as financial assets.
How can finance keep pace in a volatile world?
Static plans are outdated before they’re finalised. Continuous Planning turns volatility into an advantage by enabling living, real-time plans that evolve with market change. With Acterys, finance teams can model scenarios instantly and re-forecast in hours — not weeks.
One global manufacturer cut its forecasting cycle from six weeks to two days using Acterys.
GrowCFO Insight: Volatility isn’t the enemy — rigidity is.
How are CFOs moving from reactive reporting to strategic foresight?
Traditional reports answer what happened; modern finance leaders need to know what’s next. With AI-powered analytics from Acterys, CFOs can detect anomalies, predict trends, and model multiple “what-if” scenarios in real time — all within a single, unified data model. This shift transforms finance into a forward-looking strategic partner driving growth and resilience.
GrowCFO Insight: Finance is no longer the last to know what’s happened — it’s the first to know what’s coming.
What’s the path forward for the AI-enabled Office of Finance?
2026 will reward CFOs who act decisively. Those modernising their data foundation, adopting AI with purpose, and securing their operations are leading the next wave of financial excellence. With Acterys and GrowCFO, finance leaders are unifying data, automating forecasts, and collaborating securely across the business — turning agility into a true competitive edge.
GrowCFO Insight: Agility equals advantage in the AI era.