CFOs face mounting stress as lack of data hinders decision-making
A survey of 1,000 CFOs and senior finance leaders across the UK and Ireland has revealed the growing strain facing finance professionals, with almost all (99%) saying they work evenings or weekends, and nearly two-thirds (64%) doing so often or always.
The findings, published in the latest CFO Mindset Report by AccountsIQ, highlight a profession grappling with rising workloads, limited access to timely data, and the pressure to make fast, accurate decisions.
When asked about their biggest concerns, CFOs ranked timely access to data (25%) as their top worry, overtaking both rising costs and inflation (25%) and cybersecurity threats (24%). Compared to data from the Mindset Report 2024, concern over data access has increased by 5% from 20%, while anxiety about inflation and cybersecurity has fallen from 40% and 36% respectively. This signals a shift from external risks to operational challenges within finance teams themselves.
The data gap is having a real impact on decision-making too. Sixty five percent of respondents said financial decisions are made without enough information, and 29% admitted this happens often or always.
Looking ahead, CFOs expect AI and automation (26%), regulatory change (25%), and global economic shifts (25%) to be the biggest disruptors in finance by 2030. Yet, concerns remain about AI’s role in the finance function, with leaders citing ethical decision-making (27%), data security (22%), and lack of human oversight (21%) as key risks.
Darren Cran, CEO, AccountsIQ, said: “Finance teams are under intense pressure to deliver accurate insights faster, often without the right tools or timely data. Our research shows that this is leading to overwork and poor-quality decision-making. Intelligent automation offers a real opportunity to change that, enabling CFOs to make better decisions based on live data and freeing up time for strategic thinking. A healthier work-life balance is achievable when finance functions are truly data-driven.”
With year-end fast approaching for finance teams, the report highlights the importance of smarter systems and connected data – not just for efficiency, but for the wellbeing and sustainability of the finance profession.
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