The CFO’s New Role in Managing Uncertainty

In the face of economic uncertainty and confusion, companies are looking to their financial leaders to help make sense of the chaos. According to SAP Concur research, nine in 10 CFOs agree that their key task today is to prepare business for the unexpected. This will push savvy CFOs to higher standing as they help steer the organization through economic turmoil toward a more stable, sustainable future. 

These and more research findings will be published in the upcoming SAP Concur report, “CFO Insights Report: A New Role in Managing Uncertainty.” 

The report looks at how growing uncertainty has pushed CFOs to focus on forecasting and risk management. The findings provide a wealth of ideas and insights to help tackle the challenges this evolving “chief uncertainty manager” role brings—and grasp the opportunities. 

Topics addressed include: 

• Investments in analytics and artificial intelligence to help improve forecasting, risk management, and strategic decision-making. 
• Pressures to report on sustainability, and what stakeholders are holding the organization most accountable from the CFO perspective. 
• The unique challenges faced by mid-size organizations and how their CFOs are responding. 
• The evolving relationship between CFOs and other members of the C-suite, particularly CHROs, with comments and insights from Megan Smith, head of HR for SAP North America. 

To best fulfill their responsibilities as the unofficial chief uncertainty manager, CFOs need a range of new technologies, skills, and capabilities. If they act quickly, they will fill a critical role in today’s organization—and reap the benefits well into the future. 

Stay tuned for our new report, “CFO Insights Report: A New Role in Managing Uncertainty,” publishing on Thursday, October 26.