The stereotypical image of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is someone hunched over a calculator, crunching numbers late into the night. But today’s CFO looks quite different, largely thanks to advancements in technology.
“My job has changed so much in just the last few years,” says Emma Greene, CFO of Acme Industries. “I used to spend hours on manual processes. Now I rely on artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to provide insights instantly.”
Like many of her peers, Greene credits new technologies – specifically AI, blockchain, cloud computing and data analytics (or the “ABCDs” of fintech) – for allowing her to focus less on rote tasks and more on strategy.
Acme Industries started incorporating these technologies last year. “It was a game changer,” Greene remarks. The company saw productivity gains of over 20% in the finance department alone. Instead of working late nights and weekends preparing reports, Greene now has time for strategic planning and employee mentoring during regular hours.
The human impact is just as important to Greene as the business rewards. “I have more job satisfaction when I get to interact directly with my team instead of sitting behind a screen.”
But it’s not just about having a happier workforce. Greene believes integrating technology has provided a competitive advantage.
“Finance used to move at the speed of a person typing numbers into a spreadsheet. Now we operate at the speed of software, data, and AI.” This tech-enabled agility helped Acme stay resilient through recent supply chain turmoil that challenged businesses worldwide.
As for the future, Greene expects AI and other emerging fintech to be like “having a virtual analyst by my side.” While that might threaten some jobs, she sees it as an opportunity to upskill employees into more impactful roles.
Greene also hopes the human touch remains despite automation. “The numbers and data guide my decisions, but leadership is still about connecting with people,” she says.
As technology continues advancing at astounding rates, Greene feels prepared and hopeful. “Finance will see more change in the next five years than in the previous fifty combined,” she says, smiling. “And I can’t wait to lead my team through it.”
