Alight

Digitizing the finance function

In 2021, CFOs and finance executives face the dual challenge of accelerating growth and digital initiatives whilst reducing the cost of operations for the business.

It is critical that finance executives have a strategic plan to bring back the right costs to support the growth objectives but also to fund the digital acceleration that is needed to drive the business forward.

Areas where CFOs expect to spend time and effort in 2021

Source: Gartner 2021 CFO Priorities Survey

49%

of CFOs expect to spend significantly more time on Cloud ERP technologies

66%

of CFOs expect to spend significantly more time on RPA and other workflow automation technologies within finance

82%

of CFOs expect to spend significantly more time on advanced data analytics technologies and tools within finance

CFOs will need to reduce costs and fund growth

Average expected budgetary increase or decrease

Fund growth

Support investment in new technology and new business models to drive growth and digitalization

-10%

0

+10%

IT / technology

Mergers and acquisitions

Corporate restructuring

Product development

Research and development

Reduce costs

Reduce the cost of operations

-10%

0

+10%

Finance

Marketing

Human resources

Selling, general & administrative

-10%

0

+10%

n = Base sizes vary; excludes “don’t know”

Board directors were asked what budgetary changes they expected as a result of the COVID-19 impact.

Source: Gartner View from the Board directors 2021

How does your organization compare?

If you don’t have a plan in place to digitize your finance function, your organization will quickly fall behind your competitors.

It’s up to your finance teams to lead the way. It’s time to invest in the digitization of your finance function to enable your leaders to make data-led decisions on the direction of your business and to streamline your finance processes to save time and reduce costs.

Download the Alight executive brief today to learn more.