RGP’s June 2025 CFO Survey (see RGP Press HERE), drawing responses from 63 CFOs and 202 senior finance leaders at companies above $500M revenue, presents a compelling narrative: CFOs are cautiously optimistic yet laser‑focused on building resilience amid volatility. Here’s why that matters—and how accounting and finance teams are key to turning this optimism into execution.
Key Highlights from RGP’s June Survey
- Nearly 70% of CFOs report confidence in their current financial health; 60% are optimistic about the year ahead.
- Yet 94% express concerns about tariffs and trade policy; 63% expect supply chain disruptions in the next year.
- Capital allocation priorities include technology and digital transformation (57%), operational efficiency (57%), and innovation in products/services (51%).
- Around 40% plan to allocate over 10% of their capital budgets to AI, though only 84% are optimistic about AI’s impact.
- Roughly 50% anticipate M&A activity in the next six months, recognizing that integration and cultural alignment matter as much as financial modeling.
How Accounting & Finance Teams Can Elevate Their Impact
1. Build Foundations of Trustworthy Data
Finance pros can bridge this gap by:
- Strengthening data governance, reconciliation, and controls
- Automating reporting workflows for accuracy and timeliness
- Standardizing metrics across reporting and analytics systems
Why it matters: Trusted financial data enables smarter capital allocation, AI pilots, and enterprise decision-making.
2. Act as Strategic Partners in Digital & Operational Initiatives
As noted above, CFOs are directing capital to digital transformation and operational efficiency.
Finance teams with fluency in systems, tools, and ROI modeling can:
- Shape business case development and investment evaluation
- Translate tech initiatives’ impact on margin and risk
- Collaborate effectively with CIOs and digital teams
3. Strengthen M&A Capabilities
With half of CFOs anticipating M&A in the second half of 2025, finance teams are critical in:
- Supporting due diligence and financial modeling
- Leading post-acquisition integration tracking and ROI measurement
- Ensuring cultural integration and change adoption
Why it matters: CFOs know modeling predicts—but true value delivery happens in execution.
4. Become Forecasting & Scenario Modeling Champions
As CFOs remain wary of trade policy and macro volatility, finance leaders can:
- Support scenario-based forecasts (tariffs, inflation, supply shocks)
- Help reshape capital budgets toward flexibility and innovation
- Monitor leading metrics tied to AI, workforce and operational change
Action Guide for F&A Teams: Leading in Times of Uncertainty
| Focus Area | How Finance Delivers Value |
| Data Trust & Quality | Audit systems, establish controls, automate reporting |
| Tech & Digital Fluency | Liaise with IT, co-create ROI models, upskill in analytics |
| M&A & Integration Readiness | Engage in diligence, layer post-close reporting, measure execution |
| Proactive Forecasting | Run volatility scenarios, optimize capital usage, flag risk early |
The Bigger Picture
RGP’s survey sends a clear message: CFOs are no longer just stewards, they’re builders of resilient, forward-looking enterprises. In 2025 and beyond, finance professionals must evolve beyond closing books. By anchoring decisions in trusted data, bridging strategy and technology, guiding integration, and enabling agile decision-making, accounting and finance teams drive true enterprise value.
At Not Just a Bean Counter, we champion this transformation. It’s time to move past compliance and spreadsheets—to become strategy partners and agents of change.
Ready to lead beyond the ledger?
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