The race for relevance - technology opportunities for the finance function

This report explores the opportunities and challenges that technology presents for the future CFO function in the face of extraordinary digital change impacting businesses. The report shares insights from leading executives across the world on the technologies changing the face of the finance function, and examines how finance can harness the explosion in digital capabilities to help drive long term corporate value.

pi-race-for-relevance imperatives COV

This report considers six technologies, some more advanced than others, that can benefit the finance function. The technologies represent those that:

  • enable enhanced finance processes – cloud, analytics and robotic process automation technologies;
  • support the communication of information both internally and externally – social technologies
  • provide protection for information assets – cyber technologies, and
  • look to the future while building upon existing technologies – artificial intelligence.

This report has drawn on the experiences of over 50 finance and industry experts to evaluate the trends and demystify these technologies. Each of the interviewees has experience in one or more of these areas, from the perspective of either working with the technologies or advising others.

ACCA has drawn on their lessons learned and this report provides insights into the developmental roadmap, explaining the steps that the finance team needs to take.

The report considers each of the technologies and provides perspectives on relevant considerations.