February 2026
As the pace of business accelerates and the scope of the CFO role expands, finance leaders are facing unprecedented challenges – along with new opportunities. Across Gartner CFO Communities, executives are navigating rapid growth, balancing long- and short term- investments, and driving transformation across people, processes, and technology.
To better understand what’s truly top of mind for today’s finance leaders, we asked CFO community members from top organizations to share their greatest challenges. Here’s what seven CFOs had to say:
Navigating Rapid Growth and the Evolving Role of the CFO
Sustained, rapid growth is creating new operational, cultural, and governance challenges for CFOs, requiring them to adapt policies and processes while scaling their organizations. At the same time, the CFO role is evolving beyond traditional finance to include strategic partnership and leadership across the C-suite, demanding greater agility, business acumen, and a proactive approach to transformation.
The greatest challenge, but also an opportunity, is navigating the organization through rapid growth.
– Tracy Fowler
CFO, Bell Integration
My organization has grown over 20% each year, for the last five years, and we forecast continued material growth for at least the next three… But, as we get exponentially larger, adapting policies, procedures, and practices and maintaining our culture – while still managing financial operations, risk and governance – become uniquely challenging. Joining this community and benefiting from its shared knowledge is one element in my approach to managing our challenges.
– Eric Silverman
EVP & CFO, Service Coordination
A challenge has been adapting to the changing role of the CFO and the growing relationship between the CEO and CFO… Increasingly, we are growing in our ability to best support the rest of our C-level peers, boards and other stakeholders. We need to adopt strong people and business skills, adapt to growth and change in technology capabilities, and stay on the cutting edge of strategy and organizational/market transformation.
– Ilana Esterrich
CFO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Balancing Investments and Financial Discipline
CFOs are challenged to fuel long-term growth while maintaining tight financial control, requiring careful prioritization and agility in an unpredictable environment.
The single biggest challenge right now is balancing sustained investment in long-term growth with near-term financial discipline in an increasingly disrupted environment – where costs, technology, and reader expectations are all moving faster than ever.
– James Lund
Chief Finance Officer, Financial Times
Delivering Transformation on All Fronts
The demand for transformation spans organizational structure, process improvement, technology upgrades, and AI adoption, in addition to everyday responsibilities. CFOs are feeling the pressure to deliver on all fronts and are learning to prioritize strategically.
More than ever, I am finding that the requirement to deliver transformation on many levels (organizational structure, process improvement, technology upgrades, the adoption and development of AI, as well as ‘business as usual’ responsibilities) is more pressured than ever. Addressing this challenge is not easy, but the key to delivering on all fronts is to prioritise ruthlessly and not take on too much.
– Chris Holt
CFO, Linklaters LLP
Integrating People, Processes, and Technology
CFOs cite challenges with uniting people, processes, and technology to drive efficiency and support sustainable business growth – making it one of their top focus areas.
The greatest challenge facing CFOs is at the cross section of process, people and technology; specifically how we can best leverage all three to be more efficient while growing the business. We are continually being asked to make sense of the mountain of financial information being produced by their processes and held within their ERP. We are also partnering with technology and business unit leaders to evaluate return on technology investments throughout the firm.
– Matthew Roginski
SVP Corporate Finance, Fisher Investments
Making process improvement and automation priorities for other services and divisions poses the greatest challenge today. We are trying to overcome this by sharing best practices through demos and KPI measurements of related achievements.
– Michael Lelievre
CFO, North America, Havas Media Group
The challenges facing CFOs today are multifaceted – spanning growth, transformation, technology, and leadership. Yet, as these leaders demonstrate, the path forward is not one to walk alone. By connecting with peers, sharing best practices, and learning from one another’s experiences, CFOs can find new solutions and drive meaningful change for their organizations.
Ready to connect with fellow CFOs, exchange strategies, and stay ahead of the curve? Join Gartner CFO Communities and discover how you can be part of this powerful network. Already a member? Sign in to find your next community gathering.
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