The Most Critical Topics CFOs Tackled in 2024

The role of the Chief Financial Officer continued its expansion beyond the finance function in 2024, encompassing more business strategy and operational excellence than prior years. CFO communities facilitated by Evanta, a Gartner company, connected 12 times across four cities this year to collaborate with true peers on topics like financial planning and analysis, transformation and streamlining business processes.

Three key themes emerged on program agendas for Executive Summits, Town Halls and Inner Circle gatherings – Enriching FP&A Scope and Dependability to Maximize Business Impact, Identifying Best-in-Class Finance Transformation Roadmaps and Overcoming Modern AI Data, Talent and Technology Challenges.

Take a look back at some of the top-rated CFO content in 2024:
 

Highly-Rated Presentations By CFOs, For CFOs

Keynote: Transform FP&A Into an Enterprise Capability
Some FP&A delivery models fail to provide consistent, value-added decision support amid economic uncertainty. In this keynote session from Randeep Rathindran, Distinguished VP and Key Initiative Leader at Gartner, CFOs gained insights into a strategic shift in FP&A's business partnering approach. Randeep also offered pragmatic use cases on integrating AI and Machine Learning into FP&A processes, equipping CFOs with innovative tools to broadly enhance their strategic impact. Session participants said:

Very relevant and really resonated with actual FP&A transformation in play.”

It was a fresh take on FP&A with new insights.”

Keynote: The Future-Forward CFO
In 2024, the role of the CFO is more crucial than ever as it transcends traditional finance functions to shape strategies, ensuring sustainable growth and risk mitigation. This provocative keynote from Shaun Taylor, Chief Financial Officer at Standard Chartered Americas, delved into honest and effective strategies for CFOs to serve as strategic business advisors, including practical examples of balancing immediate finance demands with a focus on the bigger picture.

Keynote: Building the Future of Finance
Fact-based planning supported by thorough data analysis helps organizations achieve meaningful results and elevate the role of finance while optimizing resources. This keynote from Deidra Merriwether, Chief Financial Officer at Grainger, explored how Grainger is pioneering a future-focused approach to financial management by integrating Finance, Analytics and Corporate Strategy into a unified team known as FACS. Attendees walked away with insights to identify statistically significant KPIs informing business strategy and financial decisions. Attendees commented:

Very insightful and thoughtful approach. The holistic way Deidra approaches business partnership is outstanding.”

Deidra’s story on developing the FACS team and improving their operations was a compelling narrative.”

Breakout Session: Profitability at a Glance to Enhance Decision Making
Prioritizing segments and investments that deliver the most business value allows organizations to grow efficiently and sustainably. In this breakout session, Travis George, Chief Financial Officer at Molex, and Bhanu Gupta, Director, Research & Analytics at Molex, showcased its innovative, data-driven solution designed to provide instant profitability calculations across various dimensions, including product lines, customers, manufacturing plants, business segments and individual product SKUs. The tool enables faster, more accurate decision-making while focusing on a single KPI across the entire business: net income. 
 

Town Hall: Benchmarking AI Initiatives in Finance
Leading organizations are driving the integration of AI and automation in finance by capitalizing on emerging use cases. In this town hall, Dennis Gannon, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, shared insights from Gartner's research, revealing 58% of finance functions currently pilot AI tools, and finance leaders feel increased optimism about AI’s potential. The interactive session included time for CFOs in attendance to candidly discuss AI strategy and current hurdles.
 

Most Popular Content for CFOs

• Blog: 3 Key Themes for CFOs in 2024
  As 2024 approached, Evanta evaluated key trends from CFO community members and identified three themes we anticipated the community to focus on in 2024.
• Blog: Top Finance and Enterprise Priorities for CFOs in 2024
  Each year, we conduct a proprietary Leadership Perspective Survey on CFOs’ approach to key priorities and objectives for the year ahead. Here, we highlight some of the key takeaways from the survey, including their functional priorities, enterprise objectives and planned investment areas in 2024.
• Infographic: 2024 CFO Leadership Perspectives
  More than 100 CFOs shared their top priorities in our annual Leadership Perspective Survey – here is what they reported.
• Leadership Profile: Alan Tachikawa's Path to CFO at Aflac Global Investments
  Alan Tachikawa, CFO at Aflac Global Investments, shares his inspiring journey to CFO, the advice that shaped his success, and how he continues to stay ahead of the curve in the evolving business landscape.
  
• Governing Body Spotlight: Michael Lelievre, CFO, North America, Havas Media Group
  In this interview, Governing Body Member of the New York CFO Community, Michael Lelievre shares his career path, leadership principles, and the value he received from his Evanta community.

In 2025, CFO Communities will continue to meet and share insights around their top priorities and challenges. Looking ahead, community programs and content will be focused on the following three themes:

1. Forecasting and the Future of Finance
2. Bridging the Enterprise Data Divide
3. Crafting a Path to Efficient Growth

Stay connected with your CFO community by applying to join or finding an opportunity to meet CFO peers at a local gathering on our calendar.

If you are a C-level financial leader looking to connect with your CFO peers, apply to join your local CFO community. Or, if you are already a member, sign in to MyEvanta to find upcoming opportunities to connect with your community.