Economic recovery and revenue growth are forecasted for 2021
SURVEY SNAPSHOT
Crisis puts everything in perspective. New realities may require reorganization, a reimagined workforce and a fresh look at risk, but the middle market sees extraordinary potential ahead. With newfound clarity, companies won’t return to business as usual but instead will work to create something better than usual.
2021 Middle Market CFO Outlook Survey
Pivot to New Potential
The pandemic accelerated business transformation
Cost optimization is essential to thrive
Deals are still on CFOs’ agendas
Priorities including diversity, safety and location will redefine work
Supply chain emerges as a critical priority
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What’s Next for Growth
Middle market disruption means value must be reassessed and strategy reset. The path forward requires a focus on essentialism and scale to unlock new opportunities and thrive.
OPTIMIZATION
37%
plan to restructure or reorganize
will reevaluate their real estate footprint
32%
BDO'S TAKE
Workforce strategy should lead with empathy and focus on enabling employees to reach their next level of potential. That starts with building and reinforcing an equitable culture with advancement opportunities for all and extends to optimizing work through technology. Dive deeper into what's next for work.
From protecting workforce health to managing a remote work environment, middle market CFOs face continued challenges in 2021. Meeting the moment requires investment in diversity, culture and employee enablement.
What’s Next for Work
It’s a new year, and CFOs have a new perspective on risk. Economic concerns loom large, but a tumultuous year has put supply chain, tax and reporting risks in focus.
What’s Next for Risk
Methodology
Survey Respondents
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The 2021 BDO Middle Market CFO Outlook Survey is a survey of 600 middle market CFOs in the U.S. The survey was conducted by Rabin Research Company, an independent marketing research firm, in September 2020.
Methodology
ANNUAL REVENUE
Survey Respondents
industries
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BDO'S TAKE
Balancing opportunities with optimization is the middle market mantra. Changes to the marketplace mean new and untapped potential to seek advantage, but companies must ensure their operational and digital strategy reflect new realities before embarking on any strategic move or partnership.
BDO'S TAKE
The middle market has been a model of flexibility, but stakeholders will scrutinize the long-term impacts of crisis on the entire value chain. Companies will need a holistic, transparent financial picture to help them mitigate risk, realize strategic growth and plan with more precision.
rank cutting costs as their top business priority
13%
will seek PE investment
29%
are planning a merger or acquisition
24%
of private companies will pursue an IPO
20%
OUTLOOK FOR DEALS
Prioritizing diversity & inclusion
42%
Increasing remote work options
43%
Eliminating or consolidating office space
28%
Working to automate manual labor
38%
HOW CFOs ARE REIMAGINING WORK
top 3 challenge for the first time
Supply chain
top tax challenge
TOTAL TAX LIABILITY UNDERSTANDING
top financial reporting challenge
NEW STANDARD IMPLMENTATION
Energy Healthcare Life Sciences Manufacturing Retail Technology
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Last year, energy CFOs prioritized business continuity and protecting cashflow. But as the industry recovers, long-term plans for the energy transition are coming back into focus.
Outlook for Energy Transition
BDO'S TAKE
Other risks include trade and tariff policy, environmental mandates and the impact of a new regulatory regime. By increasing spending in risk and compliance, energy CFOs will be able to face these challenges. Effective contingency planning, agile supply chains and operational efficiency will also help CFOs adapt more quickly to disruption and seize new opportunities.
The pandemic compounded preexisting headwinds and introduced new challenges for the industry, and the road ahead is uncertain. Energy CFOs are preparing to meet these hurdles and navigate future disruption head on.
An Evolving Threat Landscape
BDO'S TAKE
To keep investor interests high, energy companies must showcase their profitability and potential. To do so, they will need to continue to cut costs, boost operational efficiencies and demonstrate an ability to ensure continuity and manage any future fluctuations in demand.
In 2021, capital access will be vital in determining which companies can execute on their strategic plans. Fortunately, energy CFOs are looking to a variety of sources to secure the cashflow needed to forge ahead.
Reclaiming Capital Access
62% expect economic recovery this year
Most plan to finance new renewables projects this year
Solar is expected to dominate the renawables market
71% believe profitability will increase in 2021
50% of O&G CFOs predict oil will average $60+/ bbl over the next 5 years
Trade and tariffs are CFOs’ top policy concern
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While COVID-19 and the recession compounded challenges for the industry, middle market energy CFOs are cautiously optimistic about 2021. They’re focused on expanding capital access, adapting to emerging risks and investing in the shift to renewables as they look to refuel for the future.
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2021 Energy CFO Outlook Survey
Refueling for the Future
Methodology
Survey Respondents
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BDO'S TAKE
Reimagining traditional operations to support renewable energy is a business imperative. Conducting contingency planning, upskilling a workforce for industry shifts and adopting automated processes will enable companies to execute their long-term goals for the energy transition.
The 2021 BDO Energy CFO Outlook Survey polled 100 middle market energy CFOs with revenues ranging from $250 million to $3 billion. The survey was conducted by Rabin Research Company, an independent marketing research firm, in September 2020 using Op4G’s panel of executives.
Methodology
ANNUAL REVENUE
SUBSECTOR
Survey Respondents
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plan to restructure or reorganize
37%
will reevaluate their real estate footprint
32%
rank cutting costs as their top business priority
13%
OPTIMIZATION
will seek PE investment
29%
are planning a merger or acquisition
24%
of private companies will pursue an IPO
20%
OUTLOOK FOR DEALS
Prioritizing diversity & inclusion
42%
Increasing remote work options
43%
Eliminating or consolidating office space
28%
Working to automate manual labor
38%
HOW CFOs ARE REIMAGINING WORK
top 3 challenge for the first time
Supply chain
top tax challenge
TOTAL TAX LIABILITY UNDERSTANDING
top financial reporting challenge
NEW STANDARD IMPLMENTATION
Energy
Healthcare
Life Sciences
VIEW THE FINDINGS BY INDUSTRY:
Manufacturing
Retail
Technology
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