An FTI Consulting Report
2026 Global CFO Report
An Industry Growing, Maturing and Redefining the Omnichannel Experience
The 2026 Global CFO Report reveals a profession at a defining moment. Finance leaders have shifted from being transformation operators to enterprise-wide transformation leaders, embedding technology, analytics and discipline into the operating core of their organizations.
Drawing on our expertise in growth, finance, operations, technology and transactions, we enable transformative change across the entire enterprise.
90% of CFOs have prioritized predictive cash forecasting. As capital markets remain volatile, CFOs are driving self-funded growth through real-time forecasting and anomaly detection, turning cash velocity into a competitive weapon rather than a constraint.
About The Report
Our survey explored the challenges CFOs and finance leaders face, alongside their expectations for 2026. In collaboration with CFO Dive, we gathered insights from senior finance executives worldwide on the strategies and tactics they plan to implement to enhance financial performance and safeguard the bottom line. 700 responses were collected from executives across North America, APAC and EMEA, with participation evenly distributed across the regions.
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2026 CFO Outlooks and Expectations
of CFOs think AI is the top driver of enterprise value creation
of CFOs cite geopolitical conflict as a significant risk to performance
of CFOs predict double digit growth
44%
84%
85%
CFOs now stand at the intersection of technology, transformation and value creation. This year’s survey of 700 CFOs worldwide finds confidence running high, with 85% expecting revenue growth of 10% or greater over the next 12 months, up from 72% for 2025.
More than half (52%) report leading or co-leading enterprise transformation. This shift underscores the evolution of what FTI Consulting identifies as “the Strategic CFO,” a finance leader who not only reports results but also shapes the enterprise growth strategy. These CFOs are setting data strategy, overseeing enterprise automation and steering investment toward the capabilities that define tomorrow’s competitive edge.
FTI Consulting’s CFO Strategies
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2026 CFO Highlights and Observations
AI-Powered Finance
Finance in an Era of Geopolitical and Regulatory Volatility
The Strategic CFO
as Enterprise Transformer
Regional Insights
Trends and Perspectives
FTI Consulting is an independent global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political and regulatory, reputational and transactional. In this report, we detail business leaders’ insights on the challenges they face, their expectations for 2026 and the strategies and tactics they will undertake over the next 12 months to maximize financial performance and protect the bottom line.
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Deal flow is accelerating, with greater emphasis focused on discipline and selectivity.
45% of organizations are actively pursuing acquisitions, while 36% are focused on post-transaction value creation. Capital access is strengthening — two-thirds of CFOs report improvements across internal funding, private equity and public markets. Despite accelerating deal activity, 83% of CFOs cite capital markets uncertainty as a key risk, driving a stronger focus on integration precision rather than deal volume.
The CFO Role Continues to Elevate its Influence
In 2026, the CFO has moved from steward to architect of enterprise performance, as 52% lead or co-lead company-wide change. As volatility persists, finance increasingly leads transformation spanning operating models, capital allocation and enterprise execution. Longer CFO tenures reinforce this shift, enabling sustained leadership, deeper institutional influence and greater accountability for translating strategy into measurable value.
We help CFOs create value and implement solutions that build confidence, clarity, controls and consistency.
North American Highlights
EMEA Highlights
APAC Highlights
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REPORT
Get In Touch
CONTACT US
CFOs stand at the center of enterprise transformation — shaping strategy, unlocking performance and steering organizations through accelerating change.
Drawing on our expertise in growth, finance, operations, technology and transactions, we enable transformative change across the entire enterprise.
Gina Gutzeit
Senior Managing Director,
Global Leader of OCFO Solutions
UNITED STATES
Alan Numsuwan
Executive Vice President
UNITED STATES
Key Contacts
