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Finance function effectiveness articles

Read our latest features and articles on finance function effectiveness.
Displaying 1-30 of 58 results
The trophies presented as part of the 2026 Finance for the Future Awards on 1 June in London
Finance for the Future 2026 hails champions of resilience
  • Article
  • 02 Jun 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Sustainable finance innovators across an array of industries received awards on 1 June recognising their work paving the way for greater resilience across financial decision making.
A person holding a tablet device displaying various graphs
How finance leaders can drive growth with AI
  • Article
  • 29 May 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
An ambitious health startup launched in partnership with David Beckham, supplements brand IM8 is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to achieve dynamic growth. ICAEW Insights talks to CFO Stephen Lo about how.
Group of people around a table having a meeting
How finance teams can boost their AI skills capabilities
  • Article
  • 15 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Artificial intelligence technologies offer huge potential benefits to finance teams but skills deficits also present significant risks. How should finance teams gear up appropriately?
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
Why value creation matters to finance teams
  • Article
  • 13 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
The finance function is under more pressure to deliver value for organisations. But what exactly is meant by 'value creation' in the context of finance and how must the profession adapt?
Wind turbines on a wooded hillside at dusk surrounded by clouds
How this aerospace company built resilience through sustainability
  • Article
  • 08 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Supplier outreach, decarbonisation and circularity are just some of the core initiatives that global aerospace company Leonardo is deploying to strengthen its UK business for the long term.
A person holding a tablet device displaying various graphs
Three new roles finance teams might expect within the next five years
  • Article
  • 07 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Increasing automation over the past two decades has gradually been transforming finance teams. Since then, AI has taken the world by storm and businesses have been quick to leverage its capabilities, creating potential for new roles within the next five years.
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How to go from finance manager to CFO
  • Article
  • 02 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Adam Lancaster went from Finance Manager to CFO of the Risk Advisory Group in the space of five years. He explains how he got there, including the vital importance of communication skills and the ability to provide strategic direction.
A team of people at their desks working on their laptops
How has the CFO role evolved? Have your say
  • Article
  • 12 Feb 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) has launched two extended global stakeholder surveys aimed at CFOs and equivalent senior finance leaders.
Male wearing headphones working on his laptop
Three areas to focus your skills development in 2026
  • Article
  • 04 Feb 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Learning how to overcome AI’s current shortcomings and enhancing people skills are two areas that the profession must focus on this year, says accountant-turned-coach Oliver Deacon.
A pair of hands holding 3 blocks showing compliance symbols
Finance transformation: why willingness to learn (and fail) matters
  • Article
  • 15 Aug 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
Running a transformation project differs from the usual tasks of a finance function. You need to be comfortable not knowing anything.
Wind turbines on a wooded hillside at dusk surrounded by clouds
Getting started with sustainability planning and reporting
  • Article
  • 15 May 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
As part of the transition to net zero, good sustainability reporting is vital. Here’s how to transform your finance function to be net zero-ready.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
Finance transformation: how to measure and improve
  • Article
  • 14 May 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
Creating an action plan based on a gap analysis provides the foundation of a good finance transformation project. But without a solid plan for measuring and evaluating performance, it won’t deliver.
Female in smart attire working on her laptop
CFOs: how to nurture your relationship with the CEO
  • Article
  • 20 Jan 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
Sounding board, safe pair of hands, confidant – the CFO’s relationship with the CEO is a pivotal one. We look at how the partnership is evolving and analyse the skills you need to nurture it.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
High frequency forecasting: how to modernise your financial modelling
  • Article
  • 17 Jul 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
With a plethora of tech tools available on the market to assist with high-frequency forecasting, what do accountants need to know about the art of selection?
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
What traits make up the modern CFO?
  • Article
  • 16 Jul 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
The world of work is changing rapidly. How is the role of the CFO adapting?
Four wind turbines on a green background
Global finance teams failing to integrate sustainability
  • Article
  • 14 May 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Rather than waiting for ‘perfect tools’, CFOs and finance teams need to start including sustainability questions into their systems and controls, experts warn.
Your transformation programme needs action (planning)
  • Article
  • 26 Feb 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
In the latest in our series on implementing a transformation programme, Neil Cutting looks at the steps required to create a concrete action plan.
How generative AI is set to disrupt finance
  • Article
  • 20 Feb 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
As its capabilities grow, Gen-AI is poised to shake up the finance function in general and accountancy in particular – but its risks and drawbacks cannot be ignored.
Leading digital transformation in finance
  • Article
  • 01 Dec 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
At the ICAEW Annual Conference this year, there was an overarching focus on the opportunities and responsibilities that technology brings for finance professionals and their organisations, and how it is reshaping the world of finance and accounting.
Delivering transformation: a lesson in project management
  • Article
  • 06 Sep 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Finance transformation series: Neil Cutting advises CFOs and transformation leaders on the essential skill of project management.
ESG for SMEs: how to adapt your finance function
  • Article
  • 18 Aug 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Implementing ESG practices and procedures throughout the finance function presents team leaders with a host of challenges, as five experts explain.
Gap analysis: the transformation starts here
  • Article
  • 18 Aug 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Finance transformation series: getting started with a finance transformation project can be daunting, but Neil Cutting has an exercise to help you get moving
The finance team toolkit part 7: applying the five perspectives
  • Article
  • 11 Jul 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Drawing his first batch of articles to a close, Neil Cutting explains how to bring the five perspectives of transformation together when starting a project.
Creating a development plan to future proof your career
  • Article
  • 11 Jul 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Executive coach Oliver Deacon and ICAEW Head of Jobs Claire Brandon provide tips on how to develop and showcase your skills to make yourself stand out and keep pace with changing finance functions.
Six essential skills for new and aspiring managers
  • Article
  • 06 Jul 2023
  • Chris Paterson
If you’ve just been promoted to management, or you’re looking to take that next step, ICAEW trainer and executive coach Chris Paterson shares his tips for leading a high-performing finance team.
The finance team toolkit part 6: applying systems and technology
  • Article
  • 01 Jun 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
In our ongoing series on good finance transformation, Neil Cutting explains how systems and technology fit within every element of the project.
Cash remains king as businesses gear up for growth
  • Article
  • 17 Apr 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Why finance functions tightened their cash management and forecasting during the pandemic – and how those good habits have remained.
The finance team toolkit part 5: processes
  • Article
  • 30 Mar 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Organisations often confuse processes with procedures, which can obscure clarity around roles and hinder efficiency. Here’s how processes should apply within your finance function.
Using technology to optimise audit talent
  • Article
  • 27 Feb 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
New technologies are having a profound impact on audit and finance functions. Cloud, AI, blockchain and data and analytics are transforming the skills and focus of audit professionals.
The finance team toolkit part 4: the right people
  • Article
  • 17 Feb 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
If the current war for talent shows us anything, it’s that systems and processes are nothing without talented people. Here finance transformation executive, Neil Cutting focuses on the ‘people pillar’ of organisational transformation.
Displaying 1-30 of 58 results
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