Knowledge Hub – Finance Recruitment & Accountancy Insights

AI is moving up the CFO agenda for 2026 as finance leaders shift from curiosity to practical execution. The focus is on measurable performance gains, stronger decision-making and productivity, while balancing risk. The winners will be those who embed AI properly and prove value.

2025 showed that the strongest finance teams succeed through clarity, pace and sound judgement, not heavier reporting. As automation and AI raise expectations, influence is earned by earlier insight, controlled delivery and calm stakeholder partnering. The year ahead will reward teams that reduce friction and focus on what matters.

Finance rarely slows down, even in the final week of the year. The best teams use this quieter window to tighten routines, remove friction, and set clear standards early, so January feels calmer, reporting runs smoother, and surprises are easier to avoid.

A financial services business appointed a Chief Financial Officer to centralise financial authority and strengthen governance at board level. Through a considered retained search, the right CFO was appointed in 12 weeks, bringing clearer judgement, improved risk oversight, and more confident strategic decision-making.

2025 forced businesses to slow down. Rising costs, cautious consumers and persistent uncertainty shifted focus from growth to control. Finance leaders prioritised cash, discipline and timing over optimism, setting the tone for a more measured approach into 2026.

Placed a Head of Finance into a £15m+ scaling technology business within seven weeks, transitioning finance from founder-led to structured. The hire strengthened reporting, controls and insight, giving leadership clearer visibility, decision-making and a finance function aligned with rapid growth.