The finance landscape is evolving faster than many organizations can keep up. As technology advances and investor expectations rise, finance leaders face a critical choice: adapt—or risk being left behind.
In a past episode of the CPM Customer Success Podcast, Nova Advisory’s Andy Smetana shared a forward-looking perspective on the trends redefining Corporate Performance Management (CPM) in 2025. Drawing from years of hands-on experience helping organizations modernize their finance operations, he outlined the five forces shaping the future of finance—and why these shifts matter now more than ever.
Here’s a closer look at these trends, and what they mean for finance and corporate leaders navigating this changing environment.
For years, finance has lagged behind other functions in adopting modern technology. That’s changing—quickly. CFOs and finance teams are moving beyond legacy tools and fragmented systems to embrace cloud-native CPM platforms that unify financial and operational data in real time.
Platforms like OneStream offer more than just consolidation. They enable:
Automated reporting
Real-time forecasting
Significant time savings—up to 50% faster forecast cycles and 70% reductions in budgeting times.
Digital transformation isn’t just about improving processes; it’s now a strategic imperative. In a world defined by speed and complexity, organizations need the ability to pivot fast, make smarter decisions, and scale with confidence.
The role of the CFO has fundamentally shifted. No longer just stewards of financial reporting, CFOs are now expected to drive corporate strategy and growth.
According to Andy, this evolution is accelerating—and organizations that recognize it will have a competitive edge. A recent study shows that 65% of business leaders expect the CFO’s influence to increase dramatically by 2035.
Investors are paying close attention. They’re rewarding CFOs who:
Blend financial expertise with operational insight
Embrace digital tools
Lead strategic initiatives across the enterprise.
Organizations where CFOs take an active role in driving strategy consistently see stronger investor confidence—and higher valuations.
AI is no longer just a buzzword—it’s becoming a core capability for forward-thinking finance teams.
Finance leaders are grappling with growing volumes of data, much of it scattered across different systems. AI-powered solutions now offer a way to cut through the noise:
Anomaly detection tools (like OneStream’s Sensible ML) improve data accuracy and integrity.
Predictive analytics drive faster, more precise forecasting.
Scenario modeling enables finance teams to simulate business outcomes and prepare for disruption.
Andy pointed out that nearly three-quarters of CFOs believe AI will fully reshape the finance function within the next decade. Finance leaders who start developing these capabilities today will be well positioned to lead in the future.
Despite progress, many organizations remain stuck in outdated systems—forcing finance teams to spend valuable time reconciling spreadsheets and navigating siloed data.
This isn’t just inefficient—it’s risky. Silos and legacy technology slow decision-making, reduce data quality, and make collaboration difficult.
Organizations that embrace unified CPM platforms benefit from:
Faster close cycles
Improved compliance
Stronger cross-department collaboration.
The message is clear: Modernizing your systems isn’t just about technology. It’s about freeing your teams to focus on what matters—driving strategic outcomes.
Investors are increasingly prioritizing companies that demonstrate digital readiness and modernization. CFOs who take the lead in transforming finance functions—through cloud platforms, ESG reporting, and AI-driven tools—are seeing real returns.
According to studies referenced in the podcast, organizations led by digitally progressive CFOs report an average investment premium increase of 2.6%—rising to 3.6% among the largest asset managers.
Modernization isn’t a back-office project anymore. It’s a direct lever for boosting valuation, attracting capital, and strengthening market position.
As the industry enters a new era, Andy closed the episode with three actionable steps for finance leaders:
Evaluate Your Current Systems
Identify inefficiencies and scalability gaps in your existing tools and processes.
Invest in Unified CPM Platforms
Look for platforms that consolidate data, integrate AI, and enable end-to-end performance management.
Partner with Experts
Successful modernization isn’t just about technology—it requires strategic guidance to unlock full value.
Finance is no longer about looking back at what happened last quarter. It’s about using technology, data, and strategic vision to guide what happens next.
As Andy noted in the episode, the future of finance belongs to leaders who are ready to innovate, automate, and grow. Those who embrace these trends today will be the ones driving business success tomorrow.