The role of the CFO has changed rapidly over the last five years. They are now juggling a multitude of priorities as sustainability moves up the corporate agenda, digital transformation is accelerated, and as businesses look for growth opportunities in all corners of the globe.  Strategic nous is also becoming ever more important [1].

As we see a fresh intake for this year’s grad schemes at the start of a new university year, research from global payables automation company Tipalti reveals what young professionals’ and finance graduates’ expectations, hopes, and dreams were for their career. The research [2] found:

• A third (32%) of young professionals say modernising finance with technology would be the most exciting problem to solve if they became a CFO
• 29% say working closely with a company CEO to influence/make key business decisions inspires them to become a CFO
• · 40% see identifying new opportunities to accelerate growth, productivity or profitability as an exciting opportunity as a CFO

·      Rob Israch, GM at Tipalti Europe, said: “A career in finance is no longer confined to budgeting, forecasting and financial operations, and instead places the CFO at the forefront of innovation and strategic decision-making within business. It is clear that young professionals are excited by the pioneering direction that a career in finance can take them on – especially given the increasing number of hats worn by the modern CFO.

“Young professionals are also clearly savvy to the benefits that technology can bring to finance function, so that they can focus time and energy on more strategic initiatives – a key requirement for the modern CFO.”