Finance teams around the world are feeling the shift caused by artificial intelligence, big data, and new productivity tools. Every aspect of work is affected, and the skills needed to grow your career are changing. The Future-Ready Finance: Technology, Productivity, and Skills Survey reveals just how important it is to be prepared for this new and fast-moving tech environment.
More than 1,400 finance leaders were surveyed, and the results indicate that the finance professionals who know how to use technology like AI tools, analytics, and more will be the leaders of tomorrow. Many organisations are currently experiencing a growing skills gap. According to the survey, almost 9 in 10 finance leaders say AI will transform the profession within two years, but only 8% feel “very well-prepared” to adopt AI.
The survey highlights a growing gap between the skills that organisations need and the skills that many finance professionals currently have. In the survey, leaders said that a lack of skilled talent is the top obstacle to adopting new technologies. This means that you need to build your digital, analytical, and decision-making skills now. Combined with strong accountancy and people skills, you will have a significant professional advantage and edge.
AI will not replace you, but amplify you
AI isn’t here to take your job, but rather it’s here to enable you to do your job better and faster.
In the context of finance, productivity skills mean the ability to use technology efficiently, manage workflows, automate routine processes, and collaborate digitally. Productivity skills, such as using AI tools to sort large datasets to inform decisions, are now becoming essential.
AI can handle repetitive tasks, which frees you up to focus on analysis, problem-solving, and adding real value to your organisation. Imagine you’re part of a finance team responsible for budgeting and forecasting. By using AI-powered tools, you can quickly analyse vast amounts of data, spot trends, and generate insights that help your organisation make smarter decisions.
The gap in skills is driven by fast technological change, and there is now an increasing demand for strategic, tech-savvy finance professionals. By gaining in-demand skills, you can position yourself as a leader in your field.
Top tip: Use technology as a tool to amplify your impact. Learn to write strong prompts and understand the AI tools, as well as how to think critically about the information the tools provide.
How the CGMA designation empowers you to develop essential tech skills
The CGMA Professional Qualification is tailored to support your development not just as a finance expert, but as a strategic thinker and versatile finance professional. Through the CGMA syllabus, which is aligned with the CGMA Competency Framework, you’ll build analytical, digital, and decision-making skills that employers desire and help future-proof your career. You will learn how to:
- Analyse complex financial and nonfinancial data using digital tools
- Interpret insights and communicate them effectively to decision-makers
- Use productivity tools to streamline processes
- Apply ethical and strategic thinking in business decisions
- Champion innovation and adaptability in your team and organisation
Finance with a purpose: Making an impact
An exciting aspect of a career in finance is the growing impact you can have on business strategy and sustainability. As a CGMA professional, you are at the intersection of data, decision-making, and performance measurement, and you have the opportunity to influence how organisations invest, grow, and operate. You can find ways to use technology not just to increase profits, but also to advance broader goals that can positively affect communities and the environment.
For example, finance professionals are increasingly involved in projects that use technology to track and reduce environmental impact, improve transparency, and find innovative solutions. Whether it’s using AI to monitor supply chains or analysing data to identify cost-saving opportunities, your skills can make a tangible difference.
Three actions you can take to prepare your career journey
If you’re thinking about a career in finance, now is the time to invest in yourself. Here are three steps you can take to begin building a future-ready skill set:
- Get comfortable with data and technology: Start exploring Power BI, Copilot, and other AI tools to get familiar with how they work, including their flaws, and how to harness the capabilities they provide.
- Champion productivity and collaboration: Learn how to use digital communication and workflow tools to manage projects, share insights, and work effectively with colleagues across departments.
- Embrace continuous learning: Stay curious, follow current trends, and seek out opportunities to learn about new technologies, from automation to analytics.
The skills gap in finance is real, but it also opens the door for you to step in and develop those in-demand skills that organisations need now and in the future.
With the CGMA Professional Qualification, you can hone the key power skills that set you apart: analytical thinking, digital literacy, and the confidence to advise on decisions in a tech-enabled world.
