3 Insights: How finance is scaling in growth-focused organizations

A study from SAP and Oxford Economics explores how 600 finance leaders at midsize companies are navigating the challenges of scaling for growth. The survey revealed these key takeaways:

Manual processes are a major drain: 57% say financial closing takes up too much time.
Compliance demands are intense, with 72% struggling to keep up with global accounting standards.
Finance sees the future in tech: 81% believe AI will play a key role in shaping finance strategy.

SEIDOR

In today’s ever-shifting business environment, finance leaders aren’t just balancing the books, they’re becoming strategic partners at the heart of innovation and resilience. A study by SAP and Oxford Economics, surveying 600 finance executives from midsize companies worldwide, sheds light on how finance is evolving to meet the demands of high-growth organizations.

Here are three powerful insights shaping the finance function today:

1. Finance Needs to Move Faster

Time-consuming manual processes are slowing finance teams down. The research revealed that financial closing (57%), receivables/payables management (48%), and accruals management (47%) are the top three processes eating up the most time. This routine but critical operation can delay strategic decision-making and hinder agility.

2. Compliance Is Consuming Capacity

Operational complexity, especially around compliance, is a growing burden. Global accounting standards (72%) and security/data privacy (71%) were flagged as the biggest challenges. These demands often prevent finance from focusing on long-term growth strategies and transformation initiatives.

3. Technology Is the Accelerator

Legacy systems are holding teams back, 29% of finance leaders say their current technology limits their ability to scale. However, companies that have adopted cloud-based solutions are seeing significant improvements:

38% report optimized processes
45% say agility has improved
81% believe AI will positively impact finance strategy

Finance Is Not an Island

The research also reinforces the importance of collaboration across departments. In fact, 83% of HR, IT, and finance leaders agree that integrated systems are key to unlocking innovation and growth. When people, processes, technology, and data align, finance can better forecast, adapt, and lead.

Want to dive deeper into the research?

Get the full report: CFO insights: Adapting the role of finance to unlock business value.

Author

SEIDOR

SEIDOR is a technology consulting firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of solutions and services, covering areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Edge, Customer Experience, Employee Experience, ERP, Data, Application Modernization, Cloud, Connectivity, and Cybersecurity.

With over 10,000 highly skilled professionals, SEIDOR has a direct presence in 45 countries across Europe, Latin America, the United States, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The firm is a trusted partner of the world’s leading technology providers.