CFO Slice

The role of the chief financial officer is evolving rapidly as private markets grow more complex, data-rich and investor expectations rise. Once centred on reporting and controls, finance leaders are increasingly expected to be forward-looking, investor-facing and strategic, providing real-time insights, forecasting and clarity from vast volumes of data. Advances in automation and AI are accelerating this shift, allowing finance teams to automate routine tasks and focus on higher-value activities such as portfolio analysis, scenario planning and governance. As a result, the CFO of the future is less a traditional accountant and more a systems thinker, data leader and business partner, able to integrate information across organizations and translate it into clear narratives for investors and stakeholders. Interviewees highlighted a move away from siloed roles towards cross-functional collaboration, with finance, operations, compliance and investment teams working more closely together. Judgment is becoming as important as technical knowledge, as professionals must sift signal from noise in increasingly democratized data environments. Looking ahead, success in the CFO role will depend on adaptability, curiosity and big-picture thinking, alongside core qualities such as integrity and leadership.