What did we take away from CFO 2026 in Stockholm?

What did we take away from CFO 2026 in Stockholm?

After a full day of conversations around the future of finance, one thing is clear: the CFO role is evolving from reporting the business to actively shaping what comes next.

Here are some of our key takeaways from the day:

1. The CFO needs to look forward, not just backward.
In a world shaped by economic uncertainty, geopolitical shifts and changing market conditions, finance needs to provide more than historical reporting. The ability to anticipate, scenario-plan and support better decisions is becoming critical.

2. AI needs to create business value — not just excitement.
This was at the heart of Jonny Simonsson’s session, “From Excel to AI.” The opportunity is not simply to introduce AI because it is the latest technology. It is about finding practical ways to improve budgeting, planning, closing and follow-up — while understanding the risks and limitations along the way.

3. Technology should give finance more time to think.
Automation and AI can take care of more of the repetitive work, allowing finance professionals to spend more time on analysis, business partnering and strategic decision-making.

4. Transformation is as much about people as technology.
Across the discussions throughout the day, talent, leadership and collaboration came up repeatedly. New technology only creates value when people understand it, trust it and know how to use it effectively.

5. The future CFO is a strategic business leader.
Whether the topic is growth, profitability, customers, cybersecurity, regulation or digital transformation, finance is increasingly at the center of the decisions that shape the business.

For us, the biggest takeaway is simple:

The future of finance isn’t about choosing between people, processes and technology. It’s about bringing them together to make better decisions, faster.

Thank you to everyone who joined CFO 2026 and contributed to a day full of valuable perspectives and conversations.

Want to hear more about what Jonny shared on stage and how we are putting these ideas into practice at Pacera?

We are always glad to hear from you!

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