The 2030 Finance department

The skills, functions & organizational structure to stay relevant.

The Finance department is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by technological advancements, changes in organizational structures, and the growing need to address challenges like data security, regulatory pressure, talent shortage and sustainability.

“Finance is evolving from a traditional, reactive function into a dynamic, strategic partner embedded within the business ecosystem,” says Stéphanie Struelens, Pragmatic Advisory and Implementation Lead for Financial Institutions. “In the short term, it can become a community-driven function where finance professionals collaborate closely with various business units, fostering innovation and strategic alignment.’

Looking to 2030, Vicky Posthumus, Expert Practice Lead Finance Transformation, sees a clearly defined focus for finance professionals on high-value activities and advanced data management: “As a strategic partner, Finance must use advanced data analytics, embrace automation even more, and promote continuous upskilling. By reimagining the finance operating model, finance professionals can ensure their relevance and drive the overall success of the company.”

The growing role of technology in Finance transformation

Technology is transforming how finance teams operate, making their processes more efficient, flexible, and focused on delivering valuable insights. Automation increasingly takes over repetitive tasks, freeing finance professionals to concentrate on more strategic and impactful work. Meanwhile, cloud technologies have become essential, offering scalability, secure data management, and the ability to collaborate in real time.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already making significant progress with financial dashboards and tools like Copilot for Finance and Joule in SAP for predictive analytics. The shift goes beyond traditional descriptive models, as finance teams increasingly rely on AI-powered predictive analytics. Looking ahead, the move toward prescriptive models will provide professionals with actionable insights and practical scenarios to inform their strategies. This evolution allows for smarter, forward-looking decisions that help drive business success in a rapidly changing context.

If we look at the roadmap Finance Transformations, the evolution from monolithic ERP systems to an ecosystem of integrated, fit-for-purpose tools requires finance professionals to understand these integrations and data flows. As businesses embrace this transformation, preparing for the future by balancing AI investment with human development is crucial. ‘In the next decade, Finance will be the bridge between data and decision-making, merging human insight with technological innovation to create real business impact.’ says Johan Reunis - Expert Practice Lead ERP Business Integration. Companies must focus on flexibility, inclusion, and comprehensive training to ensure their teams are equipped to thrive alongside these advancements, creating a synergy between technology and people that fosters sustainable growth.

The strategic shift that redefines the Finance function

Far beyond its traditional role as a transactional and reporting-focused function, the Finance department is evolving into a critical strategic advisory pillar. As Filip Ceulemans, Client Partner Pragmatic Advisory & Implementation, puts it: ‘Finance is now positioned to shape long-term value and guide organizations through increasing complexity, making it a strategic partner embedded within the business ecosystem.’

This shift is driven by significant advancements in predictive analytics, real-time reporting capabilities, and the growing emphasis on sustainability and ESG integration. At the heart of this evolution is the CFO, whose role is increasingly dynamic and influential. As a strategic leader, the CFO must navigate unpredictability and complexity, steering the organization toward sustainable growth and resilience.

A. The future organizational structure of the Finance department

The Finance department of the future will move beyond traditional silos, adopting a structure built on collaboration across departments, just like a community. This new structure will mix decentralization and centralization: decentralized teams embedded in risk functions or operational business units will drive localized decision-making and strategic alignment, while a centralized backend will, on one hand, focus on automation, oversight, and harmonization of financial processes. Additionally, the purely transactional side of finance will increasingly be centralized within shared service centers (SSC) or global business services (GBS) to ensure efficiency, consistency, and cost-effectiveness in handling routine tasks and processes.

A key driver of this transformation will be the establishment of Centers of Excellence (CoEs), which will centralize expertise, standardize best practices, and drive innovation, efficiency, and quality. These centers will act as hubs for specialized knowledge, enabling the organization to stay at the forefront of financial trends and technologies.

The decomposition of traditional finance roles into specialized functions, such as data crunching, predictive modeling, and business partnering, will lead to greater flexibilization of the finance function. – Stéphanie Struelens, Pragmatic Advisory and Implementation Lead for Financial Institutions

This flexibility will give rise to “flying teams,” agile groups of experts that can be deployed across the organization to tackle specific challenges, such as analyzing market trends, improving operational efficiencies, or aligning financial strategies with sustainability goals.

This wave of transformations will also bring the emergence of new roles, like ESG controllers, carbon accountants, financial data scientists or digital finance managers, reflecting the need for specialized expertise to address sustainability metrics, and the growing reliance on advanced data analysis.

B. Beyond finance skills: key abilities for the future finance professional and the CFO competencies

• As the "uncertain unknown" becomes the norm, predictive capabilities will become essential. Closer integration between finance and risk management will reflect this reality, extending beyond regulated industries like banking to broader sectors facing heightened risk and regulatory demands. Finance will become a proactive guardian, leveraging data maturity to foresee challenges, manage volatility, and inform strategy.

• AI in finance: AI’s influence on the workforce will be profound, there will be growth in specialized roles in IT, data analysis, and management. As an example, approximately 600,000 individuals in banking may need to change occupations by 2030 (source McKinsey Global Institute), highlighting the need for reskilling and upskilling.

• CFO transformation: If we look at the CFO skills and competencies, they will combine the finance skills and technical expertise of a finance manager with exceptional leadership and communication abilities. This technical expertise is not only foundational but also essential for leveraging the augmented capabilities that stem from the integration of advanced digital tools with human insight. Moreover, strong communication skills will not be confined to the CFO alone, they will also be critical for middle management within the finance team. As these managers interact with various departments across the enterprise, their ability to foster clear, collaborative, and strategic discussions will play a pivotal role in ensuring alignment and driving results.

• In addition, emotional intelligence will play an increasingly vital role in the future, as many routine processes and tasks become more easily automated, like AI-powered tools that can extract data from invoices, match it with purchase orders, and schedule payments without human intervention. The true differentiator will lie in the ability to interact effectively, inspire teams, and cultivate the right mindset. Leaders with strong emotional intelligence will be better equipped to build trust, and create a culture that aligns with organizational goals, driving resilience and adaptability.

In essence, the finance professional of the future will need a strong foundation of technical expertise to stay relevant in an environment increasingly defined by automation, advanced analytics, and AI. While financial management skills remain essential, the growing complexity and specialization of the finance function will require a sharp focus on its technical and analytical aspects. Mastery of tools and processes that enhance automation and data analysis will be critical for success.

Strategic capabilities, such as data-driven decision-making and effective business partnering, will take center stage, but their effectiveness will rely on the finance team’s ability to interpret and apply insights from advanced analytics to guide strategy and decision-making.

C. A shift of mindset

Currently, finance professionals work within structured plans, following predictable workflows - for example, knowing exactly what tasks to complete on the 5th day of the month. In the future, automation will take over many routine tasks, while the growing interconnectedness of factors like global markets, technology, and business dynamics will make the finance function more volatile and uncertain. This shift means finance professionals at all levels, not just CFOs, will need to be more agile, ready to handle unpredictable peaks, ad-hoc demands, and challenges with unclear timing or impact. The transition from managing the predictable to exploring the uncertain has already begun, with early signs visible across the industry.

• Empowering internal stakeholders with self-service tools and dynamic financial management systems will enable business units to interact with their data, take ownership of their numbers, and foster greater accountability and resilience.
• At the same time, finance professionals, equipped with advanced tools and a forward-thinking mindset, must focus on understanding and addressing the needs of their internal customers.

By balancing these shifts, finance can become an indispensable partner, guiding businesses through rapid change and toward sustainable success.

D. Fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation

Fostering a culture that values continuous learning and innovation is more important than ever. Encouraging a growth mindset within finance teams helps them stay resilient and adaptable in the face of new challenges and it should be part of employees' objectives.

To keep pace with rapid change, organizations might also consider creating a dedicated market-watcher and digital lead role to track trends and evaluate their impact on finance operations.

How TriFinance can help to effectively manage finance transformation

In summary, getting ready for the future of finance transformation requires a thoughtful approach to restructuring and redefining roles and responsibilities. At TriFinance, we can help your company develop a new operating model that aligns with the changing business landscape with financial transformation services. We support leadership development and provide training to ensure your team is prepared for the evolving challenges ahead. Additionally, we focus on equipping your organization with the right tools, processes, and change management strategies to foster growth and agility. With our guidance, your finance team can successfully navigate finance transformation challenges and position the business for long-term success.

Find out more on Finance Transformation via these insights and be inspired to get ready for your finance transformation journey.