In today’s Finance Pulse, gain insight into how:

• CFOs can lead AI strategies to unlock faster ROI by focusing on business outcomes and leveraging AI for high-impact finance workflows.

• Leaders can thrive amid accelerating disruption by embracing agile strategies, sensing market shifts early, and fostering adaptability.

• High-growth CFOs can avoid chaos by prioritizing cash flow visibility, automating finance operations, and building systems before cracks emerge.

Each of these articles is penned by members of Forbes Finance Council, key luminaries shaping the future of finance.

Why CFOs Must Take Charge of Their Company's AI Roadmap

Many companies are taking the wrong approach to AI implementation—letting IT lead while finance waits on recommendations. But here’s the reality: CFOs are perfectly positioned to champion AI strategies.

Check out the highlights below:

🧠 Finance-First Focus: AI’s highest-impact applications often align with finance objectives, like cash forecasting, revenue recognition, and payment prediction. IT focuses on infrastructure; finance prioritizes outcomes.

📊 CFO-Driven Strategy: Leading does not mean coding—it's about identifying workflows AI can improve, setting specific metrics (e.g., reducing manual matching time), and speeding up timelines to capture value fast.

💡 Key Eval Questions: Ask, "What tasks does this automate? How scalable is the solution? What happens when systems fail?" These insights ensure finance leads decisions effectively.

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Competing in an Accelerating Era of Disruption

Technology cycles are moving faster than ever. What took decades for adoption now takes months. Staying competitive requires understanding these disruptions and adapting strategically.

Here’s how that shift is already playing out—and how leaders can respond:

📱 Game-Changing Examples: Apple redefined the telecom industry by transforming phones into computers, leaving companies like Nokia obsolete. Also, Tesla disrupted the auto space by introducing vehicles as tech-driven platforms rather than just cars.

🛠 How Leaders Can Stay Ahead:

• Faster Exploration: Shift from yearly to quarterly planning to assess how emerging tech (like AI) could reshape your industry.

• Continuous Market Sensing: Partner with VCs, startups, and research labs to detect shifts early. Spotting trends outside your core market prevents blind spots.

• Executing Decisively: Build systems to evaluate partnerships, strategic investments, or M&A when disruption looms.

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Managing Finances in High-Growth Companies

Growth is exhilarating—but it also lays bare financial weaknesses. For CFOs, the key isn’t just managing growth; it’s surviving it without losing cash flow, trust, or momentum.

Check out how the priorities below help CFOs turn rapid growth into sustainable scale:

💰 Cash Flow First: Growth quickly reveals that revenue doesn’t equal financial health. Real-time cash visibility is essential to avoid reactive decision-making when receivables lag or payments are delayed.

🔧 System Overhaul: The CFO role evolves from managing numbers to architecting scalable systems. Automation ensures consistency, reduces human error, and builds confidence in high-volume environments.

🔍 Visibility > Bureaucracy: Excessive controls can stifle growth. Instead, build transparent systems that make approvals, schedules, and cash flows easy to monitor.

🤝 Stay Close to Operations: Aligning finance with sales and operations creates intentional growth. The strongest CFOs act as strategic translators, not just expense gatekeepers.

⚙️ Invest Early: Don’t wait for cracks to appear. Professionalizing systems before it feels “necessary” prevents costly, late-stage chaos. A structured foundation sets the stage for sustainable scaling.

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Wrapping Up

If these articles sparked your interest, we have a network that you will absolutely love: Forbes Finance Council.

This exclusive, vetted community brings together the brightest minds in finance—founders, CEOs, CFOs, and other finance team leaders.

Put yourself at the forefront of innovation with access to publishing opportunities on Forbes.com, a personalized, SEO-friendly Executive Profile, and the chance to network with other respected leaders in the field.

Join Forbes Finance Council today, and become part of a group driving transformation in finance.