In recent years, corporate finance functions have undergone major changes. Technology is advancing rapidly, the pressure to make faster decisions is increasing – yet many companies are still stuck in outdated ways of working. In this year’s edition of The State of Corporate Financial Planning 2025, we explore the trends currently shaping the work of CFOs and controllers, and what sets the leading companies apart. Below, I highlight five of the trends that I believe stand out the most in financial planning for 2025.
To support CFOs and business controllers, we conduct an annual survey that is summarised in The State of Corporate Financial Planning. This year’s report is based on responses from participants across both private and listed companies in Sweden. The findings reveal both ongoing trends from previous years and new developments starting to emerge. It's clear that more companies are moving towards smarter planning and better decision-making by evolving both their processes and the tools they use.
The five trends we’ll dive into in this article are:
ust three years ago, almost all companies worked with annual budgets only. Today, 30% of companies are using dynamic forecast horizons that include both the current and next fiscal year – a figure that has doubled compared to previous years.
However, nearly half (47%) still only forecast for the current year, limiting their ability to engage in long-term planning and strategic decision-making.
Insight: Companies working with dynamic forecasts also report higher forecast quality (4.0 out of 5) and better strategic decision support.
There is no doubt that automation has become more important – 74% of respondents say the need for it has increased over the past three years. Despite this, many companies remain stuck working with manual processes, spreadsheets, and limited ERP systems.
Respondents who manage their budgeting and forecasting in dedicated systems report not only higher efficiency but also greater engagement and involvement across the organisation.
Tip: Invest in a tool that reduces administrative workload and frees up time for analysis and strategic work.
Nearly half of all companies (48%) now use driver-based financial planning, up from just 21% three years ago. Companies with dedicated platforms and a strong focus on structured processes are leading the way.
Those working with driver-based models report both higher quality in their financial processes and greater organisational engagement. An impressive 88% of those who use a planning platform and driver-based processes feel that their organisation is highly involved in financial planning.
Insight: Clear links between planned activities and outcomes foster greater ownership across the business.
47% of respondents plan to change or update their planning approach soon. Among those not currently using a dedicated solution, a full 77% want to modernise their setup – with most aiming to implement a modern planning platform.
So, what’s stopping them? Lack of time and difficulty justifying the investment are two common reasons. Yet our report clearly shows that those who have already made the move report higher satisfaction, greater efficiency, and stronger financial planning capabilities.
Insight: Small changes can lead to big results. Start with one area and scale gradually.
There’s no denying that AI is the most talked-about trend this year – but 75% still do not use AI in their financial planning. Those who do mainly use it for data analysis and visualisation, rather than for generating forecasts or making decisions.
Looking ahead: AI will play a bigger role in financial planning, but first companies need a solid foundation with automated and structured processes to fully benefit from it.
This year’s report clearly shows that companies willing to invest in modern tools and processes achieve better decision support, stronger engagement, and higher forecast quality. Curious to see how your organisation compares to others? Download The State of Corporate Financial Planning 2025 and find out.
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