So, what’s fueling this shift?
Modern Finance Trends
Turning Number Whisperers into Strategic Partners with Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations
The traditional role of finance departments is evolving.
CFOs are trading back-office spreadsheets for a seat at the strategy table, where they’re shaping the future of business strategy with every decision. Companies that empower them to fill these shoes will position themselves to lead in increasingly dynamic markets.
Let’s dive into the trends shaping modern finance, why they matter, and how you can help your team stay ahead of the game.
How Is the Role of Finance Departments Changing?
Everyone knows not to walk into the finance department during month- or year-end closing. It’s a pressure cooker of spreadsheets and reports that slips your strategic needs to the bottom of the priority list.
But the future isn’t just about balancing books anymore. Today’s finance departments are working closely with other business units to drive decisions on the daily, from investment to mergers and acquisitions. CFOs are now expected to have one hand on the purse strings and the other on the company’s strategy playbook.
Data, metrics, and analytics emerged as the top CFO priority for 2025.
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More Data, Less Time:
The explosion of data means finance teams have to analyze volumes of complex information faster than ever before. And yet, a 2024 report by Insightsoftware revealed that 75% of finance teams spend six hours a week recreating reports, adding up to a whopping 300 hours per year lost to inefficiency.
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The Automation Boom
AI is here to stay. Harvard Business Review reported that Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are “key differentiators” in reducing manual work and revealing patterns that support strategic decision-making.
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The C-Suite Seat
It’s time to shine in finance. According to analysis by Harvard Business Review, nearly 90% of executives agree that “Finance teams can provide a unique and valuable perspective on business challenges.”
Why should I care about these trends?
Inflation and supply chain disruptions are not only affecting your holiday gift list. No industry is safe from global market instability, and macroeconomic events demand unprecedented flexibility from businesses. But pivoting can be expensive, and finance departments have the fiscal insight to enable risk-conscious investment decisions.
Europe, in particular, is at a crossroads. Analysts warn that underinvestment in technology and innovation has left the region lagging behind other global players. This is where CFOs come in—armed with financial analysis tools, they can help pinpoint when and where to invest.
But if your finance department is busy sifting through data and buried in financial reports, none of this is possible. That’s why investing in a modern finance platform isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore. It’s a survival tactic for today’s competitive landscape.
What can I be doing to empower my finance teams?
If you want your finance team to provide more than ledgers, you’ll need to equip them with the right tools. Start by focusing on the key areas below. When these elements come together, finance teams can transition from fiscal watchdogs to strategic enablers.
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Unified Data
Fragmented data is the nemesis of good decision-making. A unified ERP platform gives you a 360-degree view of your financial operations.
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Composable Design
Build a modular system that grows with your needs. Why buy an all-in-one solution when you can piece together the best tools for your business?
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Scalability and Flexibility
Future-proof your finance function with cloud-based solutions that can adapt to whatever comes your way.
The holy grail: A Modern ERP with Scalable Accelerators
If there’s one tool that embodies everything modern finance stands for, it’s Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. This ERP system does more than just streamline processes; it empowers finance teams to make data-driven decisions in real time.
Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
- Streamlined processes: Say goodbye to manual reconciliations. Dynamics 365 F&O and Copilot for Finance automate repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing errors.
- Strategic Insights: A birds-eye view. Paired with HSO’s DNA Accelerator, finance teams gain access to one-look dashboards and analytics tailored to their unique needs.
- Autonomous Finance: Pivot in the blink of an eye. Tools like Aptitude Fynapse provide real-time visibility into financial performance and predictive outcomes, so you can make faster data-driven decisions.
Features are great, but we know ROI is king. That’s why we’ve bundled these solutions to provide market-leading Total Operating Costs. Here’s how:
- 100x reduction in manual data entries
- Up to 50% reduction in costs related to closings
- 70% reduction in the number of accounting rules
- 3x faster than on-premise solutions
Data is the CFO's compass, but with global information exploding, navigating it can be daunting. Finance leaders and their teams can act as data stewards, using advanced analytics, AI and cloud technology to improve forecasting, cash management, organizational transformation and to inform acquisition or IPO decisions.
Want to learn more?
Dive into the details of how to bring Modern Finance to your organization.
