While 85% of Indian finance leaders feel positive about the future, over half admit they are only somewhat prepared for future challenges. The survey highlights that many CFOs remain tied to routine daily tasks, which limits their ability to focus on long-term strategy and technology modernization.
Indian Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are entering the year with high spirits, according to the latest Finance Leaders Barometer by Grant Thornton Bharat. A vast majority of the 149 senior finance executives surveyed, about 85%, reported a more positive outlook compared to six months ago. Despite this confidence, a gap exists between their ambition and their actual readiness to navigate future complexities. While 64% of finance leaders are confident in reaching their financial goals for the next year, 55.7% admitted they are only 'somewhat prepared' for the challenges that lie ahead.
Operational Tasks Limit Strategic Focus
A major hurdle for finance leaders is time management. Nearly 48% of the CFOs surveyed said they still spend a large portion of their day on routine operational tasks, such as reporting and compliance. This creates a bottleneck, as these leaders are unable to dedicate enough time to high-value activities like business strategy and decision-making, which 62% identified as a top priority.
For investors and stakeholders, this is an important area to watch. A company’s agility often depends on how effectively its leadership can shift from simply keeping track of numbers to actively shaping the business model. When finance leaders are bogged down by daily operational duties, it can delay the company’s ability to pivot, manage emerging risks, or identify new growth opportunities.
Technology and AI Investment Plans
To bridge this gap, finance departments are turning toward technology. The survey found that 71% of CFOs plan to boost their technology investments, while 75% intend to spend more time focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. The goal is to move finance functions away from manual, repetitive work and toward smarter, data-backed business insights.
However, there is an execution risk here. While the intent to adopt new technology is strong, companies must ensure these investments lead to measurable benefits. As of now, many organizations are still in the early stages of using AI effectively. Investors may track how companies balance these technology costs with their overall need for financial discipline.
The Future of Boardroom Influence
The role of the CFO is evolving, with many leaders seeking a stronger mandate to challenge leadership thinking and participate more deeply in governance. About 44% of respondents believe their influence would grow if they were more empowered to push back or offer critical strategic advice at the boardroom level. Ultimately, the next phase for Indian companies will depend on whether they can restructure their finance teams to empower CFOs, allowing them to move beyond operational delivery and become key drivers of business growth and resilience.