Top 5 AI adoption challenges facing CFOs in 2026

When it comes to AI investments, management teams will need to be more strategic and coordinated, with CFOs playing a central role, experts say.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 23, 2026

AMC CFO to depart in March

Patrick O’Connell’s departure comes as the company continues to focus on streaming, relaunching its “Sundance Now” service Thursday to target independent film.

By Grace Noto • Jan. 23, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Navigating risk in turbulent times

CFOs must help their organizations mitigate risks by balancing the need for both growth and stability. 

By CFO Dive staff

Honeywell poaches Deere CFO for aerospace spinoff

Deere CFO Josh Jepsen is leaving the farm and construction equipment maker to become finance chief of Honeywell’s pure-play aerospace and defense spinoff.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 23, 2026

SEC cuts PCAOB budget 9.4%, slashes compensation, accounting fees

The auditor watchdog, created after the Enron accounting scandal, has faced pressure as the Trump administration seeks to soften regulation.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 22, 2026

Caleres taps interim CFO; details Saks bankruptcy impact

The footwear company warned of potential sales volatility stemming from the Saks Global bankruptcy, which has left many vendors waiting for reimbursements.

By Grace Noto • Jan. 22, 2026

Finance tech firm Datarails raises $70M, rolls out new AI agents

The company said its suite of software tools is quickly evolving from one heavily focused on FP&A to a “complete finance platform.”

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 21, 2026

The false promise of growth through acquisition

Acquisitions don't work for most businesses — at least not in the way their leadership hopes, Alvarez & Marsal’s Conor Johnston writes. 

By Conor Johnston • Jan. 21, 2026

Accounting student enrollment rises 7.3%, outpacing rate across majors

CPA licensing changes making accounting degrees more affordable are helping drive enrollments, Daniel Tinkelman, a Brooklyn College accounting professor, said.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 20, 2026

New AuditBoard CFO targets team, strategy cohesion

From his past CFO roles, Hugo Doetsch has learned the importance of investing in his team, rather than trying on his own to “do it all.”  

By Grace Noto • Jan. 20, 2026

What to expect from the AI boom this year

Global spending on AI will surpass $2.5 trillion as M&A activity gains steam and agentic tools infiltrate software, according to Gartner’s 2026 forecast.

By Matt Ashare • Jan. 20, 2026

Walmart: This year, AI tinkering ‘becomes transformation’

A year from now, customers will look back and realize just how much has changed about the shopping experience, Walmart’s Daniel Danker predicts.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 20, 2026

[Podcast] Santander US Prosperity Exchange

Even moments of uncertainty can unlock great opportunity. For Santander Bank, it led to one of the largest commercial real estate transactions in recent memory.  That’s the focus of the Santander US Prosperity Exchange podcast, featuring leaders from Santander in conversation with other finance leaders to explore the market’s current challenges and hidden opportunities.

Updated Jan. 20, 2026

CFOs, CISOs clash over cybersecurity spending as threats mount: Expel

Four in 10 surveyed finance leaders said quantified risk reduction would make it easier to justify a cybersecurity spending hike.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 20, 2026

Robot sales outlook brightens as tariff headwinds ease

Amazon is among companies that have continued to announce major warehouse automation investments “despite weak macroeconomic fundamentals,” Interact Analysis said.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 20, 2026

[Podcast] Humans + Machines: Rethinking Insurance Talent in the Age of AI

This podcast explores how AI is transforming insurance workforces and what leaders must do to build effective human-machine teams that drive lasting competitive advantage.

By CFO Dive's studioID • Jan. 19, 2026

Coca-Cola CFO to cede digital strategy role

Technology-related efforts currently led by CFO John Murphy will transition to Sedef Salingan Sahin, the company’s first-ever chief digital officer.

By Roberto Torres • Jan. 16, 2026

Xero: Leaning on fractional CFOs for strategic finance

Jarrod Randall advises small business leaders to tell their fractional CFO about goals that aren't in a financial statement.

By Grace Noto • Jan. 16, 2026

Will 2026 be a decisive or disruptive year for CPA pathways?

By year’s end, experts expect roughly 40 states to have joined the push to widen on-ramps into accounting by lowering the 150-hour college credit hurdle.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 16, 2026

OECD deal should ease global tax compliance, but not immediately

U.S. companies will still likely have to complete all Pillar 2 calculations for this year despite the exemptions, KPMG principal Marcus Heyland said.

By Stephen Joyce • Jan. 16, 2026

Majority of CFOs expect to increase operational spending: Grant Thornton

The results likely reflect anticipated tax savings from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and growing impatience with delayed interest rate cuts, the consulting firm said.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 15, 2026

Incoming Paramount CFO to receive ‘no less than’ $2.6M salary

The appointment follows days after Paramount escalated its attempts to acquire Warner Bros, filing suit to force further disclosure about its pending $82.7 billion acquisition by Netflix.

By Grace Noto • Jan. 15, 2026

Nearly 40% of top execs weighed quitting in past year: survey

A third of respondents cited the desire for a better work-life balance as their primary reason for wanting to leave. Other motivations included burnout, stress and the need for promotion.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 14, 2026

Duolingo names audit chair as next CFO

The language platform also on Monday announced a roughly 30% YoY jump in daily active users in its preliminary Q4 results.

By Grace Noto • Jan. 13, 2026

NJ becomes 25th state to adopt CPA licensing reforms

State by state, half the country has eased certified public accountant licensing rules since last January by lowering the 150 college credit hour hurdle.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 13, 2026

Regions names controller as next CFO

Anil Chadha, the Birmingham, Alabama-based bank's controller and head of corporate finance, will take the role after longtime CFO David Turner retires in March.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Jan. 13, 2026