Automation leads the finance agenda, new data reveals

What’s really on the minds of finance leaders in 2025? 

At Lucanet World, our flagship summit, CFOs and finance professionals shared their biggest challenges and priorities for the year ahead. 

The results reveal where finance teams are falling behind – and where they see the biggest opportunities to get ahead.

Let’s take a closer look.

 

Top challenge: automation

Based on a survey of 50 senior finance professionals at Lucanet World 2025, the findings show that 32% cite a lack of automation as their top operational challenge. One in five (22%) identified it as their leading investment priority over the next 12-18 months.

In today’s uncertain economic climate, this suggests that the limitations of manual processes have become increasingly clear, sharpening the focus on automation and AI-driven tools as critical enablers of efficiency, agility, and resilience.

Manual consolidation is still a major issue for finance teams

28% of finance teams rely heavily on manual processes. Only 2% report fully automated consolidation, while 66% are mostly automated with some manual steps. 

Why it matters: Manual consolidation causes delays, rework, and inaccurate forecasts. When your team spends hours collecting and fixing data, scenario analysis is delivered late – if it is delivered at all.

 

Data confidence is fragile

Only 20% are very confident in the accuracy of financial data, compared to 68% who are somewhat confident.

Why it matters: Forecasts are only as good as the data that inform them. Soft confidence slows down decision-making and invites second-guessing.

 

Scenario planning and forecasting the biggest FP&A issue

34% cite scenario planning and forecasting as their biggest FP&A (financial planning and analysis) issue. 

As Lucanet CFO Alistair Gurney puts it: “The real challenge isn’t just about adapting to any specific issue, like tariffs, but it’s a lack of timely and accurate information that makes it difficult to take corrective actions or to plan with confidence.”

Why it matters: Markets move faster than annual plans. Without timely, accurate inputs, teams end up flying blind or stuck in indecision.

 

Finance teams see AI as an opportunity, not a threat

Finance professionals overwhelmingly view Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an opportunity rather than a threat. In fact, over two-thirds (68%) do not believe that AI will replace their roles, while only 8% think it will. This suggests that finance teams see AI as a tool that will elevate their function by freeing them from manual tasks, thus enabling them to play a more strategic role in driving business growth.

The focus on technology investment echoes the findings of Lucanet’s 2025 Finance Leadership Panel Report , which revealed that two-thirds of CFOs are prioritising digital transformation to future-proof operations. 

 

How European finance leaders are future-proofing their organizations

Explore how they are shifting from static plans to continuous, scenario-based forecasting; building future-ready teams with automation; and leading across silos. Read the Lucanet Finance Leadership Panel 2025 for practical steps and leadership lessons.

 

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