Economic turbulence is forcing a 'fundamental reset' in financial leadership
'The days of annual planning cycles are over'
AS BUSINESSES GRAPPLE with escalating trade volatility and inflationary pressures, financial leaders are reshaping their strategies to stay resilient, according to a just-released study.
The study from Billtrust, a B2B order-to-cash software and digital payments leader, reveals how C-suite leaders and financial decision-makers are strategically pivoting to build resilience amid inflation, ever-changing trade and tariff policies, and a reactive Wall Street. As these dynamics shift, nearly two-thirds (63%) of financial leaders have adopted more cautious cash management practices. At the same time, many are making bold investments in technology, with 67% allocating over 10% of their 2025 budgets to AI and automation. Even more striking, nearly one in five executives (18%) are going all-in, dedicating more than a quarter of their budget to these transformative tools.
The study, titled "Navigating Economic Headwinds: How Financial Decision-Makers Are Reshaping Strategy in 2025," captures the perspectives of 550 finance professionals steering their organizations through an intensifying economy.
Fundamental reset
"We're witnessing a fundamental reset in financial leadership," says Sunil Rajasekar, CEO of Billtrust. "Executives are making bold moves in opposite directions simultaneously – tightening cash reserves while accelerating AI investments at record levels. This isn't a contradiction. They're choosing to strengthen their foundations while selectively building capabilities that will define competitive advantage in the coming recovery."
Key findings from the report include:
- Economic Outlook Drives Conservative Strategy: 82% of financial decision-makers see a recession as either likely or possible within the next six to 12 months, with 60% reducing discretionary spending and capital investments in response.
- Tariff Impacts Require Multifaceted Response: 83% of financial decision-makers report moderate to significant cost increases from tariff changes over the past six months, with nearly a quarter (23%) experiencing cost increases exceeding 15%.
- Structural Solutions to Trade Challenges: Financial leaders are also implementing sophisticated strategies to address trade policy challenges, with most employing structural solutions beyond simple price adjustments, including rebuilding supplier networks (40%), transforming inventory approaches (34%), and reconfiguring manufacturing footprints (30%).
- AI Investment Powers Financial Transformation: Despite economic caution, 90% of financial decision-makers now rely on AI for financial decisions, with 83% reporting that AI has positively influenced their approach to managing financial risk in 2025.
- Enhanced Strategic Vigilance: 85% of financial leaders now review forecasts at least quarterly, while 38% reassess monthly or more frequently to enable nimble adjustments as market conditions evolve.
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