CFOs report significant AI benefits

More than 90% of CFOs who use AI agents say they have seen clear benefits for their companies, according to a Salesforce study involving 865 CFOs worldwide. These benefits include faster workflows, improved productivity, and cost reductions.

CFO roles are evolving with AI

The study found that 74% of CFOs say their roles have expanded in the past year, with nearly three-quarters noting a change in their responsibilities since 2025. Nearly half of CFOs are now the main decision-makers for AI strategy within their organizations.

AI is reshaping financial priorities

The rise of AI agents has led CFOs to focus on five main priorities for 2026–2027: improving forecast accuracy, enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring compliance, improving data accuracy, and scaling AI agent use across the company.

Revenue models are becoming more complex

The increased use of AI in products and services has led to more diverse revenue models, making it harder for CFOs to manage expenses and track returns. About 71% of financial leaders are using more sales channels now than last year, including direct sales, online platforms, and mobile options.

Consumption-based pricing is a growing trend

Consumption-based pricing is the main source of revenue complexity, with 87% of financial leaders expecting to add more such products in the future. Current revenue models include subscriptions, professional services, and hybrid models, with consumption-based pricing already widely used.

Sales channels affect company performance

The growth in revenue channels has complicated sales compensation, which is a key driver of company performance. Financial leaders now face challenges in aligning company strategies with these channels and maintaining visibility into sales performance and growth incentives.

AI is helping manage complex data

Companies are using AI-based technology to address issues with siloed data and outdated systems. Tracking financial data across multiple revenue channels is costly, and the "configure, price, and quote" (CPQ) function is becoming a priority for financial leaders to ensure smooth operations.

Manual processes remain a challenge

Managing hybrid revenue models manually is a major problem, with 67% of financial leaders reporting that 20% of their work is still done manually. Many hours are spent on these tasks, and inaccuracies in the "quote to cash" process affect up to 6 to 15% of transactions.

AI spending is growing rapidly

Global spending on AI is expected to reach $259 billion in 2026, a 47% increase from the previous year. Many companies are now moving from testing AI to full deployment, with 62% of large firms already using or developing AI agents.

CFOs see ROI but face challenges

More than 90% of CFOs who use AI say it has delivered the promised return on investment, confirming predictions by major research firms. However, concerns remain about security, governance, and data accuracy, and the use of AI requires more data and technical knowledge across the workforce.