These traps slow finance teams down

In conversations with CFOs and finance leaders, a pattern often emerges: teams are working hard, delivering reports, and answering questions, yet still struggling to drive meaningful influence across the business.

When we ask what’s getting in the way, three common themes stand out:

1️⃣ THINKING THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

We often hear from CFOs that business partners rarely interpret data the same way a finance team does. The most successful strategic leaders emphasize the importance of building strong relationships across departments, practicing storytelling to explain the “why” behind the numbers, and using visuals to bring insights to life. Insights only drive decisions when they’re accessible, relevant, and trusted.

2️⃣ ACTING AS A SERVICE DESK, NOT A DECISION DRIVER

Finance shouldn’t just respond to requests—it should anticipate them. Leaders we speak to suggest shifting focus toward: Identifying revenue levers, measuring headcount ROI, and framing tradeoffs and risk. This shift doesn’t just elevate finance. It embeds finance in the strategic conversations that shape the business. The most impactful finance teams don’t just manage the numbers—they help drive what’s next.

3️⃣ GETTING STUCK IN DATA CLEANUP MODE

When finance is stuck in the weeds, the business feels it. Inconsistent reports, manual fixes, and scattered data make it nearly impossible to lead strategically. But it doesn't have to stay that way.

We created the Strategic Finance Framework to help teams get unstuck and move toward higher-value, forward-looking work. It's a tactical guide built on four essential layers:

Clean, centralized data
Reliable reporting
Forward-looking planning
Strategic insight

Each layer supports the next. And once your foundation is solid, automation and AI can take over the heavy lifting, freeing your team to become stronger business partners.

👉 Explore the Strategic Finance Framework blueprint

Making data actionable with storytelling

On the latest episode of The Diary of a CFO podcast, 3x CFO turned Cube CEO Christina Ross shares how finance leaders can elevate their impact by speaking the language of the business—and making financial data actionable through better storytelling. Listen in as she dives into:

How finance maturity evolves across growth stages
Becoming a better storyteller in reporting
Adaptability as the new competitive edge

Listen to the full episode for more insights.

What did you think of this week's edition of The Finance Fix?

💸 Nailed it

👍 Useful, but could be sharper

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We read every response. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

P.S. Navigating a strategic finance transition? We can help! Book a free consultation to diagnose where your team is now and how to plan for tomorrow.

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