Corporate Finance

CFO Insights

McKinsey latest thinking to provide CFOs with insights on capital markets and investor management, planning and performance management, corporate and portfolio strategy, finance function excellence, and finance leadership.

Topics

Finance leadership
Finance function excellence
Capital markets and investor management
Planning and performance management
Corporate and portfolio strategy

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Article

Four dos and don’ts for CFOs leading transformations

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In a new survey, CFOs report a continued push to transform their organizations. Here’s how they can best support those efforts.

Finance leadership

Florian Waldmann screenshot
Interview

Getting an ERP transformation back on track

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The country CFO of METRO Austria took on the company’s ERP challenge, finding success in focusing on issues that had nothing to do with technology.
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Article
Biases in decision-making: A guide for CFOs
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Cognitive biases affect human decisions. Here’s a primer on the most common decision-making challenges—and practices...
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Article
Managing carbon: A new role for the CFO
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Better carbon management can be a competitive advantage. Here’s how CFOs across industries and markets can move beyond...
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Survey
Toward the long term: CFO perspectives on the future of finance
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In a new survey, CFOs report a growing focus on longer-term planning and high expectations for technology, including generative...
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Interview
Connecting strategy, finance, and personal development: A conversation with Marjorie Lao
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The former CFO of the LEGO Group shares insights and lessons for finance leaders.

Finance function excellence

A photograph captures Alok Sama in a suit jacket and button down shirt, smiling gently against a white background.
Podcast

Alok Sama on corporate finance in the fast lane

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The former SoftBank CFO describes the culture shock of moving from traditional corporate finance to dealmaking at the cutting edge of technology, and what led him to write a book.
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Podcast
What an AI-powered finance function of the future looks like
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Tech veteran and OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar discusses the positive potential of gen AI to change work, society, and democracy; how...
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McKinsey Direct
Generative AI in finance: Finding the way to faster, deeper insights
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Generative AI technologies can automate time-consuming tasks for finance professionals, but can they be trusted to give the right...
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McKinsey Direct
How finance skills are evolving in the era of artificial intelligence
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In a world of advanced automation and AI, people skills are becoming a differentiator for finance professionals.
Finance 2030: Four imperatives for the next decade
Article
Finance 2030: Four imperatives for the next decade
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Over the past decade, finance departments reduced costs by almost 30 percent. The next decade’s...

Capital markets and investor management

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Article

McKinsey survey shows investors seek fundamentals and long-term vision

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The latest investor survey underscores the importance of the right metrics and cohesive communications.
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Article
The power of performance: What long-term intrinsic investors really want from companies
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Strong communications with long-term investors may be enough to attract them. Evidence of active resource allocation, increasing...
Headshot of Tim Koller.
Interview
Author Talks: What’s new in Valuation?
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The economic principles of valuation don’t change that much, but McKinsey Partner Tim Koller explains why they remain more...
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Article
Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, October 2025
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Global growth remains uneven amid policy uncertainty and trade realignments. US government shutdown adds downside risk, while...
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Survey
Survey results: Expectations for company performance, by industry
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Surveyed executives in many industries predict stable company performance in the months ahead. Those working in professional...

Planning & performance management

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Article

Here’s how budgets can keep up with accelerating uncertainty

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As CFOs reflect on budget seasons that come and go too quickly, it’s time to recognize the advantages of a more agile, proactive, and sophisticated budgeting process.
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Article
Keep calm and allocate capital: Six process improvements
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The most effective resource allocation processes are radically simple.
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Article
Advanced FP&A practices for a volatile macroeconomic and business environment
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Great models help leaders understand complexity and navigate through uncertainty. Six practical steps for better financial planning...
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Survey
Tying short-term decisions to long-term strategy
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A new survey confirms the well-founded principles behind the allocation of resources for long-term value creation.
A smiling Charlie Gottdiener dressed in a suit coat and button-up shirt, set against a blurred backdrop featuring the Anaplan logo.
Interview
Anaplan CEO: How decision excellence drives enterprise performance
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Charlie Gottdiener discusses the growing importance of enterprise connectedness and the planning software provider’s research...

Corporate and portfolio strategy

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Article

What CFOs need to get right in a buy-side carve-out

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CFOs can tackle “dis-synergies” and stranded costs, among other complexities, with flexible models and well-structured transitional service agreements.
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Article
How American business can prosper in the new geopolitical era
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In a shifting world order, US companies’ continued success will hinge on an understanding of policymakers’ intentions....
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Article
Advanced industries: New technologies and supply chain shifts are driving key portfolio and investment decisions
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A number of trends, including reduced interest rates and the emergence of new technologies, software, and ecosystems, point to...
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Article
How AI is transforming strategy development
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Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionize strategy activities. But as AI adoption spreads, strategists will need proprietary...
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Article
Active portfolio management: Five practical insights for value creation
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Economic upturns come and go, and cost optimization programs take an organization only so far. But active portfolio management...