The role of finance is undergoing a major shift. As companies focus on growth and competitiveness in an increasingly complex environment, financial leaders face the challenge of delivering greater value without neglecting their traditional functions.

Microsoft’s Economic Guardians of the Future report concludes that finance teams are evolving and increasingly need to find a balance between strategic vision and the company’s long-term sustainability. 80% of financial executives believe they are being challenged more than ever to add value beyond their traditional roles and responsibilities. Inflation, recession, and international conflicts have undoubtedly played a significant role in this change.

Companies are demanding insights about the economic future from their finance departments, which creates pressure on these teams, who feel like they are expected to act as fortune-tellers. This perception is transforming finance teams, who are increasingly adopting a proactive role in driving business innovation. Finance leaders cannot ignore brand stewardship and must continue mitigating risks and reducing costs. But they are also aware of their growing importance in driving growth and securing long-term returns, thanks to their broader vision.

79% of financial leaders surveyed by Microsoft believe that to meet future needs, they must play a central role in organization-wide transformation and business innovation. Their role in shaping the future is undeniable.

However, this shift also comes with challenges. 88% believe they are perceived as a barrier to innovation within their organizations. As a result, finance professionals need to find ways to demonstrate their value by engaging more in processes where they were not traditionally involved—for example, those related to innovation.

Another complication is that while more is being asked of finance teams, this doesn’t always come with additional budgets or staff. Artificial intelligence and automation, through advanced tools like Power BI or Business Central, are becoming increasingly critical assets. Doing more with less and enhancing the human capabilities of each team without overloading resources can significantly boost business performance.

82% of finance professionals believe that AI and automation are key to evolving their team’s role so that it can better support the organization’s strategic objectives. Leveraging low-code and no-code technologies, such as Power Platform, can help overcome many barriers and expand capabilities.

Like everyone else, finance professionals are looking for smarter ways of working—with greater connectivity, collaboration, strategic vision, and cutting-edge technology. These tools not only support their day-to-day work but also enhance job satisfaction and strengthen their commitment to the company. Employees want to spend less time on repetitive, transactional tasks and more time collaborating to make better decisions and generating high-value impact. The finance function will increasingly play a key role in fostering this culture of innovation.

Microsoft has been on this journey for many years, transforming financial operations with cloud-based products that go beyond technology: they reimagine what’s possible. Thanks to its tools, business leaders have a partner to do more with less, navigate the unexpected, and emerge much stronger.