Leadership insights

What’s important to the controller in 2025

Five trends defining the accounting and finance agenda

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The growing role of the modern controller

As a controller, you’re a skilled tactician, adept at execution and efficiency. You lead a team that closes the books on time, produces accurate financial reports and supports compliance. Yet delivery is becoming more complex given expanded reporting requirements, continued cost pressure and talent shortages. Moving forward may require flexing more strengths — becoming a strategic advisor, technology implementer, talent recruiter and risk mitigator. Finance executives are well positioned to identify and improve operational and risk management, potentially reducing costs and enhancing profitability.

In the spotlight

What your company needs to know about the EU’s CSRD

The urgency around environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting has never been greater, with leaders under pressure to execute on sustainability — and fast. A do-nothing approach? Not an option. Many companies are now navigating challenges with the commitments needed to comply with new regulations such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which require detailed disclosures across a wide range of topics. While the CSRD and other regulations may test your reporting capabilities, they also present opportunities to leverage ESG data for growth. With deadlines fast approaching, act now on compliance and avoid last-minute disruptions.

86% of respondents say data availability and quality is an obstacle to CSRD implementation to a moderate or very large extent

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What to focus on in 2025

Regulation and compliance

Collaborate on evolving regulations

Today’s controllers face a complex regulatory environment. From new cybersecurity disclosures to ESG reporting rules, you'll need to equip your organization to address new requirements. Controllers should stay alert to evolving rules given sweeping Pillar Two requirements for multinationals and possible new guardrails for the adoption of AI on the horizon.

While financial compliance remains your primary focus, consider how your longstanding expertise in this area may guide your actions around planning for regulatory change. Start by considering in-flight investments such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) upgrades to meet reporting needs. Build a digital foundation that can support multiple initiatives. By prioritizing simple, robust solutions, you can identify gaps — and make sure your tech isn’t too complex to safeguard.

Additional ways to collaborate on evolving regulations

Regulation and compliance

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Financial reporting

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Cybersecurity and privacy

The CFO’s role in SEC cyber disclosures

Find out the nine questions a CFO should consider to help their company produce accurate, well-reasoned and defensible cybersecurity disclosures.

61% of CFOs say global regulatory uncertainty is a moderate or serious risk to their company

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