In 2025, corporate finance has been a turbulent arena for chief financial officers (CFOs), shaped by geopolitical tensions and a U.S. administration pushing aggressive trade policies. As global trade dynamics shift under President Donald Trump’s tariff initiatives, CFOs are navigating uncharted waters.
Beyond stabilizing their organizations, they are increasingly tasked with providing strategic foresight, making their role more pivotal than ever. With the year past its midpoint, finance chiefs are bracing for challenges and opportunities that will define boardroom discussions. Here are five trends shaping their focus for the remainder of 2025.
The CFO’s role is expanding, fostering greater collaboration across the C-Suite. No longer confined to retrospective financial reporting, finance chiefs are stepping into strategic leadership. Amy Dickerson, EVP, CFO, and CHRO at Regenesis, notes a departure from traditional tools like Excel, emphasizing higher-level initiatives.
Many CFOs, like Dickerson, are taking on multiple roles, such as CFO-COO hybrids, a trend expected to intensify. Kadidia Cooper of 10,000 Degrees highlights that CFOs, with access to comprehensive data, are uniquely positioned to spot trends early, making forecasting critical for competitiveness. This cross-functional collaboration underscores the CFO’s evolving role as a strategic linchpin.
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Tariffs remain a wildcard, prompting varied responses among CFOs. Large corporations, with greater liquidity and supply chain flexibility, can better absorb tariff impacts, says Stephen Philipson of U.S. Bank. Middle-market firms, however, face tighter constraints. Jeff Codd of U.S. Electrical Services notes his company adjusted contract terms during Trump’s first term to mitigate tariff effects and is now fine-tuning inventory to ensure customer supply. For some, like Dickerson, the uncertainty echoes the disruptions of the COVID era. CFOs are thus pivoting swiftly, balancing caution with proactive measures to shield their firms from trade policy volatility.
Dealmaking in 2025 presents both promise and uncertainty. A business-friendly White House raised expectations for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with some firms, like U.S. Electrical Services, completing deals this year. However, aggressive tariffs have stalled progress for others, particularly in the middle market, where flexibility is limited.
The uneven M&A landscape reflects broader economic unpredictability, forcing CFOs to weigh risks carefully. While some sectors see marginal M&A growth, the tariff regime’s impact continues to create hesitation, leaving the dealmaking outlook murky for the year’s second half.
Looking ahead, CFOs are poised to shape their organizations’ futures amid these dynamic trends. From deeper C-Suite integration to navigating trade uncertainties and evaluating M&A opportunities, finance chiefs are balancing immediate challenges with long-term strategy.
Their ability to adapt to unpredictable tariffs, leverage data for forecasting, and drive cross-functional initiatives will be critical. As 2025 progresses, CFOs will remain at the forefront, steering their firms through a complex economic landscape with resilience and foresight.
