Beyond the Finance Function | Why CFOs Must Orchestrate Enterprise Alignment

In May 2025, the CFO of B&M European Value Retail resigned after the company disclosed a £7 million freight cost accounting error.

The mistake stemmed from a system update that misclassified overseas freight costs in the cost of goods sold, resulting in a material impact on the company’s earnings outlook.

This wasn’t just a finance error. It was a breakdown in cross-functional collaboration between finance, operations, IT, and supply chain. And it’s a cautionary tale for every CFO trying to lead in isolation.

Today’s finance leaders are expected to do more than manage budgets. They’re asked to shape strategy, drive transformation, manage risk, and build future-ready teams. But none of that is possible without deep, ongoing collaboration across the enterprise.

Strategy Needs Customer Success, Not Just Spreadsheets

A recent analysis shows professional services firms focusing on net revenue retention (NRR) i.e. revenue retained from existing customers were more likely to see post-earnings stock price gains. In top performers, NRR was a key driver 70% of the time. This signals a shift: success isn’t just about new revenue, but growing existing relationships. CFOs must partner with Sales, Customer Success, and Product teams to understand what drives retention, forecast it, and invest in it. Finance can’t just report numbers—it needs to shape the story behind them.

Risk Is Shared—So Is Accountability

Cybersecurity is a prime example. CFOs and CISOs are both stewards of enterprise risk, yet they often operate in silos. Without a shared language or metrics, security investments can look like sunk costs instead of strategic assets. But when CFOs and CISOs align, cybersecurity becomes a lever for resilience and performance. By evaluating security through a “value per dollar” lens—how much risk is mitigated per dollar spent—finance leaders can justify investments using familiar ROI frameworks. This kind of alignment turns cybersecurity from a cost center into a competitive advantage.

AI Is Powerful Only If the Data Is Clean

AI is transforming finance from forecasting to scenario planning. But it’s only as good as the data feeding it. Donna Dror, CEO of Usercentrics, says CFOs should treat data like a financial asset and apply audit-level discipline. Bad data can distort forecasts, inflate risks, and damage reputations. The Deloitte Australia case is a warning: an AI-generated government report riddled with errors sparked backlash and a partial refund. The lesson? AI is a tool, not a truth-teller. CFOs must ensure responsible use with CIOs, data officers, and compliance teams.

Talent Is the Tech Multiplier

Finance teams are evolving. The future isn’t just about hiring accountants—it’s about building hybrid roles that blend finance and tech. A recent survey found that over half of finance leaders are looking for talent that can do both. But it’s not just about skills—it’s about mindset. Tools must be “human in scope,” meaning finance professionals help shape the tech they use. This requires close collaboration with HR, Learning & Development, and IT to design roles, training, and career paths that support transformation. Finance doesn’t just adopt technology—it co-creates it.

Conclusion: The CFO as Enterprise Connector

The CFO can no longer afford to operate in a silo. Whether it’s aligning with customer success to drive retention, partnering with operations to build resilience, collaborating with tech to ensure data discipline, or working with HR to shape the workforce—finance must be embedded across the enterprise.

Wipro’s CFO++ Playbook provides a framework that helps finance leaders lead collaboratively, strategically, and with impact for a connected, future-ready enterprise.

About the Authors

Denisa Mares

With 20 years in Finance & Accounting, GBS, and BPO management, Denisa blends deep expertise in program management, tech-led transformation, and solution design with a passion for innovation. Skilled in ERP, automation, AI/ML, and blockchain, Denisa has driven value across industries from telecom, consumer goods and retail to banking and pharma—always focused on turning complexity into clarity and delivering impact on a global scale.