CFO Transformation; Is 2026 the year of data integrity?

Do CFOs set new year’s resolutions for new standards and efficiencies? We think 2026 will be no different. Traditionally CFOs have been responsible for financial data integrity. This isn’t just the usual reporting data, now, they have to provide reliable data for AI initiatives too and help the Board make faster decisions with reliable analytics from across the organisation. AI-driven processes are expected to become more integrated in 2026. . The focus here is on creating efficient, accurate data to drive growth.

Why Accounting and Financial Data Integrity Is Critical for CFOs in 2026?

The rise of enterprise-wide digital transformation is driving this change. In large organisations the presence of multiple ERP systems, diverse charts of accounts, currencies, languages, and processes makes it challenging to obtain immediate and accurate data, which is crucial for fast decision-making.

In 2026, CFOs will be expected to improve efficiency by:

• Championing cross-departmental data standards, so operational inputs align with financial reporting quality and strategic goals.
• Ensuring data is usable for analytics and decision-making
• Collaborating with CIOs/CDOs on data strategy and architecture
• Supporting AI and automation initiatives that rely on clean, well-governed data

In 2026 we’ll see the CFO’s role continue to grow into a strategic advisor, beyond just the remit of finance. Gartner has some research that illuminates this idea. It predicts: ‘by 2026, 90% of finance functions will deploy AI-enabled solutions, and data governance will become a board-level priority’.1

Governance will also remain under the spotlight. Alongside the pressures of faster action, the finance and internal controls teams, also have ownership of data governance, which means focus on external measures too. Compliance burdens are being increased in the UK, by the arrival of new measures like the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) and Provision 29 of the Corporate Governance Guide.

How Technology Enhances Financial and Accounting Data Integrity and Compliance?

Technology can help manage this efficiency drive. Judicious use of new, AI-powered technology will help finance teams in large organisations to bring data into the fold, set integrity standards and respond to the needs of the business. All this improves the efficiency of the team and can boost the productivity of the company. St Gobain’s Finance Transformation Director, one of Sixthfin’s clients says:

‘It’s important to achieve efficiency and move teams to higher value work. That is the true return on investment’.2

Achieving efficiency is what we do at Sixthfin. Our technology helps accounting, finance, internal control and internal audit teams to:

• Drive informed decision-making with reliable data: The platform offers pre-configured KPIs, comprehensive risk analysis across subsidiaries and ERPs. This means companies have early detection of delays, inconsistencies, and accounting quality issues. So the team, partners and clients have confidence in the data.
• Accelerate and secure the closing process: Real-time consolidated views help to anticipate bottlenecks and outstanding tasks. We have an AI-enhanced control library that monitors anomalies across all entities (even the really remote ones). So our clients get a streamlined and risk-controlled close.
• Enhance compliance and audit readiness: Our robust documentation workflows and full traceability adapts seamlessly to projects, ERP migrations, and SSC changes. It also:
  • Supports multi-level accounting controls
  • Simplifies tax-audit reporting
  • Deters internal errors and potential fraud
• Standardise practices and manage complexity: Our platform ensures harmonised accounting practices across headquarters, subsidiaries, and acquisitions. This collaboration across departments promotes integrity and consistent closing methods across diverse systems, wherever they are in the world.

Of course, Finance teams and Internal Control will still be looking at optimising costs across the enterprise. Gartner reports that 56% of CFOs rank it among their top five priorities. So the traditional focus doesn’t go away, but we expect to see a rise in new responsibilities.

CFOs will be at the heart of transformation in 2026. It’s no longer just about reporting. Safeguarding data integrity will come under their responsibility as AI adoption accelerates and compliance pressures grow. The finance function will be setting data standards, driving analytics, and enabling faster decisions.

2026 will be the year where finance becomes the engine of insight, governance, and growth. Those who embrace this shift will lead their organisations into a new era of efficiency and value creation.

1 https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/6955766

2 https://sixthfin.com/en/resource/saint-gobain-harmonises-practices-sapin2-accounting-controls/ (at 4min 15seconds)