Register to get free articles
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
Finance professionals believe artificial intelligence will rapidly transform accounting and finance, but most say their organisations are not ready for the change, according to a new survey by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
The Future-Ready Finance: Technology, Productivity, and Skills Survey, published on 17 December 2025, questioned 1,446 senior finance and accounting leaders and managers. It found that 88% expect AI to be the most transformative technology trend in the profession over the next 12 to 24 months.
However, only 8% of respondents stated that their organisation was very well prepared to manage the impact of AI, while a further 21% said it was well prepared. More than half identified Generative AI (GenAI) as the most significant skills gap facing finance teams.
The findings also suggested a sharp shift in priorities, as 46% respondents cited that IT and technology capabilities have overtaken other skills as the leading concern, compared with 20% in 2021.
A lack of people and skills was also identified as the biggest barrier to adopting new technology, cited by 50% of respondents. Safety and security concerns followed at 47%, while 42% pointed to doubts about the maturity of available technologies.
Additionally, the survey also highlighted wider productivity challenges. A lack of skills was cited by 41% of respondents as a barrier to productivity, followed by low motivation at 37%.
Incompatible technology systems and poor coordination in technology implementation were each cited by 32%.
Beyond GenAI, respondents reported skills gaps in broader technology areas such as AI, big data, cloud computing, the internet of things and robotics, cited by 37%.
Data and analytics skills were highlighted by 36%, while gaps in communication, influencing and critical thinking were cited by 33%. Almost a third said business partnering skills remained underdeveloped.
When asked how skills gaps could best be addressed, 61% of respondents said on-the-job training was the most effective approach, indicating a preference for practical learning embedded in day-to-day work.
Andrew Harding, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, said: “The advance of AI tools in the last two years is enabling a paradigm shift in how finance teams operate and the work they can do to generate value for their organisations. While professionals recognise the potential on offer, many today feel underprepared and under-skilled.”
