By Ringside Talent
August 21, 2025
With organizations under mounting pressure to improve margins, adapt to shifting customer needs, and navigate economic uncertainty, the demand for accounting professionals remains strong.
Many companies are taking a proactive approach to evaluating their strategies, identifying areas for optimization, and transforming how they operate.
Precision-Focused Transformation
Deloitte’s 2025 MarginPLUS study underscores how transformation efforts are evolving. While cost reduction is still central to margin improvement, the study shows that broad-based cuts are being replaced by targeted actions, reducing costs in specific business units, geographies, or functions. In 2025, 69% of respondents cited this approach as their primary strategy, up from 65% in 2024.
This shift toward precision demands deep analytical insight and cross-functional coordination, areas where accountants are well-positioned to lead. As companies become more selective in their transformation levers (down to an average of three from seven in 2023), finance teams are being tasked with helping prioritize and implement high-impact initiatives.
The Role of Data, AI, and the Accountant
The increased use of cognitive technologies, including AI and machine learning, is a defining trend in 2025. Use of these tools jumped from 22% in 2024 to 35% in 2025 among companies pursuing margin improvement. While automation and generative AI are reshaping many processes, they are not replacing the need for financial expertise. Instead, they are amplifying the need for professionals who can interpret data, validate outcomes, and connect the dots between innovation and operational risk.
According to Deloitte’s State of Generative AI in the Enterprise report, companies are using GenAI not only for efficiency but also for innovation and growth. In fact, 45% of respondents reported achieving success in innovation-driven outcomes. Accountants are supporting these efforts by evaluating investments, measuring ROI, and ensuring financial accountability in AI initiatives.
Customer-Centric Finance and Strategic Alignment
As organizations shift from spend optimization to hard-dollar cost reduction (up 26% year over year), there’s a growing need for finance teams to help determine which investments support both savings and long-term value.
Consumer-facing companies are applying GenAI to improve customer experience, while others are redesigning business models to unlock new revenue streams. In both cases, accountants are involved in shaping the financial logic behind these decisions.
Notably, competitive pressure is the top transformation trigger in 2025, cited by 43% of survey respondents. This reinforces the need for data-driven decision-making and real-time financial insights.
The Structural Shift: Transformation Leadership
With transformation failure rates still high, companies are rethinking how they manage change. A growing number are establishing dedicated governance structures, strategic alignment frameworks, and enterprise-level transformation budgets. Most significantly, 56% of companies have introduced formal transformation leadership roles.
This includes the rise of Chief Transformation Officers (CTOs), whose presence correlates strongly with success. According to Deloitte’s 2025 Chief Transformation Officer report, companies with CTOs are 80% more likely to meet or exceed their transformation goals. Accountants and finance leaders are often closely aligned with these roles, providing critical support in budgeting, performance tracking, and scenario planning.
Looking Ahead
The message from the data is clear: performance improvement in 2025 is about transformation with discipline, strategy, and financial intelligence. Accountants continue to play a vital role in that journey, helping organizations make smarter decisions, assess risk, and execute with precision.
Companies that invest in their accounting talent and empower them with the right tools and mandates are more likely to turn uncertainty into opportunity. Schedule a call today and let’s find your next great hire.