The Year-End Rush: Are We Focused on What Really Matters?

As a CFO, I’ve lived through the year-end frenzy more times than I can count. Closing the books, chasing AR, managing AP, finalizing deals, and—somehow—finding time to approve next year’s targets and budgets. It’s an all-hands-on-deck moment, yet too often, we’re bogged down by manual or semi-manual processes that consume precious time and energy.

The result? Instead of collaborating with the executive team to refine strategy and ensure the company is steered in the right direction, we’re stuck firefighting. Research shows that finance teams spend up to 75% of their time collecting and reconciling data, leaving only 25% for analysis and strategic decision-making. This time crunch can mean missed opportunities to collaborate with the executive team, adapt to challenges, or chart a clear course for growth in the year ahead.

This is more than just a productivity issue—it’s a strategic risk. After years of feeling this pain firsthand, I realized how transformative it can be to approach financial planning differently— I’m passionate about solving this challenge.

Here’s the good news: with the AI-driven tools available today, we’re in a unique moment to rethink how we work. By embracing smarter processes, we can shift focus from firefighting to forward-thinking—freeing up time to engage meaningfully on the decisions that truly shape the future.

It’s about removing friction, so finance leaders can do what they do best: think strategically and steer the company toward growth. 

Less Grind, More Mind!

Would love to hear your thoughts or tips on how you’ve managed the year-end chaos while keeping strategy front and center!