Top Ten Things Finance Teams Must Know in 2025

Hey look, we made you another "Top 10" list... because if there's one thing finance people love, it's neatly numbered insights. 

But let’s be real: 2025 isn’t shaping up to be a year that fits nicely into a spreadsheet. AI is rewriting job descriptions, the global economy is uncertain, and the pressure is ON for businesses not only to navigate this instability, but to thrive in spite of it. Workforce expectations are shifting, the old playbooks aren’t cutting it, and finance teams are often left holding the bag — expected to drive efficiency, predict the future, and somehow keep cash flowing.

The reality? Companies generally (and finance teams specifically) need to focus on what actually moves the needle and be open to rethinking everything: how their teams are structured, what they prioritize, and even the fundamental nature of their work. So, here’s your neatly ordered, slightly chaotic, absolutely essential list of what every finance team needs to know in the year of our Jensen, 2025.

1. Start Small with AI

Need the speed/scale/results of AI but don’t know where to start? Integrating artificial intelligence into finance doesn't require a massive overhaul. Financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase have demonstrated that beginning with targeted applications, such as AI tools to assist in preparing briefing materials, processing legal documents, and enhancing call center operations, can yield significant productivity gains. This approach allows teams to build confidence and expertise before scaling AI solutions further — a modest POV that helps you and your team get your feet wet before making any huge moves. 

2. Financial Operations is The New Frontier

The traditional roles within finance teams are evolving. The emergence of financial operations signifies a shift towards integrating financial strategies with operational execution. This evolution emphasizes real-time data analysis and cross-functional collaboration, enabling organizations to respond swiftly to market changes and optimize financial performance. As Tesorio CFO Max Dame notes in our recent webinar — the era of the operations-minded generalist is here. 

3. Cash Flow Under the Microscope: Get Your Money Right

Generally, your cash can come from three places: outside investment, debt, or your cash flow. In today's volatile economic landscape, outside investment is never guaranteed and debt can be excruciatingly expensive. Thus, maintaining robust cash flow is more critical than ever. Finance teams are prioritizing strategies that enhance liquidity and visibility, such as optimizing accounts receivable and payable processes. According to Deloitte, focusing on areas like aged receivables and financial operations can significantly improve cash management. 

4. Your Reports Better Be Insanely Good 

Advancements in technology have revolutionized financial reporting. AI-driven tools now enable real-time data aggregation and analysis, providing finance teams with deeper insights and more accurate forecasting. This shift not only improves decision-making but also enhances transparency and compliance. 

5. Data is The New Oil

Data has become a pivotal asset in the finance sector. Leveraging big data platforms and analytics allows finance teams to uncover trends, assess risks, identify opportunities with unprecedented precision, and take action. Embracing data-driven strategies is no longer optional but essential for staying competitive... but you already knew that. Let's look at this a new way: everyone has data. It's the extraction and refinement of the oil that turns it into the gas that powers the engine. Make sure your integrations and analyses are on point. 

6. Collections: A Collaborative Effort

Effective collections require a unified approach across departments. By fostering collaboration between sales, customer service, and finance, organizations can streamline the collections process, improve customer relationships, and enhance cash flow. The main thing teams should be thinking about in 2025 is: how do we maintain a relationship-centric approach while scaling? (Hint: our customers have scaled to 1B+ ARR without growing their collections teams by implementing our campaigns... check it out). 

7. Rethinking Competitive Advantages: Play Offense, Not Defense.

Traditional competitive moats, such as proprietary technologies or exclusive market access, are diminishing in effectiveness in the age of AI. Agility, innovation, and the ability to leverage emerging technologies like AI are becoming the new differentiators. Companies that adapt quickly to these changes are better positioned to maintain a competitive edge (as this Bain article states... you're not behind... yet). Be aware of where your team might be taking a market position for granted.

8. Finance Is The Nucleus. Own That.

Finance teams are increasingly serving as the connective tissue within organizations. By collaborating closely with various departments, finance ensures that financial considerations are integrated into all aspects of operations, aligning strategies with financial goals and fostering a cohesive approach to hitting broader goals as a team. Because at the end of the day, every department's goals roll up towards the undeniable, obvious fact that businesses need to make money, eventually. Finding ways to share up-to-date data with other team leaders and make decisions together is what finance leaders will be thinking about in 2025.

9. Tools That Cut Through the Chaos Are Non-Negotiable

Finance teams are drowning in data, emails, and never-ending spreadsheet updates. The right tools don’t just make life easier; they make better decisions possible. Think automation software that chases down invoices for you (like Tesorio... ahem), AI-powered forecasting that actually makes sense (hello, Anaplan), or simple integrations that connect your ERP to everything else (Zapier, anyone?). If your team is still stuck manually exporting CSVs and stitching reports together in Excel, it’s time to upgrade. The best finance teams in 2025 will be the ones who ditch the busywork and focus on strategy.

10. People Matter More Than Ever—But They Need the Right Support

AI can crunch numbers at lightning speed, but it can’t replace human judgment, creativity, or relationship-building. The best finance teams in 2025 won’t be the ones who replace people with robots; they’ll be the ones who use technology to free their teams from tedious tasks so they can focus on high-value work. Whether it’s using AI to spot cash flow risks before they become problems or automating collections so finance teams can focus on strategy, the goal is the same: scale human expertise, don't try to replace it.

The future of finance isn’t about working harder— it’s about working smarter. If you’re ready to take a more strategic, data-driven, and collaborative approach to cash flow, check out Tesorio and see how we're helping finance teams get ahead.