Strategy & Operations
The latest report from executive search firm Crist Kolder Associates shows that in the first half of 2025, 71.8% of CFO turnovers at large public companies were filled by internal promotions, significantly higher than the 52.9% in the same period last year and the historical average of 62%. Of the 71 CFO changes, 51 were internal appointments. The firm noted that economic uncertainty has led companies to favor a 'steady hand,' while the rate of external CEO hires also fell to a historic low of 15.1%.
Against the backdrop of continuously rising employee healthcare costs, traditional group insurance exposes businesses to the risk of budget overruns. ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement) makes corporate costs predictable through a fixed-contribution model while granting employees the autonomy to purchase their own insurance. Data shows that between 2024 and 2025, ICHRA adoption among large employers grew by 345%, with nearly 70% of employees choosing gold or silver plans.
The California Board of Accountancy (CBA) is using a campus roadshow to communicate significant upcoming changes to CPA license requirements to college students across the state. The event, styled like a rock music festival, aims to attract young talent. Meanwhile, the California Legislature has passed AB 1175, creating an alternative licensing path that does not require 150 credit hours, and the bill has been sent to Governor Newsom, who is expected to sign it into law. If the new rules take effect, they will be implemented on January 1, 2027, while the existing path will be repealed on January 1, 2029.
Two days after Nestle dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe, CFO Anna Manz revealed the sequence of events: an initial investigation following an anonymous complaint in May found no evidence, but a second external investigation was launched after new complaints, ultimately leading the board to decide on a CEO change.
Global financial uncertainty has intensified cash flow unpredictability and exchange rate volatility risks for international trading enterprises. This article explores monitoring multi-currency funds through global cash management platforms, utilizing Bank of America foreign currency accounts for fund concentration, and employing hedging instruments such as forward contracts to stabilize costs, while emphasizing the necessity of consulting international experts at banks.
The Global CFO Turnover Index released by Russell Reynolds Associates shows that CFO appointments at global listed companies reached 173 in the first half of 2025, an increase of 4 year-on-year, marking the highest level in seven years. Departing CFOs who retired or transitioned to board director roles accounted for 56%, while the internal promotion rate rose to 57%. The analysis suggests that the record number of CEO departures in 2024 (202, up 9% year-on-year) is one of the main driving factors.
The finance talent gap reaches 3.5 million, 75% of CPAs will retire by 2040, and 80% of companies struggle to hire the talent they need. AI-assisted planning is helping leading CFOs automate repetitive work, improve forecast accuracy (59% report greater precision), enhance data transparency (52%), and free up strategic time (57%). This article proposes five strategies to help CFOs turn annual planning into a transformation catalyst and win the talent war.