CFOs Turn to AI to Better Synchronize Finance and Enterprise Priorities, Report AI ROI Challenges: Protiviti Global Finance Trends Survey

Rhea-AI Summary

Protiviti, a subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE:RHI), released its 2026 Global Finance Trends Survey showing rapid AI uptake in finance but limited ROI measurement. Among finance organizations, 77% now employ AI and AI use in financial forecasting rose from 58% to 76% year over year.

However, only 35% of finance groups consider themselves highly or moderately effective at measuring AI ROI, and just 14% use AI under a defined strategy. Security and privacy of data rank as the top finance priority for the third consecutive year, while 83% of CFOs place cash management among their top three focus areas amid economic, monetary and trade policy volatility. Other key AI use cases include risk assessment (67%) and process automation (56%).

Market Context

RHI's prior AI-tagged events averaged a 1.79% 24-hour move across five events. That record placed th...

Analysis

RHI's prior AI-tagged events averaged a 1.79% 24-hour move across five events. That record placed the survey's adoption-versus-ROI gap in a mixed historical context; data governance and execution remained key watchpoints.

Key Figures

AI forecasting adoption: 58% to 76% Finance organizations employing AI: 77% AI ROI measurement effectiveness: 35% +4 more

7 metrics

AI forecasting adoption 58% to 76% year over year

Finance organizations employing AI 77% 2026 survey

AI ROI measurement effectiveness 35% highly or moderately effective

Defined AI strategy 14% finance groups employing AI pursuant to a defined strategy

Risk assessment and management 67% leading AI use case in finance

Process automation 56% leading AI use case in finance

Cash management priority 83% CFOs ranking it among their top three areas requiring attention

Previous AI Reports

5 past events · Latest: Jul 29 (Positive)

Same Type Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jul 29	AI workforce survey	Positive	+1.6%	Survey highlighted expected AI-enabled work growth across finance and other functions.
Jun 25	AI transformation survey	Neutral	+0.0%	Survey linked executive alignment with transformation maturity and AI value realization.
Jun 04	AI patent award	Positive	+6.9%	Protiviti received a second U.S. patent for automated data matching.
May 07	AI governance survey	Negative	+4.7%	Survey found incomplete visibility and limited formal governance for employee AI use.
Apr 16	Workforce skills survey	Positive	-4.3%	Survey emphasized foundational workplace behaviors alongside AI knowledge for early-career workers.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

RHI's AI-tagged announcements produced mostly positive reactions, but two of five events diverged from the apparent news sentiment.

Key Terms

artificial intelligence, data governance, cybersecurity, process automation

4 terms

artificial intelligence technical

"CFOs and finance organizations are using artificial intelligence to strengthen"

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human thinking, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, or making decisions. For investors, it matters because AI can enhance efficiency, uncover new insights, and enable smarter strategies, potentially impacting the value and performance of companies that develop or utilize this technology.

data governance technical

"underscoring the importance of trusted data governance as AI becomes more embedded"

Data governance is the set of rules and practices that ensure information is accurate, consistent, and used responsibly within an organization. It is like a well-organized library system that keeps track of all the books, making sure they are correct, easy to find, and used properly. For investors, strong data governance helps ensure that the information they rely on is trustworthy and decisions are based on reliable data.

cybersecurity technical

"Trusted data governance and cybersecurity are foundational to scaling AI"

Cybersecurity involves protecting computers, networks, and digital information from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining trust in digital systems, which matters to investors because strong cybersecurity reduces the risk of costly breaches and disruptions that can impact a company’s performance and reputation. Think of it as locking and safeguarding valuable information much like securing a safe to prevent theft.

process automation technical

"Current use cases remain concentrated in core finance activities such as financial forecasting"

Process automation is the use of software, machines, or programmed rules to perform routine business tasks that people used to do manually, like moving data, approving invoices, or running assembly steps. For investors it matters because automating repetitive work can cut costs, reduce mistakes, speed up delivery, and make a company easier to scale—changes that can boost margins, free up staff for higher‑value work, and affect future cash flow and valuation.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

While AI adoption for financial forecasting rose from 58% to 76% year over year, only 35% of finance organizations say they are effective at measuring AI ROI

MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CFOs and finance organizations are using artificial intelligence to strengthen financial forecasting, scenario planning and process automation as economic, monetary and trade policy uncertainty reshapes the finance agenda, according to the results of Protiviti's 2026 Global Finance Trends Survey. At the same time, security and privacy of data ranks, again, as finance leaders' top priority to address over the next year, underscoring the importance of trusted data governance as AI becomes more embedded in finance operations. In its report, Synchronize, Protiviti notes that among the 77% of finance organizations now employing AI, financial forecasting has emerged as the leading AI use case.

Still, many finance organizations have yet to satisfactorily connect AI investments to measurable business outcomes. Current use cases remain concentrated in core finance activities such as financial forecasting, risk assessment and management, and process automation. This highlights a longer-term need for more governed, measurable and scalable AI-enabled finance transformation.

Key findings from Protiviti's 2026 Global Finance Trends Survey

Finding	Why it matters for CFOs and finance leaders
77% of finance organizations now employ AI.	AI is becoming embedded in finance workflows, but adoption alone does not guarantee measurable value.
AI financial forecasting adoption rose from 58% to 76% year over year.	Finance teams are using AI to analyze larger data sets, perform more scenario planning and deliver faster insights to leadership.
Only 35% say they are highly or moderately effective at measuring AI ROI.	Finance leaders need clearer objectives, stronger governance and more consistent value measurement to justify AI investment.
Just 14% of finance groups are employing AI pursuant to a defined strategy.	Finance organizations are not yet employing the technology in a fully mature, measurable or scaled way.
Security and privacy of data ranks as the top finance priority for the third consecutive year.	A key reason data security and privacy stands out: its relevance across the use of AI and automation tools that leverage data inside and outside the organization. Trusted data governance and cybersecurity are foundational to scaling AI across forecasting, planning and analytics.
83% of CFOs rank cash management among their top three areas requiring the most attention as a result of economic and trade policy volatility.	Liquidity discipline is becoming a core measure of resilience amid these global market developments.

"Finance leaders have moved beyond asking whether to adopt AI. Today's challenge is to use AI to make more informed business decisions and prove that it is delivering measurable value," said Christopher Wright, global leader of Protiviti's CFO Solutions and Business Performance Improvement practice. "Organizations that pair strong data governance with clear business objectives are better positioned to navigate economic uncertainty, shifting market conditions and rising expectations for finance transformation."

Survey identifies additional AI uses

Other leading AI use cases in finance include:

• Risk assessment and management (67%): Using advanced analytics to identify, measure and mitigate financial risks more proactively.
• Process automation (56%): Streamlining repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and reduce errors.

The survey also identifies AI-enabled scenario planning as an underdeveloped opportunity to connect forecasting, risk assessment and cash management.

Data governance and cybersecurity determine whether enterprise AI can scale

As AI becomes more embedded across forecasting, planning and analytics, finance organizations increasingly rely on larger volumes of internal and third-party data. For the third consecutive year, security and privacy of data ranked as finance leaders' top priority, ahead of financial planning, analytics and AI. The results reflect the importance organizations continue to place on protecting the data that supports AI-enabled finance transformation.

"AI is fundamentally changing how organizations use data," Wright said. "Organizations cannot scale AI without confidence in the quality, security and governance of their data. That is the major reason why cybersecurity and data governance remain finance's top priorities."

Cash management represents a measure of resilience

Economic uncertainty is also reshaping finance priorities. The survey found that 83% of CFOs rank cash management among their top three priorities as organizations respond to ongoing changes in economic, monetary and trade policy. In the current operating environment, CFOs and finance leaders are focused on strengthening cash flow forecasting, working capital dashboards and liquidity reporting, enabling leaders throughout the enterprise to see cash positions, funding needs and pressure points in real time rather than at month-end.

Industries placing the greatest emphasis on cash management include:

• Financial services (61%)
• Manufacturing and distribution (55%)
• Healthcare (45%)
• Consumer product companies (41%)

Survey resources available

Key findings from the Protiviti 2026 Global Finance Trends Survey are available for exploration on Protiviti's website. The site also offers a complimentary download of the full survey report in PDF format, including recommended action items for CFOs, an infographic, and video featuring Protiviti experts' commentary. A series of three webinars will delve into the survey's findings regarding Data Analytics & FP&A; AI In Finance; and Finance in an Era of Cyber Risk & Disruption. Details and registration information are available.

About Protiviti

Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that helps clients transform and protect their businesses, and respond to planned and unexpected events. Through a network of more than 90 offices in over 25 countries, Protiviti and its independent and locally owned member firms deliver deep expertise and tailored capabilities across technology, artificial intelligence, data, operations, finance, legal, compliance, HR, marketing, digital, risk, and internal audit — enabling organizations to accelerate innovation, navigate risks and safeguard what matters most.

Named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list since 2015, Protiviti Inc. has served more than 80% of Fortune 100 and nearly 80% of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with government  agencies and smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public. Protiviti Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cfos-turn-to-ai-to-better-synchronize-finance-and-enterprise-priorities-report-ai-roi-challenges-protiviti-global-finance-trends-survey-302859840.html

SOURCE Protiviti

FAQ

What are the key findings of Protiviti's 2026 Global Finance Trends Survey related to AI for RHI?

Protiviti, part of Robert Half (NYSE:RHI), reports that 77% of finance organizations now employ AI, with AI forecasting adoption rising from 58% to 76%. According to Protiviti, current use concentrates on forecasting, risk assessment and process automation, with ROI measurement still limited.

How widely are CFOs using AI for financial forecasting in 2026 according to Protiviti and RHI?

According to Protiviti, AI use in financial forecasting increased from 58% to 76% year over year among finance organizations. This shift shows CFOs using AI to analyze larger data sets, expand scenario planning and deliver faster insights to enterprise leadership.

What challenges do finance organizations face in measuring AI ROI in Protiviti's 2026 survey (RHI)?

Protiviti finds only 35% of finance organizations rate themselves highly or moderately effective at measuring AI ROI. According to Protiviti, many teams lack clear AI objectives, mature governance and consistent value measurement, limiting their ability to justify and scale AI investments.

Why are data security and privacy top priorities for CFOs in Protiviti's 2026 findings (RHI)?

Protiviti reports that security and privacy of data are finance leaders' top priority for the third consecutive year. According to Protiviti, trusted data governance and cybersecurity are seen as foundational to safely scaling AI across forecasting, planning, analytics and automation tools.

How important is cash management for CFOs in Protiviti's 2026 Global Finance Trends Survey (RHI)?

According to Protiviti, 83% of CFOs rank cash management among their top three priorities amid economic and trade policy volatility. Finance leaders are focusing on cash flow forecasting, working capital dashboards and real-time liquidity reporting across sectors like financial services and manufacturing.

What are the leading AI use cases in finance cited by Protiviti's 2026 survey (RHI)?

Protiviti highlights financial forecasting as the leading AI use case, with additional adoption in risk assessment (67%) and process automation (56%). According to Protiviti, these areas reflect how finance teams use AI to improve risk visibility, efficiency and decision support.