The CFO’s New Role in Global Strategy: Beyond the Balance Sheet
- Jason Doucet
- Sep 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 10
Introduction
In 2025, CFOs are spending more time on strategy than on traditional finance functions—marking a historic shift in the role. No longer confined to financial reporting and compliance, CFOs are now expected to be strategic partners—driving growth, managing risk, and shaping global expansion strategies. From a global perspective, this requires remaining aware of trends, disruptions and changes that global politics, business and unrest may be imposing on existing businesses.
The Strategic Shift
Traditionally, CFOs were guardians of financial discipline. Today’s CFO role includes new dimensions such as:
leading digital transformation initiatives (52% of responding CFO’s to McKinsey’s 2025(a) survey indicated this was an area that they spent most of their time in the last year)
navigating geopolitical and regulatory complexity
aligning financial strategy with global business goals and ESG requirements
evaluating impacts of new technologies such as AI on financial operations
This new role requires CFOs to develop an international strategic view of operations, going far beyond the traditional roles of ensuring accounting standards and reporting remains compliant.
How Strategic Advisors Can Help
Doucet Global Strategies can be your strategic partner in establishing financial models, developing scenario planning frameworks, aligning finance with ESG and digital transformation goals, ensuring that international and global considerations are evaluated both for potential growth as well as challenges to be addressed.
Conclusion
The CFO of 2025 and beyond is not just a financial steward—they’re a strategic architect. Long gone are the days of the CFO who was viewed as the guardian of the financials as we move into times where the CFO has a much warranted and credible place at the table. For companies looking to thrive globally, empowering the CFO with the right tools, insights, and partnerships is essential.
If your organization is rethinking the CFO’s role in global strategy, let’s connect. Doucet Global Strategies offers tailored frameworks to help you lead with confidence.
Sources:
(a) Grube, C., Carmody, K., Maloney, M., & von Oertzen, F. (2025, June 17). Four dos and don’ts for CFOs leading transformations. McKinsey & Company. Read the article
About the Author
Jason Doucet - Principal Advisor & Founder, Doucet Global Strategies
Jason Doucet, CPA, is the founder of Doucet Global Strategies, a consultancy specializing in strategic advisory for globally operating organizations. With deep expertise in international business, cross-border taxation, and governance, Jason supports multinational enterprises, NGOs, and institutional investors with high-level, tailored solutions.
