Wolf&Grayson EditorialFinancial leadership is a profession in flux. The latest research from Deloitte on the transformation of the finance workforce highlights how finance leaders should integrate strategy with technology adoption to stay ahead. More than two‑thirds of CFOs report increasing investments in AI and digital tools to reshape their teams, a signal of how quickly adoption is accelerating. “Figure out what you need to learn to be prepared for the future, then share that knowledge with others,” says Dave Sackett, former CFO and current Vice President of Finance at Persimmon Technologies. Sackett, who advises early stage AI companies like ChatFin AI and Hyperbots, lends his expertise to global financial leaders, helping them see around the corner of disruption and cultivate greater career resilience. “My technique was early adoption and research to see where industry trends were going before they became popular,” he explains.
Why Finance Leaders Must Embrace Technology
The finance function, has many corporate roles in the digital age and already shifted far beyond its traditional confines. The velocity of change demands that today’s finance professionals pair match their financial acumen with technical fluency. “Finance people need to be very attuned not only to today’s technology, but where it’s going. All finance people will need to know how to use AI in the future.” Just as Excel revolutionized financial modeling a generation ago, today’s finance leaders must view new technologies as extensions of their toolkit. “Anytime you get a new technology, the idea is there’s automation and efficiency,” Sackett says. “Anyone serious about providing value to their company should embrace technology as a tool.”
Multiple Paths to Future-Proofing
While there is no single way to future‑proof a career, finance professionals can set themselves up for success, and security by taking time to consider different areas of expertise that will remain in demand over the next decade. “You can be an expert in blockchain, in AI, or in data visualization tools like Tableau,” he explains. “There are many paths. The key is recognizing what people will need in the future and how reporting is evolving.” With so much noise surrounding new technologies, finance leaders must continually confirm whether their chosen path aligns with the direction of the market. Sackets advice, “Triangulate information from articles, recruiters, industry peers, and professional networks, and most importantly, stay curious.”
Overcoming Barriers to Change
When it comes to the future, people have fear about it,” Sackett says. “Some don’t want to be first. Some are more reserved and prefer to follow a proven path. That’s not wrong, but you really need to be aggressive in terms of figuring out what skills you need to pick up and what direction your career is going.” This can leave professionals vulnerable to redundancy in a fast-evolving economy. The antidote, however, isn’t reckless risk-taking but an openness to testing ones’ assumptions, and pivoting when necessary.
Three Steps for Career Resilience
To give financial professionals a starting point, Sackett offers three actionable steps:
- Adopt a leadership style built for the future. For Sackett, servant leadership —focusing on listening, supporting, and empowering teams — has proven invaluable.
- Develop a clear, actionable plan. Research where your skills will be most relevant and create a roadmap. “Map it out and follow it.”
- Stay open to change. Markets shift, technologies rise and fall, and plans must adapt. “Even if a topic isn’t hot now, like blockchain, it may return in the future. Keep researching and adjusting your approach.”
Looking Ahead
Finance leadership today is about creating long-term value by anticipating what’s next. For Sackett, the ultimate question is then: What can I do today to ensure I’m creating value ten years from now? “Don’t just go through the motions of today’s job. Look out for yourself, your employability, and how you can create the most value for your company.”
To connect with Dave Sackett and explore his insights on finance and technology, visit his LinkedIn or company website.
