# Compliance and regulation are top CFO priorities for 2018
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2018-01-23
Category: BUSINESS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business
Meta Title: CFOs Confident Amid Regulatory Changes: Insight from Robert
Meta Description: Discover why 89% of CFOs are investing to manage change and stay ahead of 2018's regulatory requirements. Find out more from Robert Half UK.
URL: https://financedigest.com/compliance-and-regulation-are-top-cfo-priorities-for-2018html

![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/fd230118-1-4-1736843044813-compressed.jpg)

_CFOs remain confident about growth prospects with 89% making investments to manage change_

In the face of new regulatory requirements, research by leading recruitment specialist, [Robert Half UK](https://www.roberthalf.co.uk/?utm_source=media&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=rh-cli-nonspecific-jan2018), has revealed that _meeting compliance and regulation demands_ is the top priority for nearly half (48%) of Chief Finance Officers (CFOs) in 2018. In a year where MiFID II, the second Payment Systems Directive and the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation all come into effect, it is the first time in three years that the regulatory environment has risen back to the top of the CFO agenda.

In the list of top concerns, _compliance and regulation_ was followed by preparing for the uncertainty surrounding Brexit (43%) as the exit negotiations continue. Retaining key talent, maintaining cash flow and [managing the impact of automation and new digital technologies](https://www.financedigest.com/the-advanced-wound-management-technologies-market-to-grow-based-on-customized-digitization.html "The Advanced Wound Management Technologies Market to grow based on customized digitization") on the finance function were each identified by 39% of respondents.

**Top three priorities for CFOs in 2018**

1. Meeting compliance and regulatory demands (48%)
2. Preparing for uncertainty surrounding Brexit (43%)
3. Retaining key talent (39%)
4. Maintaining cash flow (39%)
5. Managing the impact of automation (39%)

However, despite the challenges, the research shows that the majority of CFOs [remain positive](https://www.financedigest.com/automotive-glass-market-to-witness-sales-slump-in-near-term-due-to-covid-19-long-term-outlook-remains-positive.html "Automotive Glass Market to Witness Sales Slump in Near Term Due to COVID-19; Long-term Outlook Remains Positive"). Overall, 84% are confident about their company’s [growth prospects](https://www.financedigest.com/specialty-printing-consumables-market-rising-adoption-of-advanced-technologies-to-bolster-markets-growth-prospects.html "Specialty Printing Consumables Market – Rising Adoption of Advanced Technologies to Bolster Market’s Growth Prospects") with the majority (89%) making investments that allow them to better respond to these challenges.

“It’s reassuring to see that in the [face of the various business challenges](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-overcome-the-challenges-faced-by-women-in-business-3.html "How to Overcome the Challenges Faced by Women in Business") in the year ahead, CFOs are remaining optimistic and confident,” commented **Matt Weston, Director, Robert Half UK**. “Once again, we’re reminded of how the [CFO role](https://www.financedigest.com/the-new-role-of-the-cfo-the-de-facto-chief-growth-officer.html "The New Role of the CFO: The De Facto Chief Growth Officer") is evolving. To drive prosperity and growth in a changing business climate, CFOs are being called on to apply financial [intelligence](https://www.financedigest.com/social-business-intelligence-market-to-reach-a-valuation-of-us29-bn.html "Social Business Intelligence Market to reach a valuation of US Bn") across the wider business.”

In particular, CFOs will need to consider whether they have the right people in the [business to overcome the challenges](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-overcome-the-challenges-faced-by-women-in-business-4.html "How to overcome the challenges faced by women in business") and meet the new objectives that 2018 is likely to present. Many CFOs have already identified that this will mean either hiring additional contractors or temporary workers (35%) or permanent employees (28%). Nearly a third (32%) will also look for opportunities to upskill their existing employees.

“Valuable financial insights are being relied on to drive agility, inform decisions, broaden [business objectives and challenge the status](https://www.financedigest.com/meningitis-diagnostic-testing-market-analysis-status-and-business-outlook-2017-to-2025.html "Meningitis Diagnostic Testing Market Analysis, Status and Business Outlook 2017 to 2025") quo,” **concluded Weston**. “Successful CFOs are developing their finance functions to add-value to the [business](https://www.financedigest.com/albumin-market-in-depth-analysis-business-strategies-and-growth-rate.html "Albumin Market In-depth Analysis, Business Strategies, and Growth Rate") by using the financial insights to partner with the business and shape the overall business strategy.”


---
This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more.
---