In today’s volatile business landscape, corporate finance teams are unwaveringly central to an organisation’s strategic planning, digital transformation and long-term value creation.
So, how do you build a future-ready corporate finance team to ensure that it is fully integrated with broader business priorities?
Here are some pointers for business leaders and hiring managers to ensure talent acquisition – and retention - is both smart and strategic.
1. Redefine What “Corporate Finance” Means
Organisational structure and job specs should be regularly reviewed to ensure they adequately reflect current priorities. Some of the most pressing requirements which companies have from their corporate finance teams right now include:
- Providing real-time insights and scenario planning
- Collaborating cross-functionally on digital, ESG, and risk initiatives
- Supporting M&A, capital raising, and investment strategy
- Embracing data, automation and AI tools
Do your current org structure and job specs reflect these new priorities?
2. Hire for learning agility and tech fluency
The most valuable corporate finance professionals today are those who can adapt quickly to new tools, data sets, and business models.
Key attributes to prioritise:
- Data analytics skills (Power BI, Tableau, SQL)
- Digital curiosity and comfort with automation
- Commercial thinking: understanding finance as a business enabler
- Strong communication: the ability to influence at board level
Don’t just look at past experience - do assess potential.
3. Blend Traditional and Emerging Skillsets
While automation is transforming finance, the need for technical rigour remains. Your team should combine the following skill sets:
Traditional Finance Skills:
- Financial reporting
- Budgeting & forecasting
- Regulatory compliance
- Audit & controls
Emerging, future-ready skills:
- Data visualisation & storytelling
- Predictive analytics & AI tools
- ESG reporting & ethical finance
- Cyber risk and digital assurance
This hybrid capability ensures the team can handle today’s demands while preparing for tomorrow.
4. Embed ESG and sustainability thinking
With ESG now firmly a boardroom priority, corporate finance professionals are expected to play a leading role in sustainability planning, carbon reporting and green investment strategy.
This requires upskilling your team, or bringing in talent from adjacent areas like sustainability finance or impact investing. A finance-ESG hybrid hire may be the game-changer you need.
5. Build a resilient and diverse talent pipeline
A future-ready finance team must be resilient. Not just in terms of systems, but in people. That means:
- Hiring from diverse backgrounds, to bring different perspectives
- Investing in succession planning, to futureproof key roles
- Partnering with a specialist recruiter, to access hard-to-find profiles
At Leonid, we specialise in placing high-impact corporate finance talent into growth-focused businesses. From FP&A leads to transformation-ready CFOs, we help clients hire for both today and tomorrow.
Looking to shape a modern finance function?
Please get in touch with Adam Bond for a friendly chat.
