Efficiency and productivity have become the top focus for finance leaders in 2025, according to the newly released OneAdvanced Finance and Spend Trends Report. With 79% of finance leaders planning to upgrade their technology, the report highlights a strong industry-wide push toward digital transformation in response to mounting pressures. Over the next 12 months, 46% of leaders have identified efficiency and productivity as their primary goals, followed by business growth (38%).
However, security concerns remain a critical issue. Cybersecurity and data protection continue to be the top challenges for finance professionals, with 30% citing security risks as a barrier to adopting new technology. Despite these concerns, confidence in cybersecurity preparedness has risen significantly—72% of leaders now feel more equipped to handle cyber threats, compared to just 37% last year.
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining significant traction. Two-thirds (63%) of finance and spend leaders implemented an AI project in 2024, and an overwhelming 78% predict that AI will be responsible for half or more of their decision-making processes by 2030.
Mark Reddy, Global Director of Growth for Finance, Spend & Governance, OneAdvanced commented: “Finance and spend leaders are increasingly recognised as strategic advisors to their organisations. As they face mounting pressures, from cybersecurity threats to talent shortages, the focus has turned to technology to boost productivity and deliver tangible results. AI and data-driven insights are at the forefront of this transformation, offering leaders smarter tools to enhance efficiency and make better decisions.
“However, integrating new technologies is not without its challenges. From ensuring cloud security to addressing fragmented data, the findings highlight the need for robust systems that can support organisations’ evolving goals.”
The research also reveals a pressing need to address maverick spend, a persistent challenge for 93% of procurement leaders, while managing regulatory changes such as the Procurement Act 2023. Integration issues were identified as a significant hurdle, with 46% of leaders pointing to challenges in aligning digital spend systems with existing infrastructure.
Hybrid working continues to reshape finance and spend teams, with 59% of leaders operating in flexible working environments. Yet, technical limitations remain, as 54% of finance professionals report regular issues accessing their software remotely.