This report provides a high level view of some key areas of the transforming finance organisation based on global research campaigns over the period 2008 to 2011. It analyses some of the structural changes taking place across the different finance service areas. The research looks at the future expectations in the level of finance resource allocated across the different finance service areas.

The report highlights the expectation of increasing resource, in terms of finance staff, across all finance services. However, this comes with a significant focus particularly on management support and management accounting where most growth is expected.

The research points to this happening often at the expense of a reduction of focus in the finance operations or transactional services.

The analysis discusses the impact of these trends on the skills and competencies required to meet organisational strategic objectives and drive performance.

Here, the research points to a requirement for technical accounting skills as a foundation and preference for the professional finance qualification. However, the report also explores the increasing demand for finance to upskill and identifies areas for improvement and further development.

The analysis is based on global research cycles with input from over 7,000 finance and senior managers.