Sikich, a professional services company specializing in consulting, technology and compliance, today announced findings from its 2026 CFO Priorities Annual Survey. The research found finance leaders entering 2026 confident about their organizations’ outlook while weighing growth opportunities against cybersecurity, technology and talent pressures.

Eighty-three percent of CFOs are confident their organizations will achieve their 2026 financial objectives, and 74% are more optimistic about the business environment than they were one year ago. The survey reflects responses from U.S. heads of finance and accounting of various sizes and revenue levels across multiple industries including financial services, manufacturing, technology, life sciences, accounting, retail and more.

CFO confidence is translating into plans for investment and growth. At the same time, finance leaders are considering how technology, talent and risk may affect their organizations’ ability to execute those plans. Cybersecurity remains a significant concern, with 77% of CFOs viewing it as a significant financial risk. AI adoption also continued to advance, with 56% of organizations reporting operational use, strategic integration or AI-driven adoption, up from 43% in 2025. Together, these findings show how technology is creating new opportunities for finance leaders while also introducing risks and investment decisions that require greater oversight.

“CFOs are confident about the direction of their organizations, but they also recognize that achieving their financial objectives will require disciplined execution,” said Michelle Search, senior managing director of Finance and Accounting services at Sikich. “Finance leaders are being asked to support growth, strengthen resilience and guide technology investments at the same time. The organizations best positioned for success will be those that connect these decisions and maintain a clear focus on measurable business outcomes.”

Talent and growth are also influencing how CFOs plan for the future. Sixty-nine percent say attracting and retaining talent has become more difficult, prompting organizations to consider how technology, skills development and external expertise can help expand capacity. Beyond talent, CFOs are also considering capital allocation, merger and acquisition activity, finance transformation and how the role of the finance function is changing.

To learn more about how Sikich helps finance leaders navigate evolving risks, modernize the finance function and support growth through integrated capabilities across technology transformation, AI, cybersecurity, tax, transactions, finance operations and workforce planning, visit Sikich.com.

About Sikich

Sikich offers the public and private sectors a diverse platform of professional services across consulting, technology and compliance. Highly specialized and hands-on teams deliver integrated solutions rooted in deep industry experience. Our approach is strategically and thoughtfully designed to help our clients, teams and communities accelerate success.

Sikich has approximately 2,500 team members and operates across North America, EMEA and APAC.

Sikich practices in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Sikich CPA LLC is a licensed CPA firm that provides audit and attest services to its clients, and Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries provide tax and business advisory services to its clients. Sikich CPA LLC has a contractual arrangement with Sikich LLC under which Sikich LLC supports Sikich CPA LLC’s performance of its professional services. Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries are not licensed CPA firms.

“Sikich” is the brand name under which Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC provide professional services. The entities under the Sikich brand are independently owned and are not liable for the services provided by any other entity providing services under the Sikich brand. The use of the terms “our company”, “we” and “us” and other similar terms denote the alternative practice structure of Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC.

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