OneStream, AI operating system for modern Finance that unifies core financial and operational processes embedding governance, context, and control required to make AI work, today released inaugural Forward Finance Index report that benchmarks leading CFOs against Forward Finance Blueprint new AI operating model designed to help Finance steer business forward. Index found significant gap between pace of AI adoption in Finance and enterprise return.
While nearly three-quarters 74% of Finance teams now use AI to reduce manual work, only 14% say investments have achieved genuine enterprise value and decision impact held back by critical lags in data foundations, workforce skills, and operating capabilities.
Potential for AI in Finance has never been greater but adoption alone doesn't create enterprise value. Most organizations scaling AI faster than data foundation it relies on and in Finance that foundation is everything. As AI takes on more consequential work every decision has to be transparent, explainable, and traceable. Next enterprise AI advantage won't come from simply having smarter model. It will come from building environment where you can safely give AI more authority.
Index findings drawn from 1300 CFOs across U.S., U.K., and France benchmark AI readiness and maturity against five critical areas identified by CFOs and Finance experts from leading global organizations: AI strategy, data, workforce, operations, and IT collaboration.
Across data, AI strategy, operations, IT partnership, and workforce research identifies critical gaps between strategic intent and day-to-day execution:
Data confidence without clarity. 71% executives confident in team's ability to provide trusted data and insight for decision-making while just 40% classify financial reporting data as fully transparent meaning it can be clearly traced explained and validated. AI adoption without measurable impact. Nearly three-quarters 74% say AI already reducing manual intervention in close reporting reconciliation cycles but just 14% say AI reached enterprise value and decision impact.
Enterprise influence without operational visibility. 73% Finance teams proactively approach business units to suggest efficiencies yet only 17% rate early-warning and risk-identification capabilities as leading. IT partnership without integration. 71% believe Finance and IT strategic partners rather than separate entities but only 15% have fully integrated joint roadmap with shared KPIs and accountability. AI ambition without workforce readiness. Only 15% organizations have fully embedded AI skills program even as two-thirds 66% believe failing to prepare workforce will make organization irrelevant within five years.
These barriers costing Finance billions. Research also found Finance-led insight now drives decisions worth average about $1.6 billion for organizations each year while Finance-led early-warning signals helped organizations prevent average more than $10 million in potential operational and financial losses.
About OneStream
OneStream is the AI operating system for modern Finance that unifies core financial close, planning, and operational processes and data, in one intelligent platform, all embedded with the governance, context, and control required to make AI work for Finance.
With over 1,900 customers, including 16% of the Fortune 500, a strong ecosystem of go-to-market, implementation, and development partners and 1,600 employees, we empower the Office of the CFO to become a critical driver of business strategy and execution
