CFOs Lean Into Cost Optimization and AI to Fuel Growth in 2025

Key takeaways from the SAP Concur CFO Insights Report – and what they mean for higher ed tech leaders

As institutions face persistent economic pressure, optimizing costs and driving efficiency have emerged as the top priorities for CFOs in 2025. The latest SAP Concur CFO Insights report reveals how finance leaders are navigating a complex landscape—one shaped by geopolitical tensions, evolving tech, and the need for cross-functional collaboration. And while the report reflects global business trends, the implications are highly relevant for higher education technology leaders looking to align with finance departments and accelerate institutional growth.

Here are the key insights:

🔍 Efficiency is the new growth strategy.
A striking 69% of CFOs say cost optimization is their number one method for driving growth. To get there, 58% are turning to automation and AI to streamline manual processes and enhance decision-making.

🤖 AI is more than a buzzword—it’s delivering results.
Nearly all surveyed CFOs (94%) report that AI has improved decision-making, while 73% cite positive impacts on cost and risk reduction. They’re using AI for more accurate forecasting, fraud reduction, and scenario planning—all areas where tech leaders can play a pivotal role in delivering the tools and insights finance needs.

🔄 Finance is great at communication—but not at collaboration.
While CFOs rate themselves highly on getting organizational buy-in, most don’t see growth leadership as a shared responsibility. Only 9% believe growth should be a C-suite-wide effort. This presents a challenge—and an opportunity—for IT leaders to bridge departmental divides and align on strategic goals.

🔐 Cybersecurity is a growing concern, but finance and IT are misaligned.
Although 59% of finance leaders say they plan to increase cybersecurity budgets, only 20% want to collaborate more closely with IT on these efforts. IT leaders, on the other hand, are eager for more input and partnership from finance. Strengthening this relationship is key to managing rising security threats on campus and beyond.

👥 Talent remains an HR priority—with limited finance support.
Only 36% of CFOs see talent retention and recruitment as critical to growth, even though HR leaders are looking for more support from finance to drive workforce planning. For IT departments facing talent shortages, understanding this dynamic is essential when making the case for staffing or reskilling investments.

Why it matters for higher education
As cost pressures continue and AI reshapes the business landscape, higher education institutions need strong collaboration between finance and technology leaders. This report offers timely data points and conversation starters to help bridge strategic gaps, align priorities, and make the case for technology investments that deliver measurable value.

Explore the full SAP Concur CFO Insights Report to dive deeper into the data and discover actionable strategies your institution can apply in 2025.

At E&I Cooperative Services, we help higher education institutions make smarter technology and procurement decisions. Visit our eandi.org to find more insights like this, tailored for decision-makers leading the charge in digital transformation.