Key Insights from the Q3 2026 CFO Survey

Transcript

1. Key insights from the Q3 2026 CFO survey Tuesday, October 6, 2026 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 1
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4. Today's speakers Moderator Fabiana Corredor VP Marketing & Growth Auxis & Grant Thornton Modernization & Outsourcing Speaker Michael Atlas Partner, AI & Data Grant Thornton Advisors LLC Speaker Speaker Sumeet Mahajan Jennifer Morelli Partner, AI & Data Grant Thornton Advisors LLC Partner, Transformation Grant Thornton Advisors LLC Speaker David E. Sites National Managing Partner, Washington National Tax Office Grant Thornton Advisors LLC © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 4
5. Learning objectives Identify emerging trends influencing finance leaders' strategic priorities and decision-making. Describe key opportunities and challenges related to technology, AI and organizational transformation. Discuss economic, regulatory and business developments that may affect finance and business strategy. Evaluate considerations for planning and navigating change in a dynamic business environment. © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 5
6. About our Q3 2026 CFO Survey Background Information Key Topics • Quarterly cadence, tracking trend data • Survey fielded August 7–21, 2026 • 229 senior finance executives • Cross-industry representation • Private (60%), Public (40%) • • • • • Economic outlook & profit expectations AI investment, adoption & ROI Business transformation & execution priorities Competitive pressure & growth strategy Tax law, tariffs & policy impacts Company Revenue Job Titles $1B+ CFO CAO/SVP/VP's 35% 41% $501M-$1B $100M-$500M Controller/Finance Director 30% 26% 43% 24% © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 6
7. Let’s get into it! © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U .S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 7
8. Economic optimism rebounds to 46%, but remains below the historical average Generally speaking, how would you classify your outlook regarding the U.S. economy over the next six months? 36% 13% 25% 31% 40% 25% ▼13% 29% 17% 22% 29% ▲5% 27% 27% Pessimistic Neutral Optimistic 51% 52% 46% 46% 37% Q3 2025 Q4 2025 Q1 2026 Q2 2026 ▲9% 46% Q3 2026 87% of CFOs continue to focus on cost reduction initiatives © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 8
9. 80% expect profit growth, an all-time high despite measured economic optimism What percentage growth or contraction are you expecting in net profit over the next 12 months, year over year? 24% 76% 32% 28% 68% 72% 32% 68% ▼ 12 pts ▲ 12 pts 20% Contraction expectations vs Q2 • 0% to 5% - 10% vs 15% • 6% to 10% - 6% vs 13% • 11% to 20% - 1% vs 3% • 20%+- 2% vs 1% 80% Growth expectations vs Q2 • 0% to 5% - 19% vs 25% • 6% to 10% - 26% vs 29% • 11% to 20% - 26% vs 9% • 20%+ - 9% vs 4% Q3 2025 Q4 2025 Q1 2026 Q2 2026 Q3 2026 35% expect profit growth above 10%, up 22 points from Q2 2026. The previous high for respondents expecting growth above 10% was 30% in Q4 2024. 61% have a positive view of customer demand, compared with 15% who have a negative view. Base: Total © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 9
10. Confidence in achieving key business objectives remains limited and dropped 10% for technology goals Please rate your confidence concerning your business’ ability to meet its goals in each of these areas: ▲2% ▲10% Flat ▲4% ▼10% 60% 53% 49% 42% 44% Cost control 48% 45% 43% Supply chain needs Growth Q2 2026 48% Labor needs 50% Achieve technology objectives Q3 2026 © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 10
11. Talent retention continues to be a challenge, but layoff expectations are at their lowest level What are your human capital expectations for your organization over the next six months? 54% 56% 54% 57% 53% 38% 34% 29% 27% 30% 32% 34% 24% Potential contraction of our workforce through layoffs Continued challenges to attract and retain the right talent 2024 2025 Q1 2026 Q2 2026 Potential redistribution of our workforce through adoption of outsourcing capacity Q3 2026 Despite the economic outlook, CFOs report the lowest potential for layoffs (24%) in the last 3 years Base: Total © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 11
12. AI & Transformation Insights © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 12
13. 84% of CFOs expect AI-related spending to increase over the next 12 months How do you expect your organization's AI-related spending to change over the next 12 months? 29% 55% 14% 2% Increase significantly Remain unchanged Increase somewhat Decrease somewhat or significantly © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 13
14. Polling Question #1 Which outcome is your organization most focused on achieving through AI over the next 12 months? Select all that apply A. Further productivity gains B. Better forecasting and decision-making C. Cost optimization D. Revenue growth E. Improved customer experience F. Risk management/compliance G. Not sure / Not applicable © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 14
15. AI’s value goes beyond efficiency and cost — extending to risk, revenue growth, and customer experience Which of the following benefits, if any, has your organization experienced as a result of your AI initiatives? Productivity improvement 63% Better decision-making 45% Improved workforce effectiveness 44% Cost reduction 41% Improved customer experience 37% Revenue growth Risk reduction 33% 17% Base: Total © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 15
16. 84% of CFOs report that AI ROI is meeting or exceeding their initial expectations Compared with your expectations when the investments were made, how would you describe the ROI generated by your organization’s AI initiatives? 6% 0% 10% 44% 25% 15% We have not invested in AI Significantly below expectations Somewhat below expectations In line with expectations Somewhat above expectations Significantly above expectations © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 16
17. Polling Question #2 How would you characterize your organization's AI return on investment today? A. Exceeding expectations B. Meeting expectations C. Below expectations D. Too early to measure E. We have not made significant AI investments yet F. Not sure / Not applicable © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 17
18. Most CFOs rate their AI technologies positively, but there is still opportunity to improve performance How would you rate the overall performance of the AI technologies your organization has deployed? Please just rate the performance and quality of the AI technologies themselves, without considering other factors in your imp lementation. 25% 40% 29% 0% 2% Excellent Good Adequate Poor Very Poor 4% We have not deployed AI technologies © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 18
19. Competitive pressure is the strongest force driving transformation, above customer and investor demands Generally speaking, how would you classify your outlook regarding the U.S. economy over the next six months? 5% 3% 13% 16% 7% 6% 19% 19% No pressure 36% 40% Low pressure 38% 42% Moderate pressure High pressure 29% Very high pressure 28% 24% 24% 18% 13% 12% 9% Competitors Your Board Investors Customers 46% 41% 36% 34% © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 19
20. Most organizations can execute transformation — but what defines true strategic transformation? Which statement best describes your organization's ability to execute strategic transformation initiatives today? 29% We consistently achieve expected outcomes on time and on budget 3% 13% 53% We generally achieve expected outcomes, with occasional delays or overruns We struggle to convert strategic initiatives into measurable outcomes We frequently experience delays, overruns, or missed objectives 1% We are not currently pursuing significant strategic transformation initiatives © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 20
21. Redefining the meaning of true “transformation” Transformation Dimensions Benefit of Change ($) Process Enterprise Transformation Technology Operational Transformation Process Improvement Perform Different Work People Performing Current Work Differently Operating Model Improving How Work is Currently Performed Magnitude of Change & Effort © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U .S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 21
22. Competing business priorities and budget constraints are the biggest barriers to transformation at scale What are the greatest obstacles preventing your organization from successfully executing transformation at scale? Please choose up to 3. 43% 43% 41% 28% Competing business priorities Budget constraints Legacy tech constraints Change resistance 23% 19% 17% Lack of executive alignment Insufficient talent or skills 28% Poor data quality Weak governance & accountability Base: Total © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 22
23. Polling Question #3 What is the biggest obstacle preventing your organization from accelerating transformation initiatives? A. Competing business priorities B. Budget constraints C. Technology infrastructure limitations D. Data and analytics challenges E. Change management F. Talent and skills gaps G. Not sure / Not applicable © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U .S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 23
24. Tax Highlights © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 24
25. Tax provisions are creating value, while tariffs are eroding it What effect have each of the following had on your company's financial position over the past 12 months? OBBBA tax-law provisions Tariff and trade-policy shifts 44% 60% Improved financial position 35% No effect 21% Harmed Harmed financial position 26% Improved 14% No effect Base: Total © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 25
26. Which OB3 tax provisions are having the greatest impact? Which single OB3 provision has had the greatest financial impact on your company over the past year? 26% 21% Immediate expensing of​ domestic R&D​ No provision had a financial impact 100% bonus depreciation 11% 6% 12% International tax changes Full expensing of qualified production property 19% Permanent passthrough deduction extension Base: Total © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 26
27. Polling Question #4 Are you interested in a one-on-one conversation with a Grant Thornton professional regarding this session/topic? (Responses are confidential.) A. Yes – I'd like to have a Grant Thornton professional contact me to set up a meeting B. Not at this time © 2026 Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | All rights reserved | U .S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd 27
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