Summary findings:

• CFOs see cost optimisation, improved cash flow management and digitalisation as priority strategies and are more likely to make capital investments than hire more staff over the next 12 months.
• Loadshedding, poor economic growth outlook, political and policy uncertainty, as well as currency fluctuations are CFO’s most pressing business risks for the year ahead.
• 92% of CFOs feel that the overall level of external financial and economic uncertainty facing their business is high.
• CFOs expect South Africa’s average annual inflation in 2023 and in 2024 to remain outside of the SARB’s inflation targeting band of 3-6%, with possible interest rate cuts from 2024.
• Over the next 12 months, CFOs see cost optimisation, improved cash flow management and digitalisation as priority strategies. 
• Financial planning and analytics, as well as strategic finance are priority finance areas for digital transformation, despite the challenges of executing transformation strategies.
• Excessive workload and pressure due to poor company performance are seen as top job stressors for SA CFOs.