Future-proofing talent: CFO strategies for navigating the new frontiers of work

CFO India, in association with ACCA, recently hosted an insightful session in New Delhi to discuss and deliberate the challenges and opportunities presented by an evolving workplace and work culture. The session featured valuable insights from finance experts, focusing on retaining finance talent amid rising costs and shifting employee values.

The session was chaired by Ms. Seema Menon, Chief Operating Officer of CFO Collective. We were also privileged to have Ms. Naina V G, Head of Employer Relationships, ACCA, who co-chaired the session alongside Seema. 

The session saw active participation from distinguished finance leaders, including Kanwar Singh, Vice President – Finance, Oracle India; Neeraj Khetan, CFO, Ernst & Young India; Vivek Arya, Director – Finance, Airbnb; Gaurav Gupta, Senior Vice President – Finance, Reliance Brand Limited; Keshav Kedia, Manager – Finance, Maruti Suzuki India; Tarang Jain, Head – Finance & Accounts, Hero Fincorp; and Yashpal Jain, CFO, Sandhar Technologies. 

The rising tide of talent challengesSeema opened the session by highlighting the “war for talent” in finance, citing a recent survey of CFOs where talent management ranked as the second-highest priority after macroeconomic pressures. “Attrition is really challenging for most organisations,” she noted, dispelling the myth of finance’s historical stability. Gaurav echoed this, opposing shortcuts in hiring: “We never overcommit on the hiring process. You tell the talent what they’re going to do, what career path you can give them.”

Naina presented stark data from a global survey of 8,000 professionals: 66% of Indian respondents cited dissatisfaction with salaries, while 57% believed switching jobs was the only route to significant pay rises. “Cost of living is a major challenge,” she said, stressing the need for balance between employee expectations and fiscal prudence.

Strategies for retention

The discussion pivoted to solutions. Kanwar emphasised holistic growth: “Growth can be horizontal or vertical. The idea is to learn every day.” Neeraj highlighted non-monetary incentives: “Wellness programmes, recognition, and clear career paths are critical—especially for millennials.”

Vivek championed cultural adaptability: “Gen Z and millennials want freedom. Flexibility, belonging, and skilled managers trained to lead multi-generational teams are non-negotiable.” Gaurav added a human touch: “Meet even junior hires personally. They carry your brand when they leave.”

Keshav shared a particularly poignant statement, recalling how his senior mentor once advised that when considering a job switch, three critical factors should be evaluated—work culture, growth opportunities, and salary. If two out of these three are negative, it’s time to reconsider the move. Yashpal stressed that while salary matters, retention thrives on career growth and cross-functional roles. Tarang succinctly summarised the core message for CFOs in today’s finance sector: “In finance, focus on hiring people who fit the job and have their priorities aligned with the role’s requirements. Employee retention should never be an afterthought.”

Leadership and the automation paradox

Automation loomed large. Seema noted its high ranking in workforce trends, while Vivek linked it to post-COVID shifts: “We’re investing in AI and machine learning, but leadership must bridge the gap between technology and empathy.”

Closing thoughts

The session closed on a reflective note. As Seema summarised, “Talent isn’t a cost—it’s an investment.” In an era where job-hopping clashes with long-term stability, the consensus was clear: transparency, culture, and adaptive leadership will define success. And as Kanwar quipped, “It’s the manager, not the person, that often dictates retention.”