OneStream Global Study Finds Women Take Longer to Reach CFO Seat; But, Once There, Deliver Performance Returns, Lead in Digital Adoption

Core Insights - The study titled "The Glass Chair" reveals that companies led by women CFOs achieve an average annualized shareholder return of 4.5%, outperforming industry benchmarks by approximately 0.2% annually across Europe, the UK, and the US [2][9] - Women CFOs are seen as pivotal in shaping the future of finance leadership, with 83% indicating that automation, particularly AI, is facilitating the entry of diverse expertise into the role [4][11] - The research highlights that women often take longer and less linear paths to the CFO position, averaging 18 years in Global Fortune 500 companies and 20 years in FTSE 100 firms [6][9] Business Value of Diversity - Companies that appoint women CFOs experience a 10% performance uplift in underperforming firms after the appointment [9] - The study emphasizes that advancing women into CFO roles enhances innovation and competitiveness, modernizing a critical business function [5][13] - Women CFOs are more likely to possess a broader enterprise-wide perspective and deeper operational acumen, which are essential for balancing financial strategy with people development and risk management [7][13] Skills for Future CFOs - The research identifies digital literacy and strategic leadership as essential skills for future CFOs, with 75% of women finance leaders recognizing their importance [4][11] - Women CFOs align with leadership personas that emphasize financial governance, strategic planning, and team development, which are crucial for today's finance leaders [8][10] - Despite the recognition of AI's importance, only 24% of women CFOs currently rely significantly on AI tools, indicating a gap in AI adoption that could be addressed to empower women leaders [12][9] Barriers to Advancement - Structural barriers such as economic downturns, workplace politics, limited mentorship access, and work-life balance challenges hinder women's progression to CFO roles [13][14] - The study suggests that addressing these barriers can unlock higher returns and broader skillsets necessary for steering finance into the future [14][13] - Women CFOs' focus on transparency and governance may contribute to their slower adoption of generic AI tools, which lack the necessary context for effective financial decision-making [12][11]