SMB Finance Leaders on Cost, Growth, and AI
A survey by SAP Concur shows that 88% of SMB CEOs expect finance to lead on cost efficiency, but only 52% report that expectation is being met. Similar gaps exist for strategic planning and risk management. Cost management and operational efficiency are top challenges. In AI adoption, finance leaders report revenue growth (87%), improved decision-making (86%), risk reduction (74%), and productivity (64%), but 61% of finance leaders and 58% of CEOs find it challenging to evaluate AI ROI.
Impact and considerations
SMB finance teams face gaps between expectations and delivery in cost control and strategic planning, and AI ROI evaluation is challenging, but AI adoption has brought significant benefits. Businesses should focus on data quality and adoption practices to improve ROI.
Key points
- 88% of CEOs expect finance to lead on cost efficiency, but only 52% report it is being met.
- Cost management and operational efficiency are top challenges.
- AI adoption brings revenue growth, improved decision-making, risk reduction, and productivity.
- 61% of finance leaders and 58% of CEOs find it challenging to evaluate AI ROI.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- SAP Concur
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 15 May 2026, 17:32
- Page published
- 13 Aug 2026, 08:16
- Last updated
- 15 May 2026, 17:32
- Original links
- SAP Concur Blog：How SMB Finance Leaders Can Drive Growth, Control Costs, and Improve AI ROI (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 15 May 2026, 17:32