The growing demands that are redefining the CFO’s role as a business partner, the need to balance growth and risk management, as well as the importance of close collaboration with the management team in shaping the organization’s overall direction, were highlighted by Katia Stathaki, CEO of Nexi Greece, during KPMG’s 24th CFO Forum in Greece. At the same time, she emphasized that the finance function actively contributes to the sustainable growth of organizations.
During a panel discussion titled “Finance: Transformation, Structures, Roles, Benefits, and Compensation,” Ms. Stathaki highlighted the importance of balancing growth and governance in highly regulated environments. Drawing on the experience of Nexi, an organization operating under heightened supervision and compliance requirements, she emphasized that the CFO’s role is gradually shifting from finance leadership to enterprise leadership, actively contributing to shaping the organization’s long-term trajectory—while balancing agility and governance. “The CFO is now the ultimate pillar of trust for shareholders, regulatory authorities, and the entire organization, serving simultaneously as a business partner and transformation leader, while close and meaningful collaboration with the CEO is crucial for making more mature and sustainable decisions,”she noted.
Referring to the changes affecting the operations of the finance function, the CEO of Nexi Greece highlighted the shift of the finance function from “what happened” to “what’s next,” with an ever-increasing emphasis on forecasting and scenario analysis—a development that strengthens collaboration with the CEO and the rest of management.
“In today’s environment, the CFO does not operate in isolation but actively participates in shaping the collective decisions of management and the Board of Directors. True value, however, stems from a relationship of trust, constructive dialogue, and a shared vision with the CEO—a dynamic that substantially broadens the CFO’s responsibility toward the organization’s overall trajectory. “That is why, together with Human Resources, they essentially form the ‘collagen’ of management, contributing from a different vantage point to shaping the conditions required to achieve corporate goals,” concluded Ms. Stathaki.
For Nexi Greece, investing in strong governance structures and leveraging data are essential prerequisites for supporting the long-term trajectory of organizations. In an environment of heightened demands and constant transformation, the balance between growth and governance is becoming increasingly important for making sound and sustainable decisions.