CFOs are facing a turbulent start to 2026, influenced by ongoing inflation, global conflicts, and evolving tax regulations. Inflation remains a key concern, affecting liquidity and capital allocation decisions. CFOs are reassessing pricing and working capital as costs in essential areas like housing and healthcare continue to rise. With the Federal Reserve cutting rates while injecting liquidity, finance teams are increasingly focused on scenario planning and stress testing to navigate the mixed signals coming from labor and growth indicators. Tax season will also be different this year due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July 2025. This law allows immediate expensing on domestic research and development, which is a relief for tech businesses. However, it introduces new tax breaks that could complicate the tax code and increase revenue costs. Meanwhile, ERP modernization is a priority as CFOs strive for better data quality and faster reporting. The emphasis is shifting from basic reporting to using data to inform strategic decisions. The mergers and acquisitions landscape is expected to remain active, driven by a 36% increase in deal value in 2025 and favorable conditions for private equity. Experts believe that the regulatory environment will be less restrictive, encouraging more deals as interest rates decrease. Finally, stablecoins are gaining attention among treasury teams for their potential in cross-border payments, but widespread adoption is still contingent on regulatory clarity. Concerns about a potential recession and geopolitical tensions continue to loom over finance strategies.