gulfbusiness.com · 1 Oct, 04:44 · Business briefing

Deloitte’s Javed Iqbal on the CFO’s shift from accountant to analyst

Deloitte executive Javed Iqbal highlights a fundamental transformation in the Chief Financial Officer role, moving away from traditional accounting responsibilities towards strategic analysis.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Deloitte executive Javed Iqbal highlights a fundamental transformation in the Chief Financial Officer role, moving away from traditional accounting responsibilities towards strategic analysis. This shift underscores the growing necessity for finance leaders to interpret complex data and drive business strategy rather than merely reporting historical figures. The article suggests that modern CFOs must leverage analytical insights to guide organisational decision-making, reflecting broader trends where financial expertise intersects with data-driven strategic planning to deliver tangible business value.

Employer demand for Financial Modeling skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must adapt your skill set to remain relevant. Traditional accounting proficiency is no longer sufficient; you need strong analytical capabilities to interpret data and drive strategy. Professionals in finance should prioritise learning data analytics and strategic thinking. If you are an accountant, upskill in financial modelling and business intelligence tools immediately. For career changers, this signals a high demand for roles bridging finance and data analysis. You should seek opportunities that involve strategic planning rather than purely transactional work. Invest in courses that enhance your ability to translate financial data into actionable business insights. This shift creates opportunities for those who can demonstrate how financial analysis directly impacts organisational growth and risk management.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Financial Modeling, Data Science, Business And Management and Risk Management Strategies — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.