As we enter 2025, the world of financial management software is poised for another year of rapid transformation. With advancements in technology reshaping business operations, staying ahead of emerging trends has become imperative for organisations seeking to maintain a competitive edge. For 2025, the focus is on optimising operational efficiency, uncovering deeper insights, and driving innovation. In this article, David Singh, General Manager at TouchstoneFMS, highlights the top 10 trends he thinks will redefine the financial management software landscape in 2025 and beyond.
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Artificial Intelligence and Financial Automation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming financial management software enabling businesses to forecast trends with greater precision, streamline budgeting, and improve risk management through real-time data analysis. By harnessing these technologies, businesses can unlock powerful predictive analytics, automate routine tasks, and make smarter, data-driven decisions. Processes like accounts payable, expense management, reconciliations, and financial reporting, once prone to human error and inefficiency, are now seamlessly automated for greater accuracy and time savings.
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Cloud-Based Solutions
Cloud-based financial management solutions are rapidly gaining popularity for their scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. These solutions offer remote access to financial data, supporting remote work and ensuring business continuity. By eliminating the need for hefty upfront hardware and infrastructure investments, cloud solutions make financial management accessible and efficient for businesses of all sizes. Industry leaders like Infor SunSystems, HxGN EAM, PA , Systems@Work and Proactis have successfully transitioned from on-premise systems to robust SaaS platforms. Meanwhile, innovators like Sysynkt and Yooz are taking things a step further by designing solutions built for the cloud
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Enhanced Data Security and Privacy
As cyber threats continue to rise, data security and privacy are more crucial than ever. To protect sensitive financial information, financial management software authors are incorporating cutting-edge security features such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and zero-trust architecture. These measures not only secure data but also ensure compliance with constantly evolving data protection regulations. Adopting solutions that adhere to frameworks like ISO 27001 further enhances these efforts by providing a systematic approach to managing sensitive information and mitigating security risks. From multi-factor authentication to safeguard accounts to robust defences against DDoS attacks, ransomware, and other malicious threats, these advanced protections keep sensitive financial data safe and secure.
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Integration with IoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming asset management by enabling real-time monitoring through connected sensors. This technology allows businesses to proactively anticipate maintenance, minimise downtime, and optimise efficiency. Tools like HxGN EAM analyse data from IoT devices to provide actionable insights that boost asset performance and streamline operations. Additionally, solutions like HxGN APM help businesses track and monitor operational performance. Integrating this data with financial management systems like Infor SunSystems, offers business leaders a comprehensive, 360-degree view of both operational and financial performance, enhancing decision-making and driving better results.
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Advanced Analytics and Business Intelligence
Financial management software is evolving through the integration of advanced analytics and business intelligence (BI) tools. These capabilities provide deeper, more actionable insights into financial performance, empowering businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Predictive analytics is a game-changer, enabling businesses to not only forecast financial trends but also take proactive steps to stay ahead. The Infor Enterprise Performance Management (Infor EPM) suite is a powerhouse of insights, seamlessly built on a corporate data warehouse that consolidates data from various business applications, offering a unified and comprehensive view of performance.
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Mobile Accessibility
The demand for mobile accessibility in financial management software is soaring, as businesses embrace the flexibility of working from anywhere. Mobile solutions allow employees to access critical financial data and complete key tasks directly from their smartphones or tablets—anytime, anywhere. This shift supports seamless remote work and enhances responsiveness. Imagine snapping a photo of your receipt, and having a voice-enabled expenses app, like Systems@Work, handle the rest—effortlessly and efficiently. Or approving purchase orders and AP invoices with just a few taps in Sysynkt, putting you in control of financial tasks on the go.
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Blockchain Technology
Blockchain is reshaping financial management software by delivering unmatched security, transparency, and efficiency. Its tamper-proof ledger is revolutionising auditing, compliance, and transaction tracking, ensuring data integrity and enabling faster, more reliable operations. This technology is a game-changer for businesses looking to build trust, streamline financial processes, and enhance cross-border payments, user onboarding, and identity verification. With blockchain, transactions are faster, more secure, and more dependable.
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User-Friendly Interfaces
As financial management software becomes more advanced, intuitive and user-friendly interfaces are essential. Developers are prioritising designs that not only simplify navigation but also enhance the overall user experience, driving higher adoption rates. Industry leaders like Infor and Hexagon continue to innovate, while newcomers like Sysynkt and Yooz are setting new standards with sleek, user-centric interfaces that make navigating complex systems feel seamless and effortless.
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Regulatory Compliance
Financial management software streamlines regulatory compliance by automating checks and offering real-time updates on regulatory changes. These tools help businesses stay ahead of evolving local and international standards, minimising costly mistakes and easing compliance management. Verification processes are becoming more seamless with solutions like Proactis, which ensures suppliers meet all required credentials and ESG standards. Similarly, Sysynkt’s integration with Companies House simplifies the verification of customer and supplier identities, boosting trust and strengthening compliance.
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Sustainable Finance
Financial management software is increasingly focused on sustainability, providing tools to track resources, monitor carbon footprints, and analyse sustainable investments. These features enable businesses to align financial strategies with global sustainability goals, fostering greener practices and more environmentally conscious decision-making. Systems@Work tracks employee carbon footprints, while Hexagon’s HxGN EAM monitors operational emissions. Additionally, transitioning to digital data capture reduces paper waste, and Infor Document Management within Infor OS ensures efficient, eco-friendly digital document storage, supporting sustainable business operations.
The Road Ahead
These trends reflect more than technological advancements—they signify a fundamental shift in how financial departments drive value. By embracing these innovations, financial professionals can move beyond traditional roles, becoming strategic enablers of growth, efficiency, and sustainability. As businesses adopt these software tools, the financial department is evolving into a vital force for organisational success in 2025 and beyond.
In our next article, How CFOs Can Embrace AI Adoption and Finance Automation in the Modern Financial Department, we will explore how finance leaders can leverage AI advancements to enhance their roles and offer practical strategies and actionable insights for those looking to drive change and innovation within their organisations.
Ready to take your finance operations to the next level? Reach out to us at info@touchstonefms.co.uk and discover how TouchstoneFMS can help you lead the way.
