What Separates High Performers in Finance Today?
In today’s finance landscape, technical skills are a given. Candidates are expected to model scenarios, analyze risk, and speak fluent GAAP or IFRS. But as a recruiter working closely with top-tier firms and high-potential professionals, I can tell you this:
The real differentiators, the traits that make someone stand out and thrive, are rarely found in a certification.
They’re found in how finance professionals think, communicate, and lead.
Here’s what the best in finance are bringing to the table in 2025, beyond the balance sheet:
1. Commercial Awareness
High performers don’t just produce financial reports, they interpret them with business impact in mind. They understand how each line item connects to broader strategic objectives, and they ask smart questions like: How will this affect margin? What does this mean for customer lifetime value? How should we pivot based on this data?
They bring a business-first mindset to finance, anticipating what leadership needs to know before they even ask. This commercial fluency enables them to go beyond tracking performance, they actively shape it.
2. Strategic Communication
Finance touches every part of an organization, but not every stakeholder speaks the same language. The most effective finance professionals are translators, able to distill complexity into clarity.
They can present a multi-layered forecast to a CFO one day, and explain budget shifts to a non-financial department head the next, without losing the narrative. They know when to use visuals, when to lead with data, and when to simplify.
Crucially, they don’t just report numbers, they drive decisions. Their communication builds trust and moves the business forward.
3. Judgment in Real Time
Finance professionals are often in the hot seat, especially during periods of volatility, M&A activity, regulatory changes, or market downturns. Top performers know how to stay composed and make informed decisions quickly, even with limited information.
They understand nuance. They know that not every risk can be avoided, and that good judgment sometimes means making the least-wrong call under pressure. Their value isn’t just in accuracy, it’s in their ability to read the room, understand timing, and weigh long-term consequences.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Gone are the days of the “back office” stereotype. Today’s finance stars are embedded across the business, supporting sales, marketing, tech, ops, and more. They’re partners, not just gatekeepers.
What sets them apart is their ability to work across disciplines, break down silos, and align teams toward shared goals. They don’t just push back on spend, they help optimize it. They don’t just monitor performance, they co-create it.They lead through influence, using data, credibility, and empathy, not job titles, to earn buy-in.
5. Curiosity & Adaptability
The finance world is evolving fast. AI is changing forecasting. ESG is reshaping reporting. Regulation is tightening in real time. And fintech continues to disrupt traditional models.
The top performers I see aren’t clinging to old methods. They’re embracing continuous learning. They’re not afraid to ask “Why do we do it this way?” or propose smarter tools and processes. They stay ahead because they want to evolve, not because they’re told to. Their curiosity doesn’t make them chaotic, it makes them invaluable in future-proofing your finance function.
If you’re looking for financial talent that can drive your business forward, get in touch with Sam at sam@akkar.com to discuss how we can connect you with the industry’s best.
