Welcome Back to KBW’s First Newsletter of 2026
As we kick off a new year, we’re looking ahead at the forces shaping finance in the months to come. In this issue, we explore how CFOs and boards are prioritizing strategy, organic growth, and capital allocation in 2026, and why, despite rapid advancements in AI, Excel remains a trusted cornerstone of the finance function across generations.
We’re also proud to share that KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting’s milestone anniversary of 20 years was recognized in the Business NH Magazine. Read the full article below!
Plus, if you’re looking to start 2026 with a night of networking, register for next week’s Sip & Socialize. Find all of the details ⬇️
We’re proud to share that KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting was featured in Business NH Magazine for celebrating our milestone 20th anniversary 🎉
The article highlights our journey over the past two decades, our relationship-driven approach to recruiting, and our continued commitment to connecting top finance and accounting talent with great companies across New England.
Boards Look To Strategy in 2026
As companies look ahead at what they’re looking to achieve this year, board priorities are increasingly centered on strategy execution and organic growth. According to the National Association of Corporate Directors’ latest governance survey:
- Nearly 80% of board members expect their organizations to grow primarily through organic means this year
- Only about two in 10 respondents said inorganic growth (such as mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures) would be their main growth driver
Strategy is also moving higher on the board agenda:
- Three-fifths of surveyed directors identified strategy as the top area where they want to improve oversight
- 62% reported that strategy is being discussed more frequently during board meetings
This increased focus on execution is expected to place added pressure on both CEOs and CFOs, particularly around decision-making and resource allocation.
Capital allocation is likely to be a major focus for finance leaders. NACD President and CEO Peter Gleason noted that CFOs can expect to spend significant time evaluating investments, including AI initiatives and other strategic priorities.
Economic uncertainty remains a concern for company boards heading into 2026. One-third of respondents predicted a recession by the second quarter, while just over half anticipated a soft landing. Changing economic conditions were cited by 60% of directors as the factor most likely to impact company performance, with inflation, interest rates, commodity prices, and labor market conditions among the key issues mentioned.
Changing economic conditions were chosen by 60% of respondents as the number one factor that would most affect their companies’ performance in 2026, with AI ranked as the second, selected by 47% of respondents. Many directors reported that AI investments are already delivering results:
- 75% said the technology produced moderate or slight efficiency gains
- 60% reported moderate or slight revenue increases
While companies are expected to continue investing in AI, the pace may slow compared to 2025. Future investments may shift from technology itself to talent, with a greater emphasis on employee upskilling to meet evolving technology demands.
Sip & Socialize with fellow financial professionals
Coming up next week, KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting is a sponsor of the MassCPA’s Sip & Socialize. The perfect midweek excuse to step away from your desk and enjoy a night of great conversation.
Join fellow professionals at Bostonia Public House for a relaxed, high-value evening with light bites, drinks, and plenty of opportunities to mingle.
📍 Bostonia Public House
🗓 Wednesday, January 21
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
🎟 Registration: $65
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Why Excel Still Holds It’s Place in a growing AI world
Artificial intelligence continues to gain momentum in the accounting and finance world, often positioned as the tool that will automate manual work and allow professionals to focus on higher-value tasks. But despite the growing conversation around AI, finance teams are not ready to let go of one of their most trusted tools: Microsoft Excel.
A recent survey conducted by FP&A platform Datarails, found that Excel remains deeply embedded in finance operations. Of the 212 U.S. and U.K. finance professionals surveyed, including CFOs and accountants:
- 82% reported having a high or moderate emotional attachment to Excel
- [Nearly] 50% said they love using the software
- 43% described their relationship with it as “love-hate.”
- [More than] 50% of respondents indicated they would decline a job offer if Excel were not part of the company’s finance toolkit
Trust plays a significant role in Excel’s staying power. Morgan Wilson, founder of Creditte Chartered Accountants & Advisors, noted that Excel allows users to see what’s really happening with the numbers without relying on dashboards.
“When a deadline is tight, or someone wants an answer now, Excel is where the numbers get pulled apart, gut-checked, and tested against reality.”
-Morgan Wilson
This attachment to Excel spans generations. Among respondents aged 22 to 35, nearly four in five reported a high or moderate emotional connection to the software. Usage patterns reflect that loyalty:
- 89% of survey participants said at least half of their finance processes run through Excel
- Nearly all respondents spend a minimum of three hours per day working in spreadsheets
- Gen Z and millennial professionals were especially heavy users, with 83% spending more than five hours a day in Excel
Excel’s cultural presence also reinforces its relevance. From social media influencers dedicated to spreadsheets to competitive Excel championships, the software has built a following that goes beyond daily work tasks.
“It’s true that there are probably other software tools out there that could do what my Excel financial model does, but there’s something about that program—its total customizability and universality; most people know how to use it to some degree—that makes it feel like old faithful to me. At this point, I’ve reached app fatigue, and I don’t want to have to download or learn new programs if I know Excel can get the job done.”
-Katie Gatti Tassin (Author)
Despite rapid advancements in AI, finance leaders do not see Excel becoming obsolete anytime soon. In fact, 84% of CFOs surveyed believe Excel will remain equally or more important in the CFO’s office over the next decade. While technology continues to evolve, Excel’s role as a trusted, adaptable foundation for finance work appears firmly intact.
The right opportunity changes everything, Let KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting help find yours.
