{
  "id": 11145609,
  "title": "Study Finds CFOs Find AI Can’t Clear Every Cash Flow Bottleneck",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/study-finds-cfos-find-ai-cant-clear-every-cash-flow-bottleneck",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-01T08:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PYMNTS",
    "slug": "pymnts",
    "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2026/study-finds-cfos-find-ai-cant-clear-every-cash-flow-bottleneck/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent survey, it was found that many Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) believe that artificial intelligence (AI) is unable to resolve all cash flow bottlenecks. According to the \"Time to Cash: What Two Years of Data Say About Faster Cash and Rising Risk\" report, which surveyed 100 CFOs in July 2026, the findings reveal that while there have been substantial improvements within finance departments, external factors such as customers seeking longer payment terms, suppliers missing delivery targets, and fraud and cyber threats continue to pose challenges.\n\nThe report highlights that AI is being utilized by finance teams to convert new information into decisions related to collections, funding, and payments. However, it also notes that CFOs face an increased pressure from outside the finance department, as customers demand more favorable payment terms and suppliers experience higher rates of missed delivery targets. Additionally, fraud and cyber threats have emerged as significant risks during the period of faster cash movement through more automated systems.\n\nOne of the primary challenges CFOs face is the need to maintain improvements in their controlled areas while simultaneously preparing for potential delays and risks beyond their control. To address this issue, it is essential to distribute responsibility for cash management beyond the finance department, involving other departments such as sales, procurement, and business leaders, who also influence when money enters or leaves the company.\n\nThe report reveals that the cash conversion cycle, which measures the time taken for a company to convert its investments in inventory and other resources into cash from sales, has been reduced to 60 days or less for the fastest companies. Among these high-velocity companies, 55% operate with a cash conversion cycle in the 0-to-30-day range, and 70% have managed to shorten their cycle in the past year. However, the report also identifies that longer customer payment terms are negatively impacting the cash equation, with only 38% of CFOs reporting an improvement, a significant decline from 73% in 2025.\n\nTo better manage cash flow, 58% of companies are now tracking cash flow goals across various business units, up from just 5% in the previous year. This shift in responsibility allows leaders outside of finance to have a clearer stake in billing, purchasing, and supplier decisions. The report also emphasizes the need for faster companies to keep finding more time, as every high-velocity company has a cash conversion cycle of 60 days or less. Additionally, it explores the obstacles to further accounts receivable automation and how CFOs are balancing payment speed with stronger controls. Lastly, the report explains why business continuity is becoming a crucial aspect of treasury management.",
  "summary": "A shorter cash cycle should feel like a victory lap. For many CFOs, it now comes with a longer list of risks. PYMNTS Intelligence, in collaboration with J.P.Morgan, examines how U.S. finance teams are speeding cash flow while customers, suppliers and fraud threats make the job harder. The new report, “Time to Cash: What Two Years […] The post Study Finds CFOs Find AI Can’t Clear Every Cash Flow…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}