58% of tech CFOs are focused on culture
58% of tech CFOs are focused on culture

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Chief financial officers in the tech industry are prioritizing culture, with 58% identifying it as their top human capital focus, up from 45% in 2024, according to a survey released Jan. 16 by accounting and advisory firm Grant Thornton.
“In the tech industry, the mentality of growth at all costs has subsided,” Andrea Schulz, an audit services partner at Grant Thornton, said in a press release. “Companies can’t rely on money alone to retain their best talent. That’s not what investors are expecting. That’s why culture is becoming a key focus — it represents a much-needed refresh.”
The survey noted that in an industry built on ideas, the success of technology companies often hinges on recruiting, retaining, motivating and empowering top talent while creating a culture aligned with business goals.
Tech CFOs plan to expand AI capabilities. Fifty-eight percent ranked it as the top technology investment for 2025. The survey noted that advancements in AI have increasingly automated tasks and have filled traditional roles, including roles that had job security in the past.
Alon Avdi, senior manager of growth advisory services at Grant Thornton Advisors, said in a press release that AI is even affecting people with higher-level skills in the tech industry, such as software engineers.
“Their jobs were almost never at risk before, but with the advances in GenAI, roles such as developers can become at-risk positions,” Avdi said.
The survey also found that AI and automation are being leveraged to mitigate labor costs.
Looking ahead, 46% of tech CFOs anticipate economic conditions could lead to layoffs in the next six months, up from 31% in 2024.