Reimagine Finance

Reinvent the future of finance leadership: An imperative to lead in the Digital Age

Reimagine Finance: A CFO’s Playbook to Leading in the Age of Data and AI by Tariq Munir empowers today's finance leaders to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape with confidence and clarity. As the finance function faces increasing demands for strategic involvement beyond traditional roles, this book provides CFOs with battle-tested strategies to redesign and co-create the digital operating model, lead transformation, and turn finance into a strategic growth catalyst—while fostering a culture of innovation.

Drawing from years of research, interviews with senior leaders, and real-world case studies, this book is a comprehensive guide to equip CFOs with the tools and mindset needed to transform siloed structures into an interconnected, data-driven network. The book demonstrates how digital capabilities like cloud computing, data democratisation, artificial intelligence, process mining, and the Internet of Things reshape the finance, business, and the competitive landscape. Throughout, it offers actionable strategies and playbooks to help finance leaders rearchitect their operating model and orchestrate a successful reimagining of the finance function.

Inside the book:

• Discover how digital ecosystems comprising cloud computing, big data analytics, and AI are revolutionising finance operations
• Learn strategies to build a digital operating model that enables a seamless flow of data, collaboration and innovation
• Explore a comprehensive CFO’s Playbook to lead, orchestrate, and co-create a business-focused, human-centric digital transformation
• Master the key elements of building digital talent and a culture of transformation
• Build strategies to lead with responsible and ethical AI and digital practices

Reimagine Finance is a must-read for CFOs, finance leaders, and anyone involved in transformation who seeks to master the art and science of leadership in the digital era. This is not another theoretical book—it is a practical guide for leaders to succeed in the digital age and position themselves as strategic partners in their organisations, driving growth and innovation.

Foreword xv

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Digital Transformation: The New CFO Mandate 9

Part 1 Navigating the Digital Landscape in Finance 13

Chapter 2 Cloud Computing 15

Chapter 3 Data Foundation 25

Chapter 4 Artificial Intelligence 49

Chapter 5 Process Mining 83

Chapter 6 Internet of Things 103

Part 2 Reimagining the Finance Operating Model 115

Chapter 7 Data as a Product: Fuelling the Transformation 121

Chapter 8 Digital Hub: Scaling Transformation 133

Chapter 9 Digital Talent: Enabling Transformation 149

Part 3 Orchestrating Digital Transformation: a CFO’S Playbook 163

Chapter 10 Crafting the Digital Vision 171

Chapter 11 Building an Action Plan 183

Chapter 12 Engaging the Teams 199

Chapter 13 Governing Transformation 213

Chapter 14 Creating the Right to Succeed 227

Part 4 Shaping the Future 249

Chapter 15 Building Trust – Responsible and Ethical Ai 251

Chapter 16 Redefining Skills – the New CFO 263

Conclusion: Reimagining the Future 275

References 279

Index 305

TARIQ MUNIR is a recognised thought leader in AI and digital transformation, a LinkedIn Top Voice, and an international keynote speaker. With over 20 years of experience across global organisations—including PepsiCo, AkzoNobel, and PwC—he is a trusted advisor to the C-suite. Tariq specialises in crafting strategic digital roadmaps, fostering digital-first cultures, and leading responsible AI-driven enterprise transformation.

In Reimagine Finance: The CFO’s Leadership Playbook for the Age of AI, Data, and Digital, veteran digital strategist Tariq Munir delivers a clear, practical guide to transform finance functions using AI, data, and digital technologies. Munir demystifies key technologies—such as data lakes, process mining, digital twins, AI, and cloud computing—and shows how they are redefining the role of finance in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

The book offers a proven framework and playbook on how you can embrace these technologies, guide your organisation through its digital transformation journey and supercharge your finance function. Reimagine Finance focuses especially on the most important aspect of digital transformation: people and culture. You’ll discover practical examples, case studies, and hands-on tips you can apply immediately to build a continuous learning mindset and culture able to successfully navigate the complexities of real-world digital transformation.

The author walks you through how to reimagine the core finance operating model by using data as a product to fuel transformation and scale the impact through digital hubs, while building a future-ready workforce. He also provides a clear roadmap for implementing a comprehensive digital transformation action plan, helping you from ideation to strategy to governance and execution with confidence.

Essential reading for chief financial officers, senior finance and transformation leaders, and professionals committed to reshaping how finance creates and delivers value in the digital age. Reimagine Finance is also a must-read for academic researchers, students, and technology professionals active in the public or private sector.

Praise for REIMAGINE FINANCE

“Although some CFOs have long had CIOs reporting to them, finance has largely been ignored in terms of data, AI and digital transformation. Munir’s book persuasively argues that the time has come for finance functions to transform themselves with these powerful resources.”
—THOMAS H. DAVENPORT, Distinguished Professor, Babson College; Fellow, MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy; Senior Advisor, Deloitte

“Digital transformation can be overwhelming, especially for CFOs who are expected to lead it. Tariq cuts through the noise with clarity and insight. Reimagine Finance shows what really creates digital change—and how to guide it in the right direction.”
—PAUL LEONARDI, UC Santa Barbara Professor and co-author of The Digital Mindset

“Digital transformation is reshaping every domain, and finance is both a driver and a beneficiary of this change. This book captures that powerful interplay with rare insights, making it a must-read for anyone serious about the future of financial innovation.”
— NIKOLAUS OBWEGESER, Professor and Director of the Institute for Digital Technology Management, Co-author of Hacking Digital

“As AI blurs traditional boundaries of responsibility, Reimagine Finance calls and empowers CFOs to lead with clarity. Tariq Munir delivers a practical, actionable roadmap for finance to evolve into a strategic, purpose-driven force for transformation in the era of AI.”
—BRIAN EVERGREEN, Strategist, Author of Autonomous Transformation

“Reimagine Finance is motivating, empowering and not just about technology but about creating a human-centric, tech-enabled future. Don’t just read it, live it!”
—AAMER SHEIKH, Former CFO, PepsiCo Asia, Middle East & North Africa Division

“Packed with real-world insights and a clear roadmap for action, Reimagine Finance is the definitive guide to transforming the finance function into a strategic powerhouse in the AI era.”
—MICHAEL MCQUEEN, Award-winning trend forecaster and 10x bestselling author

“Reimagine Finance is an essential guide for CFOs navigating the digital age. Tariq Munir brilliantly distils the intersection of finance, AI, and digital transformation, offering practical insights that will empower finance leaders to drive strategic innovation.”
—BERNARD MARR, Author and Futurist

“If you’re a CFO still treating digital as an IT initiative, stop. Read this book. It’ll reshape how you think, lead, and deliver value in an AI-powered world.”
—DAMON LEMBI, CEO Learnit and 2x Bestselling Author