If you want to build a world-class finance function, the next steps forward couldn’t be more obvious.
I recently wrapped up an incredible three days at OneStream Software Splash 2026 in Orlando, Florida, which took place May 18-20 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.
After diving deep into the keynotes, the Innovation Hall, and conversations with incredible finance leaders, the mandate for our industry has never been clearer:
“Finance teams that refuse to evolve and adopt modern technology won't just struggle, they will get left behind.”
The energy in Orlando wasn’t just about dashboards or technology. It was about how CFOs and finance leaders are being asked to step out of the background to:
The top finance teams aren't waiting for change; they are driving it.
Here are my top three takeaways from the event:
During the event, Tom Shea, CEO at OneStream Software made it clear:
“The future of our industry requires shifting away from strictly backward-looking reporting. We must pivot toward forward-looking value creation.”
Finance is no longer just about closing the books and reporting on what has already happened. It is about anticipating what comes next. Forward finance starts now.
👉 You can watch the full session insights here: OneStream Splash 2026 Kick-off Keynote.
Agility in finance is no longer a luxury; it is a strict requirement, a point Pras Chatterjee, Global Product Marketing Director hit perfectly during his session.
Getting under the hood during to see the solutions around SensibleAI Studio, AI Agentic Finance, and SensibleAI Forecast was a gamechanger.
One of the biggest themes in other sessions I attended was and establishing a centralized, single version of financial truth.
The key takeaway here for any finance pro is:
“AI won’t replace finance; it amplifies it. Embracing these tools is how we bridge the data governance gap and move from chaos to confidence.”
Beyond the technology, there were awesome sessions as well, including the “Bridging the Data Gap” session with R. Douglas Orsagh, Alyssa Boers, and Liz Weir.
This session highlighted the importance of finance, IT and business working together to not only leverage AI but ensure data governance and accuracy..
The pulse to move finance forward is at an absolute peak. The community built among everyone on the conference floor and in the Innovation Hall was unmatched. Sharing ideas, discussing barriers, and capturing the collective vision of where finance leadership is heading next reinforced that while technology provides the tools, it is the people who drive the transformation.
This conference was a powerful reminder that the blueprint for modern finance requires embracing transformation, leveraging AI, and building strong communities.
If you are a finance leader or a growing business looking to modernize your planning, forecasting, and consolidation, you cannot afford to stay stagnant.
I encourage you to learn more about the OneStream solutions driving finance transformation by visiting the OneStream Software Corporate Platform.
What is the biggest barrier keeping your finance team from moving forward? Let's keep the conversation going, reach out and let's build the future of finance together.
👉 To see my video recap, check out our Fresh FP&A OneStream Splash LinkedIn Video Recap.
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