Finance Leaders

Shadow AI is one of the fastest-growing categories of unmanaged software spend. This guide breaks down why shadow AI is primarily a finance problem (not just a security concern) and provides a practical 4-step framework for discovering, quantifying, governing, and optimising AI spend.

How much should your company be spending on AI tools? This data-driven analysis combines Cledara platform data with industry research from Gartner, IDC, and Zylo to deliver practical AI spend benchmarks for mid-market companies. Key findings: 79% of companies on the Cledara platform pay for at least one AI tool, with the average adopter spending $15,300 per year across 3.7 subscriptions. General-purpose AI (OpenAI, Claude) accounts for 72% of AI budgets, while AI coding tools like Cursor represent the fastest-growing category at 18%. AI now represents 5.6% of total SaaS spend, growing at over 100% year-over-year compared to 19% for overall SaaS. The post covers benchmarks by company size, category breakdowns, warning signs of overspending, and how to bring AI costs under control.

Only 29% of executives can confidently measure their AI tool ROI, yet AI spending continues to accelerate across companies of every size. This guide gives finance leaders at 30 to 500 employee companies a practical four-step framework for measuring AI investment returns. Learn how to categorise AI tools by business function, define measurable outcomes for coding tools, content tools, analytics platforms, and general-purpose assistants, calculate true total cost of ownership beyond licence fees, and build the per-tool scorecard and board reporting your investors expect. Includes real pricing benchmarks, ROI calculation examples by tool category, red flags that signal wasted spend, and a quarterly review cadence for ongoing AI portfolio management.

AI tools now account for a significant and growing share of software budgets, but their variable, usage-based pricing breaks the traditional SaaS budgeting playbook. This guide gives finance directors and FP&A leads a practical framework for allocating AI costs across departments. You will learn how to categorise AI spend into productivity, developer, and embedded tools; set departmental budget envelopes with variance buffers; implement chargeback models that match each pricing type (per-seat, per-token, hybrid); and forecast AI spend using historical data and scenario planning. Based on Cledara platform data showing that over 73% of companies now use AI tools with an average of 3.1 AI vendors each, the article includes real pricing examples, allocation formulas, and a walkthrough of how Cledara automates the entire process through virtual cards, real-time AI dashboards, and accounting integrations.

SaaS management for finance teams goes beyond IT visibility. This guide covers the four core finance use cases, from budget forecasting and cost allocation to renewal management and audit readiness, with practical guidance on what CFOs should look for in a platform. Based on Cledara platform data showing companies manage an average of 35.8 software vendors, and industry research indicating 51% of SaaS licences go unused, the post makes the case that finance teams need purpose-built tools, not repurposed IT solutions. Includes specific evaluation criteria for accounting integrations, spend controls, benchmark pricing, and approval workflows, plus a detailed breakdown of how Cledara addresses each finance use case.

SaaS cost allocation is the process of assigning software subscription expenses to the departments that consume them, and most scaling companies get it wrong. With the average company now spending $4,830 per employee per year on SaaS and purchasing authority spread across every department, finance teams need a structured approach to allocate costs accurately. This guide covers the two dominant allocation models (showback and chargeback), explains when to use each, and walks through a four-step process to build a working chargeback model: classifying tools, choosing allocation keys, setting up monthly reports, and integrating with your general ledger. You will find a decision matrix comparing showback and chargeback, real-world allocation key examples for tools like Slack, Figma, and Salesforce, common pitfalls that derail implementation, and a downloadable spreadsheet template to get started. The guide also explains how platforms like Cledara automate cost allocation through virtual cards, expense code mapping, and native accounting integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, and NetSuite.

Struggling with SaaS accruals and prepaid amortization? This guide covers the accounting rules for software subscriptions (ASC 606/350-40), the risks of spreadsheet schedules, and how to automate your month-end close.

Interested in learning how to enhance your FP&A strategy with the right software tools? This guide is here to help.

Revenue growth is the cornerstone of business success, serving as a crucial indicator for investors and a key metric for measuring sustainable performance over time.

Budget reporting is the comparison, analysis, and documentation of the current company's financial performance against the projected budget.

Discover the best spend management software for your needs, with this detailed rundown of the tools on the market.

Software is typically a company’s second biggest expense after payroll, so here are 14 actionable ways to get your spending under control

As CFOs step into 2025, they are no longer just financial stewards but strategic leaders navigating a rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven automation, economic volatility, and growing ESG responsibilities

A statement of retained earnings is a crucial financial document that reveals how much profit your company keeps for reinvestment after paying dividends.

In this article, we break down annual revenue, what it is, why it matters, and how to calculate it, to help you assess your company's financial health with confidence.

Master the differences between planning, budgeting and forecasting, and discover how they drive financial success.

Understand opportunity cost, how to calculate it, and why it matters. Plus, discover how Cledara can complement your financial decision-making toolkit.

Outsourcing your accounting to a CPA can save time and resources—here’s how to find the best fit for your startup.

Penetration pricing is a powerful strategy to attract customers and dominate new markets by launching products at competitive, low prices—learn how it works and why it could be your next big move.

Is your business truly profitable at the unit level? In this post, we’ll unpack how unit economics provides the insights you need to make smarter financial decisions and drive sustainable growth.

Spreadsheets can only take you so far—discover how a CFO dashboard can transform the way you manage financial metrics, automate tasks, and optimize decision-making.

If your business is tired of dealing with the hassle and risks of physical cards, virtual debit cards offer a secure, efficient solution for managing spending online and in-person.

Discover revenue multiples as a key valuation method for early-stage companies, what they are, their pros and cons, how to calculate them, and the factors that impact their effectiveness in startup valuation and funding.

We explore the various types of expense reimbursement fraud, their potential cost to organizations, and provide practical strategies for identifying and preventing such fraudulent activities in the workplace.

A comprehensive analysis that examines the career paths of over 100 CFOs in the technology sector, providing valuable insights into education, experience, and skills required to reach this pivotal leadership role in today's fast-paced tech industry.

Automated invoice processing can revolutionize your business's financial operations by streamlining workflows, reducing errors, and saving valuable time and resources.

A financing option for startups and small businesses that allows them to access funds without diluting equity, providing a valuable tool for growth, cash flow management, and runway extension.

OTE (on-target earning) is a payment model consisting of base salary and commissions. Here's how to calculate it and present it to your employees.

As companies grapple with the overwhelming increase in SaaS subscriptions—from eight in 2015 to an average of 130 in 2022—effective management tools like Cledara are becoming essential for streamlining software spend and enhancing financial efficiency.

AI tools are revolutionizing financial operations by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and strategic decision-making for CFOs across various domains such as financial planning, compliance, sales forecasting, and more.

Your first 90 days as CFO at a new company set the trajectory of this chapter of your career. Here’s a checklist of how to play these valuable initial weeks for maximum impact.

Level up your knowledge as a finance professional with these 15 leading podcasts for CFOs.

Here’s what to look for when you sign a SaaS contract—which clauses to read carefully, which to insist upon, and how to come away with a great deal.

Assessing and communicating your company’s fiscal status is a key responsibility for finance leaders. Here are 2 CFO report examples to speed this up.

As a CFO, you’re the CEO’s right hand person. The company hinges on your working relationship—so here’s how to strengthen it.

Here’s how to plan a super smooth employee SaaS onboarding: one that gives new hires an excellent first impression and sets them up to add value as soon as possible.

Essential information on the 5 best cap management software tools for 2024, and why each one could be a great fit for your business.

If you’re a CFO for a tech company, subscription analytics software will make your job a lot easier. Here’s a rundown of two of the best.

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re in the market for accounts receivable software and want to make the best choice, with a focus on Upflow and Chaser, two leading options.

These 10 performance metrics indicate a great CFO. Fulfil these criteria, and you’re on track to lead your business to financial success. 

Wondering how to improve software ROI for your company? In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know to drive maximum ROI from software investments.

Here’s 23 KPIs CFOs should track in order to gain a full overview of their business’ financial health.

According to Cledara’s data, these software tools for CFOs are absolutely invaluable. Save time, reduce errors and increase compliance with these programs.

As we enter 2024, accurately forecasting SaaS costs is more critical than ever for CFOs. With tightened funding, volatile markets, and increasing SaaS expenditures, getting your 2024 projections right has major implications. This comprehensive guide equips you with the key strategies to master SaaS cost forecasting.

Which is best for your business, Ramp vs Brex? Our ultimate rundown can help you decide.

Uncover the hidden impact of tail spend on your company's software purchases and learn how to effectively manage it with our free, downloadable cheat sheet.

Treasury and cash management are crucial to financial planning. Discover key tools and strategies to optimize your cash management in 2023's unique landscape.

Discover how financial reporting software can help startups save money and streamline operations. With features like expense tracking, account reconciliation, cash flow management, and more, businesses can become more efficient and profitable. Invest in financial reporting software to secure your startup's future.

Considering outsourcing CFO services? In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know to hire a great fractional CFO.

We share best in class digital transformation frameworks and the benefits of using one. Make sure you include these 4 things in yours!

Are you implementing a change management plan? Here’s your full guide on where to start and what to include.

Ensure you have the right software to sustain a downturn.

Turn payment processing from a burden into an advantage.

A solid SaaS budgeting process pays dividends down the road - here are 5 steps to get you started.

The tools you buy as a CFO impact almost everyone in the business. Here are some tips to make the right decision.

How can CFOs identify when it’s the right moment to upgrade their software stack? Let's take a look at some of the signs that can help you decide

As we come to the end of the year, find out the five key predictions for finance leaders to stay ahead of the curve in 2022.

The startup CFO relies on the delicate balance of skill, processes and - the subject of this blog - great SaaS tools.

How does a Head of Finance keep control of SaaS subscriptions at a skyrocketing Fintech startup? We talked to Rob Collings to find out.

What’s it really like for a Head of Finance managing SaaS subscriptions day-to-day at a growing company? We talked to Lapis Kim to find out.

We’ve taken a look at the evolving role of the startup CFO and the pressing challenges you face today.

Great startups are powered by great monthly management reporting. Find out what the best startup CFOs include in their reporting.

Empathy, infrastructure for scale and the future of virtual reality. What can we learn from someone that began their career as an actor and is now CFO of a hot VR startup?

We talk to Xavier Sansó, founding Partner at Metrix Partners, a boutique advisory firm which provides fractional CFO and financial services to the startup community.

CFOs in startups and corporations share the same job title. But how similar are their roles and capabilities?

We dig into the 6 top things that startup CFOs can do to create value today.