Interview with Martin Stefik - CFO Microsoft Switzerland
Martin Stefik
Martin Stefik is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Microsoft Switzerland. He assumed the role in June 2025. Previously, Stefik served as commercial finance director for Microsoft’s Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Since joining Microsoft in 2010 in Slovakia, he has held several senior finance roles across Europe, including leadership positions in Munich and Prague. Stefik holds a master’s degree in finance, banking and investment from Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.
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Deloitte: Looking back over the past 10 years, how has the finance function evolved? Did anything surprise you, or did some changes occur more quickly or more slowly than you expected?
Martin Stefik: Over the past decade, the finance function has undergone a profound transformation – from a transactional and compliance-focused role to a strategic enabler of business value. At Microsoft, this evolution was marked by a shift towards unified data platforms, cloud migration, and the adoption of predictive analytics and automation. We moved from static reporting to dynamic forecasting, and from siloed systems to integrated, intelligent platforms.
What surprised me most was the pace at which AI and machine learning became embedded in core finance processes. While we anticipated automation in areas like reconciliations and reporting, the rapid maturity of generative AI – especially in forecasting, risk management, and decision support – accelerated our transformation beyond expectations.
At the same time, cultural change took longer. Building a growth mindset across finance teams and adapting to rapid technological progress requires a sustained effort.
Deloitte: How will the finance function change in the next three years?
Martin Stefik: The next three years will be defined by the rise of agentic AI – autonomous agents that not only assist but act independently to optimise finance workflows. These agents will handle reconciliation, forecasting, collections, and even audit preparation with minimal human intervention.
The finance function will become more proactive and insight-driven, with AI surfacing anomalies, recommending strategic actions, and enabling real-time scenario planning, with humans remaining in the driving seat.
We shall also see closer integration between financial systems and collaboration tools. This convergence will reduce app-switching and empower finance teams to operate in the flow of work.
Deloitte: What needs to be taken into consideration when first introducing AI tools as a CFO? And what are the key success factors to innovate and scale AI successfully for the finance function?
Martin Stefik: Introducing AI into finance requires a multi-dimensional strategy:
Data readiness: Clean, unified data is foundational. CFOs must ensure robust governance and alignment of financial and non-financial metrics.
Security and compliance: AI adoption must be underpinned by strict controls, audit trails, and adherence to regulatory standards.
Culture and change management: Building a growth mindset, celebrating innovation, and supporting upskilling of employees are essential to scale adoption.
Clear vision and quick wins: Start small, deliver measurable outcomes, and scale up based on learnings. Success depends on aligning AI initiatives with business priorities and demonstrating tangible impact early.
Key success factors include embedding AI into everyday tools (e.g. Copilot in Excel), leveraging pre-built agents for tasks like variance analysis and collections, and fostering collaboration between finance, IT and business stakeholders.
