Impact of tariffs: Overcoming volatility
What leaders can do now on data, tech, and pricing
In today’s global trade environment, tariff uncertainty impacts finance organizations’ ability to produce reliable forecasts, develop budgets, and support strategic decision-making. Finance needs agile model updates, tighter planning cycles, and rapid responses to regulatory shifts—while keeping operations stable. Stronger geopolitical risk management, paired with closer alignment between tariffs and supply chain decisions, can help finance teams manage tariffs’ impact on business effectively.
Five signals for CFOs to watch
Tariffs are now a front-and-center earnings call topic—raising the bar on your preparation and messaging.
- Many US CFOs indicate tariff responses could include price increases; nearly half surveyed in September 2025 expect costs may be passed on to consumers.
- When asked, more than half of CFOs cite limited data access (55%) and a fragmented strategy (54%) as key blockers.
- Teams with a clear finance strategy and integrated business planning are better positioned for tariff volatility.
- For 2026, CFOs expect tariff shifts—alongside inflation and regulatory policy changes—to remain a top priority
Five moves CFOs can make
- Reinforce a clear response strategy that aligns teams and ties tariff actions to long-term goals.
- Deepen visibility into the drivers of financial performance to identify the levers that can mitigate tariff changes.
- Prioritize platforms that connect data, people, and actions to coordinate faster, more efficient responses.
- Build cross-functional ways of working to strengthen agility through tighter collaboration and communication.
- Promote dynamic strategies—such as pricing—to protect margins, stay competitive, and reinforce customer value.
Conclusion
Finance leaders who tighten planning cycles, refresh models quickly, and align tariff consequences with supply chain choices will be better positioned to protect margins and guide the business through rapid policy shifts. Now is the time to turn signals into coordinated action. If you would like more details or want to discuss how these insights could help your organization, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
About the Center for Financial Planning & Analysis™
The Center for Financial Planning & Analysis™ (FP&A) serves as a vital hub for finance leaders, offering access to advanced research, leading insights, and a collaborative peer community. Designed to propel the impact of FP&A, the Center empowers leaders to drive innovation, shape strategic decisions, and broaden their influence throughout the enterprise, making it the ultimate resource for those aiming to accelerate both organizational and personal growth.
