CFOs don’t have time for spreadsheets. In fast-moving finance environments, visibility into cash, payables, and working capital can’t wait until month-end.
That’s where daily dashboards come in.
A well-designed CFO dashboard surfaces the right metrics refreshed automatically to enable fast, informed decisions.
Let’s break down what metrics matter daily, and how to design dashboards that drive real impact.
The Problem: Reporting Lag = Missed Opportunities
Most finance teams still rely on:
- Batch reporting (monthly or weekly)
- Manual exports from ERP or banks
- Lagging KPIs that miss real-time changes
That’s risky. According to Oracle, 72% of CFOs say data delays limit their ability to act on cash flow risks.
What to Track Daily: Metrics That Matter
Here are the non-negotiables for your daily CFO dashboard:
Benchmarks:
- DSO: < 45 days (ideal), DPO: 50–65 days (top quartile)
- Burn rate: <10% monthly if growth stage, <5% otherwise
- Budget variance: < ±5% daily trend
Design Principles: What Makes Dashboards Actionable
A dashboard is not a report. It’s a real-time cockpit for finance leaders.
Design it for:
- Clarity: Limit to 6-8 KPIs max
- Hierarchy: Most critical data top-left
- Drill-downs: From summary to invoice/vendor level
- Auto-refresh: Connect ERP + bank + AP automation tools
- Threshold alerts: Flag when burn rate spikes or DSO slips
- Mobile ready: CFOs check dashboards on the move
Tip: Use trendlines and color-coded variances, not static numbers.
Strategic Impact: More Than Just Visibility
A real-time dashboard drives:
- Better cash management → Less idle cash, smarter payments
- Vendor confidence → Pay on time without overpaying
- Forecast accuracy → Compare planned vs actual daily
- Treasury precision → Improve FX timing and reduce leakage
The ROI: What a Daily Dashboard Unlocks
For modern finance leaders, a daily CFO dashboard isn’t a luxury, it’s a strategic tool. It surfaces what matters, when it matters, and helps finance move from reactive to proactive.
But metrics only matter if they’re accurate and timely. That’s where automation, especially in AP and treasury, is essential.
Book a demo to see how Finofo powers CFO dashboards with real-time visibility into payables, FX, and cash flow.
