Why only 1 in 4 finance leaders have a clear sight of their cash flow

You can’t manage what you can’t see. And in markets that move in minutes, yesterday’s figures won’t cut it.

Yet, far too many finance leaders are still flying blind, relying on guesswork instead of real-time data to make the big calls.

Only one in four finance leaders has clear cash flow visibility, according to Pleo’s Buried Treasury: Uncovering the Secret to Financial Stability report. Most teams rely on outdated data, manual processes, and guesswork, leaving them focused on past reporting instead of future planning.  

Relying on outdated data adds pressure to finance leaders and risks long-term success. The good news? It’s fixable. Modern finance teams are upgrading cash flow processes to gain real-time insights and drive growth. 

Here’s why the cash flow visibility gap exists, what risks it creates, and how today’s finance leaders are fixing the issue. 

Cash flow visibility in 2025

For the treasury function to work, a detailed overview of cash flow across the entire organisation is essential. But many finance leaders don’t have that luxury.

Our report found that only 26% of companies rate their visibility of multi-entities as very good, and only 22% rate their visibility risk of overspending as very good. 

As a result, almost half of businesses say they can’t maintain adequate control over their cash flow and finances. This lack of oversight isn’t just frustrating for finance leaders; it also creates some serious risks, including: 

• Course corrections made too late: Without real-time insights, finance teams rely on outdated data, leading to reactive decisions and less control over business direction.  
• Growth plans put on ice: When you don’t have clear visibility over cash flow, it’s difficult to plan for growth or assess the potential impact of key decisions.
• Excess cash sits idle instead of earning interest: Poor visibility means missed chances to optimise liquidity or earn more from excess cash. 
• Paying for tech with no return on investment: Disconnected tools force finance teams to fall back on manual work, while businesses pay for tools that don’t add value.

What’s changed in finance?

For a long time, traditional methods like spreadsheets, manual reconciliations, static dashboards, and email-based approvals were sufficient for maintaining visibility over business cash flow. 

But while these worked for a slower world, they’re simply not enough for today’s dynamic environment. In 2025, finance teams now have to navigate multiple challenges that impact business performance, including rising inflation, soaring energy costs, snowballing business taxes, talent shortages, and higher costs across recruitment, goods, materials, and services. 

As a result, forward-thinking finance leaders are actively looking for ways to modernise their cash flow processes and stay ahead in an unpredictable market. 

“Evolving the treasury function means transforming from being reactive cash managers into strategic, proactive business managers that drive better liquidity and risk management, business automation, cost efficiency, and investment decisions.”

—David McHenry, Head of Product Advisory & Implementation, HSBC Innovation Banking UK

Four tips for building better cash flow insights 

Getting control over cash flow doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are four ways to build better cash flow insights and move from reactive decisions to proactive management.

Create a single overview 

When data is spread across multiple spreadsheets, tools, teams, and bank accounts, it’s almost impossible to get a clear picture of cash flow. The most effective way to achieve full visibility is to create an overview of all accounts, currencies, and wallets. This kind of centralised view allows finance teams to track cash flow in real-time, even across multiple regions and currencies. Then, it’s much easier to make fast, confident decisions—backed by data. 

Revitalise cash flow forecasting 

Modernising cash flow forecasting goes beyond basic liquidity management. New technology has changed the forecasting process by giving finance teams complete visibility into cash flow trends, the ability to test different scenarios based on market conditions, and quickly make the most of any excess funds. This combination of control and visibility helps finance leaders embrace their role as change-makers, with the ability to drive business success. 

Automate expenses and save 11.5 hours each month (based on Pleo customer data)  

Finding ways to automate manual tasks like expense management, reimbursements, and month-end reconciliations helps free up the time needed for mission-critical work. Our report found that on average, admin teams save 11.5 hours each month when they automate their expenses with Pleo.  Automation can trigger cash transfers based on certain conditions, capture and categorise receipts, track expenses in real-time, sync transactions, and more. 

Create proactive systems 

Forward-thinking finance leaders focus on creating proactive systems, rather than reacting to something that’s already happened. By building systems that flag issues like budget overruns or delayed payments, finance leaders can respond in the moment. This allows them to stay on top of cash flow, stay ahead of market shifts, and avoid unnecessary costs.

How can finance leaders integrate these tips into their systems and processes? One of the most effective ways is to use finance tools that allow them to access real-time information. 

Closing the gap: The role of modern finance tools 

Modernising cash flow processes is easy with the right tools. But they also need to be used in the right way. 

Many finance teams are still relying on multiple systems that don’t integrate. Our report found that treasury teams currently use four different systems, leading to digital overload, data duplication, and frustration. Instead of streamlining operations and improving visibility, this fragmented approach leaves finance teams too busy managing the present, without time to focus on the future. 

The key for finance leaders looking to move away from this reactive approach towards something more proactive and strategic is to combine the right spend management tool with an integration-first strategy. This provides the real-time insights and visibility needed for the kinds of confident, informed decisions that build long-lasting business success. 

“If businesses want to develop greater financial strategy and agility, they must evolve the treasury function. Leaders might deem their current setup effective, but – given the economic rollercoaster to come in 2025 – this could be wishful thinking. Whether it’s down to the tools they use, how their team spends its time, or what their surplus cash is doing – businesses have the opportunity to turn their treasury function into a digital, predictive and strategic command centre that redefines what effective looks like. And the sooner they make a start, the sooner they’ll see the results.”

—Amit Kahana, Head of Credit, Treasury and Cash Management

Here’s how tools like Pleo can help businesses evolve by shining a light on cash flow: 

• Unified financial overview: One centralised overview of all bank accounts and company spend. 
• Control over spending: Quickly allocate funds, set customisable budgets, and automate approvals.
• Cash flow optimisation: Sync business tools and track spending as it happens to spot trends and make smarter decisions. 
• Smart financial efficiency: Maximise excess cash, save on foreign exchange fees, and make the most of yield-generating accounts. 

Forward-thinking finance leaders know they need to work fast to improve visibility. That’s why they’re using technology like Pleo to streamline their processes and build better cash flow insights. 

To find out more about how finance leaders are tackling cash flow visibility, download our latest report: Buried Treasury: Uncovering the Secret to Financial Stability.