Workiva Executive Benchmark Survey Finds Instability is Accelerating Data Automation and Governance in 2026
MWN-AI** Summary
Workiva Inc. recently published its 2026 Executive Benchmark Survey, highlighting the increasing emphasis on data automation and governance driven by ongoing geopolitical instability. The survey reveals that 79% of businesses are prioritizing these measures to close glaring data gaps, with significant financial backing—73% report IT support and 71% have secured dedicated budgets for these initiatives.
Steve Soter, VP at Workiva, notes that executives see the unpredictability of the current business landscape as a catalyst for enhanced focus on data clarity. Poor data quality remains a critical threat, potentially leading to operational delays, legal fines, and loss of credibility among investors or lenders. To combat this, organizations are prioritizing accurate and trustworthy data as foundational to their finance transformation efforts.
Key insights from the survey include that nearly all respondents (96%) believe that alignment among CFOs, CIOs, and CSOs around a shared data governance strategy is essential. Importantly, 91% acknowledge that AI has improved both the timeliness and the strategic value of financial decisions. The integration of AI is maturing, with organizations increasingly applying it strategically to achieve measurable outcomes while ensuring oversight; 76% report that internal audit teams are actively testing their AI models.
Collaboration and shared objectives across teams are crucial for organizations looking to leverage AI effectively. As Heather Holding, Chief Risk Officer at Best Egg, points out, digital transformation extends beyond technology enhancements—it's a vital investment for achieving better business outcomes and maintaining competitive advantage. The survey gathered feedback from 1,497 professionals across various departments, reflecting a comprehensive view of current data governance and automation trends in the evolving business environment.
MWN-AI** Analysis
In the rapidly evolving landscape of data management, the insights from Workiva's 2026 Executive Benchmark Survey present a pivotal opportunity for investors and corporate leaders alike. With 79% of executives prioritizing data automation and governance to mitigate risks from geopolitical instability, the call for synchronized C-suite collaboration (96% agree on this necessity) underscores a critical shift toward cohesive data strategies.
The survey reveals that nearly all respondents (91%) have recognized the significant impact of AI on improving decision-making timeliness and strategic value. As businesses increasingly allocate dedicated budgets (71%) and IT support (73%) toward data transformation initiatives, the emphasis on trustworthy, actionable data becomes paramount. This trend is crucial for investors to note, highlighting companies that adeptly adopt AI and governance frameworks could secure a competitive edge in their respective markets.
Moreover, organizations are realizing the tangible costs of poor data quality—ranging from operational delays to loss of investor trust. As such, businesses are not merely viewing digital transformation as a technological upgrade but as a strategic imperative that enhances growth prospects while mitigating compliance risks. Therefore, investing in firms with robust data governance and AI integration strategies could yield long-term benefits.
From an investment perspective, firms that prioritize data automation, and maintain transparent governance protocols are likely to outperform their competitors. Key indicators such as the establishment of centers of excellence, and the role of Chief Transformation Officers (49% of surveyed organizations), are essential for tracking potential growth and performance reliability in this digital era.
As 2026 approaches, stakeholders should closely monitor how effectively organizations work together to bridge data silos. This alignment will be crucial to achieving optimal business outcomes, thus, presenting attractive investment opportunities in companies that are committed to data clarity and innovation.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
96% Say C-Suite Alignment is Imperative to Break Down Data Silos
91% say AI has Improved the Timeliness and Strategic Value of Financial Decisions
Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK), a leading AI-powered platform for trust, transparency, and accountability, today released the findings of its 2026 Executive Benchmark Survey, showing that business leaders are prioritizing data automation and governance (79%) to close enterprise-wide data gaps exposed by geopolitical instability. Notably, most companies are now funding this shift with IT support (73%) and dedicated budgets (71%).
“Business today is anything but predictable. Companies are rushing toward AI—but fragmented data is a massive hurdle," said Steve Soter, VP and Industry Principal at Workiva. "We’re at a turning point where executives are treating data clarity as a top-tier risk, providing the necessary funding to modernize data flows, drive financial clarity, and realize the full potential of AI.”
Survey respondents said the top consequences of poor data quality are bad or delayed operational decisions, followed by regulatory fines or legal action, and the loss of investor or lender credibility. Recognizing these challenges, executives prioritizing data automation and governance should be intent on improving the quality of data inputs to bolster decision-making and maintain trust.
Top Survey Trends
Trustworthy Data is a Top Priority
Organizations agree that finance transformation will fail without accurate, trustworthy data as its foundation. Many have established centers for excellence or steering committees to guide financial transformation, and nearly half have Chief Transformation Officers in place to drive accountability and measurable return.
- 73% report dedicated IT team support for transformation initiatives
- 71% have secured a dedicated budget
AI Foundations are Maturing with Guardrails
Most organizations are tying AI investments to strategy and moving quickly to apply AI where it can drive measurable outcomes. This shift is already showing up in decision-making, with nearly all organizations (91%) saying that AI has improved the timeliness and strategic value of financial decisions. At the same time, leaders are scaling AI in their reporting with guardrails, expanding usage while strengthening oversight and control.
- 65% use AI in select components of quarterly or annual disclosures, and 46% use it extensively across the reporting process
- 76% say that internal audit teams test their AI models
CFO-CIO-CSO Collaboration is Imperative
Across the board, stakeholders agree that organizations must modernize how data flows across teams and systems so vast datasets can be collected, analyzed, and validated. Organizations that share a single transformation agenda and shared investment targets are best positioned to scale AI responsibly and meet rising expectations for transparent, trustworthy data.
- 96% say the CFO, CIO, and CSO must unite around a shared data governance strategy
- 96% say better access to shared data improves the likelihood of achieving optimal business outcomes
“Digital transformation is not just a technology upgrade. It’s a strategic investment in achieving business outcomes like speed to insight, lower operational and compliance risk, and scalable growth,” said Heather Holding, Chief Risk Officer, Best Egg. “There is a quantifiable cost to the status quo and falling behind competitors.”
The survey includes insights from 1,497 professionals in finance and accounting, sustainability, internal audit, operations, and legal departments at global organizations. To read the full report in its entirety, click here: Workiva’s 2026 Executive Benchmark Survey: Data Pressures Mount as Instability Continues .
About Workiva
Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK) powers trust, transparency, and accountability. Finance, accounting, sustainability, risk, and audit teams from more than 6,500 organizations, including over 85% of Fortune 1,000 companies, rely on Workiva for their mission-critical work. We transform how customers connect data, unify processes, and empower teams in a secure, audit-ready, AI-powered collaborative platform. Learn more at workiva.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260203332401/en/
Media:
Bill Bode
Workiva Inc.
press@workiva.com
Investor:
Katie White
Workiva Inc.
investor@workiva.com
FAQ**
How does Workiva Inc. Class A WK's commitment to data automation and governance position it to take advantage of the 96% of executives prioritizing C-Suite alignment for breaking down data silos in the current business environment?
What specific strategies is Workiva Inc. Class A WK implementing to enhance the accuracy and trustworthiness of data, following the survey's indication that poor data quality can lead to operational challenges for companies?
Considering that 91% of survey respondents noted improvements in the timeliness of financial decisions due to AI, how is Workiva Inc. Class A WK capitalizing on this trend to drive its growth and innovation in financial reporting solutions?
With 96% of business leaders emphasizing the need for CFO-CIO-CSO collaboration around data governance, how does Workiva Inc. Class A WK facilitate this collaboration among its clients to meet rising expectations for data transparency and accountability?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Workiva Inc. Class A (NYSE: WK).
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