Source: Fortune
Summary
Barbara Larson, EVP and CFO at Workiva, aims to steer the company to $1 billion in revenue this year. Workiva reported $885 million in total revenue for fiscal 2025, a 20% year-over-year increase. Larson brings over two decades of financial leadership experience, having served as CFO at SentinelOne and Workday. She emphasizes the importance of AI in finance, noting that companies are still struggling with data fragmentation. Workiva’s platform aims to address this issue by grounding AI within the customer’s own data, standards, and context.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story. Workiva’s revenue growth is notable, but the company’s ability to deliver non-GAAP operating leverage alongside that growth is equally impressive. Larson’s emphasis on AI adoption and transformation within the finance organization reflects the evolving role of the CFO. Her partnership with the CIO and executive team to drive faster outcomes and create leverage for shareholders is a key aspect of this shift. As a CFO, Larson is not only driving growth but also transforming her own organization. The goal of reaching $1 billion in revenue this year is ambitious, but Larson’s experience and Workiva’s platform make it a plausible target. Workiva’s success will depend on its ability to scale and continue delivering value to its customers.
One sentence that reframes the situation: The CFO is no longer just a numbers person, but a key driver of business transformation.
Author: Evan Null
