(From BusinessIntelligence Middle East) -- Finance Business Partnering is the way ahead to gain competitive advantage, according to a new report from ACCA and KPMG.

The training, development and retention of the finance function is crucial to the success of an organisation, especially in the current economic climate, asserts a new report from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and KPMG called Maximising People Power: Effective talent management in finance.

The report emphasises that securing the right talent is one of the biggest challenges faced by Chief Finance Officers (CFOs), adding that the finance function must now take the opportunity to make a difference to their organisations' success - whether in the public or private sector, whether in a listed multinational or small and medium sized enterprise.

Ian Lithgow, partner, KPMG says: "The next decade presents a critical opportunity for finance professionals to help create and sustain long term value for organisations. But the challenge lies with employers to realise and leverage talent within their finance function."

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