In a new report published on March 31, 2026, car trustProvider of accounts receivable automation and payment solutions for business-to-business transactions sheds light on how finance teams are adapting to growing economic challenges. analysis Leverages input from 550 finance leaders navigating an unpredictable environment of higher spend and delayed customers remittancesand ongoing trade policy changes.
research The findings highlight a clear shift towards defensive financial strategies.
Two-thirds of survey respondents said customers were taking longer to pay bills compared to six months ago.
In response, almost half of organizations have tightened their cash management approaches, while almost 70 percent have postponed, shelved or advised against key projects due to ongoing uncertainty around the economy and regulations.
Also 77 percent questionnaire Respondents think a downturn is likely, possible, or has already affected their industry.
Tariff-related expenses have become a well-established factor in corporate planning.
More than three-quarters of finance professionals reported moderate to significant cost increases due to recent business adjustments.
To counter this, 85 percent have implemented countermeasures such as adjusting prices for buyers, moving supply chains closer to home, reviewing vendor relationships or pre-stocking products.
Roughly half are now explicitly included recipe they include their appropriations in their financial forecasts for 2026 and beyond.
Despite broader concerns about overinvestment in emerging technologies, spending on artificial intelligence and process automation continues to rise.
Sixty-five percent of companies plan to direct at least 10 percent of their 2026 budgets to these areas; 15 percent allocate more than a quarter of the total resources.
Encouragingly, 79 percent have already observed tangible benefits, including sharper forecasts analyticalbetter fraud prevention and streamlined invoice processing.
Still, nearly six in ten executives express unease that growth in AI spending could signal an unsustainable bubble.
Labor The adjustments reflect the same cautious mentality.
Last year, 34 percent of companies reduced staff numbers and 23 percent frozen hiring.
59 percent are turning to AI to close gaps tools for support. At the same time, forecasting practices have become more dynamic: 78 percent now review forecasts at least quarterly, and many are turning to monthly or even real-time scenario modelling.
Grant HalloranCEO car trustemphasized the dual focus on discipline and innovation.
He noted that executives are strengthening core operations while adopting modern tools to increase flexibility.
“Leaders are building systems that can pivot quickly,” Halloran added, highlighting how strict rules are put together. advance Discipline with AI-driven insights helps organizations remain responsive in uncertain times.
With more than a trillion dollars in invoices processed annually, car trust continues to equip finance departments with smart platforms that accelerate collections, reduce manual effort and improve customer experiences throughout the entire receivables cycle.
report offers deeper insights for professionals looking to strengthen their financial resilience for the rest 2026 and beyond. In an age where liquidity can determine survival, research study makes one point clear: efficient cash generation is no longer optional; The new measure of competitiveness.
