contributors
Brett Wells
Vice President, Business Technology Leader
December 7, 2025 • 3 Min Read
Rolling out a new ERP system is a big deal. Whether it's a full-scale deployment, a cloud migration, or just an upgrade, CFOs play a critical role in steering these transformations, not just from a systems perspective, but from a financial and strategic one.
And while it’s tempting to monitor a dozen dashboards at once, it’s far more effective to focus on a handful of key metrics that actually move the needle. Here are four essential KPIs that every CFO should keep a close eye on during an ERP transformation:
01.
Cash Conversion Cycle (a.k.a. Working Capital Days)
Why it matters: One of the central promises of an ERP system is process efficiency. Faster order-to-cash, smoother procure-to-pay, and ultimately, improved cash flow.
CFO lens: Watch for red flags that suggest things are slowing down rather than speeding up. Are Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) improving post-go-live? Are suppliers being paid later due to hiccups in the new purchase order system? Is manual work creeping back in to patch broken workflows?
Bottom line, if your ERP is working, you should see tighter working capital, not looser.
02.
Time to Close (a.k.a. Financial Close Cycle)
Why it matters: A faster, more accurate financial close is often a headline promise of any ERP initiative. The system should reduce manual entries, increase accuracy, and streamline reporting.
CFO lens: Set a target, for example, “Close books in five days by the end of Year One post-implementation.” Then monitor whether you’re on track.
If the close is taking longer after go-live, dig into why. Common culprits include data quality issues, failed system integrations, or reconciliation problems. And keep an eye on spikes in manual journal entries; they’re often a symptom of a deeper system or process misalignment.
03.
Project ROI & Cost Realization
Why it matters: ERP transformations are high-cost, high-stakes. The CFO’s job is to make sure the benefits—from cost savings to productivity gains—actually show up on the P&L.
CFO lens: Treat benefit tracking like you would financial performance: with rigor. Compare actual savings to projections: track ROI milestones and payback periods. And don’t ignore the hidden costs, such as extended consulting hours, internal resource drain, or unplanned data remediation.
If benefits are lagging, it might be due to low user adoption or missed change management steps. Raise issues early and ensure every benefit has an owner accountable for delivery.
04.
System Adoption & Data Quality
Why it matters: No matter how good the ERP is, if people don’t use it or use it incorrectly, its value erodes quickly. Low adoption and poor data quality directly impact reporting accuracy, risk exposure, and audit readiness.
CFO lens: Go beyond the go-live celebration. Monitor how the system is being used in real, day-to-day operations. Are people reverting to spreadsheets or legacy systems? Are help desk tickets piling up?
Look at adoption metrics such as the percentage of transactions running through the new ERP, the frequency of data errors, and the number of manual workarounds. Resistance to new workflows is common, but if left unaddressed, it can sink ROI.
Final Thought: Less is More, If It’s the Right “Less”
ERP transformations are challenging, and it’s easy to get buried in metrics. But by focusing on just four well-chosen KPIs—cash flow, financial close, ROI realization, and adoption—CFOs can stay laser-focused on what truly matters. These metrics don’t just track system health; they track business value.
Keep the dashboard tight. Stay engaged beyond go-live. And remember, transformation is a financial and operational reinvention. As CFO, your KPIs should reflect exactly that.
Need help defining the right “less” to focus on? RGP Streamline 360™ shows you where to start. This exclusive ERP framework can help you identify the right priorities—and the right KPIs—to guide your transformation.