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10 OKR examples for Finance

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What are Finance OKRs?

The OKR acronym stands for Objectives and Key Results. It's a goal-setting framework that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s, and it became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s. OKRs helps teams has a shared language to set ambitious goals and track progress towards them.

Crafting effective OKRs can be challenging, particularly for beginners. Emphasizing outcomes rather than projects should be the core of your planning.

We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Finance to help you. You can look at any of the templates below to get some inspiration for your own goals.

If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.

The best tools for writing perfect Finance OKRs

Here are 2 tools that can help you draft your OKRs in no time.

Tability AI: to generate OKRs based on a prompt

Tability AI allows you to describe your goals in a prompt, and generate a fully editable OKR template in seconds.

Watch the video below to see it in action 👇

Tability Feedback: to improve existing OKRs

You can use Tability's AI feedback to improve your OKRs if you already have existing goals.

AI feedback for OKRs in Tability

Tability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.

Finance OKRs examples

You will find in the next section many different Finance Objectives and Key Results. We've included strategic initiatives in our templates to give you a better idea of the different between the key results (how we measure progress), and the initiatives (what we do to achieve the results).

Hope you'll find this helpful!

OKRs to enhance leadership skills in the finance department

  • ObjectiveEnhance leadership skills in the finance department
  • KRAchieve a 20% increase in leadership competency scores in finance team evaluations
  • TaskImplement regular feedback sessions to identify improvements
  • TaskArrange weekly leadership development workshops for the finance team
  • TaskIncorporate mentorship programs with experienced leaders
  • KRImplement a weekly finance-focused leadership workshop for potential leaders
  • TaskSchedule a consistent time for the weekly meetings
  • TaskInvite potential leaders to participate in workshops
  • TaskIdentify relevant finance topics for weekly workshops
  • KRIdentify and mentor 3 high-potential employees for leadership roles
  • TaskBegin one-on-one mentoring sessions regularly
  • TaskIdentify three employees showing leadership potential
  • TaskDevelop personalized mentorship plans for each

OKRs to enhance accuracy of general ledger amounts to 90%

  • ObjectiveEnhance accuracy of general ledger amounts to 90%
  • KRConduct weekly audits of general ledger for accuracy and discrepancy detection
  • TaskRectify detected ledger inaccuracies promptly
  • TaskReview weekly transactions in general ledger
  • TaskIdentify and document any accounting discrepancies
  • KROrganize bi-weekly ledger accuracy training for the finance team
  • TaskSchedule and announce the bi-weekly training sessions to finance team
  • TaskPrepare engaging and comprehensive training materials about ledger accuracy
  • TaskDefine the key topics focussing on ledger accuracy for training sessions
  • KRImplement a new streamlined ledger management software tool
  • TaskIdentify necessary features for the new ledger management software
  • TaskPurchase or develop the selected software tool
  • TaskTrain staff on how to use the new software

OKRs to enhance risk management in the finance department

  • ObjectiveEnhance risk management in the finance department
  • KRDecrease risk-related financial losses by 15%
  • TaskStrengthen internal audit procedures
  • TaskProvide staff training on risk management
  • TaskImplement regular financial risk assessment strategies
  • KRDevelop and train staff on 3 new risk mitigation strategies
  • TaskIdentify and outline 3 new risk mitigation strategies
  • TaskPrepare a comprehensive training program around these strategies
  • TaskSchedule and conduct training sessions for staff
  • KRImplement risk assessment tools to identify 20% more financial risks
  • TaskChoose appropriate risk assessment tools
  • TaskTrain staff on proper tool usage
  • TaskMonitor and measure effectiveness regularly

OKRs to enhance finance department's risk management initiatives

  • ObjectiveEnhance finance department's risk management initiatives
  • KRImplement a comprehensive risk monitoring system by end of quarter
  • TaskSelect appropriate risk monitoring software
  • TaskTrain staff on system usage and reporting
  • TaskIdentify key risk factors for ongoing review
  • KRAchieve a 20% increase in risk management staff competency through targeted training programs
  • TaskDevelop targeted training programs addressing identified skill gaps
  • TaskImplement training programs and assess staff competency improvements
  • TaskIdentify specific areas requiring competency improvement in risk management staff
  • KRReduce operational errors by 25% through improved controls and processes
  • TaskEvaluate and upgrade existing tools and systems
  • TaskImplement stricter quality control measures
  • TaskConduct regular staff training on operational procedures

OKRs to enhance profitable performance of the finance team

  • ObjectiveEnhance profitable performance of the finance team
  • KRImprove the ROI (Return on Investment) by 10% on all key business initiatives
  • TaskIncrease upselling and cross-selling efforts across channels
  • TaskIdentify and eliminate inefficient processes or expenditures
  • TaskImplement tracking metrics to optimize marketing campaigns
  • KRIncrease total revenue by 15% in operational areas
  • TaskInitiate strategies for customer retention and acquisition
  • TaskEnhance product/service offerings to drive sales
  • TaskImplement efficiency measures to reduce operational costs
  • KRCut financial inefficiencies and wastage by 20%
  • TaskImplement stricter budget control measures
  • TaskConduct thorough assessments to find wasteful spending
  • TaskTrain employees on cost efficiency strategies

OKRs to ensure compliance and adaptability of Finance department for long-term success

  • ObjectiveEnsure compliance and adaptability of Finance department for long-term success
  • KRIdentify and prioritize areas for automation and digitization within the Finance department
  • KRImplement updated financial policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements
  • TaskRevise and update financial policies and procedures to align with regulatory standards
  • TaskConduct a comprehensive review of existing financial policies and procedures
  • TaskIdentify gaps between existing policies and regulatory requirements
  • TaskCommunicate and train employees on the updated financial policies and procedures
  • KRTrain all Finance department staff on new compliance protocols and best practices
  • TaskSchedule a training session for all Finance department staff
  • TaskConduct role-playing exercises to practice implementing the best practices
  • TaskAssess the knowledge and understanding of staff through a post-training evaluation
  • TaskDevelop training materials and resources for the new compliance protocols
  • KRDevelop a roadmap for integrating emerging technologies to future-proof Finance operations

OKRs to instill a high-performance culture in Finance Operations

  • ObjectiveInstill a high-performance culture in Finance Operations
  • KRElevate employee job satisfaction rate to 90% via targeted development programs
  • TaskInitiate regular feedback sessions to identify employee issues and concerns
  • TaskImplement rewards and recognition system to acknowledge outstanding performance
  • TaskDevelop tailored training programs focusing on employee skill enhancement
  • KRReduce financial reporting errors by 15% to ensure accuracy
  • TaskProvide staff with additional training on financial reporting
  • TaskAdopt automated financial reporting software to minimize manual errors
  • TaskImplement a double-checking system for all financial reports
  • KRIncrease department's monthly revenue by 10% through process efficiencies
  • TaskIdentify and eliminate unnecessary processes in the workflow
  • TaskTrain staff on new, streamlined procedures
  • TaskImplement more efficient, cost-saving technology

OKRs to improve accuracy and timeliness in invoice processing

  • ObjectiveImprove accuracy and timeliness in invoice processing
  • KRIncrease on-time payments by 30%
  • TaskImplement automated reminders for upcoming payment due dates
  • TaskOffer incentives or discounts for early or on-time payments
  • TaskEnhance payment procedures for user simplicity and convenience
  • KRReduce invoice processing errors by 25%
  • TaskImplement invoice automation software to reduce manual entry
  • TaskRegularly audit invoices to identify errors
  • TaskTrain staff on accurate invoice processing methods
  • KRDecrease invoice processing time by 20%
  • TaskTrain staff in efficient invoice management techniques
  • TaskImplement automated invoicing software to speed up processing
  • TaskStreamline invoice approval workflow to minimize delays

OKRs to maintain financial health by sticking to budget

  • ObjectiveMaintain financial health by sticking to budget
  • KRIncrease savings by 10% through efficient budget allocation
  • TaskAllocate income towards high-interest savings accounts
  • TaskIdentify and cut unnecessary expenditures from personal budget
  • TaskRegularly review and adjust budget for efficiency
  • KRAchieve zero budget overruns in all spending categories
  • TaskMonitor all expenses regularly and adjust promptly
  • TaskProvide training for effective budget management
  • TaskImplement strict financial controls and budget limits
  • KRReduce discretionary spending by 15% compared to last quarter
  • TaskIdentify non-essential expenses from last quarter
  • TaskDefine a strict budget on discretionary items
  • TaskImplement expenditure tracking and control methods

OKRs to implement an AI tool for efficient user manual generation

  • ObjectiveImplement an AI tool for efficient user manual generation
  • KRSecure funding for AI investment by increasing budget 20%
  • TaskCreate a detailed proposal highlighting AI's potential returns
  • TaskCollaborate with finance team for budget reallocation suggestions
  • TaskPitch the revised budget plan to decision-makers
  • KRIncrease user manual production speed by 50% using the newly implemented AI tool
  • TaskPrioritize AI-assisted content editing to enhance efficiency
  • TaskUtilize AI tool for automatic content generation for user manuals
  • TaskImplement regular staff training on AI tool usage
  • KRTrain team on AI tool usage, resulting in 30% less time spent drafting
  • TaskImplement regular practice sessions to reinforce learning
  • TaskEstablish a progress monitoring system for tool proficiency
  • TaskSchedule AI tool training sessions for all team members

Finance OKR best practices

Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.

Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇

Tip #1: Limit the number of key results

The #1 role of OKRs is to help you and your team focus on what really matters. Business-as-usual activities will still be happening, but you do not need to track your entire roadmap in the OKRs.

We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.

Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins

Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to get the full value of your OKRs and make your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.

Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.

Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row

Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.

As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.

Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.

Save hours with automated OKR dashboards

AI feedback for OKRs in Tability

Your quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly if you want to get all the benefits of the OKRs framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:

Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use Tability to save time with automated OKR dashboards, data connectors, and actionable insights.

How to get Tability dashboards:

That's it! Tability will instantly get access to 10+ dashboards to monitor progress, visualise trends, and identify risks early.

More Finance OKR templates

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

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