A new survey shows that Sweden has the highest proportion of finance functions using AI in their core processes, and the most integrated credit operations in the region.
Swedish finance functions are the most digitally mature in Northern Europe, with the highest proportion using AI embedded in their core processes, according to a new survey from Collectia Group.
The survey shows that 62% of Swedish CFOs say AI is embedded in core finance processes, compared to 50% regionally and the highest of the four markets. Sweden also ranked first in fully integrated, data-driven credit management (41%, compared to 29% regionally). Operational maturity comes at the same time as the region’s most reserved self-image: Swedish CFOs were among the least likely to call themselves ”very confident” in managing risk.
That pattern, capability combined with realism, stands out against the regional picture, where security often comes before the systems that will carry it. Across the region, 94% of business leaders say AI is in operational use, but 61% cannot clearly demonstrate what it brings back.
”"Sweden shows what a mature finance function looks like. AI embedded in real processes, integrated operations and a sober view of where the gaps still exist. It is a healthier situation than high security that rests on partly manual foundations.", Daniel Bremann, Group CTO, Collectia Group
The results come from Collectia Group's CFO Outlook 2026, a survey of 150 senior CFOs, CFOs, Finance Directors and Heads of Credit, in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany, conducted in April 2026. It examines how finance leaders in the region are managing risk, automation and credit management under sustained economic pressure.
Looking at the region as a whole, three results stand out. AI has become almost standard in the finance function, but most cannot show what it gives in return. The security of managing risk is well ahead of the systems that will carry it. And late customer payments have emerged as both one of the biggest risks and the main reason for changing credit partners.
The results point to CFOs who have become highly adept at managing complexity, often despite fragmented systems and manual work. But as risk becomes harder to predict and working capital becomes tighter, a gap opens between organizations that rely on experience alone and those that back up their judgment with integrated data and automation. Getting started with AI may be enough to keep up today. What will differentiate tomorrow’s leaders is being able to demonstrate that it delivers results.
Read the full study here: https://cfosurveydata.com/
The numbers in brief
- 62 % of Swedish CFOs say that AI is embedded in central processes, compared to 50 % regionally, highest of the four markets.
- 41 % has a fully integrated, data-driven credit management, against 29 % in Northern Europe.
- Swedish CFOs are among the least likely to call themselves ”very confident” in managing risk (50 % against 57 %regionally).
- Regionally stated 94 % that AI is in operational use, but 61 % can't show what it gives back.
- The biggest obstacles to AI are organizational, not technical: cost, skills, and governance.
About the survey
The results are based on a survey of 150 senior financial decision-makers, CFOs (44 %), Finance Directors (41 %) and Heads of Credit (15 %), in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany, conducted in April 2026. The figures refer to the regional total unless an individual market is specified, and are rounded to the nearest integer.
About Collectia
Collection is a technology-driven credit management company headquartered in Copenhagen and with local offices in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Germany. The company serves more than 40,000 customers by combining advanced technology with experienced local teams. Through a global partner network, Collectia also offers debt collection and credit management solutions in more than 50 countries. Collectia is owned by Silverfleet Capital.
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