10 OKR examples for Finance Team
What are Finance Team OKRs?
The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.
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 Team 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.
Building your own Finance Team OKRs with AI
How to create great OKRs for any scenario in seconds
While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here.
You can use Tability's AI generator to create tailored OKRs based on your specific context. Tability can turn your objective description into a fully editable OKR template -- including tips to help you refine your goals.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Click on the "Generate goals using AI" button
- 3. Use natural language to describe your goals
Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.
How to improve existing OKRs with AI feedback
If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on "Generate analysis"
Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsTability 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.
You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.
Using the free OKR generator to get a quick template
If you're just looking for some quick inspiration, you can also use our free OKR generator to get a template.
Unlike with Tability, you won't be able to iterate on the templates, but this is still a great way to get started.
Our Finance Team OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Finance Team 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!
1. 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
Increase upselling and cross-selling efforts across channels- Identify and eliminate inefficient processes or expenditures
- Implement tracking metrics to optimize marketing campaigns
- KRIncrease total revenue by 15% in operational areas
- Initiate strategies for customer retention and acquisition
- Enhance product/service offerings to drive sales
- Implement efficiency measures to reduce operational costs
- KRCut financial inefficiencies and wastage by 20%
- Implement stricter budget control measures
- Conduct thorough assessments to find wasteful spending
- Train employees on cost efficiency strategies
2. OKRs to execute budget computation each Monday
- ObjectiveExecute budget computation each Monday
- KRImprove computation speed by 15% by the end of the quarter
- Upgrade to faster, modern hardware as necessary
- Implement efficient algorithms to reduce computational complexity
- Optimize existing code for better performance
- KRSubmit a reviewed budget calculation to the finance team by each Tuesday
- Finalize and download the corrected budget calculation
- Email the finalized calculation to the finance team each Tuesday
- Review and correct the budget calculation weekly
- KREnsure zero errors in all weekly budget computations
- Regularly update and verify all data input
- Review and double-check computations every week
- Implement a comprehensive error checking process
3. OKRs to implement a robust financial reporting system
- ObjectiveImplement a robust financial reporting system
- KRTrain 90% of finance team in system use by week 9
- Implement system use training and monitor its progress
- Identify those needing system use training within the finance team
- Develop a comprehensive system use training schedule
- KRDevelop and test system prototype by the end of week 6
- Create prototype based on specific requirements
- Conduct thorough system testing and debugging
- Finalize functional requirements for system prototype
- KRAchieve zero error reports within two weeks of system launch
- Implement a robust user-feedback mechanism
- Conduct thorough system testing before launch
- Quickly resolve issues as they are identified
4. 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
- Implement regular feedback sessions to identify improvements
- Arrange weekly leadership development workshops for the finance team
- Incorporate mentorship programs with experienced leaders
- KRImplement a weekly finance-focused leadership workshop for potential leaders
- Schedule a consistent time for the weekly meetings
- Invite potential leaders to participate in workshops
- Identify relevant finance topics for weekly workshops
- KRIdentify and mentor 3 high-potential employees for leadership roles
- Begin one-on-one mentoring sessions regularly
- Identify three employees showing leadership potential
- Develop personalized mentorship plans for each
5. 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
- Rectify detected ledger inaccuracies promptly
- Review weekly transactions in general ledger
- Identify and document any accounting discrepancies
- KROrganize bi-weekly ledger accuracy training for the finance team
- Schedule and announce the bi-weekly training sessions to finance team
- Prepare engaging and comprehensive training materials about ledger accuracy
- Define the key topics focussing on ledger accuracy for training sessions
- KRImplement a new streamlined ledger management software tool
- Identify necessary features for the new ledger management software
- Purchase or develop the selected software tool
- Train staff on how to use the new software
6. OKRs to efficiently manage and optimize our team's budget performance
- ObjectiveEfficiently manage and optimize our team's budget performance
- KRDeliver 100% accurate budget reports every fortnight for effective tracking
- Organize all relevant financial data every two weeks
- Develop accurate budget reports from collected data
- Submit the completed reports for tracking promptly
- KRReduce unnecessary expenditures by 15% for improved budget efficiency
- Negotiate with vendors for reduced cost of services
- Implement monitoring system for discretionary spending
- Identify and eliminate non-essential business expenses
- KRIncrease budget ROI by 10% through strategic allocation of resources
- Analyze current spending to identify inefficiencies or wasted resources
- Implement a strategic plan prioritizing high ROI initiatives
- Regularly review and adjust resource allocation as needed
7. OKRs to to Increase productivity in financial statement preparation process
- ObjectiveTo Increase productivity in financial statement preparation process
- KRStreamline communication process to decrease feedback acquisition from 10 days to 5 days
- Implement a unified communication platform for quicker feedback receipt
- Establish regular short stand-up meetings for rapid updates
- Set clear expectations about response times with team members
- KRReduce time taken to compile financial data by 25%
- Implement automated data compilation software
- Provide staff training on efficient data management
- Regularly review and streamline finance processes
- KRImplement a new accounting software to minimize manual errors by 50%
- Conduct staff training on new software use
- Identify and purchase appropriate accounting software
- Define requirement specifications for new accounting software
8. OKRs to attain professional status in trading
- ObjectiveAttain professional status in trading
- KRTrade a minimum of 300 shares per day for 45 days spread throughout the quarter
- Repeat this process for 45 days
- Set daily reminder for a trading session
- Buy or sell at least 300 shares daily
- KRComplete an advanced trading course with a 90% pass rate
- Practice mock trading tests for scoring high
- Consistently study course materials for understanding
- Enroll in an advanced trading course
- KRAchieve a consistent profit rate of 10% for 6 consecutive weeks
- Regularly analyze profit rates and make necessary adjustments
- Implement cost-saving measures and improve operational efficiency
- Review and adjust pricing strategies to increase profit margins
9. OKRs to improve efficiency and effectiveness in project delivery
- ObjectiveImprove efficiency and effectiveness in project delivery
- KRDecrease project overhead costs by 5%
- Identify and eliminate non-essential project expenses
- Improve efficiency in project management practices
- Negotiate better rates with vendors/suppliers
- KRReduce project delivery time by 10%
- Prioritize training of team members for improved productivity
- Streamline communication channels to hasten decision-making
- Implement advanced project management tools for increased efficiency
- KRIncrease project completion rate by 15%
- Prioritize and streamline tasks based on their importance and deadlines
- Improve team communication and clarity on project objectives
- Implement regular progress monitoring and provide necessary feedback
10. OKRs to minimize overdue 90-day balances
- ObjectiveMinimize overdue 90-day balances
- KRImprove the efficiency of the collection process to shorten payment durations by 20%
- Implement automated reminders for pending payments
- Apply a standardized collection process across all departments
- Offer incentives for early payment to clients
- KRImplement a 25% increase in debt recovery from the first month of operations
- Monitor and adjust strategies as needed
- Identify key areas causing low debt recovery rates
- Develop and implement enhanced debt recovery strategies
- KRDecrease the total number of 90-day balance accounts by 35%
- Introduce incentives for early or on-time payments
- Implement stricter criteria for granting credit accounts
- Analyze account payment patterns to identify consistent delays
Finance Team 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.
How to track your Finance Team OKRs
Quarterly OKRs should have weekly updates to get all the benefits from the framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:
- It brings the goals back to the top of the mind
- It will highlight poorly set OKRs
- It will surface execution risks
- It improves transparency and accountability
Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.
Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsIf you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.
More Finance Team OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to boost ad revenue on patrika.com
- OKRs to expand understanding of commissioned projects
- OKRs to increase sales of coaching services to independent professionals
- OKRs to enhance customer satisfaction and operational excellence in sales operations
- OKRs to enhance organizational cybersecurity compliance
- OKRs to accelerate overall procurement processes