ERP nightmares: 94% of finance leaders regret implementation, survey reveals

• AccountsIQ’s 2025 CFO Mindset Report exposes stress, hidden costs and underused features in ERP systems
• 80% of organisations have implemented an ERP system for their finance function. However, two thirds (66%) found their ERP implementation process stressful

A staggering 94% of CFOs regret rolling out enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, citing spiraling costs, stressful rollouts, and underused features. That’s according to AccountsIQ’s latest CFO Mindset Report which surveyed 1,000 CFOs and finance leaders across the UK and Ireland. It found that while 80% have adopted ERP systems for their finance function, the experience has often been far from positive.

Finance teams are also facing a ‘hidden cost crisis’. Almost all (95%) of teams uncover unexpected software costs after going live, including add-ons such as AI assistants, third-party support, and unanticipated price hikes. It’s an incredible picture: businesses are paying premium prices for tools that slow growth, drain efficiency and burn out teams. ERP providers, including Sage Intacct, have increased prices by more than 15% in the last two years, continuing to drive up costs for customers. The CFO Mindset report warns that these costs don’t just hit budgets – they slow processes, reduce visibility and exhaust teams.

On top of this, two-thirds (66%) of businesses described the implementation process as stressful, with one in four (25%) reporting that it took more than seven months to complete. Even after going live, many users struggled to make full use of the system. In fact, only 2% of finance teams report using their ERP to its full potential, and three fifths (60%) say they use half or less of the features they’ve paid for. This underutilisation is often due to lack of internal skills, poor user experience, and inadequate training and support – the most commonly cited reasons for post-implementation regret.

The result is that many companies are now looking to make a change. A striking 93% plan to switch their software provider, with three fifths (60%) aiming to do so within the next three months. The primary reasons for switching include a need for system consolidation, improved reporting capabilities, and better value for money. Every month they stay with unsuitable systems, they risk more burnout, more blind decision-making, and more ground lost to competitors.

Darren Cran, CEO of AccountsIQ, believes it’s time for finance teams to rethink their approach. “Too many finance teams who are looking to switch from outdated or starter finance software are being sold an ERP dream that quickly turns into a nightmare,” he said. “Growing businesses need more than bloated technology. In today’s unpredictable market, finance must be a driver of control and clarity. Choosing the right software isn’t just a tech decision – it’s a growth imperative for the whole business. They need to find the ‘golden middle’ option: smart, scalable finance tools that work today, not five years from now. ERP vendors overpromise and underdeliver. We’re here to change that.”

The report also highlights how leading CFOs are taking back control – by choosing tools that match their size, complexity, and growth ambitions; building smarter, more agile finance processes that cut waste and speed decisions.

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