Get Tability: OKRs that don't suck | Learn more →

10 OKR examples for Finance Department

Write perfect OKRs with Tability AI – try it free with 5k credits

Use Tability to generate OKRs and initiatives in seconds.

tability.io

What are Finance Department 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 Department 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.

Finance Department OKRs examples

You will find in the next section many different Finance Department 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 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 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 reinforce innovation within the finance department operations

  • ObjectiveReinforce innovation within the finance department operations
  • KRImplement 2 process improvement technologies enhancing efficiency by 25%
  • TaskResearch the best technologies for enhancing processes
  • TaskIdentify areas that need improvement for better efficiency
  • TaskImplement selected technologies and monitor results
  • KRAchieve a 15% increase in departmental productivity from continuous improvement initiatives
  • TaskLaunch team-building exercises for improved collaboration
  • TaskImplement workflow software to optimize daily operations
  • TaskConduct regular employee training sessions
  • KRConduct 5 innovative idea sharing workshops leading to 10 actionable strategies
  • TaskIdentify topics and structure for 5 idea sharing workshops
  • TaskPlan and conduct each workshop targeting innovative idea generation
  • TaskSelect and finalized 10 actionable strategies from generated ideas

OKRs to optimize IT costs by reducing expenses by 20%

  • ObjectiveReduce IT expenses by 20%
  • KRAnalyze previous quarter expenses and identify areas for cost reduction
  • TaskDetermine cost-saving opportunities
  • TaskIdentify spending patterns
  • TaskReview expenses
  • TaskImplement cost reduction measures
  • KREducate employees on cost-saving practices and enforce IT policies
  • TaskRegularly remind staff of cost-cutting policies
  • TaskContain training sessions for IT policy adoption
  • TaskMonitor employee compliance with IT policies and address non-compliance
  • TaskHold information sessions about cost-saving practices
  • KRNegotiate with vendors for better pricing
  • TaskResearch vendor's competitors and their rates
  • TaskHighlight your previous purchasing history with them
  • TaskOffer to sign a long-term contract for a discount
  • TaskAsk for a volume discount based on the forecasted quantity
  • KRImplement solutions and track savings
  • TaskIdentify opportunities for cost reduction
  • TaskImplement cost-saving solutions
  • TaskTrack and report realized savings
  • TaskPrioritize solutions based on potential savings

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 bolster Finance Department's role in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drives

  • ObjectiveBolster Finance Department's role in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drives
  • KRImplement a department-led CSR training program for 90% staff participation
  • TaskSchedule and execute department-wide training sessions
  • TaskDevelop engaging, comprehensive training materials
  • TaskIdentify department leaders to oversee the CSR training program
  • KRReduce paper usage in the finance department by 30% through digitization
  • TaskImplement a digital document management system
  • TaskTrain staff on digital record-keeping methods
  • TaskReplace paper invoices with e-billing systems
  • KRAllocate 15% of department fund towards supporting local charity organizations
  • TaskDistribute calculated amount among local charities
  • TaskDetermine total amount of department fund
  • TaskCalculate 15% of the total fund

OKRs to establish robust financial structure for sustainability and growth

  • ObjectiveEstablish robust financial structure for sustainability and growth
  • KRIncrease organizational revenue by 20% through new client acquisition
  • TaskImplement effective marketing strategies to attract potential clients
  • TaskTrain sales team on techniques for successful client acquisition
  • TaskEnhance product or service offerings to broaden appeal
  • KRImplement a new budgeting system accounting for all departments
  • TaskCreate a standardized budgeting template
  • TaskIdentify necessary expenses for each department
  • TaskDistribute and train departments on the new system
  • KRReduce operational cost by 15% through streamlining processes
  • TaskImplement lean strategies to optimize efficiency
  • TaskAutomate routine procedures to save manpower
  • TaskIdentify redundant tasks and merge them effectively

OKRs to enhance financial operations for continuous improvement

  • ObjectiveEnhance financial operations for continuous improvement
  • KRMinimize financial waste by identifying and reducing unnecessary expenses by 5%
  • TaskImplement strategies to cut identified expenses by 5%
  • TaskIdentify non-essential expenses across all categories
  • TaskAnalyze all financial statements for last one year
  • KRImplement at least two efficiency-improving process changes in the finance department
  • TaskResearch industry standards for efficient practices
  • TaskIntroduce technology to automate financial processes
  • TaskIdentify inefficiencies in current financial operations
  • KRIncrease quarterly profits by at least 10%
  • TaskImplement cost-saving measures throughout all departments
  • TaskDevelop and execute an aggressive sales strategy
  • TaskExpand product or service offerings to generate revenue

OKRs to develop and implement an impactful spending proposal

  • ObjectiveDevelop and implement an impactful spending proposal
  • KRObtain approval for the final spending proposal from all necessary department heads
  • TaskCollect approval signatures from every department head
  • TaskArrange a meeting to present and discuss the proposal
  • TaskDraft final spending proposal for department heads' review
  • KRResearch and benchmark 3 successful spending proposals from like companies
  • TaskObtain and analyze these companies' spending proposals
  • TaskIdentify three similar companies with successful spending proposals
  • TaskRecord findings and draw parallels to inform our proposal
  • KRAssemble a comprehensive draft proposal with at least 30 operational line items
  • TaskCreate a list of minimum 30 operational line items
  • TaskInclude those operational line items in the draft
  • TaskWrite a comprehensive draft proposal

How to write your own Finance Department OKRs

1. Get tailored OKRs with an AI

You'll find some examples below, but it's likely that you have very specific needs that won't be covered.

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.

Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.

Watch the video below to see it in action 👇

Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool

If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.

AI feedback for OKRs in TabilityTability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRs

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.

You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.

Option 3. Use the free OKR generator

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.

Finance Department 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 Department OKRs

The rules of OKRs are simple. Quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly, and yearly OKRs should be tracked monthly. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:

We recommend using a spreadsheet for your first OKRs cycle. You'll need to get familiar with the scoring and tracking first. Then, you can scale your OKRs process by using a proper OKR-tracking tool for it.

If 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 Department OKR templates

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

Table of contents