It has certainly been a busy and challenging Q4 for our CFO Alliance Members. The issues that finance leaders have to deal with continue to pile up. We have tried to do our part by bringing them together via our invitation-only Roundtables to openly discuss, dissect and debate issues like tackling healthcare reform, optimizing capital structures, developing and executing a corporate strategy during times of uncertainty, and creating your CFO Leadership brand.

As I reflect on the past 3 months, I must say that while a major uncertainty that CFOs were facing—the outcome of the November elections—may be resolved. given the number of issues CFOs face as 2012 heads to a close, it did not made a dent in their sentiment and outlooks.

That list of uncertainties remains long: the fiscal cliff drama in the U.S., employment numbers, the ongoing eurozone debt crisis and the possibility of a breakup, the slowdowns in major global markets like China and Germany, are just a few of the issues keeping CFOs 'up at night.' There should be no surprise when I share with you that many CFO Alliance Members still feel insecure about the future and are wary of increasing their capital investments, doing M&A, and hiring new employees in 2013. Yet, at the same time, there is a real and demonstrated desire to 'act,' and not simply 'react.' As we have traveled around the U.S., it has become clear that our CFO Alliance Members share a passion to move forward and believe that by collaborating and sharing ideas, opportunities, and pitfalls, is the best way to build confidence in 2013 decision-making.

Within the next week, we will be publishing the results of our 2013 Sentiment Study. Based upon input from over 500 CFOs from around the U.S., this Study will identify, analyze and prioritize what CFOs believe we need to do to create a more robust and positive business and economic climate in 2013.

I will make you this promise: We intend to do more than simply 'publish' these results and analysis. It's time to create a spotlight and voice for the CFO community. and we intend to do that. This may be the best way to help these CFOs move the needle forward in 2013.

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