The CFO Show (Vena Solutions)

The CFO-COO partnership is undeniably one of the most powerful alliances that can make or break a company's success. When working in perfect harmony, this duo creates a formidable force that drives strategic decisions, enhances operational efficiency, and propels growth. 

In this installment of our finance business partnering series, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Sandra Clarke, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Shield of California. Sandra, who spent the majority of her career in finance, progressed from analyst to CFO before taking on the COO role. She discusses the unique perspective of having been on both sides of the CFO-COO relationship, addressing the benefits of close collaboration as well as the challenges that may arise from competing priorities. 

Discover what it takes to build a successful CFO-COO business collaboration that benefits the entire organization and learn how this dynamic partnership directly impacts a company's bottom line.

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The role of the COO, its variability across companies, and where it intersects with the CFO role in facilitating company strategy and boosting growth. 
• How finance leaders can bring the most value to the operations team by understanding the business, identifying patterns in numbers that may indicate potential issues, and recommending optimal resource allocation. 
• Key elements of a strong CFO-COO partnership, including humility, mutual trust in each other's expertise, and an unwavering focus on what's best for the business. 
• Navigating tensions between CFO and COO roles when financial data doesn't support perceived operational needs, and strategies for collaboration in these challenging situations. 

Intellectual property (IP) is revolutionizing how companies build value. For many businesses, the key to sustainable growth lies not in their balance sheet, but in the ideas they own. 

Erin-Michael Gill, founder of M&A firm Genaesis, LLC, and Chairman of a Federal Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property and Trade, shares his expertise in this episode. With over $1.2 billion in M&A and capital formation investments under his advisory, Gill is consistently recognized as one of the world's leading IP strategists. 

Erin-Michael delves into the intersection of IP strategy, innovation, and deal-making. He discusses how CFOs can unlock the full potential of their IP portfolios to fuel growth, attract investors, and drive success in M&A transactions. 

Discover why IP should be at the forefront of your business strategy and learn practical approaches to developing and managing IP assets. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The pivotal role of IP and intangible assets in driving company valuation and growth, with a focus on M&A contexts. 
• Why many businesses overlook their potential to monetize IP and other intangible assets. 
• How a well-crafted IP portfolio can become a cornerstone of a company's growth strategy, attracting investors and securing competitive advantages. 
• The various ways patents add value to a business, from legal protections to social proof.  
• Strategies for assessing, valuing, and positioning intangible assets to optimize outcomes in deal-making scenarios.

Healthcare costs continue to be the most unpredictable expense for businesses, creating a challenging dilemma for CFOs. While healthcare benefits serve as a powerful tool for recruiting and retaining employees, the escalating costs are forcing many finance leaders to seek innovative ways to reduce expenses without compromising the quality of care or the attractiveness of their benefits packages.

Anisha Sood is the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer at First Choice Health, with more than 20 years of experience across the healthcare industry. Since joining First Choice Health in 2019, she has overseen finance and strategy, focusing on offering more cost-effective solutions to employers. In this episode, Anisha talks to host Melissa Howatson about why healthcare costs are rising and how providers like First Choice Health are bringing them down without sacrificing quality care.

Discover how CFOs can adopt innovative approaches to manage both healthcare costs and employee benefits expenditures effectively during challenging economic times.

Discussed in This Episode:

• Recent trends and changes in healthcare benefits, and factors contributing to rising costs
• How First Choice Health is disrupting the traditional healthcare benefits model through expanded partnerships and reduced administrative costs
• Strategies to mitigate healthcare costs, including how insurers can tailor benefits to an employer’s unique needs, considering factors such as geography and remote workforce
• Balancing the CFO’s need to control costs with the CHRO’s goal of recruiting and retaining employees
• The growing importance of mental and behavioral health benefits in comprehensive healthcare packages

Revolutionizing tax functions is no longer a distant dream—it's happening now. This episode delves into the groundbreaking transformation of tax departments from cost centers to strategic powerhouses. Dave Helmer, EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader, and Daren R. Campbell, EY Americas Tax Technology and Transformation Leader, share their expertise on how Generative AI or GenAI and other cutting-edge technologies are elevating tax departments from mere cost centers to strategic business partners. 

The discussion explores how innovative tax strategies are influencing everything from supply chain management to corporate transactions, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of a modernized tax function. 

This episode examines the challenges and opportunities facing today's tax professionals. From talent acquisition to technological integration, it provides insights for finance leaders aiming to unlock the full potential of their tax departments and drive business value in an AI-driven world. 

Learn how forward-thinking companies are leveraging their tax functions to navigate complex regulatory environments, drive efficiency, and inform critical business decisions. 

Discussed in This Episode  

• The role tax plays in partnership with finance and business decision-making 
• How Generative AI is helping CFOs transform tax operations 
• Challenges in tax data management and integration within finance operations 
• AI use cases in tax 
• How tax functions integrate seamlessly into finance 
• Initial steps for AI adoption 
• Change management in AI adoption

The AI revolution is here, and it’s transforming business as we know it.  

In this episode, Hugh Cumming, Chief Technology Officer of Vena Solutions, discusses the new industrial revolution powered by artificial intelligence. With over 20 years of experience as a product and technology leader, Hugh offers insights into how AI is reshaping the modern business landscape.  

The conversation delves into AI’s impact on finance and productivity, offering a glimpse into the future of work. Hugh outlines the emerging skill sets required to thrive in this new era and provides valuable advice on how professionals and organizations can stay competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.  

Hugh explores the myriad ways AI is revolutionizing work by automating routine tasks, enhancing decision-making processes, and fostering creative problem-solving. From maximizing operational efficiency to nurturing creativity, Hugh offers practical examples and actionable insights for strategically integrating AI into business operations as a workforce partner.  

Learn how AI is shaping the future of business and how you can position yourself and your organization at the forefront of this exciting new frontier.  

Discussed in This Episode   

• The AI-Driven industrial revolution: How to avoid getting left behind  
• The changing skill sets required for the future AI-driven landscape  
• How businesses are integrating AI into their workflow  
• Embracing AI as a workforce partner, not your replacement  
• Suggestions on how to integrate AI without disruption  
• Importance of change management in AI adoption 

As the startup funding landscape evolves, is your financial strategy keeping pace? 

In this changing environment, a well-crafted financial strategy has become increasingly crucial for startups. 

Janelle Gorman, CFO of York IE, York IE, an advisory and investment firm that helps technology companies grow, shares valuable insights on crafting financial strategies that can make or break a startup's success. Drawing from her extensive experience with high-growth startups, Janelle explores key topics such as optimizing cash flow, managing burn rates, and identifying the metrics that drive sustainable business growth.  

Whether you're a CFO, finance leader, startup founder, or investor, this episode provides actionable strategies for building financial resilience and positioning your startup for success in the current economic climate. Discover how to transform financial challenges into opportunities for growth and long-term success. 

Discussed in This Episode  

• Navigating the delicate balance between growth and financial sustainability in today's market 
• Evolving investor expectations and strategies to make your startup stand out in fundraising 
• Cash flow management techniques to extend runway and fuel effective scaling 
• Essential financial metrics for startup success, including how to optimize CAC payback period 
• Why achieving product-market fit is crucial before ramping up sales and marketing efforts 

The art of corporate debt management has become a critical balancing act for CFOs, who must simultaneously fuel company expansion and preserve financial robustness.   

Debt is a critical tool that, when leveraged effectively, can drive operational efficiency and business expansion. By structuring debt strategically, organizations can optimize liquidity, mitigate financial risk, and enhance overall capital efficiency.

Tom Panther, Chief Financial Officer of Corpay, a leading S&P 500 corporate payments company joins our host Melissa Howatson to discuss the complexities of debt management. Drawing on his 30+ years of experience in finance, Tom explains how CFOs can navigate debt management amid fluctuating market conditions and leverage these changes to benefit their organizations.  

Discover Tom’s strategies for effective spend management, proactive cash flow monitoring, and successfully adapting to today’s new business landscape.  

Discussed in This Episode:  

• The macroeconomic impacts resulting from the Federal Reserve rate cuts and broader market volatility.   
• Strategies CFOs are employing to adapt their financial approaches in response to economic shifts.  
• Advice on how to maximize debt structure.  
• How businesses can hedge against volatility.  
• Positioning your organization for future growth in an evolving climate.

• What digital transformation really means (and what’s impeding its progress)
• Practical applications of AI to create more time for value-added tasks
• The need for continuous improvement in addition to regular AI audits
• Ensuring your AI model is approved by people who know your business
• How workers who invest in their own upskilling will stand out

• How IT has evolved over the years to be more strategic
• The value of listening before offering suggestions (not just prescribing)
• One of the most common pain points in the CFO-CIO partnership
• Considering ROI and long-term payback on all programmatic spend
• How to achieve smoother operations and more accurate reporting

• Projections and expectations for the economy in 2024
• Actions that companies should take now to prepare
• How leaders can create an environment of stability and trust
• Ways to balance financial constraints with talent retention

• How to achieve efficiency goals in the face of economic uncertainty
• The appropriate strategy for human capital investments
• ESG reporting and planning taking on added significance
• The importance of rolling forecasts in a volatile geopolitical climate
• Being dynamic enough to operate given supply chain challenges

• The new skills CFOs need to succeed as CEO
• Unforeseen challenges that new CEOs should watch out for
• How leadership styles evolve in your new role
• Specific areas of development CFOs should focus on

• How CFOs can help build a shared trust with their CEO and board
• Tips for managing a productive board meeting
• Handling disagreements in a way that preserves relationships
• The importance of pre-meeting touch points (e.g. the board dinner)
• Traits of the most effective CFOs from the board’s perspective

• Sorting through a crowded fintech space to find the right option
• Who to engage with to make tech decisions for your organization
• Mistakes that can hinder digital transformation efforts
• Personnel requirements to ensure a smooth implementation
• How decision-makers should think about integrating their systems

• How an organization is hampered by a lackluster year-end close
• The specific pitfalls that finance teams want to avoid
• Ways to mitigate the time crunch associated with this process
• Legacy tools and systems that can prevent a successful close

• The surest indicator of high-value employees
• What to analyze to see how your M&A integration is going
• A viable replacement for productivity-killing meetings
• How to get the greatest ROI out of office spaces
• One word of advice for leaders to be more effective

• How finance and football approach team-building
• The equivalent of winning a Super Bowl in finance
• What we can learn from coaches about rallying our teams
• Keys to effective communication and teamwork
• Why both types of teams must plan for every scenario

• Interest rates, inflation, the funding climate, and a potential recession
• How geopolitical uncertainty will impact the finance world
• AI and how it will influence the reallocation of tasks and talent
• The rise of efficiency and operational excellence
• The ongoing importance of organizational design

• Understanding and selling the company story
• Adapting new day to day systems and processes
• Helping employees acclimate to a new culture
• Nurturing and growing relationships with investors
• Advice for CFO’s post-IPO

• How Gen-Z is modernizing the workplace
• Leadership keys to employee growth and retention
• Why management isn’t for everyone
• What consistently makes Deloitte one of the best places to work
• Best advice for leaders

• Why it’s easy in finance to get wrapped up in the day to day and neglect larger projects
• How tracking your time can help teams move forward in the long run
• Reducing teams stress while also making progress as a team
• When to look at the bigger picture even when it comes to small tasks

• Insights into a CTO’s role and the different areas they manage
• The unique dynamics between, not only the CTO and the finance team, but other teams within an organization
• The different tensions that CTO’s and finance departments encounter
• Examples of successful collaboration between the office of finance and the CTO

• Anticipation of normalizing labor markets and the impact on wages
• The lingering uncertainties in the global markets and the factors contributing to economic unpredictability
• How AI can affect profitability and long-term business strategies

• Aligning investments with the business roadmap and priorities, focusing on areas such as headcount, technology, ESG, and supply chain
• Strategies for defining and implementing impactful initiatives to bridge gaps and drive the business priorities
• The crucial interplay between finance and overall business strategies, involving tough decision-making, open communication, and prioritization discussions

• The influence of market volatility and investor expectations on fundraising activity
• Strategies for proactive relationship-building and preparation to navigate the fundraising process effectively
• The significance of operational excellence and clear communication in securing funding amidst uncertain market conditions

• The significance of open communication and collaboration between HR and finance departments for successful change management and strategic alignment
• Strategies for data-driven decision-making, transparent communication, and securing resources to drive HR initiatives that align with business objectives.
• The role of effective leadership, empathy, and skills development in navigating organizational challenges

• Leading sales conversations with value propositions and ROI calculations
• Empowering sales teams with finance insights to articulate the benefits of products or services effectively
• The significance of collaboration between finance and sales in driving revenue growth and aligning sales strategies with financial objectives
• Implementing finance collaboration principles across Marketing and Product development to optimize investments and maximize returns

• How to balance technical expertise with empathy and influence to shape business strategies and drive change.
• Have a genuine interest and understanding the other parts of the business and what they’re doing and be willing to get out of your lane of Finance to form solid partnerships
• Encourage a culture where failure is a learning tool that fosters team growth and innovation.
• Embrace lull periods within business for skill development, to ensure the team is prepared to lead and adapt to new challenges.

• The challenges of today’s performance management and business metrics.
• How the Office of Finance can take the lead when it comes to performance culture within the business.
• Differences between dashboards, scorecards, KPIs, and metrics.
• Common pitfalls companies face, from static approaches to KPI development to internal political resistance that hinders strategic execution. 
• How to align business strategies with performance measures and foster a productive and enjoyable work culture.

• Marketing strategy and data-driven decision making
• Improving finance-marketing business partnerships for better outcomes
• Metrics, ROI, and efficiency in enterprise B2B SaaS

• The impact of automation on internal controls and how to make time for automation when you’re resource-constrained
• The importance of accurate and unified data across the business
• Ensuring regulatory and data compliance when leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)
• How smarter checks and balances and risk management can improve the quality of your business

• The challenges of scaling up and practical solutions to address them
• How to lead and inspire a finance team through business and economic changes 
• What to do when there’s a misalignment between resources and growth plans
• Automating processes to trim down operations while you scale up
• The importance of a dedicated team during acquisitions

• Key factors to consider when timing your IPO
• Why building the right team of advisors (bankers, lawyers, auditors, investor relations, etc.) is key to fundraising and storytelling
• The role of agile planning and scenario forecasting in your IPO-readiness strategy.
• How Donna and her team navigated unprecedented macroeconomic shifts, such as COVID, supply chain disruption, and tariffs
• Leveling up as a CFO by learning to communicate with the Street and spearhead investor relations
• Cultural differences that arise once you go from private to public, and how to stay true to your company values

• Understanding the finances of a hockey franchise
• The many streams of revenue in an NHL franchise, and how those differ from team to team
• Scenario modeling in an industry and market that are both highly unpredictable
• The impact fan behavior has on budgeting and revenue forecasting
• How winning impacts work culture, revenues, and operations

• The value of building relationships and goodwill with stakeholders and partners across the business
• How to make yourself an invaluable partner to your CEO and other members of the C-Suite
• Assuming best intent, keeping an open mind, and demonstrating an eagerness to help your colleagues
• Aligning your vision to organizational and business goals
• Why mentorship matters throughout your career, even as CFO

• A close-up look at the office of the fractional CFO, from how they function to how they support clients 
• The increasing small business need for a trusted financial advisor
• When entrepreneurs should seek outside finance assistance and guidance
• Entrepreneur’s shifting mindset toward business financial health post-COVID and now during economic uncertainty
• How a fractional CFO can support day-to-day operations and bring a growing businesses to the next level

• How AI will empower finance professionals to navigate complex data landscapes with unprecedented precision and agility
• Potential use cases for AI in FP&A, including forecasting and churn and risk assessment
• The difference between AI and generative AI, as well as the strengths and limitations of each
• When businesses should invest in AI, and how they should prepare for adoption ahead of those investments through education and policy-making
• The history of business intelligence and Howard’s view on how it has evolved over the last few decades

• The benefits of a symbiotic relationship between FP&A and accounting, and how it can enhance overall efficiency and decision-making processes
• The appreciation Tom and David have gained for accounting and FP&A respectively as they’ve expanded their responsibilities over time, and what they wish they had known earlier in their finance careers
• How FP&A, with its focus on forecasting, budgeting, and strategic planning, can provide accountants with forward-looking insights, enabling them to anticipate financial trends and allocate resources effectively
• How accountants, with their meticulous attention to detail and adherence to regulatory standards, play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data used by FP&A
• Examples of processes Tom and David have used to align their FP&A and accounting teams and ensure the standardization of data

• The benefits of fractional models in finance, from cost-effectiveness to scalability
• How outsourced accounting drives operational efficiency and enhances decision-making processes
• What types of businesses see the most value in an outsourced accounting model
• How to select the right outsourced accounting provider for your business and how to get the most value out of the partnership
• Implementing an ERP system such as NetSuite, and how businesses can optimize the platform for their unique needs

• Disruptive forces that are changing the way businesses operate
• How the scope of the finance team is growing as businesses re-prioritize efficiency and productivity
• New ways FP&A leaders can use their skillsets to uncover business opportunities
• Anticipated investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how new technologies will strengthen FP&A insights

• The evolving cyber threat landscape, and how hacker attacks are gaining strength 
• Why people and processes are just as important to cybersecurity as technology 
• How CFOs, CEOs, and CIOs should work together to create a holistic approach to cybersecurity
• Proactive strategies for CFOs to safeguard their organizations and mitigate risk
• The difference between privacy and security, and why understanding this difference is so important to protect financial data

• The delicate balance between growing an organization and managing costs, amidst economic uncertainty
• The importance of the CFO’s relationships, particularly with the CEO and the Board of Directors
• Creating and communicating alignment between the CEO and CFO
• Why CFOs need to think with a zero-based budgeting mindset to assess and reassess the value of every position in their business
• The value of a long-range plan (LRP), and how often a CFO should update theirs

• How to stay up-to-date on trends as a busy CFO
• The value of sharing information with your peers, mentors, and wider network
• How to get the most ROI out of conferences and other outside learning opportunities
• The importance of brushing up on the basics from time-to-time
• Learning from your rising stars

• Identifying opportunities for digitization, and how an outside consultant can help spot inefficiencies
• The five steps of a digital transformation journey in finance, including the implementation of a modern ERP
• How to build a lean, flexible, and cost-effective tech stack
• Common pitfalls that slow down software implementations 
• How to select the right vendor for your current and future needs

• The unique responsibilities of the CFO and CRO, and how a strong partnership leads to better business outcomes
• The increasing importance of the revenue operations team in modern organizations and the layer of support they bring to the business
• Some of the top challenges CROs are facing in today’s business landscape, and how CFOs can support them through these challenges
• Common points of friction between the finance and revenue operations teams, and how they can work better together to uncover growth opportunities and get deals done
• Traits CROs appreciate in a CFO, and tactics CFOs can use to facilitate a productive relationship with the revenue operations team

• Understanding good stress vs. bad stress
• Implementing a buddy system to improve team communication around workload
• Burnout warning signs that can help finance leaders identify when employees are struggling with prioritization or too much work
• Planning for time off so that employees can truly unplug and unwind when they’re out of the office
• Working with your team to prioritize the most important tasks and automate tedious or unnecessary tasks

• Cultivating a work setting where empowerment and meaningful tasks are the foundation
• Strategies for ensuring your team feels valued as you implement new systems and processes
• Exploring the reasons behind the formation of siloes and how finance leaders can work to dismantle them for improved interdepartmental collaboration and integrated business strategy.
• The significance of possessing essential soft skills and maintaining transparency throughout the hiring process
• How leaders can be a talent magnet, building and retaining teams that work well together

• Microsoft's ongoing investments in AI, the evolving interaction between people and technology, and the potential impact of AI on the future of work
• How AI will elevate finance leadership by freeing up time for more strategic work, and improving the speed and accuracy of financial reporting
• How Microsoft prioritizes investments and works with partners to ensure that their innovations have the greatest impact
• Why organizations should be careful to implement AI in the right places, and how they can prepare their workforces for changes that AI will inevitably bring
• How Microsoft ensures its AI products are used ethically and responsibly

• The transformative impact of technology on the Finance Department and the evolving requirements of finance occupations
• The critical importance of data literacy, data visualization, and data analytics for modern finance professionals
• The importance of learning SQL and other programming languages to perform needed data analysis and financial modeling
• How micro-learning and cross-team training can allow finance professionals to acquire new skills on the job and level up in their roles
• The tools and tech stack finance teams need to support data collection and data interpretation

• Strategies for financial leaders to promote a growth mindset and continuous learning
• The effectiveness of micro-learning and its application at critical moments
• Analyzing the return on investment (ROI) of continuous education and strategies to counteract the inclination to cut educational expenses
• The benefits of cross-functional learning in all stages of a finance professional’s career
• Indicators that finance professionals should consider when selecting an employer that supports continuous learning

• AI’s potential to streamline and automate time-consuming processes, provide data-driven insights and handle complex tasks
• Tips for Incorporating AI into the Finance Function
• How to address security concerns, find internal champions, and securely leverage AI technology
• Advanced use cases of generative AI and the broader implications of this technology for the Office of Finance
• How to measure the ROI of AI adoption in finance operations

• Practical tips for finance leaders who are looking to pivot more quickly in response to emerging trends, shifting market conditions and changing business needs
• How to leverage real-time data, cultivate a budget-conscious culture emphasizing accountability and shared objectives, along with adopting budgeting practices that adeptly adjust to market shifts
• How finance leaders can foster an agile culture, as well as a collaborative and negotiation-focused approach to agile planning and budgeting
• The importance of having the right technology in place to accommodate change and speed up processes, as well as the role AI will play in advancing FP&A

• Strategies to nurture a strong partnership between the finance and customer teams
• How to align financial strategies with customer-centric initiatives
• The number one trait April values in a CFO, and how a CFO can help a CCO be more effective
• The value a CCO offers to CFOs and the broader C-suite
• Points of friction between CFOs and CCOs, and how to overcome them

• Discover techniques to transform complex financial data into engaging stories that inform and inspire action.
• The importance of tailoring presentations to various stakeholders, including C-suites, employees, and investors, depending on their financial acumen and objectives.
• Learn how to leverage storytelling techniques, narrative structures, and data visualization tools to bring your financial data to life and make your insights impossible to ignore.
• Understand why emerging technologies are elevating the role of finance professionals within organizations.

• Distinguishing productivity from efficiency, and the critical importance of ensuring all team members grasp this fundamental difference
• The potential pitfalls of emphasizing either productivity or efficiency
• How to leverage technology and streamline processes to build lean, agile finance teams
• Actionable insights to help CFOs become ultra-efficient leaders in today's dynamic business environment
• Strategies for finance leaders to cultivate an organizational culture that prioritizes both productivity and efficiency

• [00:00], [01:53] Dan Crumb, Chief Financial Officer, Kansas City Chiefs
• [00:48],  [11:40]  Harjot Ghai, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Delbridge Solutions, Inc.
• [03:05] Jesse Funes, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis, New Horizons
• [03:53], [09:05] Eugene Fedorinov, MBA, CFA, Sr. Manager, Finance Database & Budget Analysis, Arizona Cardinals
• [04:13] Pat Jones, SVP, Corporate Controller, PetIQ
• [04:51] Sultan Akif, Unicorn Account Executive,  Microsoft
• [06:34] Carrie Self, Senior Director of Business Intelligence, Tacala Companies
• [07:26] Brian Krause, Chief Financial Officer, Community First Solutions

• The state of business operations at various organizations, including recent process improvements and investments, as well as ongoing challenges
• How CFOs plan to adapt their financial strategies in the second half of the year to navigate potential economic shifts or market volatility
• Strategies CFOs and other finance leaders are implementing to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of financial reporting processes and prepare their organizations for growth
• Where CFOs feel they need to make continued investments in the year ahead, including AI and other technologies

• How GDPR data privacy laws have transformed data handling practices and regulatory compliance across organizations.
• The tangible and intangible costs of achieving GDPR compliance, along with the serious repercussions of non-compliance.
• The risks and implications of working with third-party vendors for tasks such as human resources and payroll.
• The critical need for strategic resource allocation, cross-functional collaboration, and robust metrics to assess the financial impact of GDPR compliance efforts.

• What’s top of mind for today’s CEOs and how finance leaders can support them through uncertain economic times
• The evolving role of CFOs, and whether they should be perceived as order-takers or strategic sparring partners in shaping the future of the business
• How CFOs can use their unique vantage points to help other functional leaders be more future-centric
• The horizons of investments, and how CFOs can help CEOs commit to short and long-term goals

• [00:00], [01:03] Blake Dunaway, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, Corcentric
• [00:46] Eugene Fedorinov, MBA, CFA,Sr. Manager, Finance Database & Budget Analysis, Arizona Cardinals 
• [02:43] Pat Jones, SVP, Corporate Controller, PetIQ
• [04:15] Sultan Akif, Unicorn Account Executive,  Microsoft
• [06:02] Harjot Ghai, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Delbridge Solutions, Inc.
• [06:48] Christine Harms, Vice President and Controller, The Tuscon Roadrunners
• [07:26] Brian Krause, Chief Financial Officer, Community First Solutions
• [07:34] Jesse Funes, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis, New Horizons
• [11:07] Dan Crumb, Chief Financial Officer, Kansas City Chiefs
• [13:04] Carrie Self, Senior Director of Business Intelligence, Tacala Companies

• What finance leaders enjoy most about their jobs, from working with so many other teams to being at the center of every major business decision.
• How finance leaders feel they could be even more impactful with the help of their team and colleagues,
• What finance leaders wish other colleagues understood about their jobs, and what it takes to be successful.
• How FP&A roles have changed over time, and why it’s so important to have a bridge between strategic and tactical work,

• The importance of transparency and clarity in financial storytelling
• Weaving your strategic vision into the financial stories you tell
• Selecting the right metrics and KPIs that align with your story, and communicating them through data visualization.
• Techniques for connecting financial data with emotional appeals to inspire and motivate stakeholders.
• The key components of an effective change narrative: setting the stage, identifying the drivers of change, outlining the journey, and envisioning the future.

• The consequences of the current talent shortage, both on daily business operations, and long-term opportunities.
• What’s behind the sharp decline in CPA candidates and a dwindling interest in the accounting profession, and what plans are in place to regrow the pipeline.
• How finance leaders can retain talent by making accounting team members feel more engaged and valued.
• Ways to prevent burnout on short-staffed accounting teams, especially given the seasonality of the business function.
• The role AI will play in the future of accounting and solving the talent shortage.

• How finance leaders can use their vision as a navigation tool for informed decision-making and value creation.
• The significance of communicating clear end goals and actively soliciting feedback from stakeholders.
• Strategies for adapting to changing business landscapes without losing sight of long-term objectives.
• An increasing appetite for finance leaders to be critical players in innovation, as well as the challenges they face in implementing innovation within their own departments.

• The latest developments in sustainability regulations worldwide
• How firms looking to expand globally should navigate sustainability mandates across diverse markets
• Guidelines for appointing the right team of advisors to manage regulatory complexity.
• The importance of adopting a long-term approach (3-5 years) to effectively navigate complex regulations, mitigate potential risks, and implement ESG strategies that enhance market value.

• Integrating sustainability risk management across all company processes to address ESG concerns comprehensively, rather than treating them as isolated compliance tasks.
• The importance of establishing a board-level leader, ideally a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), to coordinate and elevate sustainability initiatives throughout the organization.
• Engaging a critical third-party advisor to periodically review ESG practices and prepare for upcoming regulatory changes.
• The necessity for companies to begin collecting baseline sustainability data now, ensuring readiness for future disclosures and maintaining strong customer relationships.
• Learn what part politics play in shaping sustainability legislation in the U.S. and Europe.

• The complementary roles of legal and finance, as well as the challenges that arise between the two departments.
• Top traits Megha has observed in successful CFOs she has worked alongside.
• The importance of treating colleagues as clients and delivering excellent service between in-house departments.
• The role of early communication in fostering strong cross-functional partnerships and mitigating business risks.
• Lessons Megha learned from negotiating the Jaguars’ stadium renovation deal and securing a 30-year lease extension.
• The value of curiosity and communication in legal and finance.

• Key themes that have emerged in Dresner’s market research on EPM throughout 2024.
• Advice John and his team would give to CFOs looking to stay ahead of the curve on EPM.
• How CFOs can pragmatically embrace AI to boost productivity and accuracy
• Trends expected to shape EPM in 2025 and beyond.

• The most important considerations for finance leaders before making their first hire
• Why Amy invested first in her accounts payable team, and how she now views this function as a breeding ground for talent
• How to assess the technologies a business truly needs at various stages of its growth
• Navigating the challenges of transitioning from a small to a larger, more complex finance function
• Why culture fit is often overlooked in finance, but is just as important as in any other part of the business
• Why cultural fit is often overlooked in finance, but is just as important as in any other part of the business