FinFactor: Expert Insights for the CFO

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with Mark Ryski, founder of Headcount and author of Store Traffic is a Gift, to break down why point-of-sale (POS) data alone cannot give the office of the CFO the full picture of retail performance.  They explore how tracking physical store traffic and hourly conversion rates provides critical financial context, revealing the real truth...

The CFO role is undergoing a significant transformation as non-financial risk reporting moves from a regulatory "tick-box" exercise to a core driver of enterprise value.  In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with Laurent Marcelis, CFO of Enhesa, to discuss why the finance function is the natural home for non-financial risk intelligence. As global regulations like t...

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with 35-year CPA and M&A expert Holli Moeini to uncover the "crime scenes" that destroy deal value for mid-market companies. While many CEOs focus solely on revenue, Holli explains why the office of the CFO must look deeper into operational details, human judgment, and the "romance" between the P&L and the bala...

The office of the CFO is standing at the precipice of a "Great Transition." As AI and humanoid robotics evolve at light speed, the traditional metrics for capital allocation are being rewritten. In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with David Kilzer of Strategic Transformation Advisors to discuss why CFOs must look beyond short-term ROI and start preparing for a wo...

If you’re a CFO in a growing mid-market business, the real cost of “good enough” IT shows up fast: redundant software (shadow IT), unmanaged vendor renewals, expensive surprises, and tech projects that drift into scope creep and blown budgets.  In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Jared Leuschen of Blue Tree Technology Group to unpack what happens when organizations make big...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Abhijit Verekar, founder of Avero Advisors, to unpack one of the biggest misconceptions in today’s tech landscape: that public agencies and large organizations can simply “buy AI” and transform overnight. AV breaks down why so many AI pilots fail, how legacy ERPs, siloed data, outdated infrastructure, and missing guardrails derail even th...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Jim Harris of Western Computer to uncover the biggest operational and financial challenges facing manufacturers and importers today—especially those still relying on outdated ERPs and massive, error-prone spreadsheets.  Jim breaks down why inaccurate COGS, tariff miscalculations, batch-level blind spots, and legacy processes quietly destr...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Donovan Pyle of Health Compass Consulting to expose one of the largest hidden opportunities on the corporate P&L—wasted healthcare spend. Donovan explains how up to 25% of employer healthcare costs are pure waste, why most CFOs never see it, and how to uncover where the money is disappearing.  They break down the structural problems i...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with CEO Dusty Gulleson of eResources to unpack what truly makes the relationship between the CEO and the finance team work. Dusty shares firsthand insights from decades of leading and growing companies—covering everything from daily cashflow discipline to managing multi-entity operations, navigating acquisitions, evaluating quality of earning...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch talks with Rafael Pinho of TD Pine Advisors about the modern M&A landscape and what different types of buyers—private equity, strategic, family offices, and search funds—are really looking for in today’s deals. They dive into the psychology, timelines, and goals that drive acquisitions, explaining how sellers can tailor their exit strategies to matc...

When is the right time to replace your ERP—and when is the smarter move to optimize what you already have? In this episode of FinFactor , Blaine Bertsch (CEO of Dryrun Cash Flow Forecasting Software) sits down with Azat Ospanov, founder of Oscorp, to explore the hidden costs, risks, and realities behind ERP implementation.  They discuss why many finance teams outgrow their systems for the wrong re...

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with finance leader Ken Lacroix to explore why the 13-week cashflow forecast is one of the most powerful yet overlooked tools in business finance. They discuss the challenges companies face when setting up accurate forecasts, the shift in mindset required to move from profit and loss to true cash management, and the importance of focusing...

Blaine Bertsch welcomes Jarome McKenzie, fractional CFO and founder of Arrowhead Strategy Group, to break down how clean, investor-ready financials can make or break a sell-side M&A deal. Jarome shares real stories—including a seller who improved EBITDA from $500K to $911K and exited for $5.7M, and another who discovered $750K in taxes paid on phantom profit and later secured refunds (includin...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Matt Middendorp to break down the world of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). They explore how ESOPs impact company valuation, employee engagement, and long-term business legacy, while highlighting both the benefits and challenges of implementation.  From feasibility studies and valuation modeling to avoiding common pitfalls, this co...

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with Paul Barnhurst to dive into the rapidly expanding role of the CFO. Once defined by financial analysis, cash flow management, and forecasting, today’s CFO is now a strategic operator, taking on responsibilities that stretch far beyond traditional finance. From overseeing operations and liquidity planning to managing risk, asset alloca...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Bob Light to uncover the biggest mistakes companies make when selecting and implementing an ERP system. ERP software decisions can make or break a business—yet too often, leaders rush into adoption without fully understanding their internal processes, pain points, and long-term needs. Bob explains why mapping workflows and involving stake...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Ben Taylor, CEO of SoftLedger, to explore one of the biggest challenges facing finance leaders today—multi-entity accounting. As businesses scale and expand across multiple subsidiaries, divisions, or global operations, outdated accounting systems and manual spreadsheets can’t keep up. The result? Errors in consolidated reporting, ineffic...

Navigating Data Challenges in Finance with Scott Hollrah | ERP Integration, Automation & Data Governance In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Scott Hollrah, CEO of Venn Technology, to tackle one of the toughest issues facing finance leaders today: fragmented financial data. As organizations juggle multiple systems—ERP software, CRMs, data warehouses, and cloud accounting...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch welcomes Greg McDonough, Managing Partner at Blackburn Capital and seasoned financial coach, to discuss why clean, consistent financial data is the cornerstone of smarter business decisions and long-term resilience. Greg highlights how too many entrepreneurs still lean on gut instinct instead of reliable insights, creating weak cash flow management, mis...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Greg Kautz, a recognized expert in lease accounting, to break down the complexities of modern lease management and evolving regulatory compliance. With accounting standards like ASC 842 and IFRS 16 reshaping how organizations manage leases, CFOs and finance leaders face new challenges when relying on spreadsheets or outdated accounting sy...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch welcomes Adam Katz for an in-depth conversation about the rapidly changing world of foreign exchange (FX), B2B payments, and the fintech revolution. CFOs today face mounting challenges in payment processing, including hidden FX fees, transaction inefficiencies, complex compliance demands, and the pressure to adopt modern financial technology that keeps...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch and Mike Shum dive into the evolving world of private credit and debt financing, shedding light on the challenges businesses face in securing debt and managing financial data. They explore the critical role of transparency, the increasing complexity of debt structures, and how technology—specifically Cascade—enhances data accuracy and reporting.  The di...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine sits down with Morgan Hines to explore the significant impact of travel expenses on small and medium-sized businesses. They dive into the hidden costs of corporate travel management, from human error in booking to missed savings due to lack of access to corporate travel tools.  Morgan highlights how Navan is leveling the playing field for small businesses by of...

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch and Sam Gupta dive deep into the intricacies of ERP implementation, a transformative journey that requires meticulous planning, stakeholder engagement, and strategic alignment. They discuss the pivotal role of CFOs in ensuring ERP projects address both financial and operational needs, emphasizing phase zero planning, change management, and the careful b...

Join Blaine Bertsch and Usman Mahmood as they dive into the essential groundwork for harnessing AI in business. This episode of FinFactor uncovers why a solid data structure and organizational data maturity are critical before adopting AI technologies.  Usman and Blaine break down data maturity stages, highlight AI's transformative role in enhancing efficiency, and outline actionable steps fo...