FinPod

In this episode of Member Spotlight on FinPod, UK-based finance professional Judith Singh, FCCA, CFM, FMVA, shares her inspiring path to success without a university degree. From passing all her ACCA exams by age 20 to mastering project accounting, budgeting, and financial modeling, Judith reveals how curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning fueled her growth in the finance industry. This conv...

Mastering Financial Storytelling for Strategic Influence in Corporate Finance In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we explore one of the most critical yet overlooked skills in mid-career finance: financial storytelling. For professionals in FP&A, strategic finance, treasury, and corporate development, the ability to move beyond analysis and shape narratives that influence...

How High Interest Rates Are Reshaping Corporate Finance Strategy In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we explore how high interest rates are transforming the decisions corporate finance teams make every day, from capital budgeting to debt management and strategic planning. For FP&A professionals, finance leaders, and decision-makers navigating today's economic uncertainty,...

From Philosophy to Finance: Funmi Oriji’s Global Career Journey In this episode of Member Spotlight on FinPod, Funmi Oriji shares her inspiring path from aspiring doctor to McKinsey consultant and Amazon finance leader. With warmth, resilience, and deep insight, Funmi reflects on the pivots that shaped her career from counting cash in her grandmother’s textile shop to earning an MBA and thriving i...

How do major companies plan for long-term success and stay agile when things change? In this episode of What’s New at CFI, Duncan McKeen breaks down the essentials of corporate budgeting, why it’s critical for aligning strategy with execution, and how FP&A teams use budgeting to drive better decision-making across every department. Whether you're a finance professional working in FP&A, a b...

Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is more than simple math, it’s the cornerstone of smart business decisions. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we dive deep into how companies weigh financial trade-offs, avoid common pitfalls, and use CBA to drive strategy. Learn how leading firms like Amazon, Tesla, Apple, Ford, and Quibi used (or misused) CBA to shape their success—or struggle.

PhD to Corporate Finance & M&A? Gabriel Fung's Unconventional Journey! Ever wondered how a PhD in Pathology transitions to high-stakes roles in Equity Research and Corporate Development? In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, Gabriel Fung reveals his unique path from the lab to leading strategic M&A and partnerships at Exact Sciences in the competitive healthcare and biotech...

In a world of constant change, rising interest rates, inflation, and global disruptions, how do top companies prepare for the unexpected? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained , we break down scenario planning and sensitivity analysis, the essential tools finance teams use to stay agile, resilient, and ready for anything. Learn how Airbnb, Starbucks, Delta Airlines, and Unilever use these...

In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we dive into the world of corporate debt management, a crucial aspect of business strategy that can fuel growth or sink companies if mismanaged. Join us as we break down the fundamentals of debt versus equity financing, explore real-world examples like Tesla, Apple, and Toys R Us, and reveal best practices that companies use to navigate the...

In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight, we sit down with Russel Tan, a dynamic professional from Singapore who’s bridging the worlds of engineering and finance. Join us as Russel shares his unconventional journey from aerospace engineering to pursuing a career in finance, highlighting his passion for problem-solving, private equity, and the power of networking. Russel’s early dive into financial...

How do companies decide where to invest, when to return cash to shareholders, or when to take bold risks on new technologies? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained , we break down capital allocation, the art and science behind a company’s biggest money decisions. From ROI and NPV to multi-billion dollar bets on streaming, cloud computing, and biotech, this deep dive features case studies...

What happens when a company starts slipping, has declining margins, mounting debt, or cash flow concerns? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we take a closer look at how businesses bounce back from financial distress and the critical role corporate finance teams play in making that happen. From early warning signs to full-scale restructurings, we break down the strategies, c...

What does it take to go from audit associate to CFO of a PE-backed startup? In this episode of Careers in Finance, host Meeyeon reconnects with longtime friend and finance leader Sharron Xiao to explore the career choices, transitions, and leadership lessons that shaped her journey from the Big Four to the C-suite. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a future in finance, especially t...

Discover how companies like Tesla, Apple, and Amazon strategically use corporate tax planning to drive profitability, fund innovation, and stay competitive. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we break down how world-leading finance teams turn tax incentives into strategic levers, from sustainability credits and R&D tax breaks to international tax optimization. Learn how...

In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have evolved from a corporate buzzword to a financial imperative. ESG now directly influences valuation, capital costs, risk exposure, and investor sentiment, making it a critical factor for finance professionals. We’ll break down: How ESG affects capital allocation and cost of capita...

Jorge Marques joined CFI back when it was just a WeWork dream, and now he's a portfolio manager at North Growth Management. In this episode, Jorge shares his path from studying math and economics and ultimately landing in capital markets. You’ll hear about the skills that helped him succeed, how he navigated the CFA and FMVA, and why curiosity is key to thriving in finance. This is a must-watch fo...

What happens when emotion and psychology creep into financial decisions? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we unpack the human side of finance through the lens of behavioral finance, exploring why even the most skilled professionals fall victim to biases like overconfidence, loss aversion, and anchoring. Real-world cases like HP’s Autonomy acquisition and Boeing’s 737 MAX r...

What drives success in private equity? In this episode of Careers in Finance , we unpack the strategies behind some of the biggest PE deals in history, from Blackstone’s transformation of Hilton Hotels to the Dell Technologies buyout. But it’s not just about big names and bold moves. We explore how private equity firms approach value creation, from operational restructuring and industry positionin...

How do you pivot from aerospace engineering to venture capital? In this episode of Careers in Finance , Denisia Pereira shares her remarkable journey from studying aerospace engineering to leading venture operations at TopDown Ventures. She opens up about working in microfinance in Honduras, navigating business school with a global lens, and learning to speak founders' language while building a VC...

In this episode of FinPod, we break down how the CFO role is transforming and what that means for ambitious finance professionals. From FP&A to board-level strategy, today’s CFOs are expected to lead digital transformation, navigate complex markets, and drive business growth beyond the numbers. We unpack the real skills that future CFOs need to build: strategic thinking, tech fluency, cross-fu...

In this FinPod episode, we discuss how startups approach funding, growth, and risk differently from established companies. From venture capital and bootstrapping to unit economics and financial modeling, learn the core strategies behind building a scalable business in uncertain conditions. We explore real-world case studies highlighting what differentiates successful startups, including Amazon, Ai...

In this episode of CFI’s Member Spotlight , we sit down with Celine Chaabani, a CFI learner and recent graduate. She candidly shares how she went from avoiding finance to actively pursuing a career in capital markets and credit analysis. Celine originally studied general management and had little interest in finance. But her curiosity grew after watching friends trade stocks and exploring the mark...

What separates companies that have thrived for decades, like Apple, Amazon, and Google, from those that have disappeared? It all comes down to economic moats : the lasting advantages that protect profits and market share. In this episode of FinPod , we explore: What economic moats are and why they matter The five types of moats: brand power, network effects, switching costs, cost advantages, and r...

In this episode of FinPod, we unpack one of the most critical topics in finance today: risk management. From inflation and interest rate hikes to global supply chain volatility, companies are navigating more uncertainty than ever, and effective risk strategies have become essential for survival and growth. If you're in FP&A, corporate strategy, or financial leadership, this episode will help y...

In this episode of Careers in Finance, we sit down with Paul Barnhurst—also known as The FP&A Guy—to explore what it means to build a career in Financial Planning & Analysis. From his early days in procurement to leading FP&A functions across multiple companies, Paul shares how the role has evolved into one of the most strategic areas of corporate finance today. If you're exploring a f...