The CFO Show

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 cut...

The AI revolution is here, and it’s transforming business as we know it.     In this episode,  Hugh Cumming , Chief Technology Officer of  Vena , 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.&nb...

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, an...

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&amp...

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 , Forme...

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. A...

The journey from being a solo finance expert to architecting a robust finance function is complex. Knowing where to begin and how to proceed can shape the future of your department and company. In this episode, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Amy Ward , CFO of Blue River PetCare , to discuss the intricacies of building a finance function from the ground up. Amy shares her journey from Senior Accoun...

The best leaders are insatiable learners, constantly seeking knowledge to fuel their growth. They forge connections with peers, stay attuned to industry trends, and eagerly embrace fresh perspectives. In this special episode, host Melissa Howatson shares three of her top book recommendations, complemented by a curated selection of favorite reads from some past CFO Show guests. Discover what CFOs a...

Compliance and risk management thrive on a robust partnership between finance and legal departments. When CFOs and CLOs collaborate effectively, they cultivate a culture of trust and ethical business practices that enhance corporate governance and drive superior business outcomes. This episode explores the crucial alliance between finance and legal departments, focusing on the CFO and Chief Legal...

As the global push for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and sustainability gains momentum, CFOs face the challenge of translating complex mandates into actionable strategies that simultaneously satisfy regulators, investors, and the company's bottom line. Mark Lumsdon-Taylor , Partner and Head of Sustainability at MHA (an independent member of Baker-Tilly International) guides...

As the global push for ESG and sustainability gains momentum, CFOs find themselves translating complex mandates into actionable strategies that satisfy regulators, investors, and the bottom line alike. Mark Lumsdon-Taylor , Partner and Head of Sustainability at MHA (an independent member of Baker-Tilly International) guides UK and global business leaders through the process of integrating environm...

During times of uncertainty, CFOs must serve as the guiding compass for their organizations, helping business leaders move beyond reactive decisions toward sustainable, long-term strategies. Myles Corson , leader of EY ’s Global and Americas Strategy and Markets, Financial Accounting Advisory Services and the host of The Better Finance Podcast , has engaged with numerous CFOs about the complexitie...

A severe talent shortage is threatening the foundation of the finance function: accounting. The accounting profession is facing a critical talent shortage, threatening the foundation of financial operations across accounting firms and businesses of all sizes. Mark Maurer , reporter for The Wall Street Journal ’s CFO Journal team, joins host Melissa Howatson to explore this pressing issue. Drawing...

Financial data alone can’t drive a company’s success; it’s the CFO’s ability to turn that data into a compelling narrative that moves the needle. Whether engaging investors, rallying the board, or inspiring internal teams, the power lies in transforming raw data into stories that align with the company’s vision and steer it through both challenges and opportunities. In this episode, Stephen Bates...

Filmed at Vena’s Excelerate Finance 2024 Summit , this episode features insights from FP&A and accounting leaders about the demands and rewards of their work. Join us as we dive into the importance of cross-functional collaboration, the art of balancing strategic vision with daily tasks, and the leadership skills that make a difference. Discover how teamwork and a purpose-driven mindset are sh...

The CEO-CFO partnership is arguably the cornerstone of an organization’s success, shaping not only its financial health but its strategic trajectory. This relationship is a delicate balance of mutual respect, candid dialogue, and aligned vision. A thriving CEO-CFO dynamic goes beyond simple collaboration; it involves a continuous cycle of challenging each other’s perspectives, reinforcing financia...

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in effect since 2018, reshaping how businesses handle personal data across the globe. While many view GDPR as solely a legal or IT challenge, its impact ripples far beyond those departments—it touches every aspect of an organization.  For CFOs, GDPR isn’t just about compliance; it’s about safeguarding the financial health of the company,...

Filmed at Vena’s  Excelerate Finance 2024 Summit ,we had the opportunity to engage with a range of FP&A leaders, discussing the current state of business operations and their financial priorities as they strategize for 2025 and beyond. Learn what’s top of mind for CFOs, finance leaders and Microsoft, and how they plan to support business growth in the year ahead. Featured Guests in Order...

Today's CFOs must excel at both driving organizational productivity while ensuring operational efficiency. Brian Krause  is the CFO at  Community First Solutions , brings more than 20 years of experience building and leading financial teams, having served as a VP of Finance, Controller, and three-time CFO. He joins host Melissa Howatson to break down the difference between prod...

The ability to transform raw complex financial data into a compelling narrative has become a critical skill. Mastering the art of finance data storytelling enables finance professionals to distill complex information into strategic insights, driving pivotal boardroom decisions and shaping business strategy. Akash Kapoor is the CFO at ColdBlock Technologies and has been advising finance leaders on...

In today's customer-centric business landscape, a leadership team that truly understands its customers is crucial. Everyone in the C-Suite should be learning from one another and challenging one another to be more customer-focused. April Oman , the Chief Customer Officer at Resilinc , brings a unique perspective to the leadership team. While her primary role is championing customer success, she's...

Agile isn't just a buzzword—it's the key to unlocking your finance team's full potential in a changing market. While annual budgeting and planning can be daunting, adopting Agile methodologies can transform this process into a dynamic, collaborative effort that propels your business forward, replacing rigid forecasts with flexible, data-driven strategies that adapt to market shifts in real-time. D...

The Office of Finance is on the cusp of a transformative evolution, driven primarily by advancements in AI. While finance professionals often find themselves bogged down with manual tasks, leaving little room for strategic thinking and data analysis, AI provides critical data and time efficiencies enabling the Office of Finance to focus on business strategy. Rishi Grover , Co-Founder and Chief Sol...

Continuous learning is not just a nice thing to have; it’s a critical necessity in Finance. As regulations, finance tools, and technologies evolve, finance professionals must stay up to date to move at the pace of business.  Bryan Lapidus helps financial professionals match that change. Bryan is Director of the FP&A Practice at the Association for Financial Professionals , where he levera...

Finance teams that want to be more data-driven need both technology that can consolidate mountains of data, and skilled professionals who can interpret what it all means. Thomas Ho serves as the Vice President at ProLytics Consulting Group , guiding clients through the digital transformation in finance. Thomas discusses how data gathering methods are revolutionizing finance roles, necessitating ne...