#199 How Do You Become CFO Ready? with Andrew Waters

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VgwKOgwM8Nf6gh90BXo6z

In this insightful episode, Kevin Appleby sits down with Andrew Waters, the esteemed co-founder of Zanda, to delve into the dynamic evolution of the Chief Financial Officer's role over the past four years. As businesses navigate a post-lockdown world, the conversation reveals how CFOs have transitioned from a focus on transformation to leading the charge in sustainable growth and efficient cash flow management. Andrew and Kevin discuss the critical importance of soft skills in today's financial landscape, such as resilience, agility, and storytelling, which are essential for CFOs to excel. The dialogue underscores the necessity for CFOs to blend entrepreneurial spirit with pragmatic decision-making, fostering an environment where finance leaders can thrive and drive substantial organizational impact.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the regional nuances between New York and London CFO roles, with Andrew highlighting how New York's financial leaders are often more strategically inclined and investment-ready. The episode also introduces the Future CFO program, a developmental initiative designed to equip finance leaders with the essential skills for future success in the CFO role. Furthermore, Andrew provides a preview of the upcoming Future CFO Strategy, Growth, and Impact Summit, where he will be speaking and offering a glimpse into sessions that promise to enhance leadership capabilities, optimize the finance function, and harness cutting-edge technology. You can register to join the summit here: https://future-cfo-global-summit.heysummit.com/talks/landing-your-dream-cfo-role/!

This episode is a must-listen for finance professionals eager to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Key topics covered include:

Catching up with Andrew Waters and the upcoming Future CFO Summit

Evolution of CFO roles over the past 4 years

Current and future skills required for CFOs

Differences in CFO requirements between London and New York

The importance of soft skills for CFOs

The interview process for CFO roles

Scaling the finance function

Challenges faced by new CFOs

Upcoming Future CFO Summit sessions

https://youtu.be/GhSPdeG2H3M

Links

Andrew Waters on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

0:0:00 - Introduction to the GrowCFO Show and guest Andrew Waters

0:1:14 - Discussion about the Future CFO Summit and its significance

0:2:23 - Evolution of the CFO role over the past four years

0:7:41 - Broad skill set required for modern CFOs

0:8:27 - Becoming CFO-ready: challenges and necessary skills

0:13:37 - Overview of the Future CFO program and its benefits

0:17:28 - Differences in CFO roles and expectations between the UK and US

0:20:30 - Importance of the first 100 days in a new CFO role

0:21:53 - Upcoming Future CFO Summit sessions and topics

0:24:41 - Structuring the finance function and the importance of the right team

0:26:37 - Challenges A players face in new CFO roles and dealing with imposter syndrome

0:27:09 - Key issues in early CFO roles and overcoming them

0:30:46 - Identifying A players through storytelling and communication skills

0:33:21 - Conclusion and anticipation for the Future CFO Summit

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