Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets

In this special episode, cohosts Mike Whitmire and Stefan van Duyvendijk join forces to delve into their forthcoming book, "Shift Happens: The Rise of the Operational Mindset and How Controllers Can Drive Real Value." Together, they explore the evolving landscape of the accounting profession, the emergence of the operational mindset, and how controllers can become pivotal in driving organizational success.

In this special emergency episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, Mike and Stefan dive into the groundbreaking news shaking the accounting world — the AICPA and NASBA have proposed a radical shift in the 150-hour rule. 

A new "Competency-Based Experience Pathway" could eliminate the need for 30 additional credit hours, offering aspiring CPAs an alternative route through work experience and verified competencies. The guys explore:
- Implications for future CPAs
- How it addresses criticisms of diversity barriers
- What states are already doing to lead the change

Tune in for an in-depth discussion on what this could mean for the profession, and how you can make your voice heard before the December 6 comment deadline.

In this episode of "Blood Sweat and Balance Sheets," Mike Whitmire interviews Kendall MacLean about her career journey from public accounting to the tech industry. Kendall shares insights into her roles at FloQast, including her start as an Implementation Consultant and her contributions to developing FloQademy, an educational platform providing free CPE credits to accountants. The discussion covers the integration of accountants into customer success roles, emphasizing the importance of continuous professional education and the role of technology in evolving accounting practices.

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, guest host Stefan van Duyvendijk, Accounting Operations Evangelist at FloQast, sits down with Chris Hennesey, AWS Enterprise Strategist at Amazon Web Services and former Technology CFO at Capital One, along with FloQast CFO Razzak Jallow. They explore the findings of FloQast’s latest survey, Embracing Financial Transformation: What It Is, Why Organizations Should Want It, and How to Achieve It. The discussion highlights the critical role of accountants in driving transformation, the gap in understanding between CFOs and accounting teams, and the new frameworks that can guide organizations toward lasting change. 

They also dive into the growing influence of AI in finance, exploring how both CFOs and accountants view its impact on their roles and why AI is set to be a permanent fixture in the transformation landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Accountants are pivotal in leading financial transformation efforts within organizations, yet many teams lack a cohesive vision.
• CFOs are more familiar with financial transformation than accountants, highlighting a need for greater awareness and collaboration.
• AI is recognized by both CFOs and accountants as a key driver of productivity and transformation, and it’s here to stay.
• AI's role in finance is growing, with both CFOs and accountants optimistic about its potential to increase productivity and enhance transformation initiatives.
• New frameworks developed by FloQast can guide accounting teams in achieving effective and impactful transformation.

For the full study, visit: Embracing Financial Transformation https://get.floqast.com/asset-embracing-financial-transformation

In the latest episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, Mike sits down with Josh Glover, President and Chief Revenue Officer at FloQast. Josh, a decorated veteran, shares his riveting journey from serving four combat tours as a Marine and, later, special operations team commander with MARSOC’s 2d Marine Raider Battalion, to becoming a key leader in the tech industry, first with nCino, and now, with FloQast.
Josh discusses his transition into the corporate world, starting at nCino as an individual contributor and helping grow the company into a global, NASDAQ-listed organization. He also delves into his decision to join FloQast, his vision for the future of the company, and why he believes accountants are so key for business success.

Key Takeaways:
- Josh's experience in the Marines, including four combat tours
- Medically retiring from the military due to wounds received during his last deployment
- Transitioning into tech and joining nCino as the 23rd employee
- Contributing to nCino's growth into a global, NASDAQ-listed organization
- Reasons for joining FloQast and his goals for the company
- Insights on leadership and empowering employees
- Strategies for driving growth and innovation at FloQast
- Personal reflections on challenges faced and lessons learned
- How military experience has influenced his leadership style
- Future outlook for FloQast under Josh's leadership

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, FloQast co-founder and CEO Mike Whitmire delves into Adam Yarnell's remarkable transition from audit to sales at FloQast, highlighting his pivotal role in growing FloQast's Sales function, helping drive the success of the newly-founded Sales Engineering team, and, now, launching FloQast's presence in Australia. 

Learn how Adam leaned on his accounting experiences to thrive in Sales, help manage up-and-coming salespeople, and what drew him back to being an account executive: This time, in Australia, while helping grow the brand down under and develop a brand new Sales org. Along the way, Adam and Mike discuss why sending FloQast veterans to help launch international offices has been so critical to the brand's global expansion.

Related Listening:
- How Do You Close the Books?” Audit to Accounting, to Sales: FloQast’s Shivang Patel Has Done It All
- From Audit Associate to SaaS Sales to Running FloQast EMEA: How Adam Zoucha Attained His Dream Job

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, hosts Mike Whitmire and Stefan van Duyvendijk, alongside guest Craig Clay, President at Donnelley Financial Systems (DFIN), delve into the intricate world of IPOs. With the market landscape poised for change in 2024, the discussion centers on understanding market dynamics to capitalize on potential public offerings, including insights on the evolving SPAC market.

Tune in as Craig offers invaluable insights into the current market trends shaping IPO opportunities. From analyzing investor interests to deciphering market signals, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors driving IPO decisions. Learn how to harness market opportunities and navigate the complexities of potential public offerings, all while keeping a pulse on the evolving SPAC landscape in 2024.

Key Takeaways:
- Gain insights into the current market dynamics shaping potential public offerings
- Understand the factors influencing investor interests and IPO decisions
- Navigate the complexities of the IPO journey with strategic foresight
- Stay informed about the evolving SPAC landscape and its impact on IPO strategies

On the latest episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, FloQast CEO Mike Whitmire is joined by CFO Razzak Jallow to discuss the ins and outs of FloQast’s Series E round of funding. Take an inside look at all the work that goes on behind the scenes, from investor relations to negotiating term sheets, Mike and Razzak candidly discuss the fundraising process, providing valuable insights for accountants and entrepreneurs alike.

Key Takeaways:
Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Razzak provides a first-hand account of the extensive legwork and meticulous planning involved in securing FloQast's Series E funding, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a high-stakes fundraising endeavor.

Insights for Accountants: Gain valuable insights into the intersection of finance and entrepreneurship, as Mike and Razzak share essential knowledge that accountants need to know about fundraising and scaling a business.

Navigating Investor Relations: Delve into the nuances of dealing with potential investors, including the strategies employed and the challenges encountered along the way.

Pitfalls of Fundraising: Mike and Razzak candidly discuss the common pitfalls and hurdles encountered during the fundraising process, offering practical advice for navigating these challenges.

Evolution of FloQast’s Funding Rounds: Explore how the Series E funding round differed drastically from previous rounds, highlighting the evolving dynamics of fundraising in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Future Plans: Discover FloQast's ambitious plans for utilizing the newly acquired funding, offering a glimpse into the company's vision and strategic direction.

Subscribe now to Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets for more episodes featuring industry leaders sharing their insights on financial management, operational excellence, and the journey to success.

https://linktr.ee/bsbspodcast

On the latest episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, host Mike Whitmire, CPA, co-founder, and CEO of FloQast, sits down with Ashley Griesshammer, VP Controller at Lovevery, a rapidly growing Boise-based e-commerce company. Join us as Ashley shares her journey of automating and simplifying Lovevery's audit process, ensuring a smooth and pain-free busy season.

As a seasoned finance professional — and the 2023 FloQast Controller of the Year — Ashley delves into the intricacies of overseeing the audit for a growing international company, and how subtle changes to recurring accounting processes can pay off big down the road. Discover the actionable steps she implemented to streamline operations, leveraging automation to navigate through complex audit requirements effortlessly.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into:

1. Overcoming audit challenges in the e-commerce industry
2. Implementing automation tools for efficiency and accuracy
3. Creating a repeatable audit process to support company growth
4. Strategies for maintaining balance and sanity during the busiest times of the year

Whether you're a finance professional, entrepreneur, or simply interested in optimizing operational efficiency, this episode offers invaluable lessons from someone who has been there and done that. Don't miss out on Ashley's expert advice on simplifying audits for sustainable growth.

Subscribe now to Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets for more episodes featuring industry leaders sharing their insights on financial management, operational excellence, and the journey to success. https://linktr.ee/bsbspodcast

Join host Mike Whitmire and guest Stefan van Duyvendijk in the concluding episode on the Controller's Guidebook research series. Part Two delves into critical aspects shaping the accounting landscape, including burnout, talent shortage, salary challenges, and the transformative role of technology. Explore why accountants should embrace a more strategic role, unlocking valuable insights for business success and creating more fulfillment in their careers. Get real-world insights on leadership empowerment and uncover practical steps for navigating the ever-evolving accounting landscape based on the Controller's Guidebook series.