CFO 4.0 Podcast

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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro is joined by Chris Argent, founder of GENCFO. Together, Chris & Hannah delve into the insights, trends, and key takeaways from the recent GENCFO Summit. 

Topics covered include: 

• The shifting role of the finance function, moving beyond transactional processing to business partnering
• The necessity of selecting the right people for your tech transformation and why it's about more than just acquiring new technology
• The discussion on the current and future use of Excel and the future of finance tools with the advent of cloud and machine learning capabilities
• The imperative of having your finance team earn their 'seat at the table', contributing value to the business beyond traditional roles
• The role of technology and how it aids in bringing about transformations in the finance function

Links referenced in this episode

• Chris Argent’s LinkedIn
• Generation CFO 
• GENCFO Summit
• Digital Finance Function Awards 

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This week's episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast takes an exciting twist as host Hannah Munro steps into the guest seat on Mark Gandy's highly-regarded CFO Bookshelf podcast. Hannah & Mark engage in an interesting discussion that spans entrepreneurship, mentorship, literature, and the evolution of CFO 4.0! 

 Throughout their discussion, Hannah and Mark delve into: 

•  A detailed review of Derek Sivers' book 'Anything You Want: 40 lessons for a new kind of entrepreneur', evaluating its worthiness for CFOs and finance professionals.
• The significance and impact of having a mentor, specifically for CFOs, and how mentorship can contribute to professional growth.
• The questions they'd pose to Derek Sivers if given the chance, probing deeper into the book's themes and takeaways.
• A behind-the-scenes look at the inception of the CFO 4.0 podcast, exploring how the podcast came to be and its objectives in the finance world.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Mark Gandy’s LinkedIn
• CFO Bookshelf Podcast
• Derek Siver’s Book – Everything You Want on Amazon

Please note: This episode aired originally on the CFO Bookshelf Podcast.

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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, Hannah Munro delves into the essential characteristics and skills needed for successful finance business partnering with guest, Andi Lonnen, Founder & CEO at Finance Business Partner Academy! Andi shares her insights on the 9 C's of effective finance business partners and discusses the importance of having the right mindset, skillset, and daily actions. Hannah & Andi also explore the challenges of onboarding finance business partners and the critical role they play in organisations.

Also covered in this episode:

• The 9 C's of effective finance business partnering
• The importance of mindset, skillset, and daily actions
• Challenges in recruiting and finding finance talent
• Onboarding strategies for new finance business partners
• The role of communication and relationship-building in finance business partnering

Links referenced in this episode

• Andi's LinkedIn
• Learn more about FBP Academy
• What are the 9 C's 

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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast Hannah Munro is joined by guest, Oliver Deacon, Executive Coach at Oliver Deacon Coaching, to discuss the future of finance and how it will be transformed in the next five years. 

With a focus on the importance of soft skills, leadership, and process engineering, Oliver shares pragmatic tips to help finance professionals and teams stay ahead of the curve.

Listen in as they explore a range of topics, including:

• The importance of soft skills, leadership, and process engineering in the finance sector
• Cultivating personal resilience and adapting to change
• Fostering a culture of learning within finance teams
• Leveraging new technologies to drive impact and solve problems
• Practical tips for staying ahead of the curve and preparing for the finance revolution

Links mentioned in this episode

• Oliver's LinkedIn
• Oliver Deacon Coaching 
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes

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This week brings us a ‘CFO Stories’ episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast! Hannah Munro sits down with Alysha Randall, an experienced portfolio CFO at Fast Growth Consulting Limited, who shares her insights and expertise transitioning from the corporate sector to startups, and the various aspects and challenges of being a portfolio CFO!

In this episode, we cover:

• The transition from corporate to startup finance
• Key financial challenges faced by startups and how to tackle them
• The importance of cash flow management for startup success
• Differences between a startup and corporate CFO role
• The benefits and challenges of being a portfolio CFO
• Signs of a successful portfolio CFO and measuring success

Links mentioned during this episode:

• Alysha's LinkedIn
• Fast Growth Consulting

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This episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast is taken from our recent Financial Transformation Live session! Host and Managing Director at itas, Hannah Munro, discusses the challenges and best practices for implementing new finance systems. Drawing from her extensive experience, Hannah offers valuable insights and guidance on how to effectively manage change in the finance department.

Key takeaways:

• Understanding the change cycle: Pre-implementation activities to set up for success.
• Phases of a successful implementation project: How to avoid common pitfalls and optimise outcomes.
• Ensuring open communication: Encouraging constructive feedback and addressing concerns.
• Focusing on outcomes, not inputs: Aligning objectives with the desired end results.
• Avoiding scope creep: Being ruthless in prioritising and managing project phases.
• Building capacity for change: Allowing teams to recover and feel the benefits of change.

Links mentioned:

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessions
• Register for June’s Financial Transformation Live session
• Take our ‘Which Sage Product is right for you?’ quiz

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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, join our host Hannah Munro as she chats with Ash Noah, VP & Managing Director at CIMA & AICPA and an expert on the evolving world of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. Together, they delve into the new competencies required by finance professionals, the role of CFOs, and the exciting opportunities that ESG presents for the accounting profession.

In this episode, they cover:

• The increasing importance of ESG reporting and its impact on finance professionals
• Understanding the new skills required to effectively manage ESG reporting and standards
• The role of CFOs in driving sustainable business practices and embracing ESG as a strategic priority
• The opportunity for the accounting profession to attract new talent and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world
• The significance of integrating ESG into business models and decision-making for long-term value creation
• AICPA and CIMA's initiatives to enable finance professionals to engage with ESG strategically and operationally

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Ash's LinkedIn 
• Find out more about ESG

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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, join our host Hannah Munro as she engages in an insightful conversation with Mark Laine Toner, Finance Director at Evri who has extensive experience in driving successful finance transformation projects. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of finance transformation and learn how to navigate the challenges that come with it.

In this episode, they cover:

• The importance of aligning team culture for successful transformation
• Adapting to the pace of business and balancing team expectations
• Embracing technology to keep finance relevant in today's rapidly changing environment
• Valuable tips on stakeholder management and the significance of setting realistic deadlines
• The importance of mentoring and coaching in finance
• The need for finance professionals to stay updated on emerging technologies and tools

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Connect with Mark on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Evri

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Joining Hannah Munro on the CFO 4.0 Podcast this week is Catherine Clark, Lead CFO Mentor at GrowCFO and Director of Cristallum Limited. With a wealth of experience behind her, Catherine shares her insights on the importance of mentoring, particularly for finance leaders, and how having that safe space to reflect and share can be extremely powerful. 

Also covered in this episode:

• The difference between mentoring and coaching 
• What soft skills are needed when transitioning between different level finance roles? 
• The key components of good communication within your finance team
• Why finance leaders need to be aware of the impact their team is having on the rest of the organisation

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Cristallum
• GrowCFO

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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, we dive into the world of private equity through the lens of a seasoned CFO, Edward, who shares his experiences, challenges, and successes with Host, Hannah Munro. Join us as we discuss the nuances of working in private equity and explore essential tips for aspiring CFOs in this high-stakes industry.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Edward's journey into private equity and his key learnings
• Building relationships with private equity firms and management teams
• Managing expectations and handling pressure in a private equity-backed business
• The importance of preparing for an exit from the moment you join a business
• Top tips on how to negotiate your own position in a private equity deal
• Standing your ground on growth forecasts and managing risks
• Recommendations for aspiring CFOs looking to break into the private equity world

Links referenced in this episode

• Edward's Linkedin 

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