CFO 4.0 Podcast

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro sits down with Tatiana Okhotina, CFO of Token, to explore her journey in FinTech and discuss key challenges in scaling global finance teams in a rapidly evolving industry. Tatiana shares valuable insights into building diverse, high-performing teams and balancing the unique demands of a growing FinTech company. 

Tune in to hear about:

• Key considerations when scaling finance teams globally, especially in regulated industries.
• How FinTech companies differ from traditional tech businesses in terms of complexity, risk, and compliance.
• The role of communication and cultural understanding in managing remote, global teams.
• Tatiana’s approach to building relationships within her team and with the board.
• How sustainability and ESG initiatives play a vital role in FinTech and her passion for building sustainable businesses.

Links mentioned:

• Tatiana's Linkedin
• Learn more about Token 
• Tatiana's Book Recommendation: The Venture Mindset: How to Make Smarter Bets and Achieve Extraordinary Growth

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro sits down with Byron Cowie, Director of Finance at Elliptic and former Head of Reporting and Control at Luno, to discuss his incredible journey across two innovative fintech companies. Tune in as Byron shares his experiences in scaling teams, managing volatility, and navigating the world of crypto exchanges.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Byron's transition from traditional finance roles to scaling Luno, a global crypto exchange
• The importance of the right hires, scalable finance systems, and the challenge of maintaining financial control
• How Byron and the Luno team navigated the volatile nature of the crypto market
• Building effective controls, team onboarding, and communication strategies 
• Byron’s move to blockchain analytics, focusing on how his experiences at Luno have shaped his approach in his new role.

Links mentioned: 

• Byron's Linkedin 
• Learn more about Elliptic
• Byron's Book Recommendation: In Math We Trust By Simon Dingle

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro is joined by Alex Baulf, VP of E-Invoicing at Avalara, to discuss the growing trend of electronic invoicing and how it is reshaping businesses globally. 
Alex shares valuable insights into the current and future state of E-Invoicing across Europe, the US, and beyond, offering CFOs and finance leaders essential advice on how to prepare for upcoming changes.

Key points covered in this episode:

• What is E-Invoicing, and why is it gaining traction globally?
•  Differences between the US and other countries, and the efforts of the Digital Business Network Alliance (DBNA).
• Why tax authorities are pushing for E-Invoicing to close the VAT gap and improve tax collection.
• How E-Invoicing can lead to faster payments, reduce costs, and streamline operations.
• What CFOs need to consider now, as the UK prepares to follow the global trend of E-Invoicing mandates.
• How finance teams can get ready for E-Invoicing by assessing their data, technology, and compliance strategies.

Links mentioned:

• Alex's Linkedin 
• Learn more about Avalara

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro sits down with Brad Channer, CFO at UBIO, to discuss the challenges and strategies of scaling and fundraising in fast-growing companies. Brad shares his unique journey from acting to finance, alongside valuable insights on how to lead, communicate, and navigate the world of Series A funding and beyond.

Key highlights include:

• From actor to CFO, lessons learnt from the entertainment and tech industries
• Challenges and best practices for managing Series A and Series B funding rounds
• Balancing growth expectations with realistic targets in fundraising
• How understanding different communication styles (including love languages!) can improve relationships with founders, investors, and teams
• Tips on managing expectations, fostering collaboration, and maintaining trust
• How to identify and manage narcissistic founders, with advice on protecting yourself emotionally

Links Mentioned:

• Bradley's Linkedin
• Learn more bout UBIO

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro, Managing Director of itas, shares her extensive experience in financial transformation and project implementation. Learn how to ensure the success of your next financial transformation project by following best practices and avoiding common pitfalls.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• A refresher on Kotter’s Change Cycle and how it applies to financial transformation projects.
• Pre-implementation activities 
• Insights on dealing with team resistance, capacity management, and team buy-in.
• Key phases of successful financial system implementation
• Training and testing tips to ensure smooth onboarding and successful adoption of new systems.
• The importance of data migration and how to ensure accuracy in your new system.
• How to navigate the go-live phase with a proactive approach and risk management.
• FAQs on common concerns like hiring external resources, testing schedules, and building super users.

Links mentioned: 

• September FTL: Ensuring a Successful Finance Systems Implementation Project
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live  sessions 
• CFO 4.0 Monthly Briefing
• Financial Transformation Live Feedback survey

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro speaks with Jeremy Earnshaw, Founding Director of Clarendon Executive Coaching and Mentoring, about his journey from CFO to executive coach, and the soft skills crucial for senior finance leaders. Together, they explore how CFOs can navigate leadership challenges, stakeholder management, and complex financial situations.

Key topics covered in this episode include:.

• The transition from CFO to Executive Coach and Mentor, and the value of coaching for finance leaders.
• Managing stakeholder relationships, including high-powered investors and board members.
• The importance of clear, concise board presentations and how to manage differing stakeholder expectations.
• Real-life lessons from Jeremy’s experience with acquisitions, liquidity crises, and credit crunch challenges.
• Strategies for delivering both good and bad news effectively to stakeholders.
• The balance between supporting the CEO and fulfilling the role of a CFO, especially in challenging situations.

Links mentioned:

• Jeremy's Linkedin
• Learn more about Clarendon Executive Coaching and Mentoring

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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Join Hannah Munro, as she speaks with Josh Schenker, CFO of Aditude, about his journey in the world of strategy consulting, corporate development, and now scaling startups. In this episode of CFO 4.0, Josh shares his experience raising capital, navigating acquisitions, and the evolving role of the CFO.

Key Takeaways:

• Lessons learned during the pandemic and how to target investors strategically.
• How Aditude evaluates and executes acquisitions, including key criteria for selecting target companies.
• A deep dive into the multi-faceted due diligence process for both buyers and sellers.
• Top Tips for CFOs: How to prepare for fundraising, acquisitions, and scaling operations.
• The importance of aligning people and culture during the M&A process.
• How to build processes that allow for seamless integration of new businesses.

Links mentioned: 

• Josh's Linkedin
• Learn more about Aditude 

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro highlights the common reasons why finance technology projects often fail. With insights from years of experience in financial transformation, Hannah shares real-world examples and practical advice to help you navigate your next project successfully.

Key topics covered include:

• How to avoid heading in the wrong direction by setting the right goals.
• Why breaking your project into manageable phases leads to better success.
• Why it’s essential to optimise your processes, not just automate them.
• Understanding how different attitudes towards change impact your project.
• Why clean data is critical for your project's success.

Links mentioned: 

• Hannah's Linkedin
• Learn more about itas solutions 

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks about the art of presenting a compelling business case for financial transformation. Whether you're aiming to gain executive buy-in or refine your strategy, this session is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed.

Key topics covered:

• Learn the essential components that make a business case compelling and effective.
• Explore the importance of justifying the need for transformation, especially in today's volatile environment.
• Discover how to present multiple options, including the risks of inaction, to ensure informed decision-making.
• Get insights on calculating the total cost of ownership and the importance of including resourcing costs in your proposal.
• Understand the benefits of a phased implementation approach and how to set realistic timelines and expectations.
• Learn how to identify and mitigate risks associated with financial transformation projects to build confidence in your plan.
• Find out how to plan out an effective technology implementation project and ensure a smooth transition.

Links mentioned:

• August FTL: Presenting The Business Case
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live  sessions 
• CFO 4.0 Monthly Briefing
• Financial Transformation Live Feedback survey
• Business Case Template 

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro is joined by Aaron Harris, Global CTO of Sage, to explore the transformative power of AI and technology in the finance sector.

This insightful conversation covers:

• How technology is shifting CFOs from record-keepers to strategic leaders.
• The role of AI in automating workflows and enabling digital transformation.
• How to ensure confidence in AI-driven systems
• Beyond AI, what other innovations are shaping the future of finance?
• The rise of digital networks and the global shift towards e-invoicing.
• Where AI excels and where human judgment remains crucial.

Links mentioned:

• Aaron’s Linkedin
• Learn more about Sage
• Sage’s report: The secrets of successful CFOs

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!