GrowCFO Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUuZyQZl1bI

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/7mFdcXjDTwb48H7AwuptDP

In this episode, Kevin Appleby hosts Acterys leaders Eric Reyhle (SVP Global Alliances) and Manuel Marcos (Regional Director EMEA/LATAM) to explore 2026: The Six Defining Challenges for the Office of the CFO. The conversation opens by underscoring why 2026 is a pivotal inflection point: the convergence of mature enterprise data platforms (e.g., Microsoft Fabric), governed data foundations, and practical AI that elevates finance from historical reporting to forward-looking decisioning. The guests frame AI’s promise and risks candidly—AI is transformative, but only as trustworthy as the underlying data and governance that feed it.

Across the discussion, Eric and Manuel translate technical change into finance impact: continuous planning over static, snapshot budgeting; predictive and scenario-driven decisions over backward-looking reporting; and a shift from spreadsheet “systems of record” to governed, auditable platforms that keep Excel/Power BI as the familiar front-end. They emphasize cyber resilience as a CFO mandate with direct P&L and valuation consequences, and outline a pragmatic path: modernize the data foundation, embed governance, enable real-time write-back and scenario modeling, and apply AI to augment—not replace—finance judgment. The result is a finance function positioned to deliver strategic foresight and resilient performance in 2026 and beyond.

Key topics covered:

Why 2026 is the inflection point: convergence of AI, governed data, and enterprise platforms like Microsoft Fabric.

From historian to pilot: AI automates consolidation/reconciliations and unlocks predictive forecasting and rapid scenario modeling.

Keep Excel/Power BI; fix the back end: shift from spreadsheet “system of record” to governed, auditable, AI-ready data with real-time write-back.

Cyber resilience is a CFO issue: attacks translate directly to P&L, cash flow, and valuation—governance and access control are non-negotiable.

Continuous planning replaces static snapshots: always-on data flow enables weekly/biweekly scenario refreshes and faster decisions.

Practical impact: 50–70% reduction in manual consolidation effort; 3–5x faster planning cycles; instant “what-if” responses for leadership.

Links

Eric Reyhle on LinkedIn

Manuel Marcos on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

00:03 Why 2026 is pivotal: AI goes mainstream as data platforms mature; finance and IT must converge.

00:11 Finance’s shift: from manual reconciliations to predictive forecasts, anomaly detection, and rapid scenario simulations.

00:16 Keep Excel/Power BI; govern the data: front-end familiarity with a secure, auditable back end and real-time write-back.

00:22 Data lake/warehouse/mart “kitchen” analogy for finance–IT alignment and model design.

00:23 Cybersecurity as a CFO mandate; the real risk of uncontrolled spreadsheets vs. governed environments.

00:35 Quantified benefits: 50–70% less manual consolidation; 3–5x faster forecasting/budgeting; instant “what-if” analysis.

00:39 Continuous planning defined: why snapshots are obsolete and how always-on data enables dynamic plans.

00:45 Microsoft Fabric as connective data tissue; build on the stack users already know

00:47 From reactive reporting to strategic foresight; leveraging granular operational data for predictive decisions.

00:53 What differentiates 2026 leaders: modern data foundations, governance, AI augmentation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag1fw0H2rwU

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/33PbwJ8JaoPUFiqjijSl10

In this episode, Kevin Appleby hosts GrowCFO Mentor Lee‑Wen Chan to explore the confidence blueprint every new CFO needs. Drawing on a 40-year trans-Pacific career spanning Deloitte Taiwan, FedEx, and ultimately a history-making CFO appointment at NTT Communications, Lee‑Wen distills how new finance leaders can build durable confidence, overcome imposter syndrome, and translate financials into business impact. Her story threads together cultural dexterity, executive coaching, and practical leadership habits that help CFOs step into influence quickly and credibly. 

The conversation focuses on how confidence is learned and operationalized: knowing one’s strengths, confronting low-confidence areas, and using clear business language that resonates across functions. Lee‑Wen shares how executive coaching refined both her capability to operate as a CFO and her ability to communicate as one—offering pragmatic guidance for newly appointed CFOs who must move from technical mastery to strategic partnership, change leadership, and people empowerment.

Key topics covered:

A first-principles confidence blueprint: “be comfortable in your own skin,” know your strengths, and deliberately shore up low-confidence areas to maximize influence. 

Confronting imposter syndrome with structure: targeted executive coaching for “being a CFO” and “communicating as a CFO.”

Translating finance into business action: simple narratives that resonate (e.g., “$1 cost saving equals $4 of sales to hit the same bottom line”).

Cultural agility as a leadership multiplier: thriving across Taiwanese, American, and Japanese corporate contexts; first non‑Japanese CFO at NTT.

Strategic impact through proximity to the business: learning sales/engineering to make financial data genuinely useful and forward-looking.

Change leadership at scale: FedEx supply chain expansion to 20+ countries; building regional hubs and accelerating learning under pressure.

Links

Lee-Wen Chen on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

0:03:29 From master’s graduate to CFO: mentors, adaptation, and the stepwise journey to the first non‑Japanese CFO at NTT.

0:07:37 Lessons from Japanese leadership: zooming out to strategy, zooming in to detail, and reading between the lines.

0:12:17 The confidence blueprint: self-respect, truth-telling, leveraging strengths to counter low-confidence areas.

0:13:56 Tackling imposter syndrome: why new CFOs struggle and how executive coaching accelerates confidence.

0:17:01 Making finance useful: business-first framing (the “$1 saves equals $4 sales” clarity test).

0:18:42 Strategy via business partnership: learning sales/engineering to turn numbers into decisions.

0:19:55 Change leadership case: FedEx global supply chain expansion and accelerated capability building.

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj4Io4us81k

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qgEZZxdGgOTL9SqbWsxIH

Stepping into the CFO seat concentrates pressure, confidentiality, and ambiguity—often without a true peer group. In this episode, GrowCFO Mentor Andrew Tapson joins host Kevin Appleby to unpack why first-time CFOs experience isolation and how to build the scaffolding that restores clarity and confidence. Tapson explains how the role’s breadth, the need to “translate” across functions, and the lack of consequence-free spaces to test thinking create a unique loneliness—one that mentoring, selective networks, and practical operating rhythms can directly solve.

Tapson blends four decades of finance leadership with a mentor’s mindset: create safe space, build a relevant network, and develop emotional intelligence to navigate complexity. He shares real-world practices to replace isolation with support—designing a personal advisory circle, investing in relationships that open doors, and delegating to protect strategic attention. The result is a pragmatic playbook for new CFOs to gain momentum, credibility, and durable resilience in their first 90–180 days.

Key topics covered:

Why new CFOs feel isolated: pressure, confidentiality, breadth of remit, and no safe sounding board

Mentoring vs. coaching: creating a consequence-free space to talk through mistakes and options

Build a selective, relevant network that opens doors and accelerates problem-solving

Emotional intelligence and “translating the room” as core CFO capabilities

Delegation and focus: moving from detail to enterprise-level decisions

First steps: set up advisory rhythms, stakeholder access, and early-win narratives

Links

Andrew Tapson on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

03:52 Mentoring vs. coaching; creating a safe space for new CFOs

06:37 From cost-cutting to growth levers; solving problems with lateral thinking

11:15 Designing a selective, useful network for support and access

23:12 Emotional intelligence and staying relevant amid rapid change

28:30 Delegation, scope shift, and protecting strategic attention

33:2 The future of CFO mentoring and structured support systems

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6TdUunLask

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a1JMPvXGUGhD6A8gC7E8m

Influence is earned long before numbers hit the board pack. In this episode, Catherine Clark, GrowCFO Mentor, reframes influence as the practical outcome of deliberate connection. She and host Kevin Appleby unpack how remote and hybrid work have thinned everyday rapport, making it harder for finance leaders to shape decisions, mobilize teams, and retain talent. Their premise is simple: influence compounds when CFOs intentionally build trust, recognition, and emotionally intelligent dialogue across stakeholders.

Catherine offers a playbook for finance leaders to operationalize connection: stakeholder mapping early and often, creating unstructured time for human conversation, signaling appreciation consistently, and showing up with presence—even through a screen. The episode highlights how small, repeated behaviors (gratitude, active listening, regular check-ins) turn into strategic leverage: faster alignment, better decision inclusion, higher engagement, and materially improved performance environments for finance teams and their partners.

Key topics covered:

Why remote/hybrid erodes spontaneous trust, and how CFOs can rebuild it with intentional routines

Stakeholder mapping and early relationship-building as core influence mechanics, not “nice to haves

Recognition and gratitude as low-cost, high-impact leadership signals that boost engagement and retention

Emotional connection and presence (active listening, curiosity) driving performance and decision quality

Practical cadence: unstructured touchpoints, pre-alignment conversations, and regular reconnection rituals

Cultivating a culture of connection—small, repeatable behaviors that scale influence across the organization

Links

Catherine Clark on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

04:14 Remote/hybrid realities: the connection gap and its impact on leadership/retention

12:00 Relationship strategy: stakeholder mapping and early outreach to accelerate trust

27:42 Recognition and gratitude as influence multipliers

35:31 Emotional connection, interference removal, and performance outcomes

44:48 Building an organizational culture of connection and shared values

46:37 Final actions: small, consistent behaviors that compound into influence

Want to go deeper?

Catherine Clark isn’t just a podcast guest — she’s GrowCFO’s Lead CFO Mentor and one of our most in-demand mentors, consistently rated highly for her ability to help first-time CFOs build confidence, influence, and strategic presence.

👉 Learn more about Catherine and her mentoring approachhttps://www.growcfo.net/mentors/catherine-clark/

If you’re stepping into your first CFO role — or preparing for one — Catherine also leads the GrowCFO CFO Program, a 12-month development journey designed specifically for first-time CFOs who want to:

Strengthen executive presence and board-level influence

Build confidence in high-stakes decision-making

Shift from technical excellence to strategic leadership

👉 Explore the CFO Programhttps://www.growcfo.net/cfo-program/

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQXCNMM0zws

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XGL5Kr61RdspPniU8FD0B

The transition to a CFO role is one of the most demanding steps in a finance leader’s career. Many newly appointed CFOs face overwhelming challenges, from building board relationships to reshaping organizational strategy, often leading to missteps and a sense of isolation. Recognizing these hurdles, this episode underscores the need for experienced guidance in the early days of CFO leadership.

Jeremy Earnshaw, Executive Coach & Mentor at Clarendon, brings decades of executive finance expertise to the discussion. Through a practical and insightful conversation, Jeremy and host Kevin Appleby explore how tailored mentoring equips new CFOs with tools, confidence, and the emotional intelligence necessary to succeed. Their dialogue highlights real-world stories, actionable tactics, and the transformational impact of mentorship on both performance and well-being in the CFO suite.

Key topics covered:

Challenges and pitfalls commonly faced by new CFOs

Importance of mentorship and coaching for new finance leaders

Real-life scenarios where mentoring influenced CFO performance

Key competencies new CFOs need, and how mentoring builds them

The long-term benefits of investing in leadership development

Links

Jeremy Earnshaw on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

01:00 Introduction and importance of mentoring for CFOs

07:30 Top struggles for newly appointed CFOs

15:00 Jeremy Earnshaw’s mentoring philosophy and approach

24:10 Success stories: CFO transformations through mentoring

32:00 Actionable advice for organizations and aspiring CFOs

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pQsPAurZ5E

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/56xLS3vYYYDi3bsssHeBfq

Understanding how to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for rapid returns has become essential for today’s finance leaders. While many organizations invest in AI, few manage to achieve tangible value quickly. This episode tackles a critical strategic challenge: how CFOs and finance teams can deliver measurable ROI from AI initiatives within just 30 days—a key success factor for staying competitive, agile, and efficient in a fast-changing market.

Kevin Appleby speaks with Dan Fletcher, CFO of Planful, to uncover the often-overlooked strategies that accelerate AI’s impact in finance. Their conversation explores the evolving landscape of finance technology, upcoming consolidation trends in the CFO tech stack, and practical steps for achieving quick AI wins. Dan also shares insights on how early, effective adoption of AI empowers finance leaders to move their teams from manual processes to strategic, insight-driven advisory roles—positioning finance as a true business partner for the future.

Key topics covered:

Mindset change is the hardest aspect of finance digital transformation

Accurate, clean data is critical for successful AI adoption and savings

AI enables finance teams to spend less time crunching numbers, more time adding value

Savings are real when AI is applied to transactional and repetitive processes

AI leads to more frequent, adaptive forecasting and better business partnering

Boardroom strategy discussions increasingly focus on AI-driven transformation

Links

Dan Fletcher on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

18:47 Future trends and generative AI’s impact on finance transformation

26:46 Real-world adoption stories, efficiency gains, and lessons for fast implementation

29:21 Step-by-step advice for CFOs on launching high-impact AI projects

34:51 Preparing finance teams for new job roles and skills in an AI-driven environment

38:26 Forecasting the biggest finance leadership challenges on the horizon

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGwhmpyXA-U

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Lv2wr2B8h40VtL9K2oWH9

As AI transforms the business landscape, finance leaders are seeking practical examples of true value creation—not just hype. In this episode, Marco Torrente, Interim Group CFO at Bakuun Holdings, joins host Kevin Appleby to share real financial transformation lessons from the front lines. Marco’s candid reflections move beyond generic AI discussions to pinpoint what actually saves money, emphasizing the importance of getting digital transformation right and building team mindsets that embrace technology.

The conversation explores the practicalities of starting the AI journey, including improving transactional systems and data quality, as well as how AI enables FP&A teams to shift from data crunching to value-adding activities. Marco further reveals that while AI projects haven’t yet drastically reduced headcount, they empower teams to deliver faster, more adaptive business forecasts and partner more effectively with the business. Listeners gain actionable insights on risk analysis, business partnering, and future-proofing the finance function in an era of rapid technological change.

Key topics covered:

Mindset change is the hardest aspect of finance digital transformation

Accurate, clean data is critical for successful AI adoption and savings

AI enables finance teams to spend less time crunching numbers, more time adding value

Savings are real when AI is applied to transactional and repetitive processes

AI leads to more frequent, adaptive forecasting and better business partnering

Boardroom strategy discussions increasingly focus on AI-driven transformation

Links

Marco Torrente on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

03:57 Overcoming mindset challenges in tech and finance teams

07:45 How clean data and smart choices spark successful AI projects

14:48 Impact of AI on workflows—shifting FP&A from data crunching to insights

18:16 Balancing business strategy with transformation and risk

26:15 Real savings and workforce impact: redeployment not just reduction

30:04 Future plans, ongoing learning, and actionable advice

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ4_Fr3a07Y

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FpRXhcwICZELr5lwHBodV

In this episode, host Kevin Appleby speaks with Andrea Hecht, Chief Financial Officer at CSAA Insurance Group, to explore the realities of leading finance within a member-owned insurance organisation. The conversation traces Andrea’s professional evolution—from a Midwest-based controller with a public-accounting background to a strategic CFO steering one of the nation’s major property and casualty insurers.

Andrea shares how transitioning from controller to CFO required developing a deep strategic lens, embracing enterprise-wide business partnering, and cultivating confidence to challenge executive consensus. She also discusses the complexities of the insurance sector—from pricing uncertainty and catastrophe risk to regulatory constraints—and how technology, data, and AI are reshaping financial planning and claims management. Her story offers a practical playbook for finance leaders ready to elevate their impact beyond accounting into organisational leadership.

Key topics covered:

Andrea’s career journey from EY auditor in Ohio to CFO of CSAA Insurance Group in California.

Why the CFO role demands strategic thinking that connects company vision with financial planning and resource allocation.

The unique financial challenges of the insurance industry—pricing risk without knowing true costs for years, managing reinsurance markets, and handling catastrophe losses.

How membership ownership changes financial priorities versus shareholder-driven models, placing policyholders at the centre.

The importance of financial education and business partnering to build trust across departments and improve decision quality.

How AI and automation are transforming finance, forecasting, and claims—bringing speed, empathy, and new skill-building challenges for future talent.

Links

Andrea Hecht on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

00:28 Andrea’s background and move from Ohio to California

03:30 Inside CSAA Insurance Group: business model and coverage areas

05:00 Challenges of pricing insurance and managing capital risk

12:40 Transition from controller to CFO—learning to think strategically

16:10 Building finance partnerships and educating the organisation

18:10 Balancing collaboration and contrarian thinking with the CEO

25:00 Forecasting amid inflation and market volatility

27:35 How AI and generative tools are redefining productivity

34:00 Future of work, training paths, and ethical concerns in AI adoption

36:35 What CFOs should know about the changing insurance landscape

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyOBP_QcsLI

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CrRco4GBJsnDQYaJSiPnT

In this insightful episode, Kevin Appleby sits down with Michael O’Reilly, a seasoned executive coach and former CFO with a diverse career spanning global finance, digital transformation, and leadership development. Together, they explore “The Three Hidden Traps That Stall New CFOs” — a candid discussion about the unseen challenges finance leaders face as they transition into enterprise leadership roles.

Michael shares his own experiences across companies like Citibank, Gap Inc., and PepsiCo, highlighting how curiosity, empowerment, and trust play crucial roles in a CFO’s success. He also explains how imposter syndrome, reluctance to delegate, and overreliance on technical mastery can prevent new CFOs from thriving in their roles. With AI reshaping the finance landscape, Michael emphasises the growing importance of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and creating psychological safety for teams navigating disruption.

The conversation goes beyond professional growth, touching on personal fulfilment and energy management — understanding what “charges or drains your batteries” as a leader. Drawing from his coaching practice and experiential leadership retreats in Ireland, Michael reveals how rediscovering purpose and flow can reignite a CFO’s impact, both in business and in life.

Key topics covered:

How imposter syndrome can fuel curiosity and growth rather than paralysis

Why delegating and letting go is the biggest unlock for new CFOs

The importance of psychological safety in driving innovation and AI adoption

Transitioning from technical expert to strategic enterprise leader

Understanding personal “energy management” to avoid burnout

The power of trust, empathy, and soft skills in effective CFO leadership

Links

Michael O’Reilly on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

00:40 Michael O’Reilly’s career journey from CPA to Chief Digital Officer

05:52 The role of imposter syndrome in a CFO’s development

07:52 How AI amplifies insecurity and why creating safe environments matters

10:07 Balancing accuracy with experimentation in finance leadership

16:46 What a mentoring relationship looks like with Michael

21:21 The critical need to delegate and empower teams

22:33 Michael’s experiential leadership program in Ireland

30:31 Finding your “flow state” and energizers outside of work

34:20 What kind of leaders benefit most from mentoring

36:16 The “ski story” — how aligning passion with leadership drives performance

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg1knQ7TQ_E

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Artificial Intelligence continues to dominate finance discussions, but for many CFOs, the real challenge isn’t understanding the technology—it’s knowing where to start. In this episode, host Kevin Appleby welcomes back Hannah Munro, Managing Director of ITAS Solutions and host of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, to unpack the hype surrounding AI and offer clear, practical steps for finance leaders ready to take action.

Hannah shares first-hand insights from her work helping finance teams implement technology-driven transformations, explaining why success depends less on the AI tools themselves and more on simplifying processes, standardizing data, and fostering cultural change. The conversation draws a clear distinction between technology implementation and true transformation—and why CFOs must master both to realise measurable ROI from new systems.

As AI continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, Hannah and Kevin explore how finance leaders can stay agile, focus on data quality, and ensure their organizations are prepared for the next generation of AI-enabled finance. From managing expectations to defining tangible outcomes, this episode is an essential listen for CFOs looking to move beyond buzzwords and deliver meaningful digital transformation.

Key topics covered:

The difference between AI-enabled tools and building AI from scratch—and why most finance teams are already using AI without realising it.

Why the biggest implementation risks aren’t technical but cultural and process-related.

How to distinguish transformation from implementation—and why most projects should involve both.

The importance of defining measurable outcomes before investing in technology.

Why simplification, standardisation, and clean data are the foundations for any successful AI adoption.

How CFOs can future-proof their finance function by focusing on integration, agility, and benefit-driven technology selection.

Links

Hannah Munro on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

01:00 Why AI isn’t new—and how finance teams are already using it unknowingly

03:25 Implementation vs. transformation: the fundamental question every CFO must ask

07:30 Why traditional RFP processes often fail in fast-changing tech environments

10:45 The hidden cost of customisation and how to challenge unnecessary complexity

16:15 Measuring the true value and ROI of finance technology projects

19:20 Why every tech implementation should also be a transformation initiative

27:20 Using psychology and “nudging” principles to drive behavioural change in transformation

33:30 Preparing for AI: simplify processes, integrate systems, and clean your data

38:40 The limits of AI: understanding data quality, context, and validation

44:30 Looking ahead—how AI, automation, and integration will redefine the finance function

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net