Why can't you apply the same AI strategy to both your forecasting and your accounting teams? The answer lies in the difference between prediction and precision.

This week, Emily is joined by Cheri Hewlett, Global Managing Director and SVP at BlackLine, to break down why the world of accounting requires a specialized approach to AI. They discuss how to overcome the common hurdles of data quality, the "black box" of AI, and building trust within your team.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to ensure the AI you adopt is built on a foundation of control, not just flexibility.
• What to do when AI exposes the hidden gaps in your data and processes.
• How to move beyond measuring hours saved and start measuring true strategic impact.

The Gold Standard Playbook for the Office of the CFO.

AI, Automation & the Secrets SAP Uses to Run Its Own Finance Organization.

Join Emily Campbell (CMO, BlackLine) and Dr. Christopher Sessar (CAO, SAP SE) for an unfiltered conversation on how today’s most future-ready CAOs are rewriting the rules of finance.

From trusted AI that actually delivers ROI to the “Gold Standard” Record-to-Report model SAP is using inside its own walls, this is where CFO leaders get the blueprint.

Expect insider insights you won’t find anywhere else:

• The new top priorities keeping CAOs up at night

• Trusted AI in finance: hype vs. reality

• Why SAP bets its own books on BlackLine

• How to future-proof your accounting team before 2026

Don’t miss your chance to hear how the world’s most influential finance leaders are shaping the next era of the CFO office.

Pausing is Poison: Why Iteration Outperforms Inertia in Finance Transformation
Transformation doesn’t stall because of bad ideas, it stalls because someone hit the pause button. In this punchy, no-fluff episode, Heather Vertin from Clearsulting and Joseph Voss unpack why waiting for “readiness” is actually a risk, not a strategy.
Think of inertia as the silent killer of Finance progress, while you’re pausing, your competitors are iterating.
If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “Let’s wait until after the ERP upgrade,” this one’s for you. Tune in to hear what happens when finance keeps moving and when it doesn’t. Spoiler alert: momentum wins.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jeremy Ung, Chief Technology Officer, and Jill Knesek, Chief Information Security Officer at BlackLine, to explore how organizations can responsibly adopt AI without compromising on data integrity or security.

We dive into the unique challenges finance and accounting leaders face when integrating AI, the trade-offs between speed and security, and why even small lapses in accuracy can have significant consequences.

Key themes include:
- The role of data integrity in delivering reliable AI outcomes
- Security risks of fast-tracking AI features without safeguards
- Why 95% accuracy is not enough in finance and accounting
- Best practices for secure, auditable AI development
- How BlackLine’s disciplined, transparent approach sets it apart

If you’re looking to implement AI responsibly—without sacrificing trust, transparency, or control—this is the conversation you won’t want to miss.

Is your finance team caught between reporting the numbers and turning them into strategic action?
You're not alone. Many organizations face an execution gap between Record-To-Report (R2R) and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) - and that disconnect is costing impact at the executive level.
Join us LIVE as Joe sits down with renowned finance voice Anders Liu-Lindberg to unpack this critical challenge. With 13 years at A.P Moller-Maersk and over 400,000 followers on LinkedIn, Anders brings real-world insights and practical solutions to help finance leaders close the gap.
Together, we'll explore:
- Why finance presentations often fall flat with executives
-The 5-step method to turn data into insight and insight into action
- How better communications bridges the R2R and FP&A gap
- The mindset shift from 'nice analysis' to 'Lets take action'
Whether you're in FP&A, R2R, or a finance leadership role - this session is your roadmap to becoming a more impactful communicator and decision-maker in your business.
PLUS: get a sneak peak into Anders' new book - Communicating Financials to Executives, and learn how to move from reporting to storytelling that drives results.
Invite your finance team, bring your questions. Let's make finance future-ready, together.

Chris Barton, Founder of Shazam: HEAR ME OUT - The bold moves that built a tech revolution.
“What if we could teach a computer to recognize music?” This bold question sparked the creation of Shazam, and the rest, as they say, is history—or is it?
In this episode of Faces of the Future-Ready, Chris Barton, the visionary founder of Shazam, takes us behind the scenes of the groundbreaking AI innovation that defined the company. But this isn’t just a story about technology—it’s about persistence, ingenuity, and the journey of turning an ambitious idea into a global phenomenon.
Chris shares how Shazam uncovered the unique opportunity AI presented, transforming a bold concept into a world-changing product. But great technology alone doesn’t build a business—strategy, execution, and resilience do. Shazam’s path to its remarkable $400M acquisition by Apple is a masterclass in vision, timing, and staying ahead of the curve.
In this episode, we explore:
How Shazam went from an ambitious idea to an industry-changing success
The challenges of pioneering AI before it was mainstream
Lessons in balancing vision, execution, and scalability in tech
This is a can’t-miss conversation about innovation, risk-taking, and the boldness to think differently.

Calling all Finance & Accounting Teams!

Tune into Episode 2 of our Faces of The Future Ready live series, with guest speaker Marc Ursick, Founder & CEO of Clearsulting.

Join us as Marc shares game-changing insights on how CFOs can embrace automation, AI, and strategic transformation to unlock new opportunities & discover how Clearsulting is empowering the office of the CFO to become more agile, innovative, and future-ready.

Follow our host, Joseph Voss https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmfvoss/

Find out more about BlackLine’s future-ready approach https://www.blackline.com/

“The world doesn’t need another podcast about opinions onleadership.” The words from our pull-no-punches guest Russ Laraway show this isn’t your average leadership puff piece.  

Russ Laraway, is the author of the critically acclaimed “When You Win, They Win”, a former Marine Corps Company Commander, and the co-founder of Candor, Inc., alongside Kim Scott. 

In this first episode of Faces of The Future-Ready, Russdestroys some big leadership myths. For Russ, a key reason that leadership standards are dropping—in spite of the wealth of content on the subject—is that no one holds any of those opinions to account in any meaningful way. 

But there is a structure at the heart of great leadership,something simple, measurable, coherent, and a whole lot lessopinion-based. That’s what we explore in this scintillating 45-min piece. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Russ’ two measurable pillars future-ready leadership
• How get the most from leadership training
• The importance of employee engagement and how to increase it
• How to create relationships that improve retention 
• What leaders can learn from the Marine Corp
• How to face your fears as a leader
• Top tips for up and coming leaders

Follow our host, Joseph Voss ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmfvoss/⁠

Use Russ’ “Quick and Dirty Management Effectiveness Index” ⁠https://www.whentheywinyouwin.com/tools⁠

Find out more about BlackLine’s future-ready approach ⁠https://www.blackline.com/