The best leaders are insatiable learners, constantly seeking knowledge to fuel their growth. They forge connections with peers, stay attuned to industry trends, and eagerly embrace fresh perspectives.

In this special episode, host Melissa Howatson shares three of her top book recommendations, complemented by a curated selection of favorite reads from some past CFO Show guests.

Discover what CFOs and business leaders are reading to advance their skills, step outside their comfort zones, and bring continuous value to their teams and organizations.

In an era of rapid change and growing complexity, CFOs are turning to Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) to unlock deeper insights, enhance decision-making, and align operations with strategic goals.


John Hagerty is a Distinguished Analyst at Dresner Advisory Services, an industry research firm that specializes in data, analytics, and performance management. He also has more than 40 years experience working at the intersection of finance and technology, in roles at Gartner, IBM and Oracle, both developing software and analyzing markets. 

In this episode, John and host Melissa Howatson discuss the trends that have shaped FP&A and EPM in 2024, from EPM’s expansion across the business to regulatory changes that are impacting EPM investments. 

Learn why CFOs should be thinking of EPM not just as a financial solution, but as a business solution, and how they should prepare their businesses for evolutions in EPM.


Discussed in This Episode

• Key themes that have emerged in Dresner’s market research on EPM throughout 2024.
• Advice John and his team would give to CFOs looking to stay ahead of the curve on EPM.
• How CFOs can pragmatically embrace AI to boost productivity and accuracy
• Trends expected to shape EPM in 2025 and beyond.

Compliance and risk management thrive on a robust partnership between finance and legal departments. When CFOs and CLOs collaborate effectively, they cultivate a culture of trust and ethical business practices that enhance corporate governance and drive superior business outcomes.

This episode explores the crucial alliance between finance and legal departments, focusing on the CFO and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) dynamic. Megha Parekh, Executive Vice President and CLO of the Jacksonville Jaguars, shares her extensive experience since joining the team in 2013. As part of her responsibilities, Megha oversees all legal matters for the Khan family's portfolio of sports and has advised on acquisitions, real estate developments, naming rights, and other major deals.

Megha and host Melissa Howatson discuss the complex intersections of business and law, and the pivotal partnership and strategic collaboration between CFOs, CLOs and General Counsels. 

From lessons learned to the impact of strong relationships, and from best practices in budgeting to effective project management, discover valuable insights on how finance and legal teams can collaborate to overcome challenges and achieve stellar business outcomes.

Discussed In This Episode:

• The complementary roles of legal and finance, as well as the challenges that arise between the two departments.
• Top traits Megha has observed in successful CFOs she has worked alongside.
• The importance of treating colleagues as clients and delivering excellent service between in-house departments.
• The role of early communication in fostering strong cross-functional partnerships and mitigating business risks.
• Lessons Megha learned from negotiating the Jaguars’ stadium renovation deal and securing a 30-year lease extension.
• The value of curiosity and communication in legal and finance.

As the global push for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and sustainability gains momentum, CFOs face the challenge of translating complex mandates into actionable strategies that simultaneously satisfy regulators, investors, and the company's bottom line.


Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, Partner and Head of Sustainability at MHA (an independent member of Baker-Tilly International) guides UK and global business leaders through the process of integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into their operations.

Mark joins host Melissa Howatson to explore the impacts of UK environmental regulations, sustainability reporting, and climate-related financial disclosures. In part two of our two-part series, discover the latest developments in sustainability regulations both in the UK and globally and learn how companies can prepare for this increasingly complex regulatory landscape.


Discussed in This Episode

• Integrating sustainability risk management across all company processes to address ESG concerns comprehensively, rather than treating them as isolated compliance tasks.
• The importance of establishing a board-level leader, ideally a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), to coordinate and elevate sustainability initiatives throughout the organization.
• Engaging a critical third-party advisor to periodically review ESG practices and prepare for upcoming regulatory changes.
• The necessity for companies to begin collecting baseline sustainability data now, ensuring readiness for future disclosures and maintaining strong customer relationships.
• Learn what part politics play in shaping sustainability legislation in the U.S. and Europe.

As the global push for ESG and sustainability gains momentum, CFOs find themselves translating complex mandates into actionable strategies that satisfy regulators, investors, and the bottom line alike.

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, Partner and Head of Sustainability at MHA (an independent member of Baker-Tilly International) guides UK and global business leaders through the process of integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into their operations. 

Mark joins host Melissa Howatson to explore the impacts of UK environmental regulations, sustainability reporting, and climate-related financial disclosures. In part one of our two-part series, learn about the latest developments in sustainability regulations in both the UK and around the globe, and how companies should prepare for this complex regulatory landscape.


Discussed In This Episode:

• The latest developments in sustainability regulations worldwide
• How firms looking to expand globally should navigate sustainability mandates across diverse markets
• Guidelines for appointing the right team of advisors to manage regulatory complexity.
• The importance of adopting a long-term approach (3-5 years) to effectively navigate complex regulations, mitigate potential risks, and implement ESG strategies that enhance market value.

During times of uncertainty, CFOs must serve as the guiding compass for their organizations, helping business leaders move beyond reactive decisions toward sustainable, long-term strategies. Myles Corson, leader of EY’s Global and Americas Strategy and Markets, Financial Accounting Advisory Services and host of The Better Finance Podcast, has engaged with numerous CFOs about the complexities of navigating turbulent economic landscapes.

Myles joins host Melissa Howatson to discuss why CFOs are uniquely equipped to drive business success in volatile times. They delve into how finance leaders can harness their comprehensive organizational perspective to not only weather challenges but also position their companies for growth and resilience.

Discover actionable insights on how CFOs can leverage their unique vantage point to ensure their businesses thrive during challenging times.

Discussed in This Episode:

• How finance leaders can use their vision as a navigation tool for informed decision-making and value creation.
• The significance of communicating clear end goals and actively soliciting feedback from stakeholders.
• Strategies for adapting to changing business landscapes without losing sight of long-term objectives.
• An increasing appetite for finance leaders to be critical players in innovation, as well as the challenges they face in implementing innovation within their own departments.

A severe talent shortage is threatening the foundation of the finance function: accounting.

The accounting profession is facing a critical talent shortage, threatening the foundation of financial operations across accounting firms and businesses of all sizes. Mark Maurer, reporter for The Wall Street Journal’s CFO Journal team, joins host Melissa Howatson to explore this pressing issue. Drawing from his extensive coverage of the shrinking talent pipeline, Maurer discusses the factors driving the increased demand for accountants and the dwindling supply of qualified professionals.

As competition for accounting talent intensifies, this episode offers valuable insights for CFOs, finance leaders, and business executives. Join us for a timely discussion on the urgent talent gap and its far-reaching impact on the future of finance teams and beyond.

Discussed in This Episode:

• The consequences of the current talent shortage, both on daily business operations, and long-term opportunities.
• What’s behind the sharp decline in CPA candidates and a dwindling interest in the accounting profession, and what plans are in place to regrow the pipeline.
• How finance leaders can retain talent by making accounting team members feel more engaged and valued.
• Ways to prevent burnout on short-staffed accounting teams, especially given the seasonality of the business function.
• The role AI will play in the future of accounting and solving the talent shortage.

Financial data alone can’t drive a company’s success; it’s the CFO’s ability to turn that data into a compelling narrative that moves the needle. Whether engaging investors, rallying the board, or inspiring internal teams, the power lies in transforming raw data into stories that align with the company’s vision and steer it through both challenges and opportunities.

In this episode, Stephen Bates, Chief Financial Officer of Canford Healthcare Ltd. shares his more than 20 years of experience in finance roles across a wide range of industries in the UK. Stephen discusses the crucial role CFOs play in transforming financial data into engaging stories that drive business outcomes, especially during uncertain times.

Learn how effective narratives and storytelling can propel companies toward their strategic goals.

Discussed in This Episode:

• The importance of transparency and clarity in financial storytelling
• Weaving your strategic vision into the financial stories you tell
• Selecting the right metrics and KPIs that align with your story, and communicating them through data visualization.
• Techniques for connecting financial data with emotional appeals to inspire and motivate stakeholders.
• The key components of an effective change narrative: setting the stage, identifying the drivers of change, outlining the journey, and envisioning the future.

Filmed at Vena’s Excelerate Finance 2024 Summit, this episode features insights from FP&A and accounting leaders about the demands and rewards of their work. Join us as we dive into the importance of cross-functional collaboration, the art of balancing strategic vision with daily tasks, and the leadership skills that make a difference. Discover how teamwork and a purpose-driven mindset are shaping the future of finance.

Featured Guests in Order of Appearance:

• [00:00], [01:03] Blake Dunaway, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, Corcentric
• [00:46] Eugene Fedorinov, MBA, CFA,Sr. Manager, Finance Database & Budget Analysis, Arizona Cardinals 
• [02:43] Pat Jones, SVP, Corporate Controller, PetIQ
• [04:15] Sultan Akif, Unicorn Account Executive,  Microsoft
• [06:02] Harjot Ghai, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Delbridge Solutions, Inc.
• [06:48] Christine Harms, Vice President and Controller, The Tuscon Roadrunners
• [07:26] Brian Krause, Chief Financial Officer, Community First Solutions
• [07:34] Jesse Funes, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis, New Horizons
• [11:07] Dan Crumb, Chief Financial Officer, Kansas City Chiefs
• [13:04] Carrie Self, Senior Director of Business Intelligence, Tacala Companies

Discussed in This Episode:

• What finance leaders enjoy most about their jobs, from working with so many other teams to being at the center of every major business decision.
• How finance leaders feel they could be even more impactful with the help of their team and colleagues,
• What finance leaders wish other colleagues understood about their jobs, and what it takes to be successful.
• How FP&A roles have changed over time, and why it’s so important to have a bridge between strategic and tactical work,

The CEO-CFO partnership is arguably the cornerstone of an organization’s success, shaping not only its financial health but its strategic trajectory. This relationship is a delicate balance of mutual respect, candid dialogue, and aligned vision. A thriving CEO-CFO dynamic goes beyond simple collaboration; it involves a continuous cycle of challenging each other’s perspectives, reinforcing financial discipline, and driving innovative strategies. 

Our host and CFO of Vena, Melissa Howatson, shares such a dynamic relationship with Vena CEO Hunter Madeley. Together, they explore the unique perspectives of their respective roles and how aligning them is key to ensuring that the business is healthy today and positioned for sustainable growth.

Learn how the CEO and CFO partnership can be a strategic catalyst for success and discover how this strategic alliance is more than just a business necessity—it’s the key to unlocking the full potential of an organization, ensuring its resilience today and its growth well into the future.


Discussed In This Episode: 

• What’s top of mind for today’s CEOs and how finance leaders can support them through uncertain economic times
• The evolving role of CFOs, and whether they should be perceived as order-takers or strategic sparring partners in shaping the future of the business
• How CFOs can use their unique vantage points to help other functional leaders be more future-centric
• The horizons of investments, and how CFOs can help CEOs commit to short and long-term goals