Are you leveraging the full potential of strategic finance in your annual planning process?  

In this episode of The CFO Show, Igor Stelea, Director of Strategic Finance, Analytics & Business Transformation at CFGI, unpacks what makes annual planning effective and what causes it to break down. 

From aligning strategy with operational plans to integrating long-range forecasting and scenario modeling, Igor offers frameworks and hard-won insights on how mature finance teams turn planning into a competitive advantage. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The link between strategic planning and annual budgeting 
• Why “planning the plan” matters more than you think 
• How to use OKRs to align strategic and financial priorities 
• Best practices for rolling forecasts and scenario planning 
• Common pitfalls that derail planning (and how to avoid them)

For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com. 

What if the secret to financial agility lies in reimagining the relationship between FP&A and Controllership? Tom Seegmiller, CFO at Texada Software, returns to explore the transformative power of aligning FP&A and Controllership. 

Tom shares his journey from FP&A leader to full-spectrum CFO, and what he’s learned about the often-overlooked (but essential) collaboration between finance’s two core functions. Together, they unpack how siloed teams can unintentionally hold each other back—and how breaking down those walls can drive agility, enhance clarity, and increase business value. 

Discover how aligning FP&A and Controllership could be the key to unlocking your finance team's full potential. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• What CFOs get wrong about Controllership, and how to fix it 
• The hidden friction between finance subfunctions 
• How to create “earned” seats at the table across the organization 
• Why both FP&A and Controllership must focus on top-line growth 
• Tools, leadership habits, and structural approaches that make cross-functional alignment stick 
• How AI is helping finance teams build leverage and efficiency 

For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Are you leveraging AI to its full potential in your finance department? 

In this episode, we dive into the practical application of AI in finance with Anton Medvedev, former Senior Product Manager at Vena and CPA/CFA. With his unique blend of finance and tech expertise, Anton offers a roadmap for effectively adopting AI in your financial operations. 

Anton shares insights on training AI models, understanding AI agents, and effective prompting techniques. He provides real-world examples that demystify this fast-moving technology. Whether you're experimenting with AI in Excel or trying to choose the right vendor, this episode offers practical strategies for getting started, scaling smartly, and ensuring your team stays ahead. 

Learn how you can transform your finance team from AI novices to strategic innovators, harnessing the power of AI to drive value in your organization. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The core components of a good AI prompt 
• What AI agents are and how they improve speed, security, and execution 
• Why early adopters are key to driving internal change 
• How to evaluate vendors on AI readiness for finance 
• Common missteps teams make with AI and how to avoid them 
• Why CFOs must personally engage and lead the AI learning curve

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

In this episode, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Steve Browning, VP of Data Privacy and Corporate Security at Vena, and Kaz Takemura, Managing Director of FP&A Technologies at Modelcom, to explore how finance teams can adopt AI safely and strategically. 

Steve and Kaz share practical, cross-functional strategies for embedding AI into business operations, from building the right teams to creating scalable governance frameworks. They also unpack the emotional and organizational barriers to AI adoption and offer tips to drive both innovation and risk management.  

Whether you're just starting your AI journey or looking to optimize existing implementations, learn how to move from fear to forward momentum, without compromising security or trust. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• Why AI is now a non-negotiable technology 
• The importance of cross-functional teams in AI governance 
• How fear and job insecurity are major blockers to adoption 
• The risks of shadow AI usage and how to spot it 
• Guardrails that enable safe experimentation, not restriction 
• Why employee education is the secret weapon of successful AI programs

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com. 

Is your finance team truly driving strategic value, or are you stuck in reactive mode? 

Host Melissa Howatson, welcomes Peter Emerling, Director in the Digital Transformation Practice at Citrin Cooperman, to explore the finance maturity model, the four stages of finance maturity and what it takes to move from reaction to transformation. 

With over 18 years of experience advising businesses across industries and lifecycle stages, Peter breaks down the key components of a modern maturity model—from people and processes to data and governance—and shares practical ways finance leaders can assess where they stand and how to level up. 

If you're struggling with siloed systems, manual workarounds, or transformation fatigue, this episode offers a roadmap toward building a smarter, more agile finance function. Learn how you can assess your current maturity level and take concrete steps towards finance transformation that drives real business impact. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The 4 finance maturity levels: Sustaining, Reactionary, Transforming, Innovating - Understanding where your team stands 
• Five assessment pillars: People, Process, Technology, Data, and Governance 
• Red flags that indicate your team may be stuck at level two 
• How to evolve without ripping out your tech stack 
• Real-world client examples and what drives true business impact 
• Actionable strategies to progress through maturity stages

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

The era of reactive supply chain management is over. Are you ready for predictive resilience? 

Nick McKeehan, Managing Director at Protiviti, shares CFO-focused insights on modern supply chain disruptions, from cybersecurity to geopolitical tensions. With 25 years in finance transformation, Nick guides the shift from reactive to predictive, tech-enabled decision-making. 

Learn how visionary leaders collaborate across the C-suite, invest in digital twins and AI, and redefine supply chain resilience as a competitive edge. 

This discussion equips finance leaders to navigate volatility, boost agility, mitigate risks, and drive change in today's complex business landscape. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• How today’s biggest threats—from tariffs to climate events—are reshaping modern supply chains 
• What resilience means in a high-stakes global economy 
• The CFO's crucial role in cross-functional supply chain leadership with COOs and CIOs 
• How leading organizations use technology like AI and digital twins for smarter planning 
• Finance’s expanding influence in risk management and strategic decisions 

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

What’s driving finance leaders’ strategic planning in 2025—and its future trajectory? 

In this data-packed episode, we welcome back Craig Schiff, CEO of BPM Partners to unpack the findings from Vena’s 2025 State of Strategic Finance Report. From AI adoption to strategic business partnering, Craig dives into key insights on how finance leaders are navigating change, deploying technology, and building more connected and capable teams. Drawing from the report’s insights, Craig reveals the critical direction finance teams must take to remain competitive and efficient. 

Together with host Melissa Howatson, Craig explores major themes from this year's survey, including a surprising optimism among finance leaders, a rise in cross-functional collaboration, and the evolving role of AI within finance operations. If you're a finance leader seeking clarity on where the industry is headed, this is your roadmap. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• Why finance leaders are feeling optimistic in 2025 
• The expanding strategic role of finance in business 
• How teams are managing talent shortages while still growing 
• What's driving widespread adoption of planning technology 
• The real state of AI in finance and what's working 
• Common traits of mature finance organizations

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

In today's unpredictable real estate market, CFOs are facing complex decisions that could significantly impact their bottom line.  

In this episode, Scot Ginsburg, Executive Managing Director at Hughes Marino and author of ‘It's Not All About the Rent’, breaks down the current commercial real estate landscape and what finance leaders need to know to make smart, strategic choices. 

From the office space downturn to industrial overbuilds, Scot explains why now the time is to rethink lease renewals, restructures, and how to negotiate with landlords. With almost three decades of experience exclusively representing tenants across various industries, he offers invaluable insights on avoiding costly lease mistakes and reveals why the mantra "it's not all about the rent" is crucial in today's market. Discover why traditional approaches to leasing may be costing your company more than you realize and learn the strategies that could save you money in the long run.

Discussed in This Episode  

• Why the real estate landscape is shifting and how companies should respond 
• Lease renewals vs. restructures: Understanding the differences and optimal timing for each 
• Uncovering and avoiding hidden financial traps in commercial lease agreements 
• How to negotiate with landlords in a down market 
• What to look for in a commercial real estate broker: Ensuring the best representation 
• The importance of following a process, even if you “know what you want”  

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

As the startup funding landscape evolves, is your financial strategy keeping pace? 

In this changing environment, a well-crafted financial strategy has become increasingly crucial for startups. 

Janelle Gorman, CFO of York IE, York IE, an advisory and investment firm that helps technology companies grow, shares valuable insights on crafting financial strategies that can make or break a startup's success. Drawing from her extensive experience with high-growth startups, Janelle explores key topics such as optimizing cash flow, managing burn rates, and identifying the metrics that drive sustainable business growth.  

Whether you're a CFO, finance leader, startup founder, or investor, this episode provides actionable strategies for building financial resilience and positioning your startup for success in the current economic climate. Discover how to transform financial challenges into opportunities for growth and long-term success. 

Discussed in This Episode  

• Navigating the delicate balance between growth and financial sustainability in today's market 
• Evolving investor expectations and strategies to make your startup stand out in fundraising 
• Cash flow management techniques to extend runway and fuel effective scaling 
• Essential financial metrics for startup success, including how to optimize CAC payback period 
• Why achieving product-market fit is crucial before ramping up sales and marketing efforts 

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Revolutionizing tax functions is no longer a distant dream—it's happening now. This episode delves into the groundbreaking transformation of tax departments from cost centers to strategic powerhouses. Dave Helmer, EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader, and Daren R. Campbell, EY Americas Tax Technology and Transformation Leader, share their expertise on how Generative AI or GenAI and other cutting-edge technologies are elevating tax departments from mere cost centers to strategic business partners. 

The discussion explores how innovative tax strategies are influencing everything from supply chain management to corporate transactions, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of a modernized tax function. 

This episode examines the challenges and opportunities facing today's tax professionals. From talent acquisition to technological integration, it provides insights for finance leaders aiming to unlock the full potential of their tax departments and drive business value in an AI-driven world. 

Learn how forward-thinking companies are leveraging their tax functions to navigate complex regulatory environments, drive efficiency, and inform critical business decisions. 

Discussed in This Episode  

• The role tax plays in partnership with finance and business decision-making 
• How Generative AI is helping CFOs transform tax operations 
• Challenges in tax data management and integration within finance operations 
• AI use cases in tax 
• How tax functions integrate seamlessly into finance 
• Initial steps for AI adoption 
• Change management in AI adoption

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.