The CFO Show

Every career path is unique. For many CFOs, though, their paths share a common destination: the CEO’s office. What does the journey from CFO to CEO look like?

This transition requires more than mastering the balance sheets. Being a CEO demands a unique blend of strategic vision, leadership finesse, and a fearless appetite for risk. To give us a firsthand perspective of this shift, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Lincoln Greenidge, CEO of Sandfire Resources Americas Inc. Lincoln, who’s spent 35 years climbing the ranks of finance and FP&A across six industries, shares the opportunities and challenges that arose as part of his transition from CFO to CEO.

Discussed in This Episode:

• The new skills CFOs need to succeed as CEO
• Unforeseen challenges that new CEOs should watch out for
• How leadership styles evolve in your new role
• Specific areas of development CFOs should focus on

Episode Resources:

• How To Get on the Finance Leadership Track: 5 Pieces of Advice for Future CFOs
• 7 Principles of the Agile Finance Leader | 0.5 CPE | Vena Academy

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

2023 has been a year defined by uncertainty. This trend is a driving force behind the decision making of FP&A teams, as they aim to create more agile and dynamic operations in the face of constant change. But uncertainty is only one FP&A trend that’s shaped the past year.

Howard Dresner, Founder and Chief Research Officer of Dresner Advisory Services, suggests there are five major FP&A trends that defined 2023 and point to what lies ahead in 2024. In this episode, Howard dives into these trends with hosts Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller.

Discussed in This Episode: 

• How to achieve efficiency goals in the face of economic uncertainty
• The appropriate strategy for human capital investments
• ESG reporting and planning taking on added significance
• The importance of rolling forecasts in a volatile geopolitical climate
• Being dynamic enough to operate given supply chain challenges

Episode Resources:

• The 8 FP&A Trends Making Waves in 2023

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

2023 was a roller coaster for finance professionals, and with a potential recession looming, the storms don’t look to calm down anytime soon. This means annual budget planning takes on an added importance as they look ahead to 2024.

Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller discuss the issues that should be top of mind for CFOs and reinforce the importance of scenario planning. Harjot Ghai, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Delbridge Solutions, Inc., shares his best practices for planning ahead in uncertain times.

Discussed in This Episode:

• Projections and expectations for the economy in 2024
• Actions that companies should take now to prepare
• How leaders can create an environment of stability and trust
• Ways to balance financial constraints with talent retention

Episode Resources:

• The Ultimate Guide to Corporate Budgeting

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

There’s an underrated skill that seasoned CFOs have mastered: forging partnerships with other C-suites across the organization. One of the most vital partners for finance teams is the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Together, these teams can drive efficiency with technology, mitigate risks, and make strategic investments.

To understand what a successful business partnership with the Office of CIO looks like, and what factors often get in the way, Melissa Howatson talks with Johan Dowdy, Global Head of IT and IT Security at Asana.

Discussed in This Episode:

• How IT has evolved over the years to be more strategic
• The value of listening before offering suggestions (not just prescribing)
• One of the most common pain points in the CFO-CIO partnership
• Considering ROI and long-term payback on all programmatic spend
• How to achieve smoother operations and more accurate reporting

Episode Resources:

• How To Develop a Finance Business Partnering Model
• Transforming Finance as a Strategic Business Partner | 0.5 CPE/CPD Course

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

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the finance industry, empowering CFOs and finance teams to drive innovation and adapt to new market conditions with speed and efficiency. But as widely discussed and debated as AI has been recently, best practices for adoption are hard to come by. 

To assist those looking to jumpstart their digital transformation efforts with AI, Melissa Howatson sits down to talk with Rob Drover, VP Business Solutions at CBIZ (formerly Marcum Technology, part of Marcum LLP Group). From his extensive firsthand knowledge, Rob shares how to leverage technology to streamline finance processes and boost strategic decision-making. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• What digital transformation really means (and what’s impeding its progress) 
• Practical applications of AI to create more time for value-added tasks 
• The need for continuous improvement in addition to regular AI audits 
• Ensuring your AI model is approved by people who know your business 
• How workers who invest in upskilling will stand out 

Resources: 

• The Definitive Guide to AI in FP&A: Benefits, Use Cases and Risks Explained 

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