The CFO Show

The CFO-COO partnership is undeniably one of the most powerful alliances that can make or break a company's success. When working in perfect harmony, this duo creates a formidable force that drives strategic decisions, enhances operational efficiency, and propels growth. 

In this installment of our finance business partnering series, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Sandra Clarke, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Shield of California. Sandra, who spent the majority of her career in finance, progressed from analyst to CFO before taking on the COO role. She discusses the unique perspective of having been on both sides of the CFO-COO relationship, addressing the benefits of close collaboration as well as the challenges that may arise from competing priorities. 

Discover what it takes to build a successful CFO-COO business collaboration that benefits the entire organization and learn how this dynamic partnership directly impacts a company's bottom line.

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The role of the COO, its variability across companies, and where it intersects with the CFO role in facilitating company strategy and boosting growth. 
• How finance leaders can bring the most value to the operations team by understanding the business, identifying patterns in numbers that may indicate potential issues, and recommending optimal resource allocation. 
• Key elements of a strong CFO-COO partnership, including humility, mutual trust in each other's expertise, and an unwavering focus on what's best for the business. 
• Navigating tensions between CFO and COO roles when financial data doesn't support perceived operational needs, and strategies for collaboration in these challenging situations. 

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

Healthcare costs continue to be the most unpredictable expense for businesses, creating a challenging dilemma for CFOs. While healthcare benefits serve as a powerful tool for recruiting and retaining employees, the escalating costs are forcing many finance leaders to seek innovative ways to reduce expenses without compromising the quality of care or the attractiveness of their benefits packages.

Anisha Sood is the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer at First Choice Health, with more than 20 years of experience across the healthcare industry. Since joining First Choice Health in 2019, she has overseen finance and strategy, focusing on offering more cost-effective solutions to employers. In this episode, Anisha talks to host Melissa Howatson about why healthcare costs are rising and how providers like First Choice Health are bringing them down without sacrificing quality care.

Discover how CFOs can adopt innovative approaches to manage both healthcare costs and employee benefits expenditures effectively during challenging economic times.

Discussed in This Episode:

• Recent trends and changes in healthcare benefits, and factors contributing to rising costs
• How First Choice Health is disrupting the traditional healthcare benefits model through expanded partnerships and reduced administrative costs
• Strategies to mitigate healthcare costs, including how insurers can tailor benefits to an employer’s unique needs, considering factors such as geography and remote workforce
• Balancing the CFO’s need to control costs with the CHRO’s goal of recruiting and retaining employees
• The growing importance of mental and behavioral health benefits in comprehensive healthcare packages

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

The journey from being a solo finance expert to architecting a robust finance function is complex. Knowing where to begin and how to proceed can shape the future of your department and company.

In this episode, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Amy Ward, CFO of Blue River PetCare, to discuss the intricacies of building a finance function from the ground up. Amy shares her journey from Senior Accountant to CFO, offering valuable insights into the strategic approach required to align finance with organizational goals and drive sustainable growth. Amy joined Blue River PetCare's team in 2014 as a Senior Accountant and, since then, has played a critical role in the development and management of their Accounting and Payroll teams.

Discover how finance leaders should navigate hiring, technology investments, and cross-departmental collaboration as they build and nurture a finance team to drive long-term success.

Discussed in This Episode:

• The most important considerations for finance leaders before making their first hire
• Why Amy invested first in her accounts payable team, and how she now views this function as a breeding ground for talent
• How to assess the technologies a business truly needs at various stages of its growth
• Navigating the challenges of transitioning from a small to a larger, more complex finance function
• Why culture fit is often overlooked in finance, but is just as important as in any other part of the business
• Why cultural fit is often overlooked in finance, but is just as important as in any other part of the business

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

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.

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

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.  

John discusses 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 evolution 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 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. 

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 the 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.

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

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.

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