FP&A Today

Leaving FP&A at billion dollar companies to become a top Fractional CFO: Rosemary Linden ‘s amazing career journey

Mar 19, 2024

Learn about Rosemary Linden's transition from corporate finance to fractional CFO, dealing with small businesses. Discover why FP&A is a great training ground for CFOs, and get insights on storytelling and cash flow management. Hear about seasonal variances, starting your own business, and the difference between strategic planning and financial planning. Plus, dive into a deep sea story, team Excel, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg!

46:49

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Episode guests

Rosemary Linden

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Transitioning from corporate FP&A to fractional CFO requires unique mindset and skills.

FP&A provides valuable training for future CFO roles due to its analytical nature.

Becoming a fractional CFO involves storytelling, managing cash flows, and embracing challenges.

Deep dives

Favorite Excel features

Flexibility is the favorite aspect of Excel for its multiple functionalities like word processing. Commonly used functions include lookups, index match, and data validation, ensuring clean data input, especially in small business settings.

Introduction

3min

Navigating Challenges and Transformations in the Corporate Finance World

18min

Navigating Cash Flow Statements and Fractional CFO Role Advice

4min

Career Evolution towards Fractional CFO

14min

Scary Scuba Diving and Shared Lego Hobbies

2min

Meeting Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Excel Functionality

3min

Career Advice and Networking Tips for FP&A Professionals

2min

Rosemary Linden more than earned her stripes in FP&A over twenty years. Her roles included VP FP&A at Alliant Insurance Services. Director of Global FP&A at WD-40 Company and at Solera.

But after two decades in corporate finance she moved to being a fractional CFO serving small businesses (typical annual revenue of around $10million) managing an assortment of responsibilities.

This episode is for anyone in finance who may be looking to escape the corporate grind and set up as a Fractional CFO.

But Linden warns it is not for everyone.

“One of the first things I’d say to think about is, do you really want to be a fractional CFO? Because that’s different from being a full-time CFO at one particular company and comes with its own challenges.”

In this episode:

Moving from corporate finance after 20 years to dealing with “astute” small business owners as a fractional CFO in San Diego
Why FP&A is an ideal training ground to become a CFO
Secrets for telling a good story
Getting to what you want the people in a room to “walk away knowing”
Cash flows at small companies, opportunities and challenges
Dealing with seasonal variances at small businesses
Advice for starting your own business as a fractional CFO
Moving to a more analytical mindset
Difference between, strategic planning and financial planning (Case Study San Diego Civic Youth Ballet)
My most dangerous deep sea dive, being team Excel and Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Follow Rosemary Linden on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemarylinden/