Run the Numbers a16z’s Alex Immerman on How AI Is Redefining the Modern CFO | Mostly Classics
[Original air date: June 19, 2025]
In this episode, Alex Immerman, partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins CJ to discuss the CFO role and how it’s changing in the era of AI. He explains what the components of a company’s AI agenda the CFO should own, how and where it should be leveraged in an organization, and why, if you’re preparing to go public, AI needs to be mentioned in your S-1. He breaks down how the financial landscape differs greatly between AI-native SaaS companies and traditional B2B SaaS companies in terms of retention curves and gross margins, and how this relates to the ever-important LTV to CAC metric. As someone who has worked with prominent CFOs and interviewed many for a16z’s portfolio companies, Alex also describes the qualities of a great CFO, and shares his favorite interview question, before discussing CFOs, CEO, and board dynamics.
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LINKS:
Alex Immerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/immerman
Andreessen Horowitz: https://a16z.com
CJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/
Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com
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RELATED EPISODES:
a16z’s Alex Immerman on the Evolving Role of the CFO in the Age of AI
So You’re Looking for a “Strategic” CFO? Bloomerang’s Steve Isom on What That Really Means
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgHOtvG1Ces
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Preview and Intro
00:01:46 AI Margins Improve Dramatically
00:02:29 What Separates Great CFOs
00:03:29 Founder Mindset Drives Performance
00:05:31 Founder Intensity and Margin Expansion
00:06:57 Backing Unproven Bets Thoughtfully
00:08:29 Interviewing CFOs for Backbone
00:09:55 When CFOs Push Back on Strategy
00:11:25 CFO Trust With Boards and Investors
00:11:50 How CFOs Engage Investors When Hiring
00:14:44 Building Strong CFO Investor Relationships
00:16:18 Sharing Bad News Early
00:17:21 CEO Vision Versus CFO Validation
00:20:57 How AI Is Changing the CFO Role
00:23:56 Incumbents Versus AI-Native Finance Tools
00:26:24 CFOs Driving Internal AI Adoption
00:28:07 AI Impact on Customer Support Efficiency
00:29:26 Internal Leverage From AI Automation
00:31:29 Why Investors Care About LTV to CAC
00:34:00 LTV to CAC Across Business Models
00:36:26 Retention Curves Matter More Than Growth
00:38:16 Evaluating AI Gross Margins Long Term
00:40:04 Recipe for AI Margin Expansion
00:43:01 What Makes a Public-Ready CFO
00:44:47 Beating Guidance Drives IPO Performance
00:46:56 Growth Versus Profitability Has Rebalanced
#RunTheNumbersPodcast #CFOLeadership #FintechInvesting #AISaaS #VentureCapital
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