"Tech Finance" with Sasha Orloff: B2B Fintech | AI | Finance Tech
Puzzle, Turpentine
On Tech Finance, host Sasha Orloff brings you inside the office of the CFO - covering major tech finance news including funding announcements, deals, product launches, and emerging players shaping B2B fintech. We break down the week's biggest developments in finance tech and accounting, and explore how finance leaders are putting AI to work.Tech Finance is brought to you by Puzzle, the modern accounting platform with an AI-first ledger, built for speed, automation, and real time decision making. Learn more: puzzle.ioTech Finance is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co
Episodes
Mentioned books
16 snips
Sep 12, 2024 • 55min
E23: “Founder Mode"? Setting the Record Straight with Jim Cook
In this engaging discussion, legendary Silicon Valley CFO Jim Cook, known for his roles at Netflix and Intuit, takes center stage. He debunks the myth of 'founder supremacy' popularized by Paul Graham's viral essay, proposing a fresh Leadership Mode for startup success. Insights from Airbnb's Brian Chesky and endorsements from titans like Elon Musk and Patrick Collison add depth. Topics range from the balance of leadership styles to the importance of teamwork, challenging the glorification of solo founders and advocating for a collaborative culture.
Sep 5, 2024 • 53min
E22: Evolution of the CFO Role, Compensation, and Interview Success with Chris Sands of the F Suite
Chris Sands, the Head of Jobs at The F Suite, dives into the evolving landscape of finance leadership. He discusses the shifting role of CFOs, highlighting the necessity for adaptability and strong networking skills. Sands also covers effective interview strategies for aspiring CFOs and the importance of cultural fit. He sheds light on the booming CFO compensation market, providing negotiation tips for securing better packages. Plus, he emphasizes storytelling and soft skills as key differentiators for exceptional finance leaders.
Aug 29, 2024 • 48min
E21: From Silicon Valley to Lake Tahoe Ski Resort CFO | Valerie Burman
Valerie Burman, a seasoned finance executive, transitioned from Silicon Valley’s tech giants to become the CFO of Sugar Bowl Resort in Lake Tahoe. She shares insights on the unique challenges of managing a ski resort, blending her passion for skiing with corporate strategy. Valerie discusses the importance of building a strong team culture, navigating M&As, and enhancing customer experience through innovative metrics. She also explores the transformative role of AI in hiring and financial management, emphasizing strategic insights over mere numbers in the CFO role.
Aug 22, 2024 • 1h 5min
E20: Rishi Garg’s M&A Playbooks from Twitter and Square
Rishi Garg, the former Head of Corporate Development at Twitter and Square, shares his expertise on tech acquisitions and M&A strategies. He outlines the importance of integration for successful deals and reveals how he managed 15 acquisitions in a single year. Rishi discusses common M&A misconceptions, including 'sins of omission' he regrets. He also highlights the evolving role of corporate development teams and the impact of AI on hiring, providing a fresh perspective as he transitions to venture investing.
Aug 15, 2024 • 1h 3min
E19: From Lean Startup to Long-Term Thinking: Eric Ries Reinvents the Stock Exchange
Eric Ries, the author of 'The Lean Startup' and founder of the Long-Term Stock Exchange, discusses his groundbreaking journey to create an exchange that fosters long-term thinking. He highlights the challenges of gaining SEC approval and the misconceptions about corporate governance. Ries emphasizes the struggle companies face between short-term pressure and long-term vision, offering insights for CEOs and CFOs on aligning investor interests with sustainable business practices. His approach redefines capital allocation and corporate structures for future growth.
Aug 8, 2024 • 50min
E18: Jody Padar, CPA, on Solving Accounting's Incentive Misalignment Using Radical Pricing
In this conversation, Jody Padar, a three-time author and advocate for radical pricing, addresses the profound incentive misalignment in accounting. She champions the transformation of traditional hourly billing to value-based pricing, emphasizing the necessity for firms to embrace technology and automation. Jody highlights the evolving accountant-client relationship in the digital age and discusses challenges like talent shortages and automation's impact. Her vision for the future of accounting encourages a shift towards advisory roles, blending technical skills with innovative approaches.
Aug 1, 2024 • 46min
E17: Why a16z is All-In on AI for Finance Teams with Partner Seema Amble
Seema Amble, a Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, dives into the disruptive potential of generative AI in finance teams. She explains how AI is transforming CFO practices by streamlining manual tasks, thereby allowing finance professionals to focus on strategic decisions. The discussion highlights the transition from software as a service to service as software, and explores the evolving landscape of bundled solutions in CFO software. Seema also sheds light on investment cycles and the trajectory of AI adoption in enterprises, urging a new approach to traditional finance practices.
Jul 26, 2024 • 48min
E16: CFO Dilemmas Decoded: Growth vs. Profit, VC vs. PE, and M&A Insights w/ Dan Fletcher, CFO of Planful
CFO Dan Fletcher shares insights on building trust with the CEO and board, balancing growth and profitability, nuances of VC vs. PE investors, and more. He also reflects on transitioning from journalism to CFO and the evolution of the CFO role in modern finance.
Jul 18, 2024 • 43min
E15: Building Tax Compliance for Tech Companies with Michelle Valentine, Cofounder and CEO of Anrok
Michelle Valentine, CEO of Anrok, talks about tax compliance challenges faced by tech companies, remote work implications, sales tax complexities, and the importance of early tax compliance efforts. She shares insights on Anrok software, navigating tax challenges, and the perfect timing for tax compliance solutions in a changing global landscape.
4 snips
Jul 11, 2024 • 45min
E14: Revenue Models 101 & the New Stack with Riya Grover, CEO of Sequence
Riya Grover, CEO of Sequence, delves into B2B revenue models & pricing strategies. They discuss challenges in managing hybrid pricing models, adoption of usage-based pricing, & unifying quote-to-cash process. Sequence simplifies revenue processes by integrating CPQ billing & rev recognition, emphasizing RevOps teams' rising trend.
