Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast

In this episode of The EY Better Finance Podcast, host Myles Corson explores cash management with Peter Kingma, EY-Parthenon Americas Working Capital Consulting Services Leader. Myles Corson interviews Peter Kingma, the EY-Parthenon Americas Working Capital Consulting Leader, to discuss the critical yet often overlooked aspect of cash management in business. Peter, drawing on his 15 years of experience at the EY organization and his recent book Cash is King, calls out the need for businesses to focus on cash flow, along with revenue and profitability. He argues that companies should prioritize all three metrics. During the conversation, Peter introduces the concept of a "cash leadership office" — an idea that instills a culture of placing cash management on an equal footing with other financial metrics. He believes that this concept is essential for finance leaders to unlock the potential for value creation and can help overcome a lack of visibility for informed decision-making. He also cites the findings of a proprietary EY resiliency index — How to drive operational resilience — highlighting the connection between adept cash management and the capacity of an enterprise to be resilient to market and economic instability. Peter recommends businesses to start improving liquidity by focusing on procurement processes, enhancing billing and collections, as well as optimizing supply chain management. He also stresses the importance of leveraging existing technology before jumping too quickly onto the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon — advocating a back-to-basics approach that maximizes current investments. © 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

Cory Hrncirik, Modern Finance Lead at Microsoft, brings over 17 years of experience to the discussion on AI’s transformative impact on finance. He reveals how Microsoft is leveraging AI for enhanced forecasting and risk management. The conversation emphasizes the pivotal role of quality data and collaboration in driving innovation. Cory also discusses empowering finance professionals to become citizen developers using low code tools, showcasing the company's strategic integration of technology to navigate the digital landscape.

In this episode of The EY Better Finance Podcast, Wayne Andrews, CFO at The University of Sydney, discusses how integrating GenAI and robotics can drive transformation and enhance finance's value. Wayne Andrews, the Chief Financial Officer at The University of Sydney, shares his journey with host Myles Corson of revolutionizing the university's finance function. He navigates through the challenges of modernizing outdated systems and transforming the finance function from a purely transactional role into a key strategic partner. Wayne highlights the pivotal role of embracing innovative technologies, spotlighting the establishment of a robotics and generative AI (GenAI) center of excellence. This initiative has significantly improved service delivery and achieved remarkable cost savings. By cultivating a culture of innovation and openness to unconventional solutions, Wayne and his team have not only boosted operational efficiency but also fundamentally changed how the finance function is perceived within the academic community. This transformation has been important in elevating the finance function's strategic impact on the university's overall success. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In The EY Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson hosts Jenna Fisher and Jim Lawson, co-leaders of the Global Financial Officers practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. The duo share their extensive backgrounds in finance and recruitment, setting the stage for a deep dive into the transformative role of the modern CFO. The conversation highlights the expanded scope of CFO responsibilities, from traditional fiduciary duties to strategic capital allocation and growth facilitation. Jim notes the shift towards strategy due to changing economic conditions, while Jenna points out the CFO's growing role in potentially succeeding to CEO positions, given the decline of the COO role. They also examine the importance of developing finance talent in light of automation and specialization within finance functions. The role of technology, particularly AI, was discussed as a tool for optimizing operations and preparing for future leadership roles. They emphasize the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in building effective finance teams and the positive impact of diverse perspectives on performance. Looking forward, they speculated on the future of the CFO role, suggesting that talent may increasingly come from private equity and investment banking sectors. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

Myles Corson hosts Hai Tran, Senior Vice President of MasterCard, and Lukas Hoebarth, Partner at EY, to discuss the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the face of economic uncertainty. The conversation centers on the important requirement for executive alignment and the strategic deployment of innovative technologies to navigate the complexities of executing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions. Hai Tran emphasizes the importance of establishing clear integration priorities and the consequences of misalignment, which can lead to lost value. Lukas Hoebarth provides insights into the recent trends in private debt funding and the rise in M&A activity, suggesting a cautious yet opportunistic approach to investment given the macroeconomic volatility. The episode also touches on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors, the evolving roles within corporate development functions, and the significance of ESG considerations in today's regulatory environment. The guests conclude by discussing the key performance indicators (KPIs) for M&A success and the necessity of a robust talent pool and strategic acumen in the field.

This episode of The Better Finance podcast explores the board member's role in risk management and company structure, and the impact of AI and technology on organizational challenges. Host Myles Corson speaks with Jan Babiak, an independent board member and audit committee chair with extensive experience across various sectors and countries. The discussion begins with Babiak's recognition as one of the top 20 value-adding directors in the US. Her career journey is then explored, from her early days at the EY organization to becoming a seasoned board member. Jan has experience in areas, such as IT security, cybersecurity, regulatory and public policy, and climate change and sustainability. Jan emphasizes the importance of boards managing not just routine business risk strategies, but also being prepared for unexpected events and future challenges. She highlights the differences in risk management responsibilities and resources between public and private companies, noting that private companies may not have the same infrastructure and may need to be more agile in their approach. The conversation also touches on the influence of organizational structures on risk management, the impact of founder culture on private companies, and the challenges of balancing growth opportunities with risk mitigation. Jan shares her insights on the evolving risks associated with technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), and the need for businesses to be aware of the potential misuse of such technologies. Myles and Jan discuss the similarities and differences in board membership across various countries, with Jan noting that while the day-to-day work is largely similar, governance models and regulations can differ significantly. She also offers advice to aspiring board members, stressing the need for intentionality, breadth of experience and openness to serving on different types of boards. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

Glenn Hopper, CFO and Director of Aventus Advisory Group, shares his expertise on the evolving CFO role in today's digital landscape. He discusses how CFOs can leverage AI and technology for strategic decision-making and enhanced financial forecasting. Glenn emphasizes the importance of data literacy and the potential of generative AI to optimize processes and boost productivity. He also highlights the need for storytelling in financial communication to turn data into actionable insights while addressing the challenges of maintaining personal well-being in a demanding finance career.

Brian Tomlinson, EY Managing Director, ESG, Financial Accounting Advisory Services welcomes Evan Tylenda, Head of EMEA GS Sustain at Goldman Sachs and Nadia Humphreys, Head of Sustainable Finance Data Solutions at Bloomberg for an in-depth discussion on the EU Sustainable Taxonomy. The trio delves into how the taxonomy aims to standardize what constitutes "green" economic activities, its role in combating greenwashing, and how it influences a company's transition to sustainable practices. They share insights from the first two years of reporting under the taxonomy, highlighting its increasing adoption beyond the mandated European companies and its potential to become a market standard for defining "green" funds. With the incoming expansion of the taxonomy to include four other environmental objectives, they discuss the implications for different sectors and the anticipated shift in the sustainable finance landscape. Finally, they offer advice on leveraging the taxonomy to create a sustainability baseline, embracing voluntary reporting and maintaining transparency, which benefits companies and investors committed to understanding their green footprint and navigating the sustainable finance landscape. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode, Lululemon executives Meghan Frank, CFO, and Alex Grieve, CAO, engage in a captivating conversation with Myles Corson. Together, they delve into their pivotal roles in driving Lululemon's success, highlighting the significance of sustainability, customer connections, and technological advancements. To kickstart the discussion, Meghan and Alex reflect on their unique experience of sharing the CFO role for a brief period, which ultimately resulted in the development of a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between them. They emphasize how open and transparent communication has played a pivotal role in their successful engagement with investors. By consistently focusing on key themes that investors are genuinely interested in, they have been able to shape their communication strategies accordingly. Recognizing the paramount importance of sustainability, Meghan and Alex proudly view it as an integral part of Lululemon's mission. They prioritize keeping investors well-informed about the company's progress in this domain, and specifically stress the crucial role of accurate reporting, including sustainability reporting. Customer loyalty is another important aspect that Meghan and Alex address during their discussion. They delve into the various programs implemented by Lululemon to nurture and maintain customer satisfaction. Moreover, they emphasize that the very essence of Lululemon's DNA lies in fostering connection and building a strong sense of community among its customers. By prioritizing these foundational principles, Lululemon continues to cultivate and strengthen its customer relationships, reinforcing loyalty and further solidifying its position in the market. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The EY Better Finance podcast, we are joined by Deirdre Ryan, Global Finance Transformation Leader, and Andrea Gronenthal, Americas Strategic Tax Transformation Leader from the EY organization, to delve into key findings from the EY Global DNA of the CFO survey. The episode also features insights from two seasoned global executives : Joseph J. Wolk (Joe), the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Johnson & Johnson, and Nick Priday, the CFO of Dentsu Group Inc., who were interviewed as part of the research. During the discussion, Deirdre and Andrea examine three paradoxes that CFOs confront on a daily basis: balancing short-term and long-term value, navigating the tightrope between safety and boldness, and transitioning from a traditional skill set to assuming a strategic leadership role. Enjoy this engaging exploration of the challenges and complexities faced by today's CFOs, and the multifaceted role they play in shaping the future of finance. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited