The CFO Show

What separates good finance teams from great ones? In this special episode, host Melissa Howatson brings together insights from more than 20 finance leaders to answer one deceptively simple question: What is the hallmark of a mature finance team? Across industries and company sizes, their perspectives reveal a shared truth: modern finance teams don’t just report on the business; they help shape where it’s going. From strategic storytelling to cross-functional partnership, from data clarity to embracing AI as an amplifier for decision-making, this episode uncovers the practices that define today’s most effective finance organizations. Discussed in This Episode: Why mature finance teams guide rather than control the business How partnership and communication earn finance a seat at the table The importance of ownership, consistency and predictable processes Why data culture matters more than “perfect” data How AI frees teams to spend more time on storytelling and strategy Why transformation is never one big moment, but an ongoing mindset Guests in Order of Appearance: John Hagerty, Distinguished Analyst, Dresner Advisory Services  Sandra Clarke, Former EVP & COO, Blue Shield of California Tom Panther, CFO, National Christian Foundation (Formerly of Corpay) Amy Ward, CFO, Blue River PetCare  Hugh Cumming, Chief Technology Officer, Vena  Kaz Takemura, Managing Director, FP&A Technology Services, ModelCom Inc.  Aaqil Kassamali, Procurement Director, Vena  Rajat Bahri, CFO, Icertis  Scott Engler, CEO, Sync Executive Partners Anisha Sood, Chief Financial & Strategy Officer, First Choice Health  Darren R. Campbell, EY Americas Tax Technology and Transformation Leader Matthew Ennen, SVP, Finance and Business Development, Ensemble Health Partners Tom Seegmiller, CFO, Texada Software  Janelle Gorman, CFO, York IE  Troy Anderson, CFO, Kelly  Dave Helmer, EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader Craig Schiff, CEO, BPM Partners  Igor Stelea, Former Director, CFGI Brandon Sharp, Chief Information Officer, Brookfield Residential  Nick McKeehan, Managing Director, CFO Solutions, Protiviti  Charlie X.W. Liu, Chief Happiness Officer, MCC Peter Emerling, Director, Digital Transformation Practice, Citrin CoopermanFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.     

Financial consolidation has long been treated as a “back-office necessity,” but in today’s complex, data-dense businesses, it’s becoming a strategic engine. Craig Schiff, Founder and CEO of BPM Partners joins Melissa to unpack the evolution of consolidation, why it’s resurging in importance, and how AI is reshaping both FP&A and controllership. Craig shares what companies are getting wrong, why consolidation and planning belong together and the trends he’s seeing as organizations move from legacy systems, Excel-heavy processes and fragmented tools toward unified performance management. He also explains the critical connection between actuals, planning accuracy and strategic speed, and why more CFOs now lead with consolidation at the center of their data strategy.  Discussed in This Episode:  Critical features of modern financial close and consolidation software Building a unified finance tech stack AI in performance management: What CFOs need to know The future of close and consolidationFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.     

Finance doesn’t need to chase a mythical “best-in-class” model; success comes from mastering the fundamentals. In this episode of The CFO Show, Charlie X.W. Liu, Founder and Chief Happiness Officer of MCC, joins Melissa Howatson to unpack the FP&A Trifecta: finance, data and systems and how getting these right transforms finance teams from spreadsheet operators into strategic partners.  Charlie shares lessons from 15+ years advising startups and Fortune 500s on optimizing EPM systems, improving data quality and building finance functions that scale with the business. He also explores how AI is changing finance roles, helping professionals shift from cost controllers to storytellers who drive business growth. Discussed in This Episode:  The three pillars of modern FP&A: finance, data and systems Why clean data isn’t the goal, useful data is How to avoid common EPM implementation pitfalls Why finance leaders must become “story sellers,” not just storytellers How AI is reshaping skills and structure in the finance teamFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.    

Career growth isn’t always a straight line, and sometimes the biggest leaps come from taking a step sideways.   Troy Anderson, Chief Financial Officer at Kelly, shares the defining moments, pivotal decisions, and leadership lessons from his 35-year career spanning industries from telecom to education to talent solutions.   He reflects on leading major turnarounds and public company transformations, navigating mergers and acquisitions, and building finance teams that act as trusted business partners. Troy also discusses how to communicate through change, the importance of listening before leading, and how AI is reshaping the role of today’s CFO.   Discussed in This Episode:  The career pivots that shaped Troy’s path to CFO  How to lead transformation with conviction and clear communication  The power of listening and empathy in leadership  Balancing strategy with detail in a modern finance role  Preparing finance teams for AI and the next era of transformationFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.    

AI promises efficiency, automation, and smarter decision-making, but for large enterprises, the journey is far more complex than simply adopting the latest tool. In this episode of The CFO Show, Rajat Bahri, CFO of Icertis, joins host Melissa Howatson to explore how enterprise finance teams can harness AI to drive transformation. With experience leading finance at global organizations, Rajat shares insights on how CFOs can balance innovation with governance, turn AI into actionable insights and lead change across complex data and system landscapes. He also delves into how trust, data accuracy and integration are shaping the next chapter of enterprise finance, and why CFOs must lead from the top to unlock AI’s full potential. Discussed in This Episode: How enterprise finance can leverage AI for smarter, faster decision-making The difference between AI adoption in startups and large organizations Overcoming legacy systems and data fragmentation challenges Building trust, accuracy and responsible AI practices How CFOs can upskill teams and set the tone from the topFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.    

Procurement is no longer just about cutting costs. It’s about creating value, building partnerships and helping finance teams make smarter, faster decisions. On this episode of The CFO Show, Aaqil Kassamali, Procurement Director at Vena Solutions, joins Melissa Howatson to discuss how procurement has evolved into a strategic function that drives innovation and alignment across the business. Aaqil shares lessons from building procurement teams from the ground up, using technology to gain visibility and insight, and balancing short-term savings with long-term value. He also explains why trust, business acumen and collaboration are now the true measures of success in modern procurement. Discussed in This Episode: Shifting procurement from tactical to strategic The impact of visibility and data on smarter decision-making Building trust and partnership across business functions Balancing short-term wins with long-term value creation Exploring the future of procurement in an AI-driven worldFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.   

In this episode, Brookfield Residential  CIO Brandon Sharp joins host Melissa Howatson to share his unique career journey and to reveal why tighter alignment between finance and IT drives true transformation. Brandon reflects on lessons learned while leading major initiatives in homebuilding and real estate, from navigating shadow IT to building cross-functional trust. He offers practical insights on transparency, influence, and project management—and explains why finance leaders who are “data curious” often become the critical bridge to IT. This discussion highlights practical strategies to strengthen IT–finance partnerships, accelerate transformation, and foster alignment that delivers business-wide impact. Discussed in This Episode: How to transform IT–finance collaboration into a growth engine The “Tell Them” Triad for influence Balancing time, cost and quality in transformation projects Identifying and empowering data-curious champions within finance For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.  

How do you scale finance operations to keep pace with a business that’s doubling in size every few months? In this episode of The CFO Show, Carta CFO Charly Kevers shares how he has navigated constant change while helping the company grow from Series C to Series G and reach a $7.4B valuation. Charly opens up about the tactical lessons he has learned leading finance in a high-growth environment, from building a team of engineers dedicated to finance systems, to embedding innovation into everyday workflows, to experimenting with AI use cases that free teams from repetitive tasks. He also reflects on the cultural side of scaling, explaining why curiosity, adaptability and surfacing issues early are non-negotiable traits for his team. The audience will walk away with practical ideas for leveraging technology, strengthening cross-functional partnerships, and making space for innovation, even when the pace feels overwhelming. In This Episode: Why adaptability and curiosity are essential traits for modern finance talent How Carta scaled operations without continuously increasing headcount The value of a dedicated finance engineering team Partnering with IT, HR and go-to-market teams to drive systems alignment How to embed innovation into day-to-day finance work and create space for it Using hackathons and AI pilots to unlock new efficiencies For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

ERP migration can make or break your finance function. From outdated systems to cloud-based solutions, the stakes are high, and the risks are real. In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson, CFO of Vena, sits down with Scott Jorgens, Sr. Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships at Endeavour Solutions. With more than 25 years of experience across finance, consulting, and technology, Scott shares how to plan and execute ERP migrations that deliver ROI. They discuss the common pitfalls that derail projects, why change management is just as critical as technology, and how to ensure your data is ready to unlock automation, analytics and AI. Whether you’re just starting to evaluate systems or deep in implementation, this conversation is your guide to building ERP success. Discussed in This Episode: The biggest triggers that Indicate it’s time for a new ERP. Data readiness: how to ensure clean, consistent, automation-ready data. The underestimated cost of change management, and how to get it right. Why “minimal viable product” ERP rollouts often fail. How to align finance, IT, and operations around a shared ERP vision. For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.   

What does it take to lead a high-growth company through economic uncertainty, while still innovating for the future? Larry Roseman, Chief Financial Officer of Thumbtack, joins us to explore the modern finance leader's role in balancing resilience, agility, and long-term value creation. With a career spanning investment banking, accounting, and tech, Larry shares how he's redefined capital allocation, empowered decision-making across teams, and built a finance organization that thrives on trust and flexibility. Learn how to lead with clarity, empower innovation (without waste), and turn volatility into opportunity. Discussed in This Episode: Why CFOs must shift from fixed annual planning to rolling investment cycles The power of decentralized decision-making in fast-moving companies How to empower teams with "envelope budgeting" and shared accountability Why flexibility and financial discipline must go hand-in-hand How to balance profitability and growth through portfolio-style capital planning Tactics for encouraging innovation without a near-term ROIFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.