The CFO Show

Real-time reporting promises faster decisions, but without trusted and governed data, speed can become a liability. John Hagerty, Distinguished Analyst at Dresner Advisory Services, joins Melissa Howatson to unpack what it really takes to achieve data mastery in modern finance organizations. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience across enterprise performance management, business intelligence and analytics, John explains why data governance is no longer an IT problem, it’s a business imperative. In this conversation John shares why finance can’t operate in data silos, how CFOs and CIOs must evolve into true partners, and why analytics only deliver value when built on consistent definitions, shared responsibility and clean data foundations. From centers of excellence and data stewardship to AI adoption and real-time decision-making, this episode offers a practical roadmap for finance leaders looking to turn data into a strategic advantage. Discussed in this episode: • Why real-time analytics fail without trusted data • Data governance as a shared enterprise responsibility • The evolving CFO–CIO partnership • Centers of excellence vs. data stewardship (and why you need both)For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.      

Healthcare finance leaders are operating under unprecedented pressure. Rising costs, staffing shortages, payer complexity, and constant uncertainty. Matthew Ennen, Senior Vice President of Finance and Business Development at Ensemble Health Partners, shares how finance leaders can navigate volatility while staying anchored to their mission, their people and long-term resilience. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience across healthcare and consumer industries, Matthew explains why finance skills are highly transferable, how analytics and scenario planning enable proactive decision-making, and why transparency, empathy and communication are now essential leadership requirements. From balancing cost containment with innovation to keeping teams motivated through periods of transformation, Matthew offers practical insights for finance leaders in any industry facing rapid change. Discussed in This Episode:  Leading finance teams through uncertainty and transformation Why finance skills transfer across industries Balancing cost control with innovation in mission-driven organizations Using analytics to move from reactive to proactive decision-making The role of transparency, empathy and communication in leadershipFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.      

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.