CFO Weekly

Rick Smith, a five-time CFO and founder of Bonfire Advisory, shares his expertise on scaling businesses from $20M to $300M. He discusses why early-stage CFO roles are tougher than those in larger firms and the importance of building scalable financial systems. Rick highlights the differences between theoretical MBA skills and practical CFO experience. He also covers common pitfalls in M&A deals, complex revenue recognition challenges across industries, and essential skills aspiring CFOs need in the startup landscape.

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Travis St. Ores, Chief Financial Officer at Comprehensive Logistics, joins Megan Weis to discuss the agility of modern middle-market CFOs. Learn how today's CFOs are becoming strategic quarterbacks for their organizations, balancing agility with financial discipline and leveraging new technologies like AI to drive growth.Travis St. Ores is an experienced CFO specializing in private equity and founder-owned businesses, with a focus on building and optimizing finance functions for scalable growth and operational excellence. With a decade of experience in financial leadership, Travis has dedicated his career to supporting private equity-backed companies through critical phases including high growth periods, turnaround efforts, and complex transactional activities.What You’ll Learn:How to transition from traditional CFO responsibilities to becoming a strategic "quarterback" for the leadership teamWhy balancing rapid scaling with financial discipline requires clear communication and strategic technology adoptionThe framework for implementing AI and automation to free up finance teams for higher-value activitiesHow to navigate the unique challenges of middle-market companiesThe essential skills needed to become a CFO in today's dynamic business environment within a decadeWhy developing cross-functional expertise and embracing change is crucial for modern CFO successLearn more about Travis:Travis St. Ores on LinkedInComprehensive Logistics WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Mohammed Wasim, Senior Data Insights Analyst at Molson Coors Beverage Company, joins Megan Weis to explore the transformative power of data analytics in modern finance, specifically how it can reveal stories and drive decisions that create meaningful change.With a Master of Science in Data Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Mohammed brings expertise in data visualization, statistical analysis, and predictive analytics to the global internal audit team. In his current role, he focuses on integrating SAP data into Databricks and performing comprehensive analysis to help identify key risk indicators and align business strategies.What You’ll Learn:How to integrate advanced analytics tools like Databricks and SAP to transform financial analysis and reportingWhy starting with descriptive analytics before moving to predictive models creates a stronger foundation for data-driven decisionsThe essential differences between implementing data analytics in large corporations versus smaller companiesHow to ensure data insights align with broader strategic goals through cross-functional collaborationWhy developing a data-driven culture requires both technical tools and employee training in data literacyLearn more about MohammedMohammed Wasim on LinkedInMolson Coors Beverage Company WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Angie Paglinawan, Director of Finance IT at Aristocrat, joins Megan Weis to explore the real-world evolution of finance leadership. From standardizing processes and implementing automation to mastering the art of financial storytelling, Angie offers practical insights for finance leaders.Angie is a solutions-driven finance leader and financial project professional with over 25 years of experience spanning utilities, gaming manufacturing, hospitality, IT, and construction industries. She specializes in driving financial processes, executing transformation projects, and implementing strategic system improvements.What You’ll Learn:How to transition from traditional accounting roles to strategic finance leadershipWhy standardization and automation are crucial for enabling finance teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine tasksThe evolution of the CFO role into a storyteller who must communicate financial insights differently across various stakeholdersHow to leverage AI and automation to free up finance teams for more strategic work while maintaining data accuracyWhy cross-training teams and standardizing processes are essential for maintaining agility in fast-paced environmentsLearn more about AngieAngie Paglinawan on LinkedInAristocrat WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Effective budgeting and forecasting require balancing data-driven analysis with practical business realities, especially for emerging companies navigating uncertain economic conditions. In this episode of CFO Weekly, Travis Grundy, Senior Associate of FP&A at Adventum, joins Megan Weis to share his unique approach to creating realistic budgets and forecasts that drive business success.Travis Grundy is a Financial Strategist and Advisor at Adventum, where he serves as a fractional CFO helping businesses optimize their financial operations. With vast experience in data-driven decision making and global program management, Travis brings a unique perspective shaped by his service in the US Army, leadership of Zharmae Books, and work across diverse industries, including healthcare and mental health services.What You’ll Learn:How to build realistic budgets using a bottom-up approach that starts with unit economicsWhy socializing budgets across departments is crucial for successful implementationThe framework for analyzing revenue targets, hiring plans, and expense management holisticallyHow to use KPIs and historical data to create achievable financial projectionsWhy regular monthly variance analysis and frank discussions drive budget accountabilityHow to tailor budgeting approaches across different business types while maintaining core principlesLearn more about Travis:Travis Grundy on LinkedInAdventum WebsiteAlyn Robert Economic Strategies WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Darren Heffernan, Chief Executive Officer at Trintech, joins Megan Weis to explore how leadership incentives must evolve for the new generation of finance professionals. From fostering cross-functional collaboration to embracing AI and automation, Darren shares why traditional incentives no longer resonate with younger executives and what strategies actually drive performance.With over 30 years of experience in finance and operational roles, Darren has held multiple strategic positions at Trintech since 2001, including CFO and President/COO, before assuming the CEO role. A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, he has been instrumental in driving Trintech's growth through numerous acquisitions and market expansions. Darren's expertise spans financial leadership, operational excellence, and technological innovation, with a particular focus on modernizing financial processes through AI and automation.What You’ll Learn:How to structure modern incentives beyond traditional compensation to include career advancement and work-life balanceWhy cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making should be core components of leadership developmentThe role of AI and automation in addressing the declining number of finance graduates and retiring CPAsHow to create a culture that encourages experimentation and innovation while maintaining high-performance standardsWhy purpose-driven initiatives like DEI and employee resource groups are essential for attracting modern talentHow to prepare finance teams for digital transformation through continuous learning and adaptation to new technologiesLearn more about Darren: Darren Heffernan on LinkedInTrintech WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Chris Reilly, Founder of Financial Modeling Education, joins Megan Weis to share practical insights to simplify and master financial modeling. Learn why understanding the three financial statements is universal across industries, how to effectively tell financial stories, and practical strategies for both small businesses and large enterprises to leverage financial modeling.With a diverse background spanning consulting, FP&A at Hilton Worldwide, and middle market private equity, Chris has transformed his decade of hands-on experience into practical, accessible educational content. As a financial modeling educator and contractor since 2020, Chris focuses on breaking down sophisticated financial concepts into systematic, repeatable steps, enabling professionals to build in hours that previously took weeks.What You’ll Learn:How to master the four universal pillars of financial modelingThe systematic three-step approach to breaking down complex financial models into manageable componentsWhy understanding the three financial statements is crucial for modeling any industry or company sizeThe power of monthly vs. annual modeling for revealing critical business insights and seasonal patternsWhy intellectual curiosity is essential for advancing in financial roles and creating proactive valueLearn more about Chris: Chris Reilly on LinkedInFinancial Modeling Education WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre Group Limited, joins Megan Weis to talk about the role of a fractional CFO in the growth of modern entrepreneurial businesses. Learn when growing companies should consider bringing on a fractional CFO, how experienced executives can successfully transition to fractional work, and why this flexible model is reshaping the future of executive leadership.Sara is a distinguished Chartered Accountant and co-founder of the CFO Center and Liberti Group, pioneering the fractional CFO model globally. With over two decades of experience transforming entrepreneurial businesses, she has grown the CFO Center to operate across 17 countries with 800 CFOs. Having started her career at Deloitte and holding an MBA, Sara revolutionized the part-time CFO concept in the early 2000s, developing it from a personal solution for work-life integration into a global business model.What You’ll Learn:How fractional CFO services enable growing businesses to access high-level financial expertise without the cost of a full-time executiveWhy the $2-3 million revenue mark is the optimal time for businesses to consider bringing on a fractional CFOHow to transition from traditional CFO roles to fractional workWhy culture fit matters more than industry expertise when matching fractional CFOs with clientsHow the fractional model helps executives achieve better work-life integration while maintaining career growthLearn more about SaraSara Daw on LinkedInThe CFO Centre Group Limited WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Rich Zhou, Founder and CEO of Aquifer Growth, joins Megan Weis to discuss the evolving role of CFO and how that evolution necessitates a trifecta of finance, strategy, and leadership. They also touch upon financial planning in an ever-changing world and the adoption of cloud across the F&A function.With over a decade of experience in capital markets, corporate finance, and fintech, Rich has developed deep expertise in helping companies navigate financial complexities during crucial growth phases. His background includes serving as one of the first financial hires at a successful Toronto-based fintech company that grew from 5 to 300 employees.What You’ll Learn:How the CFO role has evolved from traditional accounting to become a critical strategic partner for growth and scalabilityWhy the $1 million revenue mark is the crucial turning point for businesses to implement professional financial managementThe essential framework for building accurate financial forecasts beyond simple revenue projectionsHow cloud adoption is transforming financial operations through improved accessibility, control, and real-time insightsThe emerging impact of AI and cloud technologies on reducing monthly closing times and improving financial decision-makingLearn more about RichRich Zhou on LinkedInAquifer Growth WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Tom McDermott, Chief Financial Officer at Career Certified, joins Megan Weis to discuss business partnering and value drivers for private equity CFO, sharing insights from his diverse career spanning global technology companies, private equity, and education technology.Tom is an experienced executive and financial leader with vast experience in global technology companies across the US and UK. His expertise in business partnering and value creation has been demonstrated through successful roles at Vista-backed companies, PSG, and Fortune 500 organizations like NCR. Tom is known for his strategic approach to transforming transactional revenue models into recurring revenue streams and his success in managing M&A integrations.What You’ll Learn:How to transition from traditional finance roles to becoming a true business partnerThe importance of rapid M&A integration and having a clear integration playbook for driving value creationHow to transform transactional revenue streams into recurring revenue through strategic storytelling and data supportWhy embracing VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) is essential for successful financial leadershipThe strategic approach to implementing AI across different business functions, from accounting to customer serviceLearn more about Tom:Tom McDermott on LinkedInCareer Certified WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so