CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, host Hannah Munro sits down with special guest Rob Brown, a renowned influencer and expert in the finance and accounting world. Together they jump into the crucial topic of building a powerful personal and professional brand within the finance industry. As they explore various strategies and skills needed to stay relevant and competitive in today's dynamic landscape, they offer valuable tips to help finance professionals thrive in their careers.Key Takeaways:The importance of personal branding and its impact on career successUnderstanding the three essential brands: Corporate, Employer, and PersonalThe significance of being technologically proficient and staying updated with industry advancementsThe role of people skills and business acumen in elevating leadership capabilitiesBridging the gap between finance and other departments for a more holistic understanding of the businessPractical steps to change and improve one's existing reputation within the industryLinks referenced in Podcast:Rob Brown's LinkedInFind out more about Accounting InfluencersAccounting Influencers PodcastRob's Book: Build Your Reputation  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsThis week's episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast is taken from our most recent Financial Transformation Live session where Hannah Munro delves into the intricacies of designing an efficient and agile finance system!Hannah explores the world of financial system architecture, the layers of integration and automation that are crucial for enhancing efficiency and connectivity within organisations. Key Points Covered:Understanding the different options: Best of Breed vs. ERP systemsUnravelling the layers of financial system architecture: Functional, Data Analytics, and ForecastingEvaluating the technical competence and capacity required for building and maintaining workflows.The importance of a data strategy and data hygiene in optimising financial reporting capabilitiesTop tips for successful finance systems integration and automation implementationLinks mentioned:July FTL: Designing Your Finance Systems ArchitectureRevisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessions Register for August's Financial Transformation Live sessionCFO 4.0 Monthly BriefingFinancial Transformation Live Feedback surveyExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this week's episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro sits down with Clive Webb, a renowned expert in finance and sustainability, to explore the emerging role of the Chief Value Officer. Delving into the evolution of the CFO role and its connection to ESG and sustainability practices. Together, they uncover the following key topics: Understanding the Chief Value Officer: Is it an extension of the CFO role or a distinct position? The Challenge of Measuring Value: Navigating the complexities of ESG metrics and reporting. Long-Term Thinking: Balancing short-term financial gains with sustainable, future-oriented decisions.  Educating the Organisation: The need to inform stakeholders about the broader concept of value. Bridging the Perception Gap: Addressing the disparity between public perception and the CFO's actual role. The Future of Finance Talent: Exploring the need to cultivate the next generation of finance leaders. Links referenced in Podcast: Clive's LinkedInLearn more about the ACCAChief Value Officer - the important evolution of the CFO report Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro is joined by Bill Fink, Executive Vice President at TD Bank, and they delve into the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and investment strategies! Bill, an expert in the field, shares valuable insights and trends that are shaping the current business landscape. From the impact of rising interest rates to the opportunities emerging in the middle market, they explore key topics that CFOs and business leaders should be considering right now. Topics covered in this episode:The ripple effect of interest rate hikes and its implications on the cost of capital, debt, and deal structures. The importance of strategic thinking and seizing opportunities amidst a challenging market. The potential for rebound in M&A and leveraged buyout activity as interest rates signal reduction in the future. The value of private equity partnerships and how they can contribute to business growth and expertise. Exploring the often-overlooked option of Employee Stock Ownership Programs (ESOP) for business owners considering succession planning. Links referenced in Podcast: Bill Fink's LinkedIn Learn more about TD Bank  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast Hannah Munro is joined by Hannah Williams, CEO at Alacrity. Hannah Williams is a recent CFO turned CEO, and during the episode she shares her journey, passion, and insights into the world of finance and entrepreneurship, discussing the power of embracing opportunities, fuelling enthusiasm, and driving growth in family businesses.Hannah William's authenticity and wisdom shine through as she discusses various topics, including:The transformative journey from CFO to CEO and the excitement of new possibilities.Unleashing passion and authenticity as key drivers for success in leadership roles.Navigating challenges in raising the profile and brand of a startup.Valuable advice and perspectives for CFOs in family businesses seeking growth and innovation.Links referenced in this episodeHannah William's LinkedInLearn more about Tiny RebelLearn more about Alacrity Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of CFO 4.0 Ilana Esterrich, CFO at Planned Parenthood joins us to delve into the world of sustainable transformational leadership.Ilana shares with Hannah Munro her wealth of knowledge and experience in driving successful organisational transformations and highlights the critical role of change management in achieving lasting change.Also covered on the podcast• The significance of people's skills in driving successful change • How you need to be good at communicating the "why" and aligning it with individual motivations• Creating a sense of one team and fostering a culture of openness to change• Importance of reducing non value adding activities in finance processesLinks mentioned in this episode:• Ilana’s LinkedIn• Find out more about Planned Parenthood Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsJoin us for the next session in our Financial Transformation Live series that will be a game-changer for finance professionals striving for a faster, more efficient month-end close. Hosted by Hannah Munro, this session promises to provide a robust roadmap for achieving a streamlined financial close in just 12 months.This workshop aims to empower you to take control of your close processes and reduce the overall timeline. It's about more than just speed; it's about optimising your processes for quality, efficiency, and consistency.Key areas to be covered include:The importance of benchmarking: Understanding this will help you measure your progress and inspire effective strategies for improvementIdentifying Barriers: Every organisation has unique challenges that slow down the financial close process, we will talk about the most common barriers experienced during month-endAssessing Your Month-End: Develop an understanding of the overall health and efficiency of your current month-end processesFormulating a Plan: We will delve into the creation of a practical, achievable plan to help you reach your month-end goals in 12 monthsLinks mentioned:June FTL: 12 Months to a Finance CloseRevisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessionsRegister for July’s Financial Transformation Live sessionFinancial Transformation Live Feedback surveyExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsThis week, CFO 4.0 podcast host Hannah Munro is joined by Isaac Strulowitz, CFO at CoVenture who offers his unique perspective on risk management,  providing valuable insights into how CFOs can protect their firms against unforeseen challenges.In the episode, we cover:  Isaac's account of the SVB collapse and the proactive steps his team took to protect investor capital.Risk management strategies that have proven effective, such as creating redundancies, maintaining a robust disaster recovery plan, and evaluating all firm relationships for potential risks.Isaac's analogy of risk management to dental hygiene: ignoring it can lead to serious repercussions down the line.The delicate balance a successful CFO must strike, between budget management, operational duties, and strategic oversight.Isaac's concept of a "cockroach" company - one that can survive and continue functioning even after major crises.Links referenced in this episode:• Isaac's LinkedIn• Isaac's Twitter• Learn more about CoVenture Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro is joined by Chris Argent, founder of GENCFO. Together, Chris & Hannah delve into the insights, trends, and key takeaways from the recent GENCFO Summit. Topics covered include: The shifting role of the finance function, moving beyond transactional processing to business partneringThe necessity of selecting the right people for your tech transformation and why it's about more than just acquiring new technologyThe discussion on the current and future use of Excel and the future of finance tools with the advent of cloud and machine learning capabilitiesThe imperative of having your finance team earn their 'seat at the table', contributing value to the business beyond traditional rolesThe role of technology and how it aids in bringing about transformations in the finance functionLinks referenced in this episodeChris Argent’s LinkedInGeneration CFO GENCFO SummitDigital Finance Function Awards  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsThis week's episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast takes an exciting twist as host Hannah Munro steps into the guest seat on Mark Gandy's highly-regarded CFO Bookshelf podcast. Hannah & Mark engage in an interesting discussion that spans entrepreneurship, mentorship, literature, and the evolution of CFO 4.0!  Throughout their discussion, Hannah and Mark delve into:  A detailed review of Derek Sivers' book 'Anything You Want: 40 lessons for a new kind of entrepreneur', evaluating its worthiness for CFOs and finance professionals.The significance and impact of having a mentor, specifically for CFOs, and how mentorship can contribute to professional growth.The questions they'd pose to Derek Sivers if given the chance, probing deeper into the book's themes and takeaways.A behind-the-scenes look at the inception of the CFO 4.0 podcast, exploring how the podcast came to be and its objectives in the finance world.Links referenced in this episode:Mark Gandy’s LinkedInCFO Bookshelf PodcastDerek Siver’s Book – Everything You Want on AmazonPlease note: This episode aired originally on the CFO Bookshelf Podcast. Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!