CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance

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!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, Hannah Munro delves into the essential characteristics and skills needed for successful finance business partnering with guest, Andi Lonnen, Founder & CEO at Finance Business Partner Academy! Andi shares her insights on the 9 C's of effective finance business partners and discusses the importance of having the right mindset, skillset, and daily actions. Hannah & Andi also explore the challenges of onboarding finance business partners and the critical role they play in organisations. Also covered in this episode: The 9 C's of effective finance business partneringThe importance of mindset, skillset, and daily actionsChallenges in recruiting and finding finance talentOnboarding strategies for new finance business partnersThe role of communication and relationship-building in finance business partneringLinks referenced in this episodeAndi's LinkedInLearn more about FBP AcademyWhat are the 9 C's  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 guest, Oliver Deacon, Executive Coach at Oliver Deacon Coaching, to discuss the future of finance and how it will be transformed in the next five years. With a focus on the importance of soft skills, leadership, and process engineering, Oliver shares pragmatic tips to help finance professionals and teams stay ahead of the curve.Listen in as they explore a range of topics, including:The importance of soft skills, leadership, and process engineering in the finance sectorCultivating personal resilience and adapting to changeFostering a culture of learning within finance teamsLeveraging new technologies to drive impact and solve problemsPractical tips for staying ahead of the curve and preparing for the finance revolutionLinks mentioned in this episodeOliver's LinkedInOliver Deacon Coaching Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsThis week brings us a ‘CFO Stories’ episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast! Hannah Munro sits down with Alysha Randall, an experienced portfolio CFO at Fast Growth Consulting Limited, who shares her insights and expertise transitioning from the corporate sector to startups, and the various aspects and challenges of being a portfolio CFO!In this episode, we cover:The transition from corporate to startup financeKey financial challenges faced by startups and how to tackle themThe importance of cash flow management for startup successDifferences between a startup and corporate CFO roleThe benefits and challenges of being a portfolio CFOSigns of a successful portfolio CFO and measuring successLinks mentioned during this episode:Alysha's LinkedInFast Growth Consulting Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsThis episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast is taken from our recent Financial Transformation Live session! Host and Managing Director at itas, Hannah Munro, discusses the challenges and best practices for implementing new finance systems. Drawing from her extensive experience, Hannah offers valuable insights and guidance on how to effectively manage change in the finance department.Key takeaways:Understanding the change cycle: Pre-implementation activities to set up for success.Phases of a successful implementation project: How to avoid common pitfalls and optimise outcomes.Ensuring open communication: Encouraging constructive feedback and addressing concerns.Focusing on outcomes, not inputs: Aligning objectives with the desired end results.Avoiding scope creep: Being ruthless in prioritising and managing project phases.Building capacity for change: Allowing teams to recover and feel the benefits of change.Links mentioned:Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodesRevisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessionsRegister for June’s Financial Transformation Live sessionTake our ‘Which Sage Product is right for you?’ quiz Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, join our host Hannah Munro as she chats with Ash Noah, VP & Managing Director at CIMA & AICPA and an expert on the evolving world of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. Together, they delve into the new competencies required by finance professionals, the role of CFOs, and the exciting opportunities that ESG presents for the accounting profession.In this episode, they cover:The increasing importance of ESG reporting and its impact on finance professionalsUnderstanding the new skills required to effectively manage ESG reporting and standardsThe role of CFOs in driving sustainable business practices and embracing ESG as a strategic priorityThe opportunity for the accounting profession to attract new talent and remain relevant in a rapidly changing worldThe significance of integrating ESG into business models and decision-making for long-term value creationAICPA and CIMA's initiatives to enable finance professionals to engage with ESG strategically and operationallyLinks mentioned in the episode:Ash's LinkedIn Find out more about ESG Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!