CFO THOUGHT LEADER

Planful CEO Grant Halloran shares his insights on the current state of AI adoption in the enterprise, emphasizing the need to temper excitement with reality. He highlighted the importance of understanding legal and security aspects, listening to customers, and pacing AI development with their ability to use it effectively. Halloran also discussed the potential of AI to transform business processes, emphasizing the importance of a human-AI partnership and the need for customers to adapt to using the API and learn new ways to do things.Planful CFO Dan Fletcher discusses the role of finance leaders in the age of AI. CFO Fletcher emphasizes the need for data governance and security, and stresses the importance of investing in knowledge and training to mitigate risk. Fletcher highlights the significance of preparation and experience in shaping his perspectives on AI, while drawing on his investment background. referencing his past conversations on AI-related topics.Interviews featured in this episode include:Mike Petrauskas, Sr. Financial Analyst, Hilb GroupSr. Financial Analyst Mike Petrauskas of the Hilb Group discusses his efforts enhance the budgeting and forecasting processes of this dynamic ownership group of more than 80 insurance agencies. Hilb Group is aiming for a 5% EBITDA forecast accuracy. Petrauskas emphasizes the importance of better predicting when they will receive payments. NOW LISTENJames Muscat, Group Commercial Finance & FP&A Director at Ten Lifestyle Group PlcFP&A Leader James Muscat explains how Ten Lifestyle Group underwent a digital transformation to bring finance to the forefront as a strategic partner. Muscat also shares insights on transforming finance through technology, including the evolution of the role of finance professionals and the adoption of AI. NOW LISTEN

Tucker Marshall, CFO of J.M. Smucker & Co., discusses his career journey, emphasizing the importance of company culture and loyalty. He shares insights on strategic financial leadership, reshaping the company's portfolio, the use of financial automation tools, and the significance of cultural alignment in M&A decisions. Marshall highlights his future priorities, including cost savings, acquisition integration, and capital allocation management.

Jason Godley, CFO of Xactly, shares how his childhood experience on a Wyoming ranch instilled a 'bias for action' and independence. He discusses applying ranch-learned skills to drive strategic initiatives in improving sales and marketing efficiency at Xactly. Godley reflects on his journey from PwC to CFO role, highlighting the importance of adaptability and leadership growth through unique experiences.

Lawrence Herman’s path to becoming a CFO unfolded through a series of experiences that changed his understanding of the finance world, beginning with his initial role at Goldman Sachs. Here, in the crucible of intense market dynamics, Herman cut his teeth on complex financial models, where the rigor of long hours refined his capacity to handle pressure and complexity—a foundational skill for any leader.Following his stint at Goldman Sachs, Herman transitioned to Prudential Securities, diving into the intricate world of mergers and acquisitions. This move wasn’t just a change of address: It was a strategic step into a role that demanded a deep understanding of corporate strategies and the foresight to see beyond numbers. It was here that Herman began to interact closely with C-suite executives, gaining insights into decision-making at the highest levels and learning the art of negotiation and strategic thinking.Herman’s career trajectory continued through various financial institutions, including EY and Morgan Stanley, each role offering him new lenses through which to view the business world. His expertise deepened in areas such as consulting and transaction advisory, where he navigated diverse challenges and crafted solutions that drove business growth and efficiency.As the CFO at Dwolla, Herman leverages his vast experience to guide the company through the evolving landscape of digital payments. His strategic focus on optimizing operations and integrating innovative technologies like AI reflects a commitment not just to manage finances but also to anticipate and shape future financial landscapes.Each career phase has taught Herman valuable lessons in resilience, adaptability, and foresight—qualities that define his role as a CFO today. 

Seasoned CFO Daniel Bisgeier discusses how continuous improvement and strategic decisiveness lead to corporate resilience. He shares insights on navigating the COVID-19 crisis by renegotiating payment terms, highlighting the importance of adaptability in financial strategy. Bisgeier emphasizes the need for impactful leadership in finance and transforming challenges into opportunities for sustainable operations.

Leadership in FP&A: All three CFOs emphasize the role of finance in leading and driving business performance through strategic foresight, detailed operational insights, and proactive engagement. Technology and Innovation: There is a strong inclination towards integrating new technologies like AI to enhance the capabilities of finance teams and improve business processes. Collaboration and Influence: The CFOs highlight the importance of collaboration within organizations, where finance must work closely with other departments to influence and drive business outcomes effectively.

From his early days in auditing at PwC to his current role as CFO at Prophix, Aaron Levine has had a career that has closely tracked the evolving nature of the financial leadership role. His journey has been marked by a series of strategic transitions and expansions of his skill set that illustrate the broadening demands of being a modern CFO.An important early chapter of Levine’s professional development was his tenure under Steve Vintz, who at the time was CFO of Vocus, where Levine served as a VP managing both accounting and finance. It was under Vintz’s mentorship that Levine came to appreciate the power of storytelling within financial leadership. Vintz, a very externally focused CFO, adeptly navigated public company landscapes, from investor relations to quarterly earnings calls. His ability to craft compelling narratives that resonated with stakeholders profoundly influenced Levine.This exposure revealed to Levine that effective CFOs do more than manage numbers: They tell stories through them. This realization has since become integral to his maturing CFO mindset, particularly as he looks to highlight the strategic benefits of Prophix’s software offerings. At Prophix, where Levine was appointed CFO this past January, the goal is to focus on refining the go-to-market metrics and integrating technology to streamline operations, emphasizing the narrative of growth and scalability.Throughout his career, Levine has learned that a CFO’s role is about not just financial oversight but also constructing a vision that propels the business forward. His aspirations underscore a crucial CFO skill: the ability not only to foresee financial outcomes but also to articulate them in a way that drives the entire company’s strategy. This blend of analytics and narrative, shaped by his experiences, define Levine’s CFO mindset.

CFO Dan Murphy discusses the importance of being alert in the CFO role and shares a story of proactively diversifying financial reserves based on a social media hint. He reflects on his career transitions, experiences in tech, and modernizing e-commerce solutions. Murphy emphasizes the value of data-driven decision-making, diverse backgrounds in strategic analysis, and proactive banking strategies.

On this episode of Controllers Classified, host Erik Zhou welcomes Patrick Lynch, Senior Vice President and Controller of the Boston Celtics, who shares his journey from ball boy to financial leader for the team. Patrick highlights the milestones of his career, including his transition from an internship to working closely with the CFO, and the significant growth of the Celtics organization. He also imparts wisdom on how to seize career advancement opportunities and offers advice for those aiming to enter the sports industry. The discussion then does a deep dive into the world of accounting and finance for sports teams. Patrick shares his goals for the upcoming year - accurate reporting, cash management, and cost efficiencies - and then details why those things specifically matter in the sports industry. For example, while a private company, the Celtics are subject to several reporting requirements as a part of the NBA, and Patrick’s team is responsible for the integrity & synthesis of that data. Similarly, the Celtics cash flow reflects the cycle of seasons, and Patrick’s team is focused on managing the ebbs and flows. Finally, Patrick shares how he harnesses the power of technology to handle copious amounts of data, reduce manual work, and establish real time visibility. His goal in all of this is two fold - to give his team more time to do strategic work and to empower employees across the Celtics organization to be able to spend on things that will move the business forward. The episode concludes with Patrick sharing an industry story related to an auditor’s stadium walkaround. Listen now to get an exciting in-depth look at how the accounting & finance team plays a huge role in the success of the Celtics franchise.

Seasoned finance executive Naresh Bansal shares his experience navigating company acquisitions and post-acquisition challenges. He discusses the importance of strategic insight, building strong relationships, and adapting to new leadership. The podcast explores Menlo Security's enterprise browser security solutions and the CFO's focus on balancing growth and profitability. Bansal also emphasizes the need for CFOs to be adaptable in facing unexpected challenges and to prioritize personal wellness alongside professional responsibilities.