#FinanceMaster

If you’re as old as me, you probably remember the song “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer. Another thing we cannot touch, at least in finance and accounting, is the Annual Report. It’s almost like the Holy Grail or pinnacle of the work we do in the finance function. If we were to suggest any radical changes to the notion of publishing an annual report, the finance profession would likely bring out the pitchforks. This week’s episode of #FinanceMaster tests that notion… 

Finance is a function of traditions. Every year we repeat the same old processes. Annual reporting, budgeting, month-end close, etc. We try to do things more efficiently, utilize technology where possible, and move our time spent to more value-adding activities. Yet, fundamentally we’re still doing the same as we’ve done for decades.  In this episode of #FinanceMaster, Anders dives into how we can do things differently. It’s time we hack the Annual Wheel in Finance!

The application of AI in business is long gone as a philosophical question. AI is driving business decisions daily worldwide and there’s much to gain by AI-enabling your business processes. However, in many finance functions, the application of AI is still in its infancy. This leaves finance professionals frustrated as they are overworked running countless manual spreadsheet-driven processes that add little value and take a lot of time.  In this episode of #FinanceMaster, Anders discusses with Bill Primerano, Worldwide Tech Sales Leader, IBM Data & AI - Business Analytics about how to AI-enable your forecast process. 

This episode of #FinanceMaster, sponsored by Jedox, uncovers different frameworks and approaches finance teams can use to boost collaboration with other functions. Whatever their current opinion of Finance, we see an open-door invitation to come and contribute to driving the business. Business leaders want to make the best possible decisions, so why wouldn’t they want Finance’s help? 

Join Jan-Philipp Menke from Jedox as he highlights the key shifts CFOs should make in their planning process. Topics include strategic planning, data utilization, collaboration, driving quick results, influencing business processes, change management, and navigating company restructuring.

Companies have struggled with their data infrastructure for years, and the CFO and CIO are often at the center of it. Why is it important to get on top of the data challenge? There are two main challenges. First, with the advent of Generative AI and an increasing amount of AI applications, they must be built on quality data. Second, we use data to drive performance management across the company. There are no easy solutions to getting on top of data. In this episode of #FinanceMaster, Anders explores the strategies that can be employed and the technology that can help us solve the challenge. 

The world of work is changing. Automation and AI are taking over many tasks previously done by humans. That’s particularly true in Finance, where much transactional work is rule-based and can be done faster and better by machines. This could lead you to think that abundant talented finance professionals would be available. That is not the case. In this week’s episode of #FinanceMaster, Anders discusses strategies and provides practical next steps for CFOs to win the battle for talent and end the war for good! 

It’s been a popular saying for the past 20 years that the CFO should become the co-pilot of the business. With Generative AI, the game is changing.  In this episode of #FinanceMaster, Anders explores the capabilities of Generative AI for CFOs and discusses what comes next since the co-pilot role is now spoken for. 

In recent years, low or negative interest rates led to increased company debt levels, with CFOs enjoying plentiful resources for funding investments. However, the current environment sees rising interest rates and tighter capital markets, necessitating CFOs to act swiftly. With debt reduction, enhanced productivity, and optimized resources key drivers of strategic value creation, and debt reduction identified as a top priority for CFOs in 2024, Anders explores key strategies for CFOs to bring debt down in this episode of #FinanceMaster. 

CSR was a topic for the Sustainability and Communication departments five to ten years ago. Now, Finance is moving into this space as well. But why is that important for CFOs?  In this week’s episode of #FinanceMaster, sponsored by Jedox, Anders is joined by Wolfgang von Loeper Jedox’s Solutions Advisory Consultant, to delve into how CFOs can leverage ESG metrics to create value, going beyond mere reporting.