CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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Originally released as episode 144 of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, this episode is part of our CFO 4.0 Revisited series — bringing back some of our most valuable conversations for a new listen.

Hannah Munro is joined by Sylvia Ionita, Finance Executive at LFG Solutions LLC, who at the time of recording was CFO at waterdrop. With hands-on experience scaling start-ups, Sylvia brings sharp, practical wisdom on what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up — the highs, the hard lessons, and everything in between.

In this episode, we cover:

• How presenting real numbers and financial data at all levels drives awareness and accountability across the team
• Sylvia's approach to leadership meetings, mentoring, and building genuine personal connections
• Implementation measures to enhance profitability and maintain control during periods of rapid growth
• How to discern which problems demand immediate action and which call for a longer-term strategic response
• The importance of internal mentorship and fostering a culture of personal development
• Sylvia's top tips for finance professionals stepping into the start-up world for the first time

Links mentioned:

• Sylvia’s LinkedIn

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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For this CFO 4.0 Revisited episode, Hannah Munro is joined by Oliver Deacon, Executive Coach and Founder of Oliver Deacon Coaching, to explore what the future of finance leadership really looks like over the next five years.

As finance teams continue to face rapid technological change, increasing pressure to deliver insight, and evolving expectations from the wider business, technical expertise alone is no longer enough. Oliver shares why the most successful finance leaders of the future will be those who combine commercial thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strong leadership skills alongside technical capability.

What’s covered in this episode?

• Why soft skills are becoming one of the most valuable assets in finance leadership
 • The growing importance of leadership and communication across finance teams
 • How process engineering and operational thinking will shape future finance functions
 • Practical ways finance professionals can build resilience and adapt to constant change
 • Creating a culture of continuous learning within finance teams
 • How emerging technologies can help finance leaders drive greater business impact

Links mentioned in this episode

• Oliver's LinkedIn
• Oliver Deacon Coaching 
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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In this CFO 4.0 Revisited episode, Hannah Munro is joined by experienced finance leader Martin Spiller to explore what funders are really looking for in a CFO.

From common funding mistakes to the differences between start-up and scale-up investment, Martin shares practical insight on securing funding, choosing the right partners and positioning your business for sustainable growth.

• What funders look for in a CFO
• Common mistakes when applying for funding
• Start-up vs scale-up funding expectations
• Seed, Series A and Series B funding explained
• How to find the right funding partner
• Tips for improving your chances of securing investment

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Martin's LinkedIn

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro engages in an insightful discussion with Marie Charpentier, SVP Finance & People Operations at InfoSum, on the dynamic challenges and strategies involved in transforming finance teams within high-growth companies and navigating international expansion. 

The episode covers:

• Importance of small, incremental changes vs. overwhelming projects
• Evaluation and improvement of existing processes for scalability
• Rethinking funding approaches in challenging markets
• Financial costs and success metrics for global expansion
• Global expansion and digital transformation strategies

Links mentioned:

• Marie’s Linkedin
• Learn more about InfoSum

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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This week on CFO 4.0 join Hannah Munro as she converses with Andy Burrows, CEO and Founder of Supercharged Finance. Dive into the critical aspects of developing a business-focused finance mindset and understand how finance professionals can transcend traditional roles to become strategic business leaders.
 
This episode explores:

• The mission and impact of Supercharged Finance in the realm of online training and development for finance professionals.
• Identifying and bridging the skills gap in finance teams, with a special focus on CFO readiness.
• The concept of business acumen: How finance professionals can cultivate it through strategic curiosity.
• Insights into the Value Driver Tree model and its significance in understanding business operations
• Strategies for finance leaders to assess and enhance the business acumen within their teams.
• The importance of embedding finance within the organisation

 
Links mentioned:

• Andrew’s Linkedin
• Learn more about Supercharged Finance 
• Enrol to the CFO Readiness Builder

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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In this month's FTL session on CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro dives deep into the concept of maximising efficiency within finance teams, particularly focusing on how to achieve more with less. Amidst a challenging economic environment, finance professionals are increasingly required to enhance productivity without significant increases in resources.

Key highlights include:

• An overview of the critical need for finance teams to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• The importance of evaluating and optimising meeting schedules.
• A focus on time management methods to boost individual productivity and ensure effective breaks.
• The significance of assessing and developing the skills and competencies within finance teams to drive efficiency.
• Conducting Excel audits to reduce reliance on manual spreadsheet management.
• Conducting system audits to identify opportunities for further efficiency gains.

Links mentioned:

• March FTL: Navigating the Budgeting Process for Transformation Success
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessions 
• Register for April's Financial Transformation Live session
• Reserve a free one hour review session with Hannah Munro!
• CFO 4.0 Monthly Briefing
• Financial Transformation Live Feedback survey

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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Join Hannah Munro on this insightful episode of CFO 4.0, featuring Christian Frantz Hansen from the Business Partnering Institute. Explore the intricate balance between quantitative and qualitative measures in performance management. This episode sheds light on how finance teams can drive value and navigate the complexities of modern business landscapes.
 
In this episode, we cover:

• The Business Partnering Institute's holistic view on performance management in finance.
• The significance of supporting the business through collaborative efforts across functions.
• Insights into effective benchmarks, the importance of qualitative measures, and innovative tools.
• The critical role of people in driving change, emphasizing the need for a culture that supports learning, development, and adaptation to new technologies.
• Practical advice on managing change within finance teams, including the importance of humour, connection, and the SCARF model to overcome resistance and foster trust.

Links mentioned in this episode: 

• Christian’s Linkedin
• Learn more about the Business Partnering Institute

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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Join us in this enlightening episode of CFO 4.0 as Hannah Munro sits down with Tory Bauman, Vice President, FP&A at Zayo Group, to discuss the intricacies of financial planning and analysis in the fast-paced world of telecommunications infrastructure. Tory shares her remarkable journey from public accounting to a pivotal role in a major global company, offering unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of financial transformation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Tory's transition from auditing to leading FP&A, and her first-hand experiences with the company's evolution from public to private equity.
• The critical role of communication with auditors and the significance of understanding business operations from both sides of the financial fence.
• The importance of asset integration, and the shift towards cultural fit in recent acquisitions.
• Practical advice for finance professionals on career progression
• The emerging trend of boomerang employees and considerations for those contemplating a return to a previous employer.

Links mentioned in this episode: 

• Tory’s Linkedin
• Learn more about Zayo

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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Join Hannah Munro in this week’s episode of CFO 4.0 as she delves into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in the finance sector with the esteemed guest, Nicolas Boucher, Founder of AI Finance Club. Discover how AI and technology are reshaping financial processes, enhancing productivity, and enabling finance teams to lead with innovation.

This episode covers:

• The Evolution of AI in Finance: From simple chatbots to advanced generative AI.
• Practical Applications of AI: Learn how AI can streamline operations.
• AI's Impact on Business and Growth
• The Role of Finance Teams in AI Adoption: Discuss the importance of finance professionals becoming proficient with AI tools and technologies.
• Insights into the limitations of AI in finance and how to navigate these challenges effectively.
• Future-Proofing Finance with AI: The importance of selecting technology partners with a strong AI strategy.

Links mentioned: 

• Nicolas' Linkedin 
• Learn more about Nicolas' work here
• Join the AI Finance Club

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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In this month's FTL episode on CFO 4.0, hosted by Hannah Munro, we delve into the intricacies of budgeting in the modern finance landscape. Focusing on shifting towards a more agile budgeting approach, Hannah shares invaluable insights and strategies to help finance professionals navigate the complexities of financial planning and transformation.

Join us as we explore:

• Introduction to Agile Budgeting: Understanding the need for flexibility in financial planning.
• Different Budgeting Approaches: A deep dive into incremental, zero-based, and scenario-based budgeting.
• Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Budgeting: Analyzing the pros and cons of each approach.
• Strategies for aligning budget projections with current business run rates to minimise the need for frequent rebudgeting.
• Discussing the journey from basic to leading-edge planning capabilities.
• The importance of involving department heads and teams in the budgeting process for better alignment and accountability.
•  How to evaluate the effectiveness of your budgeting process and the value it adds to the organisation.

Links mentioned:

• February FTL: Navigating the Budgeting Process for Transformation Success
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessions 
• Register for March's Financial Transformation Live session
• Reserve a free one hour review session with Hannah Munro!
• CFO 4.0 Monthly Briefing
• Financial Transformation Live Feedback survey

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!