CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks about the art of presenting a compelling business case for financial transformation. Whether you're aiming to gain executive buy-in or refine your strategy, this session is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed.

Key topics covered:

• Learn the essential components that make a business case compelling and effective.
• Explore the importance of justifying the need for transformation, especially in today's volatile environment.
• Discover how to present multiple options, including the risks of inaction, to ensure informed decision-making.
• Get insights on calculating the total cost of ownership and the importance of including resourcing costs in your proposal.
• Understand the benefits of a phased implementation approach and how to set realistic timelines and expectations.
• Learn how to identify and mitigate risks associated with financial transformation projects to build confidence in your plan.
• Find out how to plan out an effective technology implementation project and ensure a smooth transition.

Links mentioned:

• August FTL: Presenting The Business Case
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live  sessions 
• CFO 4.0 Monthly Briefing
• Financial Transformation Live Feedback survey
• Business Case Template 

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro is joined by Aaron Harris, Global CTO of Sage, to explore the transformative power of AI and technology in the finance sector.

This insightful conversation covers:

• How technology is shifting CFOs from record-keepers to strategic leaders.
• The role of AI in automating workflows and enabling digital transformation.
• How to ensure confidence in AI-driven systems
• Beyond AI, what other innovations are shaping the future of finance?
• The rise of digital networks and the global shift towards e-invoicing.
• Where AI excels and where human judgment remains crucial.

Links mentioned:

• Aaron’s Linkedin
• Learn more about Sage
• Sage’s report: The secrets of successful CFOs

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In this special episode of CFO 4.0, Mark Blackmore steps in for Hannah Munro to provide a mid-year roundup of our podcast's most impactful conversations from 2024. Join us as we revisit the wisdom, laughter, and ground-breaking ideas shared by our remarkable guests.

Key Highlights:
January:

• Scott Buchanan on the challenges and preparations for taking a company through the IPO process.
• Dominique Highfield from Purple Bricks on the dynamics of financial and operational leadership.
• Soufyan Hamid on the transformative power of storytelling in finance.
• Chris Ortega on generative AI and navigating business uncertainty.

February:

• Hannah Williams, CEO of Alacrity, on effective team communication and the transition from CFO to CEO.
• Jamie Irwin on the dynamic world of CFO recruitment in private equity.

March:

• Nicholas Boucher on the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in finance.
• Tory Bauman on the intricacies of financial planning and analysis in telecommunications infrastructure.
• Christian Frantz Hansen on balancing quantitative and qualitative measures in performance management.

April:

• Andy Burrows on developing a business-focused finance mindset.
• Marie Charpentier on transforming finance teams in high-growth companies.
• Clive Webb on the pivotal role of sustainability in mergers and acquisitions.

May:

• Katrina Nacci on the complexities of US GAAP and proactive planning.
• Arjit Kumar on leading through major organisational changes.
• Howard Friedman and Akshay Swaminathan on leveraging data science for business success.

June:

• Chris Lloyd Mostyn on mastering project requirements in financial transformation.
• David B Horne on fundraising, scaling businesses, and the challenges faced by diverse founders in venture capital.

Episodes mentioned:

• 158. The Road to IPO: A Bitcoin Depot Story with Scott Buchanan
• 159. A Leadership Journey at Purplebricks – Insights into Cash Burn, Resilience, and Transformational Triumphs with Dominique Highfield
• 160. Transforming Numbers into Stories: The Power of Financial Communication with Soufyan Hamid
• 161. Navigating 2024: Agility, AI, and People-Centric Finance with Chris Ortega
• 164. Leadership Evolution: Transforming from CFO to CEO with Hannah Williams
• 165. PE Backed | Insider Information on the Recruitment of CFOs in Private Equity with Jamie Irwin
• 167. AI's Role in the Future of Finance with Nicolas Boucher
• 168. PE Backed | The Evolution of a Finance Leader: Journey Through Audit, IPO, Acquisitions to Private Equity with Tory Bauman
• 169. Balancing Acts: Performance Management in Finance with Christian Frantz Hansen
• 171. Beyond Numbers: Cultivating a Business-Focused Finance Mindset with Andy Burrows
• 172. Global Expansion Tactics: Finance Strategies for Success with Marie Charpentier

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In the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks to David Foreman, self-proclaimed 'worst accountant ever'. After dabbling in finance and investment banking, David realised his passion lay in helping founders build their businesses from the ground up and founded Praetura Group, specialists in lending and equity solutions for start-ups & SMEs. David runs the VCs group of Praetura Ventures.

Also covered in this episode:

• What are VCs looking for in a CFO?
• What is currently happening in the world of VC funding?
• What are VCs looking for in a seed/series A company?
• Signs of a healthy CFO and founder relationship
• Why “No” now doesn’t mean “No” forever
• How to find the right VC for your organisation
• What in a finance function would make David walk away?
  
  Links referenced in this episode:
  Praetura Ventures: https://www.praeturaventures.com/
  Praetura Ventures LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/praeturaventures/
  David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-foreman-praetura/ 

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Startup CFO to COO – Funding, Scaling, and Recruiting in a startup world!

 In the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks to Sabrina Castiglione, Chief Operating Officer at Pento.

She comes from a slightly unusual background for a CFO having studied chemistry at university, working in financial services for a number of years, and then got into the world of startups as a CFO at Tassie. 

During this session we cover:

•  Hannah and Sabrina explore the differing needs of a business as it shifts from Seed to Series A and beyond
• What does life as a startup CFO look like?
• Making the shift to COO?
• What is the current landscape for funding?
• How has the economic climate changed what investors are looking for?
• People vs roles – what does recruitment in a startup look like?

Links referenced in this episode:

Pento https://www.pento.io/
Sabrina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scastiglione/

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In the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks to Darren Woods, CFO at Freedom Fibre about building the ideal finance team.

Darren has a degree in Finance and Accounting in Portsmouth, over 20 years of experience working in finance including multiple CFO roles as well as a stint as a consultant helping other companies develop teams.

Also covered on this episode:

• Darren’s passion for people and team development
• Does finance invest enough in different skills?
• What are the potential skill gaps in finance teams?
• Finding the right balance of personalities and skills when recruiting in finance
• How do you approach the assessment of skills and personal development to build the team that you want?

Links referenced in this episode:
Freedom Fibre: https://www.freedomfibre.com/
Freedom Fibre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freedomfibre/
Darren’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-woods-4508a26/

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In the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks with Jon Gruda, who is the Assistant Professor of organisational behaviour at Maynooth University.

Jon has a joint PhD in Management and Psychology and is currently researching the role of leadership; the relationship leaders have with their followers and what that means in regards to the changes in management.

 Also covered in this episode:

• Building and developing the right relationship between a leader and follower
• How to set yourself up for success as a leader before you even start the role
• What does a good relationship look like?
• The differences between a leader and a mentor
• What characteristics make a strong leader?

 Links referenced in this episode:

• National culture comparison by country: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/
• Leadership values by country: https://globeproject.com/results#country
• Jon Gruda’s university profile page: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/people/jon-gruda
• Jon’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongruda/ 

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We all know that year-end is the time of year that most finance teams dread but surely we shouldn’t have to work late, avoid taking holidays or feel stressed out about it, it happens every year! So, we have a challenge for you - how about we make next year’s year-end the least stressful to date? Whilst it's fresh in your mind, join us on the newest FTL session as we unpick the factors that stress us out at year-end and put forward strategies to deal with them.

Links for this episode:
Learn More about Financial Transformation
Follow us on LinkedIn for our Live Sessions

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In the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks with Michael Ryan, the Founder and Managing Partner of Finance Transformation UK. 
 
Michael is an independent transformation consultant who previously has worked for several large corporates including Argos and Whitbread and we discuss what it takes to do Financial Transformation well.
 
 Also covered in this episode: 

• Michael discusses his 25-year history with Financial Transformation 
• The opinions on what is the secret sauce to success in terms of adoption 
• What are the big mistakes found in transformation projects? 
• The difference between Project Management and Program Management
• The top tips for someone who wants to embark on a financial transformation project

Links referenced in this episode: 

• Michael’s Linkedin 
•  Most recent issue of Finance Transformation Magazine 
•  Finance Transformation Website 

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The Redefined CFO - Sage's Latest Research - The latest and aptly named CFO 4.0 Report from Sage brings you the results from the latest study of global CFOs on how the role has developed. After the success of our joint panel at Accountex, we've invited Richard Moorin (Head of Finance, Sage) and Mark Jackson (VP of Medium, Sage) to discuss the findings on the podcast. 

This time the tables have turned and Mark takes over hosting the show whilst Richard and Hannah discuss the outputs. Topics covered in this week's episode include:

• The three personas that the Redefined CFO
• The increasing importance of ESG and value-led finance
• Some interesting and unusual stats that came out

If you would like to learn more, listen to the podcast or download the report yourself, click here.

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