Finance leaders are under pressure to move faster, stay accurate, and be more strategic. But not every challenge can be solved with technology.

In this episode, John Glasgow, Founder and CEO of Campfire, shares issues technology can help solve, like improving audit trails and enforcing controls, and the ones that require stronger business partnerships, like getting finance involved in the right conversations early.

We also get into why some teams over-engineer their processes, how to scale without adding unnecessary complexity, and what it really takes to grow as a leader in today’s business environment.

Sindy Wilson didn’t plan to be in finance. She was headed for med school until dissecting a rat and a cat made her rethink everything. That switch led her to a career in finance, where she’s led transformation at Kickstarter, Lyft, and AutoTrader. In this episode, she breaks down how to stand out, get on big projects, and lead major change in any organisation.

In this episode, Bryan Lapidus, Director of FP&A Practice at AFP, shares invaluable insights from his unique career journey, from starting as a history major to leading in finance.

He talks about the value of building breadth early on. We discuss rotations, stepping outside finance, and how different experiences shape long-term growth.

Ever wondered what happens after you hit "submit" on a job application?

In this episode, executive recruiter Amy Sulgrove takes you behind the scenes of the hiring process and shares her perspective as an executive recruiter.

We discuss how candidates are evaluated, what stands out, and how leaders can approach the hiring process more effectively.

In this episode, I talk about the shift from doing the work to influencing outcomes. I share what separates technical performance from executive readiness and the role of presence, influence, and networking.

You’ll learn:

• Why traditional strategies like hard work and getting more credentials aren’t enough.
• How to develop executive presence that sets you apart.
• The importance of building influence and relationships to unlock opportunities.

Making bold moves is what defines Brenda Hodo-Iddris. With over 20 years of experience spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Brenda has mastered the art of adaptability and strategic influence. In this episode, she shares:

• How she carved out a niche as a "fixer" in nonprofit finance and operations.

• The importance of building trust and relationships across all levels of an organization.

• Why stepping beyond financials is key to becoming a strategic influencer.

Brenda’s advice isn’t just for CFOs—it’s for anyone navigating leadership challenges, balancing strategy with execution, or aspiring to make a bigger impact.

Connect with Brenda on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-hodo-iddris-mba-3860888/

About the host > https://www.wassiakamon.com/about-wassia-kamon

Becoming a CFO is an exciting milestone, but those first 90 days can be a whirlwind of learning, decisions, and adjustments. In this episode of Diary of a CFO, I reflect on my journey through my first three months in the role—what I got right, what I wish I had done differently, and the lessons that will stay with me for a lifetime.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The key advice from my mentor and executive coach that set me up for success before day one.
• How to build meaningful relationships with your team and peers in the first 90 days.
• Practical tips for improving team collaboration and driving impact early on.
• Strategies for managing time and avoiding burnout as a new leader.

If you’re aiming for a CFO role or leading a team, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at my first 90 days in the seat.

In this episode of Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Matt Ziegler, CFO of GovExec, to unpack what it really takes to hit the ground running in a new CFO role.

Matt shares his experience moving from FP&A to CFO, managing multiple functions, and finding his footing in a company with complex business models.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to structure your first 90 days as CFO for maximum impact
• The skills to shift from FP&A to a broader CFO role
• Effective onboarding techniques and why pre-planning matters
• The importance of aligning on simplicity and scalability in finance
• Tips for building trust and setting clear expectations with your team

From balancing leadership with technical know-how to navigating the first 90 days, this episode is packed with insights for finance professionals stepping up to senior roles.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzieglerfinance/

About the host > https://www.wassiakamon.com/about-wassia-kamon

In this episode, Elaine Benfield, a seasoned marketing leader, shares her insights on how to bridge the gap between marketing and finance. We dive into the importance of aligning metrics, building collaborative relationships, and leveraging storytelling to drive business growth.

Whether you're in finance, marketing, or leadership, this conversation offers valuable strategies to break down silos and work more effectively across departments.Here's what you'll learn:

• How to align marketing and finance metrics for shared success
• The power of storytelling in making financial data impactful and engaging
• Tips for marketing leaders to better collaborate with finance teams on budgeting
• The importance of transparent communication in creating effective partnerships
• Why strong vendor relationships are crucial for business growth

Tune in to discover how marketing and finance can work together to achieve bigger and better results!

Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainebenfield/

About the host > https://www.wassiakamon.com/about-wassia-kamon

Welcome to the final part of What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO.

In this episode, I explore why being able to say no is a critical skill for any CFO and leader. Here's what you'll learn:

• Why saying yes too often can damage your focus and leadership credibility
• How overcommitting can hurt your personal brand and mental health
• The importance of setting boundaries to protect your team
• How the CFO sets the tone for risk management across the company
• Navigating difficult conversations with CEOs while staying true to your role
• Why developing "career insurance" through personal growth and networking is essential

Saying no isn’t just a defensive move—it’s an opportunity to lead with clarity, protect your priorities, and inspire trust. In this final part of the series, I’ll show you how mastering the art of saying no can elevate your leadership, empower your team, and help you make smarter, more strategic decisions. Let's dive in!

In Part 2 of the "What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO" series.This episode focuses on one of the biggest adjustments in the role.

A large part of the job involves working with teams outside finance and communicating financial insights in a way that others can use. I walk through what that looks like in practice and how it affects decision-making.

Learn why understanding their priorities will help you simplify complex financial data into clear, actionable insights.

Plus:

• The importance of connecting with people across the organization
• How to adapt your communication style for non-finance audiences
• Tips for presenting financials to investors, board members, and other external stakeholders
• Why building a personal board of directors can help you see things from different angles
• Tips for working outside your comfort zone to thrive in leadership

This episode focuses on one of the biggest adjustments in the role. A large part of the job involves working with teams outside finance and communicating financial insights in a way that others can use. I walk through what that looks like in practice and how it affects decision-making.

This episode kicks off the series on becoming a CFO. I talk about why the role is not about maintaining the status quo, what expectations shift immediately, and how to start building trust and understanding the business beyond the numbers.

Six months as a CFO has taught me a lot about leadership, decision-making, and what it really takes to succeed in this role. In this solo episode, I share my biggest takeaways so far: why managing a board is nothing like just presenting to one, how to lead when there’s no playbook, and why staying plugged into the right circles is non-negotiable.

In this introduction, I share my path as a finance and accounting executive, what led me to the CFO role, and why I decided to start this podcast. I also talk about what to expect as we explore the realities of working in the C-suite.

Most people assume nonprofits just need to balance donations with expenses. But in reality, nonprofit finance comes with its own set of complexities. In this episode, Stephen Newland shares what leaders need to understand about nonprofit financial management, and how to make better long-term financial decisions.

After 25 years as a CFO, Jeremy Earnshaw transitioned from managing numbers to mentoring leaders. He shares what he wishes he knew earlier, the common leadership mistakes CFOs make, and how coaching can accelerate career growth. We also talk about the shift from technical expertise to strategic influence, the importance of self-awareness in leadership, and the mindset changes that separate good CFOs from great ones.

What if the problem isn’t the numbers, but everything around them?

Beverly Davis has spent years helping businesses fix their financial blind spots. From misaligned strategies to communication breakdowns, she knows why execution often fails before it even starts. In this episode, we dive into what really makes or breaks a company’s financial success and how to spot the non-financial issues slowing your business down.

Scott Meyers, CFO of Plurilock, talks about what it takes to lead in a fast-changing environment.

We discuss how he approaches strategic decisions, manages risk, and communicates with the board while keeping the team aligned.

He also shares lessons from handling unexpected situations, like bankruptcy, and how those experiences shaped his approach to the role.

Janice Stucke shares how her career evolved without a clear roadmap and how stepping into roles before feeling fully ready shaped her path to the CFO seat.

We talk about career pivots, taking on new challenges, and how those decisions influenced her growth over time.

She also reflects on how that mindset carried into her work leading teams and navigating change.

Basem Waheed, CFO of Golden Chicken Farms Co., shares his path into finance leadership and the work behind improving finance operations.

We talk about how his team reduced month-end close to one day, what had to change to make that possible, and how he approached digital transformation inside a large organization.

He also shares how communication, trust across teams, and continuous learning play a role in leading change at this level.

Jessica McClain, CFO of Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, talks about her move from public accounting into a CFO role and what changed once she started leading a team.

We get into what managing a finance team actually involves day to day, how leadership responsibilities shift over time, and how to build strong working relationships across the organization.

She also shares what she learned navigating different environments and how that shaped her approach to leadership..

Jack McCullough has spent decades in the CFO seat, but his biggest impact may be what he’s done for the next generation of CFOs.

He’s the founder of the CFO Leadership Council, a global community of over 2,500 senior finance leaders, and the author of three books including Secrets of Rockstar CFOs and MBA for Lunch.

In this conversation, Jack opens up about:

• What companies really look for in a CFO,
• Why some controllers get stuck (and what to do about it),
• How one rejection led him to create the CFO Leadership Council,
• The most underrated career move finance professionals can make.

This is a must-listen for finance professionals at every stage.

What do you get when a CFO, CPA, and accounting professor starts teaching on TikTok?

42,000 followers and a new way to make accounting finally click.

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Professor Bee Nance to talk about her multi-hyphenate career, from leading a multimillion-dollar nonprofit to becoming a viral content creator and author of Sunny Gets Money, a financial literacy book for kids.

We cover:

• What it takes to thrive as a nonprofit CFO
• Why even seasoned finance pros struggle with personal money
• How Bee’s classroom experience helped her go viral online
• The disconnect between accounting education and real-world finance
• How to make accounting relatable in the age of AI

In this solo episode, I answer 4 questions from my newsletter subscribers:

1. Is the climb and reach to CFO worth it?
2. Do you enjoy the work and people?
3. Do you have work-life balance?
4. What helped you get there?

If you’ve got questions about leadership, your team, or growing in your role, the best way to ask is through my newsletter. Subscribe at thediaryofacfo.com.

In this episode of the Diary of a CFO podcast, Edwine Alphonse shares her journey from a work-study student in Canada to a senior controller at Ramp, discussing her experiences in startups, the importance of accounting, and how to build a high-performing finance team. She emphasizes the critical role of accounting in business operations and the necessity for finance leaders to advocate for adequate technology for their teams.

Tamica Williams went from relying on food pantries as a kid to leading the largest food bank in Georgia as CFO. She shares how she made the jump from teaching to accounting, built her career and why leadership is about showing up 100% no matter where you start.

Jenny Fuss has led finance teams in Germany, China, and the United States. Each move meant learning a new way of working. In this episode, she shares how working and living in three different countries shaped her leadership style and helped her lead major transformations with clarity and confidence.

Stephen McLain led 250 soldiers as an Army Commander. He built internal controls in Iraq to fight fraud and misuse of funds. And, he defended military budgets in front of NATO.

Now, he helps corporate finance and accounting teams fix problems with their internal processes, financial modeling, and strategy development.

In this episode, he shares what finance professionals can learn from leading in high-stakes environments. We talk about strategic thinking, transitioning from military to corporate finance, and the leadership gaps most companies overlook.

Treasury often works behind the scenes, but Matthew Harlan shows why it should be a key player at the table. We cover what treasury leaders bring to IPO readiness, how to rethink working capital, and how finance teams can collaborate better across functions.

Audit Director at FORVIS Mazars and board treasurer for Girls on the Run Georgia, Kendra LaFleur opens up about her journey from intern to partner, how she grew into strategic leadership, and how she navigates the evolving role of finance in mission-driven organizations.

If you’ve ever lost sleep over complex contracts, usage-based pricing, or revenue schedules that live in hundreds spreadsheet tabs, this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Apurv Bansal, co-founder and CEO of Zenskar, to talk about how AI is helping SaaS companies automate billing and revenue recognition end-to-end. We unpack why legacy tools can’t keep up with modern pricing models, what finance teams really need from automation, and how to avoid the most common implementation mistakes.

Special thanks to Zenskar for sponsoring this episode.

Visit zenskar.com/upgrade to learn more.

In this episode, Syed Nadeem shares the lessons he wishes more finance professionals learned early on. He talks about why certifications alone won’t get you promoted, and why your mindset, human skills, and personal brand matter just as much as your technical skills.

Syed also shares how losing his job became a turning point. He built a global brand and started helping others grow in their careers. From business partnering to leadership, this episode is full of insights that can help you stay relevant and move forward, no matter where you are in your finance journey.

Today’s episode is brought to you by BILL, a leading financial operations platform for small and midsize businesses. I’m also hosting a free webinar on June 24th, 2025 at 1pm ET. Click here to learn more.

Welcome to Season 2 of The Diary of a CFO.

In this kickoff solo episode, Wassia Kamon shares behind-the-scenes highlights from Season 1, why some careers stall at the executive door, and what actually opens it.

You’ll hear:

• The real reason technical skills alone won’t get you promoted
• The 3-digit P.I.N. code to executive leadership
• What separates great CFOs from the rest
• Why work-life harmony beats balance
• What’s new in Season 2?

🎥 Full-video episodes on YouTube

🗞 A brand-new Substack called Off the Record

Join the conversation at: https://wassiakamon.substack.com/

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon speaks with Dr. Tamer Alsayed, CFO at the Future Investment Initiative and author of The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO. With over two decades of experience across industries and regions, Dr. Tamer offers a clear-eyed view of what today’s finance leaders need to succeed.

The discussion covers:

• How the CFO role has evolved beyond reporting and compliance
• What it means to think and lead strategically in finance
• Lessons from working on IPOs, M&A deals, and international startups
• Why transparency matters more than polish in investor relations
• The impact of mentorship, curiosity, and AI on future finance teams

This episode is for anyone who wants to grow as a finance leader and make a meaningful impact in their organization.

Special thanks to Bill for sponsoring this episode.

Visit https://www.bill.com/guides to download a free toolkit on leading through uncertain times.

Christina Ross, serial CFO turned CEO of Cube, explains why spreadsheets aren’t the problem and what finance leaders should focus on instead. She shares multiple frameworks for moving from manual chaos to strategic clarity. This episode is packed with insights on real-time planning, clean data, and leading high-impact finance teams.

In this episode, we cover:

• The four layers of strategic finance
• How to plan faster and forecast smarter
• Partnering across departments for better data
• Leading with speed, structure, and strategic intent

In this episode, Summa Simmons, Associate VP of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co., shares what most people get wrong about treasury and why it's a strategic powerhouse. She explains how treasury helps companies manage cash, risk, and financial readiness during major business decisions like mergers and divestitures.

Summa also opens up about her own journey from accounting to treasury, and what it means to be a true business partner across teams.

You’ll learn:

• How treasury supports M&A and long-term business strategy
• Why relationship-building is key to finance leadership
• The mindset shift from accounting to strategic thinking
• Career lessons on ownership, feedback, and staying curious

Most companies think cybersecurity is about firewalls and IT policies. But the real risk often starts with culture.

In this episode, Dutch Schwartz, VP of Cloud Services at SideChannel and former security leader at AWS and Raytheon, shares why companies with poor culture are three times more likely to face a breach. We talk about how leadership, disengaged employees, and outdated mindsets quietly open the door to cyber threats.

You'll also hear:

• The $25 million AI voice scam that could have been prevented
• How to build a culture of security that actually sticks
• What CFOs need to understand about working with CISOs
• Why cybersecurity is no longer just a tech problem

This conversation is a must-listen for finance and business leaders navigating today's digital risks.

Christian Wattig is the program director of Wharton’s FP&A Certificate and the founder of InsideFP&A. In this episode, he shares his path from Procter & Gamble to becoming a leader in finance education, along with the pivotal lessons he learned along the way.

You’ll learn:

• Why forecasting accuracy remains a major challenge for finance teams
• How to apply multiple forecasting methods for better results
• What separates great financial models from the rest
• How AI is reshaping FP&A work beyond just automation
• The habits and mindset shifts needed to move from analyst to strategic business partner

This conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to sharpen their FP&A skills and drive real impact in their organization.

This week on The Diary of a CFO, host Wassia Kamon is joined by Sheryl Shaw, Senior Manager at Bridgepoint Consulting and a former CFO with three decades of experience leading finance teams through transformation.

Sheryl shares her remarkable journey, from starting as an accounting clerk in the 1980s to becoming a CFO 3 times, and now a trusted consultant for companies implementing NetSuite.

She opens up about the lessons learned through chaos, the role of technology in finance, and how to build teams that are ready for change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What it really takes to scale a finance team that embraces innovation
• How Sheryl built a treasury function from scratch, without formal training
• The difference between operational and fundraising CFOs
• Her go-to strategies for managing change and gaining team buy-in
• The mindset shift needed to lead in today’s tech-driven finance world

Special thanks to FISPAN for sponsoring this episode.

FISPAN is a leading fintech company that seamlessly integrates banks with their clients’ enterprise resource planning (ERP) and accounting systems. For more information, head to www.fispan.com.

Controller vs FP&A : which path gives you a better shot at the CFO seat? Wassia Kamon has done both. In this solo episode, she reveals why neither route guarantees success on its own and what truly sets future CFOs apart.

Drawing on her first year as a CFO, Wassia introduces her Executive Readiness Framework and explains how to develop the executive substance, influence, and presence boards and CEOs look for. Whether you're in the weeds of the close or building forecasts, this is the episode that will change how you think about your next move.

Resources mentioned:

1. The Free CFO Readiness AssessmentWhether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance.Get your CFO score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/
2. Learning Hub for Aspiring CFOsTo learn more about how to become a CFO, visit: https://thediaryofacfo.com/resources

Andrea Hecht, EVP & CFO at CSAA Insurance Group, walks through the real shifts at each step of her career — from auditor at Big 4 accounting firm, EY, to Controller, and ultimately CFO. She explains how the focus moves from technical detail to culture, strategy, and leadership. We cover:

• Why the first move from public accounting to industry didn’t work, and why the second one did.
• How interviews and expectations change as you move up.
• What makes the Controller → CFO leap so challenging.
• How to get Accounting and FP&A working as one team.
• The habits that keep her sharp while leading finance at a 4,000-person organization.

It's an insightful roadmap for anyone asking what actually changes when you leave public accounting and aim for the CFO seat.

Get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Whether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance.

It’s completely free, and you will get personalized results instantly.

Not every CFO starts as a controller or FP&A lead. Axel Talout shares how banking and private equity shaped his journey, why your “different” background can be your edge, and how to intentionally build a team that fills your blind spots.

Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:

https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/

If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Mike High (CFO, NAIT; ex-Shell Deep Water CFO) shares leadership lessons from the Army to corporate finance: why the “platinum rule” beats one-size-fits-all leadership, what truly changes when you move from FP&A to the CFO seat, and how to carry a portfolio of crises without burning out.

We discussed:

• practical playbooks to lead through a portfolio of crisis,
• how to keep long-term work moving during emergencies,
• what most companies get wrong about FP&A,
• how to make digital transformation succeed.

Get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Whether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance.

It’s completely free, and you will get personalized results instantly.

Big thanks to insightsoftware for sponsoring this episode.

Join our upcoming webinar on October 15th >

https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/

Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:

https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/

What does it take to lead finance through real estate booms, construction slowdowns, and global crises?

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, I sit down with Bona Allen, a CFO with three decades of experience across real estate development, construction, and investment. Bona has led finance at both public and private companies, navigated the savings and loan crisis, the 2008 crash, and COVID, and built strategies that kept projects and people moving through uncertainty.

We talk about:

• How the CFO role has changed
• Real estate vs construction finance
• Spotting business cycles
• Crisis leadership
• Building and keeping strong teams

Bona also shares the career moves that shaped him, the mistakes that made him better, and why networking to help others is the best long-term strategy.

If you’re in real estate, construction, or any cyclical industry, this conversation is full of lessons you can use to prepare, adapt, and lead.

If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:

https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Anna Sagan, Senior Principal Solutions Engineer, who brings over two decades of experience in financial software and strategic reporting.

We talked about:

• The evolving expectations from finance teams
• Why Excel is still the most loved BI tool in finance
• Reporting limitations in ERPs
• Why companies underutilize the tools they pay for

Whether you're a controller frustrated by ERP reports or a CFO aiming to future-proof your reporting stack, this episode delivers sharp insights and real-world advice.

If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

CFOs are expected to drive transformation, lead strategy, and still deliver flawless numbers every month. In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Tom Hood, one of the most influential voices in finance leadership, to unpack what’s really behind the growing pressure on today’s CFOs.

We talk about:

✅ How the CFO role has evolved from finance expert to strategic co-pilot

✅ Why upskilling and reskilling are the new competitive edge

✅ How to balance performance with transformation

✅ The real impact of AI and automation on finance teams

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing 5 jobs at once as a CFO, this episode is for you.

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Upskilling & Reskilling Resources - Business Learning Institute (BLI)

https://blionline.org

1. Business Resilience Toolkit

https://www.aicpa-cima.com/advocacy/download/business-resilience-toolkit

1. F.A.M.E. Finance Assessment Model for Effectiveness

https://blionline.org/finance-assessment-model-for-effectiveness

What does it take to turn a traditional finance team into a true strategic business partner?

In this episode, Paul Young, CFO of Liberty Bank, shares how he connected strategy, budgeting, and talent development to create a finance function built for impact.

Paul brings over 25 years of experience leading finance, strategy, business transformation, and digital innovation across major institutions such as Citizens Bank, TD Bank, CIT, and Siemens Financial Services.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between strategy and execution, this one’s for you.

We talked about:

• How starting strategy early makes budgeting faster and easier
• Why CFOs should own project management and transformation
• What it really takes to attract and keep top finance talent
• How he created a Business Transformation Office within the office of the CFO that helped Liberty Bank cut mortgage closing time in half and become a leader in their space.

This conversation is a masterclass in modern CFO leadership.

If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Don't forget to download the free guide on AI prompts every finance leader needs:

https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

Join Vivienne Wei, COO of Unified Agent Force Platform at Salesforce and a leading thinker in financial technology, as she shares her journey from Wall Street to orchestrating enterprise-wide AI transformations.

In this episode, Vivienne breaks down the realities and myths of AI in the finance function, from predictive models to generative AI, and reveals how agentic AI is creating a new category of digital workers, “AI agents,” that drive both productivity and resilience in modern businesses.

You'll also learn the essentials of upskilling for an AI-augmented workforce, the leadership behaviors needed to foster adoption, and actionable strategies for CFOs to harness AI for operational and strategic advantage.

Whether you're a finance leader, tech executive, or simply curious about the future of work, discover practical lessons and frameworks to drive innovation and business value in the AI era.

If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Don't forget to download the free guide on AI prompts every finance leader needs:

https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, executive recruiter Mark Johnson shares insider perspectives on what CEOs are really looking for in today's CFOs.

Discover how the expectations of finance leadership are evolving, what separates top candidates in interviews, and the essential qualities that define success in the modern C-suite.

Whether you’re an aspiring finance leader or a seasoned executive, you’ll gain actionable advice to stand out and thrive at the top.

Expect to Learn

• Beyond the Resume: Why today’s CFOs must stand out with emotional intelligence, resilience, and trust, not just credentials
• AI vs. Human Connection: How automation is reshaping hiring, and why relationships still make the difference
• Interview Strategy: Why performance alone isn’t enough, and how to truly impress in high-stakes executive interviews
• Path to CFO: What it really takes to land your first CFO seat, including mentorship, visibility, and cross-functional experience
• The Four Intelligence Pillars: How IQ, EQ, SQ, and AQ together define the next generation of finance leadership

If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Don't forget to download the free guide on AI prompts every finance leader needs:

https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

Note:

This episode is a pod swap from FP&A Unlocked. We’re sharing it here to help you discover another excellent show in the finance leadership space. All content belongs to the original podcast and host Paul Barnhurst.

Note: This episode is a pod swap from FP&A Unlocked. We’re sharing it here to help you discover another excellent show in the finance leadership space. All content belongs to the original podcast and host Paul Barnhurst.

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst talks with Andrew Hull, a seasoned finance leader in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. They explore the role of FP&A professionals in driving business results, navigating inflation, and transitioning from traditional budgeting to impactful analytics. Andrew Hull is a financial executive with over two decades of experience in CPG.

Currently the Vice President of Finance at UNFI Canada, Andrew has a proven track record of partnering with business leaders to deliver results through strategic insights and principled financial analysis. With a competitive spirit and passion for team leadership, Andrew shares his unique approach to FP&A, analytics, and the importance of actionable storytelling.

Expect to Learn:

• The three pillars of great FP&A: technical skills, storytelling, and actionable decisions.
• Why Andrew advocates for changing FP&A to “FA&P” and focusing more on analytics.
• Lessons learned from leading finance during the pandemic.
• Key metrics for success in the distribution industry, including variable margin and truck utilization.
• Practical advice for accelerating budget processes and focusing on analytics that drive results.

🔗 Connect with Guest Andrew Hull

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhull4/

UNFI Canada: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unfi/

🔗 Connect with Host Paul on

Website: https://www.thefpandaguy.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefpandaguy