In this episode, I sit down in person with James White, CFO of ScanTech AI Systems. James is a multi-state CPA, an AICPA board member, and the son of one of the first Black CPAs in the state of Alabama.

We talk about what kept him in public accounting for 20 years when most people leave in five. How he made himself easy to get to know in rooms where he was often the only one who looked like him. Why he believes being the smartest person in the room is not what gets you ahead. What he had to learn and unlearn when he moved from auditor to CFO.

How he motivates people who are not as driven as the type A teams he came from in public accounting. Why he told a room full of AICPA leaders that he has always felt like an imposter and how that honesty actually helped him. T

he moment his daughter said she did not want to be an accountant because of how much he worked, and how that changed everything about how he leads. And the generational story that starts with his great-grandfather building a park in Alabama and ends with James sitting on the AICPA board.

Whether you are in public accounting thinking about making the jump, already in the CFO seat figuring out how to lead, or trying to understand what it really takes to make people want to work with you, this conversation covers it.

Today Lori Kaczynski is the Senior Vice President and Chief Audit, Risk, and Compliance Officer at Graphic Packaging International, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Atlanta. She leads global internal audit, compliance, and enterprise risk management.

In this episode, I sit down in person with Lori. We talk about what competitive athletics taught her about discipline and resilience that she carries into the boardroom today. How she moved from a small Canadian town of 5,000 people to building a career in Atlanta with no coaching and no roadmap.

Why she hires internal auditors based on soft skills and culture fit before technical ability. The difference between leading audit with an enforcement mindset versus a business partner mindset and why one gets people to call you with their problems and the other makes them hide.

The Von Mises framework she uses when people resist change. How a network of 60 Fortune 500 women chief audit executives became her most valuable career resource. What her husband accidentally taught her about networking. And why she is building what she calls a "portfolio career" for what comes next.

Whether you are in audit, risk, compliance, or any finance leadership role, this conversation will challenge how you think about what it really takes to lead at a high level.

In this episode, I sit down in person with Chad Gold, 2022 CFO of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and current CFO of Fullstory. Chad drove 10x growth in enterprise value at SalesLoft to over $2.3 billion and was the first CFO at G2.

We talk about why he left the stability of Home Depot for startups and what his wife thinks about that risk. His "lines not dots" principle for building relationships that actually shape your career. His playbook for the first 90 days in a new CFO role and why most leaders make the mistake of trying to tackle everything at once. How to get the business to bring finance in early instead of after the fact. Why the CFO, not the CTO, should be leading AI adoption inside the company. How his team cut the close process by 50% using AI and is going for another 50%. The SEC agent they built that reviews contracts in minutes. How they automated daily cash reporting with Claude in five minutes. Why he thinks the finance org chart is shifting from a triangle to a diamond. And the whiteboard lesson from his Home Depot boss that changed how he thinks about success forever.

Whether you are a CFO trying to figure out where AI actually fits, a finance leader navigating high-growth, or someone thinking about making the leap from big company to startup, this conversation covers it.

Tiffany is a global investor relations executive who recently served as Senior Vice President at Starbucks, where she managed nearly $130 billion in market capitalization. She is a Wharton graduate, an Adjunct Professor at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, a CPA, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and a former Miss Black Georgia USA.

Behind that bio is a story most people would never expect. Tiffany was pregnant at 14, dropped out of school in the 9th grade, and was homeless. She kept her baby's milk on a windowsill because she had no refrigerator.

We talk about what carried her through that chapter and into boardrooms with Howard Schultz and Mellody Hobson. How she transitioned from public accounting into investor relations and why that shift required a completely different way of thinking.

The art of storytelling as a finance leader and why most finance professionals struggle with it. Her swimming pool analogy for how to make numbers feel real to non-finance people.

The WIFM framework she uses to get buy-in across every function. How being Miss Black Georgia USA gave her the communication foundation she uses in boardrooms today.

And why she wrote her book Own Your Narrative to help leaders stop hiding from their story and start leading from it.

Get Tiffany's book, Own Your Narrative: https://www.amazon.com/Own-Your-Narrative-Resilience-Restored/dp/1918077835/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

In this episode, I sit down with William Washington III. William brings a rare combination of financial acumen and operational expertise shaped by senior roles at Hogan Lovells, Accenture, and Fannie Mae. He is a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and a Bloomberg New Voice on the future of finance.

We get into what it actually looks like to lead finance across 45 countries and how he adapted his communication style for teams that speak different languages and operate in different cultures. How he evaluates a finance organization when he walks in on day one. The executive coaching session where a 360 review showed him something about his leadership he did not want to see. Why the drive that made him a great director was the same thing holding him back from becoming CFO. How he leads as a self-described introvert, including how he sets boundaries to recharge. Why he went back to school for a Master's in Law Firm Management just to understand his industry. And his philosophy on the three books every finance professional should always be reading.

Whether you are a finance leader trying to grow into the CFO seat, already in it and figuring out how to lead at scale, or building resilience through a chapter that feels impossible, this conversation will meet you where you are.

In this episode, I sit down with Fabian Ferrada, Senior Solutions Engineer at Insight Software. Before moving to tech, Fabian spent over a decade in financial and operational leadership for a publicly traded company, carrying P&L responsibility on major projects across South America and the Middle East.

We break down what a great board presentation actually looks like versus what most teams are delivering. Why three out of four manual disclosure processes contain at least one number appearing differently across documents. The real cost of broken reporting, and it is not just overtime. How to present bad news to a board and keep their trust. The difference between board reporting and investor reporting and why most manual processes can barely handle one. And a real case study where a company with 12 subsidiaries across 6 countries cut their disclosure process from weeks to days.

If your team dreads reporting season or your board deserves better than what you are currently delivering, this episode will show you what the fix actually looks like.

Brought to you by insightsoftware's Certent Disclosure Management (CDM). Visit insightsoftware.com/board-reporting to learn more.

In this episode, I sit down with Paul Barnhurst, also known as The FP&A Guy. Paul has trained thousands of finance professionals, hosts three podcasts including FP&A Unlocked, and has tested almost every major FP&A tool on the market. He is known for his clear, independent reviews and helping finance teams make smarter choices about the tools they use.

We break down when Excel stops being enough and how to know it is time to move to a real FP&A tool. The biggest mistakes companies make when buying FP&A software, including the implementation traps that quietly kill projects. How to spot red flags in software demos and what to ask before signing anything. Where AI actually fits into the modern finance team and where it is just hype. What Paul found when his team tested Claude on real financial modeling cases. The difference between deterministic and generative AI and why finance leaders need to understand it. How FP&A teams will look different in the next few years. And the one soft skill Paul says is now more important than the technical ones.

If you lead a finance team or you are an FP&A professional trying to figure out when to upgrade your tools and how to actually use AI, this episode is the honest map you have been looking for.

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In this episode, I sit down with Julianne Averill, a healthcare AI CFO, board director, and fractional CFO with over 20 years of experience helping life science and digital health companies scale through fundraising, M&A, and IPOs. She has been through over 50 transactions on both the buy and sell side and currently serves as a fractional CFO working with multiple founders.

We break down how startup funding actually works from Seed all the way to IPO. What investors are really looking for at each stage. The difference between debt and equity and why getting that wrong can be one of the most expensive decisions a founder makes. The 9 mistakes she sees founders make during fundraising that kill deals before they start. What actually happens when a company goes public and why it is not the finish line most people think it is. How AI is changing the way investors discover and evaluate companies. And the ideal finance team structure as a company scales.

Whether you are raising capital, sitting on a board, or leading finance at a growing company, this episode covers the full picture.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Julianne shared her sample pitch decks during the conversation. Grab both here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GlZiV70W4zIulXhFgf1Z9TtkeLyyzR7r

Drawing on over 25 years of experience at the intersection of finance, technology, and leadership, Jennifer shares :

• Why systems and talent have not kept pace with the evolution of the CFO role,
• How AI amplifies what already exists rather than fixing broken foundations,
• What a successful AI implementation looks like and how to bring excited and skeptical team members along

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This episode is brought to you by insightsoftware. With Spreadsheet Server, you can spot trends in your data before they become problems and make faster, smarter decisions. Visit insightsoftware.com/reporting to see how it works.

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👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here:

http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

📬 Get Involved

Have a question or topic suggestion?

Email: Ask@thediaryofacfo.com

Drawing on over 30 years of experience leading finance teams at one of the world's largest manufacturing companies, Dave shares why he had seven different jobs in his first six years before getting his first promotion, and how those lateral moves built the foundation for executive-level thinking.

The conversation also explores:

• The situational leadership framework that allows leaders to adapt their approach based on where each team member is in their development,
• Why understanding how a company works matters more than functional expertise,
• The critical difference between managing change and leading improvements.

This episode is for CFOs, aspiring CFOs, and senior finance leaders who want a realistic roadmap to the C-suite and the leadership skills that matter most once you get there.

Key Timestamps

01:19 Three things that made the difference to group CFO

03:25 The power of lateral moves in career progression

12:06 Situational leadership framework explained

15:41 Leading a team where most direct reports are older than you

24:04 The difference between managers and leaders

28:16 Value stream mapping and process optimization

42:09 How university curriculum needs to evolve for AI

47:37 What finance professionals must do to adapt to AI

Learn more about the podcast at https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

Explore the CFO Readiness Scorecard at https://thecfo.scoreapp.com

👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here:

http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

Tariq shares why the biggest barriers to AI adoption are behavioral, not technological. He explains how to identify whether a team is truly data-driven, why streamlining workflows must come before automation, and how CFOs can create a culture of thoughtful experimentation without compromising accuracy or compliance. They also discuss the emerging skills finance leaders need, including change management, emotional intelligence, and responsible AI governance.

This episode offers clarity for CFOs and senior finance leaders navigating transformation, complexity, and the evolving expectations of the role.

Key Takeaways

• AI Readiness Starts with Trust in Data
• Process Optimization Comes First
• Experimentation Requires Boundaries
• Growing a Digital Mindset Across Teams is Essential

Key Timestamps

00:00:00 Welcome

01:22:00 The one litmus test that shows if your team is AI-ready

04:07:00 What broken workflows look like and why AI makes them worse

09:03:00 Earning the right to experiment in finance

13:00:00 Why most AI projects fail to deliver value

20:06:00 How to build a digital mindset across your team

24:14:00 The skills future CFOs need to develop now

25:40:00 Why CFOs are positioned to lead responsible and ethical AI

👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here:

http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

📬 Get Involved

Have a question or topic suggestion?

Email: Ask@thediaryofacfo.com

Visit: https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

🔗 Connect with Guest Tariq Munir:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tariq-munir/

🔗 Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on

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

Drawing on years of experience working with finance leaders across industries, Kevin shares why many CFOs feel unprepared when they step into the role and how the real work begins after the reporting is done. The conversation examines how CFOs add value through judgment, questioning, and forward-looking insight, especially when the path forward is unclear.

This episode is for CFOs, aspiring CFOs, and senior finance leaders who want clarity on what actually matters in the seat and how to grow into the role without trying to be everything to everyone.

Key Timestamps

00:02 Intro

02:18 What separates good finance teams from great ones

05:48 Asking better questions to drive real insight

09:28 Developing business partnering skills through responsibility

12:42 Why CFOs must shift from backward-looking to forward-looking work

18:34 Imposter syndrome and confidence in new CFOs

24:56 Choosing which CFO skills matter most

37:56 The importance of FP&A and delivering bad news early

41:14 Why risk management sits with the CFO

44:22 What new CFOs should focus on in their first 90 days

Learn more about the podcast at https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

Get Involved Have a question or topic suggestion? Email: Ask@thediaryofacfo.com

Connect with Guest Kevin Appleby: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinappleby/

Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wassiakamon/

Connect with The Diary of a CFO Podcast on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-diary-of-a-cfo-podcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thediaryofacfopodcast/featured

Website: https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

X (Twitter): https://x.com/thediaryofacfo

She talks about:

• Moments in her career that didn’t look like “progress” from the outside.
• Rethinking the value of credentials like the CPA, CMA, and MBA.
• Learning to lead under pressure and make decisions with incomplete information.
• What it was really like to grow her career while raising young kids.
• Promotions that looked impressive from the outside but were emotionally hard, including times when she had to support layoffs from the finance side.

If you’re in accounting or finance and you feel like you’re doing everything “right” but still not moving fast enough, this episode will give you a practical sense of what to focus on next.

Resources mentioned:

👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

Have a question or topic suggestion?

Email: Ask@thediaryofacfo.com

🔗 Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on

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

Teri shares how her non-linear career shaped her leadership style, why nonprofit finance is far more complex than many assume, and how CFOs can lead effectively through uncertainty, risk, and mission-driven pressure.

Expect to Learn

• Why the CFO role extends far beyond numbers and reporting
• How nonprofit CFOs navigate uncertainty and funding volatility
• What trust and communication look like when leading outside your expertise

Key Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction and career journey

03:18:00 Why nonprofit finance is not easier

09:03:00 Trust, communication, and leadership

18:47:00 Community and executive isolation

20:45:00 Endowments and long-term legacy

Learn more about the podcast at https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

Explore the CFO Readiness Scorecard at https://thecfo.scoreapp.com

👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

📬 Get Involved

Have a question or topic suggestion?

Email: Ask@thediaryofacfo.com

🔗 Connect with Guest Teri Kozub:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-kozub-81058a12/

🔗 Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wassiakamon/

🔗 Connect with The Diary of a CFO Podcast on

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-diary-of-a-cfo-podcast/

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

featuredWebsite:https://www.thediaryofacfo.comX

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon sits down with executive coach Jill Avey to unpack what executive presence actually means, why high performers get stuck at the Director or VP level, and how promotions really happen at senior levels.

00:00:00 – Welcome back!

01:16:00 – What is executive presence? Jill’s model for understanding and building it

07:50:00 – The challenges women face in leadership roles and how to overcome them

10:35:00 – How to balance confidence with warmth and authenticity in leadership

13:25:00 – Preparing for high-stakes meetings: Strategies for executive success

15:36:00 – The power of listening and how it enhances your leadership presence

23:10:00 – Key obstacles keeping leaders stuck at the director level and how to break through

32:07:00 – How visibility, communication, and executive presence can advance your career

This conversation explores:

• What executive presence is and what it’s not
• Why hard work and strong performance reviews aren’t enough
• The role of visibility, trust, and strategic perspective
• How leaders can show confidence without losing authenticity
• Common leadership traps that affect both men and women

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Subscribe to the Finance Executive Track newsletter for actionable insights to become the obvious choice for top finance roles and thrive once you get there

https://the-finance-executive-track.kit.com/signup

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

https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

She also shares exactly how accountants, fractional CFOs, and boutique finance firms accidentally expose themselves to lawsuits, even when they’ve done nothing wrong.

We cover:

• The wildest embezzlement schemes she’s seen in 20+ years of litigation
• Why accountants often get blamed first when fraud is uncovered
• The engagement letter mistakes that put firms at massive risk
• How scope creep silently increases your legal exposure
• The insurance policy every fractional CFO or firm owner needs (but few ever buy)
• The documentation habits that can make or break you in court
• Why client acceptance and annual reevaluation may be your best risk-prevention tool

Whether you run an accounting firm, work as a fractional CFO, or simply want to protect your professional services business, this episode is packed with hard-won insights you won’t find in any textbook.

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Subscribe to the Finance Executive Track newsletter for actionable insights to become the obvious choice for top finance roles and thrive once you get there

https://the-finance-executive-track.kit.com/signup

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

https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

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

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, 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

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

2. Business Resilience Toolkit

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

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

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

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/

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/

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

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/

• 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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

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.

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.

• 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

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.

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

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

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!

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 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