GrowCFO Show

Kevin Appleby
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The GrowCFO Show is the podcast produced for finance leaders by finance leaders

  1. 12 hr ago

    #291 Why Most AI Projects Fail to Deliver ROI, Sinohe Terrero, CFO and COO, Envoy

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/6raW3lf3gJuwTrYNbdkf0F Too many organisations are pouring time and money into AI only to find that the promised efficiency gains and cost savings never materialise, leaving CFOs struggling to justify the investment. Understanding why most AI projects fail to deliver ROI, and what finance leaders can do differently, is now a critical skill for anyone responsible for steering strategy, systems, and spend. In this GrowCFO Show episode, host Kevin Appleby sits down with Sinohe Terrero, CFO and COO of Envoy, to explore why so many AI initiatives fall short and how finance leaders can change the outcome. Drawing on his experience as a serial startup CFO and operator in high-growth tech companies, Sinohe reframes AI as a practical toolkit for augmentation, task automation, and application development, and explains how confusion between these use cases leads to poor deployment and weak returns. Throughout the conversation, Sinohe shares real examples from Envoy’s finance function, from AI-powered reconciliations and automated interview workflows to custom dashboards that bring data together in one place. He also dives into AI governance, describing the AI council he leads and the data policies that allow innovation while protecting sensitive information, ultimately positioning the CFO as a hands-on AI leader focused on both value creation and risk management. Key topics covered: Companies misunderstand what AI can do, deploy it inappropriately (e.g., trying to “fully automate everything”), and often lack in-house application developers who can tailor solutions to their actual workflows. Sinohe breaks AI use into augmentation, task automation, and application development, arguing that most ROI today comes from targeted task automation and small, purpose-built tools, not sweeping end-to-end automation projects. Envoy’s finance team used AI to automate health insurance and other reconciliations, identifying about $40,000 in recoveries and turning tedious, quarterly work into a largely automated process. Sinohe personally builds AI-powered applications to reconcile accounts, summarize emails and Slack, prep and debrief interviews, and create a “morning coffee” dashboard that consolidates operational and financial insights into a single pane of glass. As head of Envoy’s AI council, Sinohe has helped design a data governance matrix that clarifies what data can be used in which tools, allowing experimentation and creativity while strictly protecting company and customer data. Sinohe is bullish on increased data accessibility (e.g., via banks and platforms like Salesforce) and predicts a shift toward custom, CFO‑designed dashboards and tools, with legacy point solutions being displaced by in‑house applications that do exactly what the business needs. Links Sinohe Terrero on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  0:01:36 – Sinohe explains Envoy as a workplace technology platform focused on managing physical spaces (visitor check-in, security, emergency notifications, desk allocation) with 6,000+ global customers and around 250 employees. 0:03:35 – He shares how timing, a tight investor story, and demonstrating strong cash flow and operational discipline were critical to a successful Series C raise during a turbulent market. 0:04:47 – Sinohe lays out the core reasons AI fails in many organizations and introduces his three-part framework: augmentation, task automation, and application development. 0:07:11 – He describes teaching himself to build AI-powered applications, including an asset-account reconciliation tool that cut a two-hour monthly process down to about two minutes. 0:12:21 – Using tools like Scribe to document workflows, Envoy’s finance team identifies automation candidates; a payroll-led AI skill for health insurance reconciliations surfaced roughly $40,000 owed to the company. 0:17:53 – Sinohe explains Envoy’s AI council, clear AI policies, and a data governance matrix that defines what data can be used where, enabling safe experimentation at scale. 0:21:17 – He details his personal AI setup: automated interview briefing/debriefing via Granola + Claude, daily digests of emails/Slack/meetings, and automated summaries of operational metrics and customer activity. 0:24:58 – Sinohe predicts job disruption in large teams (e.g., 100 accountants potentially shrinking to 60) but sees smaller teams using AI to focus on higher-value, advisory work rather than basic reconciliations. 0:26:30 – He describes replacing tools like Flowcast, Asana/Monday, and other SaaS products with custom AI-enabled applications that do 75% of what generic tools do—but 100% of what Envoy actually needs. 0:33:36 – Sinohe forecasts greater bank and platform data accessibility, more automated reconciliations, and a shift that frees CFOs from operational drudgery so they can focus on higher‑value strategic work. Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode. GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

    30 min

  2. 30 Jun

    #290 What First-Time CFOs Need to Know About Board Leadership, Michael Anderson, GrowCFO Mentor

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/5rFlxuL66fW6AAkx6MShdM For first-time CFOs, board leadership is not merely a governance checkpoint; it is the arena where strategy, risk, and capital allocation converge. The board is the highest‑stakes audience, setting direction, probing assumptions, and expecting crisp narratives grounded in data and judgment. Mastering board dynamics early enables a new CFO to accelerate trust, shape decisions before they harden, and navigate uncertainty with confidence. From scenario planning and accountability to stakeholder alignment and strategic storytelling, board fluency becomes the multiplier that elevates a CFO from competent operator to indispensable strategic partner. In this episode, Michael Anderson, a GrowCFO Mentor, traces a varied finance leadership journey that began at KPMG in Silicon Valley and evolved through operating roles in tech, biotech, media, and international logistics. He reflects on the pivotal shift from compliance to value creation, sharing how exposure to IPOs, M&A, and complex post-acquisition integrations at Getty Images sharpened his instincts around urgency, risk, and decision-making with imperfect information. Anderson underscores that the best finance leaders pair technical acumen with character, curiosity, and the courage to have difficult conversations early. Anderson emphasizes understanding business processes before technology decisions, scenario planning to navigate uncertainty, and the importance of mentorship to build clarity, confidence, and conviction. He illustrates how board effectiveness grows when CFOs bring structured thinking, stakeholder empathy, and strategic storytelling, and he connects leadership depth to personal experiences, including lessons learned as a parent, that inform how he supports CEOs and boards in high-stakes contexts. Key topics covered: Why the AI skills gap is now a core strategic issue for finance leaders. Guy’s journey from chartered accountant and VC to AI trainer for finance teams. The essential foundational skills: prompting, architecture, and context management. How AI is creating new roles and responsibilities instead of simply removing jobs. Managing AI cost, tokens, and model choice like any other major operating expense. The danger of AI-built financial models without proper financial modeling discipline. Links Michael Anderson on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  00:03 — Transition from KPMG to tech; push beyond compliance into value creation 00:07 — Getty Images lessons: urgency, risk, and integrating acquisitions effectively 00:15 — Cross-industry perspective: biotech and logistics shaping CFO judgment 00:21 — Mentorship frameworks for leadership clarity and confidence 00:24 — Financing story: aligning with lender strategy to expand credit 00:39 — Supporting CEOs in board contexts; priorities for first-time CFOs Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode. GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

    34 min

  3. 23 Jun

    #289 The AI Skills Gap Every Finance Leader Needs to Close with Guy Weaver, GrowCFO Facilitator

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/3kw8uHSos6XKFrZncc2CEa Artificial intelligence is transforming the finance function, but most finance teams are still missing the skills to use it confidently, safely, and at scale. The real competitive advantage now lies in how quickly finance leaders can close this AI capability gap across their teams.  In this episode, GrowCFO host Kevin Appleby is joined by GrowCFO Facilitator and AI training specialist Guy Weaver to unpack the AI skills gap that is rapidly emerging across finance teams. As AI tools move from experiment to everyday infrastructure, finance leaders face a stark choice: either build the skills to harness these tools strategically or risk falling behind competitors who do. AI is presented not as a “nice to have” experiment, but as a core capability that will shape productivity, decision quality, and the operating model of modern finance functions.  Guy shares his journey from chartered accountant and venture capital portfolio director to AI practitioner and trainer, showing how a period on gardening leave became a deep dive into tools, agents, automations, and real-world business use cases. He explains that the real differentiator is no longer access to platforms like Copilot, Claude, or ChatGPT, but the human skills to design prompts, architect workflows, manage context files, and control costs at scale. Rather than eliminating finance jobs, AI is creating new responsibilities around context management, token and cost optimization, and continuous model evaluation—and finance leaders who invest early in mindset shifts, foundational skills, and disciplined experimentation will unlock both efficiency gains and new strategic opportunities that slower adopters will miss. Key topics covered: Why the AI skills gap is now a core strategic issue for finance leaders. Guy’s journey from chartered accountant and VC to AI trainer for finance teams. The essential foundational skills: prompting, architecture, and context management. How AI is creating new roles and responsibilities instead of simply removing jobs. Managing AI cost, tokens, and model choice like any other major operating expense. The danger of AI-built financial models without proper financial modeling discipline. Links Guy Weaver on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  00:00–05:00 – Why AI skills matter for finance leaders and how Guy’s career led him into AI training.  05:00–12:00 – From “AI will take our jobs” to new responsibilities around AI, context, and automation.  12:00–18:00 – Prompting, architecture, treating AI like an employee, and managing context files.  18:00–24:00 – Who owns context files, how they’re maintained, and the implications for CFOs and COOs.  24:00–29:00 – Rising AI costs, token limits, and the need to optimize AI usage across the finance function.  29:00–34:00 – What Guy sees in finance training sessions and how teams can keep up as tools evolve. Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode. GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

    34 min

  4. 16 Jun

    #288 Why Great Companies Lose Their Way After Going Public with Eric Ries, Author, The Lean Startup

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/3cW4LImOlr2eDc6opOmyPp Going public is often seen as the ultimate milestone for a successful business, yet for many great companies it marks the beginning of decline rather than a new chapter of sustainable growth. In this episode of The Grow CFO Show, host Kevin Appleby sits down with Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, to explore why so many mission-driven, high-performing companies lose their way after an IPO – and what CFOs and boards can do differently to prevent this fate. The conversation frames governance not as a legal box-ticking exercise, but as a strategic discipline that protects long‑term value, mission, and trust. Through vivid case studies – from Saul Price and the origins of Costco, to Novo Nordisk and its foundation structure, to Johnson & Johnson’s Credo – Eric shows how governance choices can either entrench short‑term shareholder primacy or build what he calls a “governance fortress” that shields companies from destructive external pressures. He argues that CFOs are uniquely placed to champion this new governance, redefine profit around human flourishing, and ensure the organization can’t make money except by achieving its mission. The result is a powerful toolkit for finance leaders who want to keep their companies “incorruptible” long after they hit the public markets. About Eric Ries Over the last two decades, Eric Ries’s ideas about continuous innovation, long-term thinking, governance, and market reform have reshaped company building and management practices. He is the creator of the Lean Startup method, and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Lean Startup; The Leader’s Guide; and The Startup Way.  As a founder, he has put his own ideas into practice with The Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE); Answer.AI, an AI R&D lab; Virgil, a legal services startup; and IMVU. On The Eric Ries Show, he talks with world-class technologists, thought leaders, and executives building for the long-term. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children. Key topics covered: Why good companies lose control and drift after going public. FedMart and Costco: how governance protects long‑term value. “Governance fortress” structures that resist short‑term investor pressure. Novo Nordisk: mission‑driven governance leading to massive value creation. Why most M&A destroys value and how CFOs should filter deals. Redefining profit around human flourishing and the CFO’s new role. Links Eric Ries on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  0:00 – 1:42 — Why great companies lose their way post‑IPO. 1:42 – 4:27 — FedMart: investor pressure kills a great business. 4:27 – 7:30 — Costco and the “governance fortress” idea. 10:39 – 14:39 — The CFO as guardian of mission and structure. 15:21 – 20:19 — Novo Nordisk: foundation ownership and GLP‑1 success. 21:35 – 22:27 — Why many acquisitions are value‑destroying. 22:59 – 27:53 — J&J’s Credo vs reality: mission statements aren’t enough. 28:08 – 32:06 — Rethinking profit as human flourishing. 33:47 – 34:48 — Incorruptible as the essential book for CFOs. Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode. GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

    32 min

  5. 9 Jun

    #287 Why AI Hesitation Could Cost CFOs More Than Bad Decisions, Todd McElhatton, COFO, Zuora

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/47RAQ1TXbfnlvIjsxzCHwH Delaying action on emerging technologies is often seen as the safest path for finance leaders. But in today’s environment, standing still can quietly erode competitiveness faster than visible missteps. For CFOs, the choice is no longer between perfection and experimentation; it is between shaping how intelligent tools transform their business model, or inheriting a cost base, tech stack, and operating rhythm that were designed for a world that no longer exists. The real risk now lies in missed efficiencies, slower decision cycles, and constrained strategic options when rivals are already compounding the benefits of data- and AI-enabled finance. In this GrowCFO Show episode, host Kevin Appleby speaks with Todd McElhatton, CFO of Zuora, about why hesitating on AI adoption could be more damaging for CFOs than making imperfect early decisions. They frame AI not as a distant future technology, but as an immediate strategic lever that will separate adaptive finance leaders from those who are left managing obsolete operating models. The conversation stresses that waiting on AI often compounds operational risk, opportunity cost, and competitive disadvantage, especially for CFOs accountable for both efficiency and growth. Todd outlines how AI is reshaping finance, from quote-to-cash and system implementation to workforce design and governance. Drawing on his experience at HP, WebMD, Oracle, VMware, SAP, and now Zuora, he explains why CFOs must actively lead AI strategy, re-architect their tech stacks, and develop robust oversight rather than defaulting to conservative inaction. By the end of the episode, listeners gain a pragmatic view of where AI can deliver tangible value today, and why inaction may be the riskiest choice of all. Key topics covered: Todd charts his career journey across major tech companies and explains how it shaped his view of the CFO as both financial steward and operational leader. He details Zuora’s evolution into an AI-enabled quote-to-cash platform and how AI is accelerating shifts to new, outcome-based business models. Todd and Kevin unpack the build vs. buy decision around AI, highlighting integration, domain expertise, compliance, and governance as critical factors for CFOs. The discussion explores how AI can reduce rework, speed implementations, and reallocate finance capacity from manual tasks to higher-value analysis and decision-making. Todd argues that CFOs who hesitate on AI risk constraining strategy, delaying business model transformation, and missing efficiency and innovation gains competitors are already capturing. He shares his personal AI use cases: research, scenario analysis, and board preparation, while emphasizing human oversight, skepticism, and multi-model validation. Links Todd McElhatton on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  0:00:00 – How roles at HP, WebMD, Oracle, VMware, and SAP shaped his perspective on the modern CFO and why understanding operations is now non‑negotiable. 0:02:53 – How AI is impacting subscription and outcome-based business models, and why this forces companies to reassess their tech stacks. 0:06:27 – ZUORA’s internal journey: moving beyond pilots to AI projects that materially affect performance while maintaining human oversigh. 0:11:37 – The trade-offs between building AI in-house and buying AI-native systems of record, with a focus on integration, compliance, and risk. 0:19:04 – How AI will reshape implementation timelines, roles, and the skills finance teams need, plus the efficiency and innovation upside. 0:19:19 – Todd’s guidance on aligning AI and tech stack decisions with business strategy, and a cautionary example where system limitations stalled an acquisition. 0:32:00 – How Todd uses AI for research, analysis, and board materials while maintaining critical thinking and cross-checking outputs across models. 0:36:21 – A closing argument for CFOs to lead AI adoption, embrace calculated risk, and redeploy teams from repetitive work to higher-value contributions. Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode. GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

    32 min

  6. 2 Jun

    #286 What CFOs Should Do Next: CFO Mindset 2.0, Darren Cran, CEO, AccountsIQ

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O3AJJ7rl6xqzgLnf82KP8 In today’s finance function, relying solely on monolithic systems and periodic reporting is no longer enough, as rapid advances in AI transform how data is collected, processed, and turned into insight. Finance leaders are now expected to orchestrate an ecosystem of intelligent tools that automate routine work, enable continuous forecasting, and surface risks and opportunities in real time. Those who continue to treat technology as a back-office utility will quickly fall behind leaders who use it as a strategic lever for competitiveness and resilience. In this GrowCFO Show episode, Kevin Appleby is joined by Darren Cran, CEO of AccountsIQ, to explore how AI is reshaping the finance function and what a “CFO Mindset 2.0” really looks like in practice. The conversation underscores why this shift is not just a technology upgrade but a fundamental change in how CFOs think about systems, teams, and decision-making. As AI tools, such as Anthropic’s Opus 4.6, rapidly increase their capabilities, Darren explains why finance leaders must move beyond simply running ERP systems and start orchestrating a broader ecosystem of AI-enabled tools that enhance forecasting, productivity, and strategic insight The episode examines the practical realities behind this transition: the readiness of organizations to adopt AI, the risks and opportunities around system change, and the human impact in terms of workload, overtime, and work–life balance. Darren contrasts AI-native companies with established platforms like AccountsIQ and shows how AI can be layered onto existing systems of record to automate routine tasks, strengthen continuous forecasting, and free finance professionals to do more relational, higher-value work. For CFOs wondering what to do next, this discussion offers a clear roadmap: maintain robust core systems, embrace AI as an orchestration layer on top, and cultivate a mindset that looks for opportunity in uncertainty rather than reacting to it. Key topics covered: The episode positions “CFO Mindset 2.0” as a response to AI’s rapid impact on finance software, using Anthropic’s Opus 4.6 as a signal that traditional software models are being disrupted and augmented by AI-first approaches. Darren explains how AccountsIQ is investing in AI orchestration, automating repetitive tasks for finance teams while preserving the ERP or core system of record as the backbone of financial data. The discussion compares AI-native companies versus established platforms, arguing that incumbents with deep domain knowledge and existing customers can unlock major value by embedding AI into real workflows rather than chasing hype. Kevin and Darren explore the evolving role of ERP systems, concluding that while ERPs remain essential for core functions, AI-powered financial operating platforms and integrations will increasingly handle flexibility, user experience, and advanced analytics. The conversation highlights the human and cultural side of AI, showing how automation can reduce overtime, improve work–life balance, and shift finance professionals toward more strategic and relational work if leadership sets the right expectations. Darren outlines how AI can transform forecasting, from periodic budgeting to more continuous, scenario-based modeling, while stressing that CFOs must still validate models and use judgment rather than blindly trusting outputs. Links Darren Cran on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  0:00:02 – Kevin introduces Darren and frames the episode around CFO Mindset 2.0, AI’s impact on finance software, and the significance of Anthropic’s Opus 4.6 as a turning point. 0:07:18 – Discussion on the pain of system changes, how older systems will coexist with new AI capabilities, and how AccountsIQ is investing in AI orchestration to automate routine finance tasks. 0:14:12 – Deep dive into the limitations of traditional ERP systems and the rise of financial operating platforms that rely on integrations and AI to deliver more flexible, user-friendly finance environments. 0:17:45 – Darren explains why ERP systems will remain core systems of record, while AI will build rich ecosystems around them rather than fully replacing them. 0:21:06 – Exploration of how AI can reduce overtime, change the shape of finance roles, and the importance of company culture in ensuring that productivity gains translate into better working lives. 0:28:27 – Darren and Kevin discuss how AI can dramatically speed up financial modeling and scenario analysis, enabling continuous forecasting as long as CFOs apply proper checks and validations. 0:31:49 – Darren shares AccountsIQ’s roadmap for AI agents and products designed to improve the day-to-day experience of finance professionals and keep pace with frontier technology. Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode. GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

    28 min

  7. 26 May

    #285 How AI Is Turning Finance Into a Probability Game, Jason Brisbane, Founder, Finhelm

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/35qKYO14JG1pUeM5uoCQPg In a world of rapid disruption and volatility, finance teams can no longer rely on single‑point forecasts and rigid spreadsheets. They must understand ranges of possible outcomes, quantify risk, and communicate uncertainty in ways that enable better, faster strategic decisions, turning uncertainty from a threat into a competitive advantage. In this episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby speaks with Jason Brisbane, Founder of Finhelm, about how AI and Monte Carlo simulation are reshaping finance by replacing deterministic forecasts with probability‑driven models. Brisbane shares his journey from FP&A and treasury at Adobe to founding Finhelm, a platform that brings “computational finance” into the CFO organization and assigns an “uncertainty exposure score” to models, essentially a credit score for forecast risk. This approach helps FP&A teams treat variances as learning signals rather than failures and move from static scenario planning to continuous simulation at scale. The discussion also explores how probabilistic modeling supports risk management and AI governance, including “nutrition labels” for AI‑enabled processes so domain experts can understand volatility, detect drift, and know when human intervention is required. Key topics covered: Shift from deterministic to probabilistic finance: Brisbane explains how most organizations still rely on single‑point, deterministic forecasts, and how Monte Carlo simulation combined with AI introduces probability distributions, helping teams understand the likelihood of outcomes rather than relying on one number. Uncertainty Exposure Score as a “credit score” for forecasts: Finhelm applies Monte Carlo simulation to generate an “uncertainty exposure score,” giving finance leaders a clear measure of volatility and risk embedded in their models over time. Variances as learning, not failure: Brisbane argues that probabilistic finance allows FP&A teams to reframe forecast variances as opportunities for learning and calibration, rather than signs of failure, driving a more mature approach to performance management. From scenario to simulation in risk management: The discussion extends Monte Carlo beyond financial forecasting into risk, highlighting how organizations can move from simplistic low/medium/high risk grids to simulated, monetized risk impacts across portfolios and risk registers. AI “nutrition labels” and governance: Brisbane introduces the idea of a “nutrition label” for AI‑enabled processes, where risk scores and volatility bands help domain experts decide when it is safe for autonomous agents to operate and when human intervention is required. AI‑native build by a finance domain expert: As a finance professional rather than a traditional technologist, Brisbane describes how he is using AI‑native development tools to build Finhelm, demonstrating how domain experts can now create sophisticated, AI‑driven solutions without large in‑house engineering teams. Links Jason Brisbane on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  00:00 – 04:30 – Jason shares his background from Adobe’s rotation program through FP&A and product roles, and explains Finhelm’s mission: bringing computational finance and Monte Carlo simulation into the CFO organization to add probability and distribution to traditional forecasts. 04:30 – 08:30 – Appleby and Brisbane break down Monte Carlo as running hundreds or thousands of simulations across best/likely/worst‑case assumptions to produce a forecast with confidence bands instead of a single number, reframing how finance understands uncertainty. 08:30 – 13:45 – Appleby recounts a defense procurement project where Monte Carlo was used to estimate 25‑year life‑cycle costs and readiness, illustrating why probabilistic modeling is essential when multiple uncertain drivers interact over long horizons. 14:00 – 18:30 – Brisbane contrasts the classic “three‑tab spreadsheet” (worst/base/best) with probabilistic finance, arguing that Monte Carlo and uncertainty exposure scores allow FP&A teams to treat variance as learning data and continually recalibrate models. 18:30 – 22:30 – The conversation turns to risk registers and enterprise risk, discussing how organizations can move beyond low/medium/high matrices to simulated, monetary impact of risks, and how this supports more informed resource allocation and strategic decisions. 21:30 – 26:00 – Brisbane introduces the concept of scoring volatility to determine when AI agents can operate autonomously within “safe bands” and when domain experts must intervene, aligning probabilistic finance with AI governance and auditability requirements. 25:20 – 32:00 – Brisbane outlines Finhelm’s early traction in law, professional services, and healthcare, and shares his vision that within 12–18 months, FP&A teams will routinely use Monte Carlo and uncertainty scoring to answer deeper questions about risk and performance. Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode. GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

    30 min

  8. 19 May

    #284 How to Step Into the CFO Role When You’re Not Ready, David Hudson, Group Financial Controller, Empiric Student Property PLC

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/0zRJsjw9He6j7fvBc1Vzkp Stepping into senior finance leadership is rarely neat or linear. The move from technical expert to strategic leader often happens sooner than expected, with higher stakes, tougher decisions, and sharper scrutiny. Yet these stretching moments are where the next generation of CFOs is really formed. In this episode of the GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby speaks with David Hudson, Group Financial Controller at Empiric Student Property PLC. David shares how he found himself effectively operating as CFO during Empiric’s takeover by Unite Group plc; leading a difficult audit, resolving a major misstatement, handling confidential deal work, and guiding his team through intense change. He explains how combining these real-world challenges with the GrowCFO program, especially the virtual boardroom, peer learning, and focus on personal branding, helped him accelerate his readiness for the top job. The conversation offers a practical blueprint for senior finance leaders who are being asked to step up before they feel fully prepared, showing how confidence, mentoring, and smart use of technology can enable them to perform credibly at CFO level. Key topics covered: David Hudson outlines his journey from audit into senior finance roles and ultimately into a position where he was effectively acting as CFO during a major corporate transaction. He explains how stepping into the CFO role created a step‑change in responsibility—owning cash, leading the team, and steering auditors through a challenging year-end with a significant misstatement. Hudson shares how the GrowCFO program, especially the virtual boardroom, stress‑tested his skills, built confidence, and helped him prepare for real board‑level scrutiny. He highlights the importance of personal branding, networking, and maintaining a strong LinkedIn presence and CV as critical enablers for aspiring CFOs. The discussion covers the realities of acquisition and integration—confidentiality, staff retention, fair reward, and managing external stakeholders such as brokers and investment banks. Hudson describes how leveraging AI and OCR in the finance function, combined with mentoring and team development, positions him for his longer‑term ambition to become a CFO in a FTSE 250 business. Links David Hudson on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  0:00:01 – David Hudson’s background and progression to Group Financial Controller at Empiric Student Property, and how he found himself stepping into a de facto CFO role during a takeover. 0:03:00 – Discussion of fear versus imposter syndrome, and what changes when the responsibility and accountability of a CFO role land on your desk. 0:04:52 – How the GrowCFO virtual boardroom and peer group challenged Hudson, built confidence, and simulated real board pressure ahead of stepping up.  0:10:35 – The importance of personal branding, LinkedIn presence, and professional networking for finance leaders aiming at CFO roles. 0:18:10 – Lessons from leading through an acquisition: confidentiality, employee retention, fair recognition, and learning from brokers and investment banks. 0:21:25 – The role of mentoring, team strength, and calm leadership in successfully handling CFO‑level challenges. 0:29:37 – Practical use of AI and OCR in the finance function and how technology supports a more strategic, commercially focused CFO. 0:35:22 – The link between physical well‑being (e.g., marathon training) and better problem‑solving and resilience in high‑pressure finance roles. Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode. GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

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About

The GrowCFO Show is the podcast produced for finance leaders by finance leaders

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Appleby
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    291
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 GrowCFO Limited
  • Show Website
    GrowCFO Show

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