GrowCFO Show

Kevin Appleby
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Careers
  • Updated Biweekly

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

  1. 2d ago

    #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

  2. May 26

    #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

  3. May 19

    #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

    30 min

  4. May 12

    #283 How to Build a Finance Function That Scales for 5+ Years, Rishi Oberoi, Deputy CFO and CAO, Varo Bank

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YwnZv8yNCPYP1osEaVFY6 In a world where business models, technology, and regulation can all shift in a single planning cycle, building a finance team and infrastructure that still works five years from now is a strategic necessity. Short‑term fixes and ad hoc processes quickly turn into bottlenecks as organizations grow and face deeper scrutiny from investors and regulators. In this episode, Kevin Appleby speaks with Rishi Oberoi, Deputy CFO and CAO at Varo Bank, about designing a finance function that scales for the long term. Rishi frames finance as a leadership system that enables organizations to move fast without breaking trust, drawing on two decades in global banking, fintech, audit, and capital markets. Together, they explore why scalable finance is as much about people and principles as it is about processes and platforms. Rishi highlights empathy, humility, and storytelling as core leadership traits, and explains how AI can act as a control sentinel and efficiency driver while preserving customer trust and regulatory rigor in a mission‑driven bank. Key topics covered: Finance should be designed and run as a leadership system, where everyone in the function leads in some way, not just the CFO.  Scalable finance functions are built on empathy, humility, and values-based hiring, not only on technical skill sets.  AI’s most powerful role in finance may be as a real-time control sentinel, enhancing compliance, monitoring controls, and supporting faster, safer decision-making.  Systems should be architected to be modular, vendor-agnostic, and future-ready, designed around what the organization will need in 4–5 years rather than just today’s constraints.  Finance can and should be a force for good, especially in mission-driven organizations, by balancing profitability with equitable access to financial products for underserved communities.  Modern CFOs must spend more time looking forward than backward, closing the books quickly so they can focus on strategy, relevance, and long-term value creation. Links Rishi Oberoi on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  0:00:00 – Kevin introduces Rishi and his global finance career; Rishi outlines his experience building fast-moving, trust-centric finance teams. 0:02:21 – Rishi explains why he views finance as one of the world’s foundational leadership systems, shaping economies, companies, and households. 0:05:27 – Discussion on leading finance teams with empathy, recognizing life outside work, and hiring for values and learning ability. 0:09:46 – Rishi describes how finance must provide a forward-looking view and use storytelling to make numbers meaningful and actionable. 0:13:06 – Exploration of AI in finance, including using AI to monitor controls and compliance in real time within regulated environments. 0:18:12 – How to design finance systems that are modular, vendor-agnostic, and aligned to where the organization will be in 4–5 years. 0:24:26 – Rishi discusses using finance to benefit customers, employees, investors, and regulators, especially in a mission-led bank like Varo. 0:26:15 – The tension and balance between serving underserved communities and maintaining regulatory- and investor-grade profitability. 0:32:53 – Advice for CFOs to close faster, look further ahead, and focus on keeping their organizations relevant in a fast-changing world. 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

    31 min

  5. May 5

    #282 How to Build a High-Income Fractional CFO Career with Rob Nicholls, GrowCFO Mentor

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/5z9zV5mya9rDz6O8glCfy1 A high-income fractional CFO career is becoming one of the most attractive paths for senior finance leaders who want more control, variety, and upside than a traditional corporate role can offer. As businesses increasingly look for flexible, part-time strategic finance support, the opportunity for experienced CFOs and finance professionals to build profitable portfolio careers has never been greater.  In this episode, Kevin Appleby interviews Rob Nicholls, a fractional CFO, board adviser, and GrowCFO mentor, on how finance leaders can build a high-income, portfolio-style career. Rob draws on his commercially driven background and international experience to explain what a modern fractional CFO really does and how the role can deliver both financial and lifestyle benefits. He shares practical guidance on constructing a high-income fractional CFO portfolio – balancing a mix of clients, leveraging LinkedIn, and using non‑executive roles and mentoring to generate both impact and deal flow. The discussion highlights how deep experience, strategic advisory skills, and deliberate business development combine into a sustainable, long-term fractional CFO career. Key topics covered: How Rob built a high-value fractional CFO and board advisory portfolio across multiple SMEs, drawing on a career that spans finance, operations, sales, and supply chain. Why LinkedIn is central to his business development, including disciplined daily activity that generates around 30 conversations a day and compounds into long-term opportunity. The role of mentoring and advisory work (Innovate UK, university engagements, startup ecosystems) in building reputation, leverage, and future client pipelines. How being industry-agnostic yet commercially focused allows Rob to mentor founders, senior finance executives, and career-changers while remaining anchored in value creation. The impact of technology and AI on CFO work, including tools to streamline board reporting while reinforcing the need for real-world experience and judgment. Why non-executive roles and multiple income streams are powerful components of a resilient, high-income fractional CFO career. Links Rob Nicholls on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  00:00 – Intro to Rob and fractional CFO background 02:10 – From traditional finance to value creation focus 03:33 – Portfolio lifestyle and managing multiple clients 04:25 – LinkedIn strategy and pipeline building 09:37 – Mentoring, startups, and ecosystem leverage 12:15 – Who Rob mentors and career transitions 15:19 – Technology, AI, and modern CFO work 18:59 – Non-exec roles and board careers for CFOs 23:40 – Future plans and fractional startup in biz dev 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

    24 min

  6. Apr 28

    #281 The Worst Acquisition I Ever Did and What It Cost Me, Jeremy Earnshaw, GrowCFO Mentor

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/55cBmmBgaKb7MGUsUgPtNT In this GrowCFO Show episode, Kevin Appleby sits down with Jeremy Earnshaw, GrowCFO Mentor, to unpack one of the most painful but instructive topics in corporate life. Rather than celebrating a headline-grabbing success, Jeremy walks through a deal that went badly wrong—financially, culturally, and strategically. The episode emphasizes why leaders often learn far more from failures than from smooth, textbook transactions, and why understanding what not to do in M&A can be a powerful competitive advantage.  Drawing on more than 20 M&A deals across his career, Jeremy dissects an acquisition from 30 years ago where he joined mid-transaction, found due diligence to be dangerously superficial, and discovered too late that the target’s core direct-to-consumer channel was fundamentally unprofitable. He and Kevin explore how poor diligence, misaligned incentives, cultural blind spots, and weak integration planning combined to destroy value. The conversation offers CFOs, founders, and boards a candid look at the real costs of a bad acquisition and practical lessons on how to structure deals, probe assumptions, and retain the courage to walk away. Key topics covered: Jeremy explains how he joined an acquisition mid-stream and immediately saw that the “due diligence” was little more than an updated audit pack. Kevin and Jeremy break down why buying “a balance sheet” instead of a future business led to a badly structured deal, with 90% of the consideration paid in cash at completion. They expose how cultural issues, aggressive lawyers, and late negative disclosures undermined trust and should have been clear red flags to pause or walk away. Jeremy reveals that the acquisition’s main focus—the direct-to-consumer channel—was actually loss-making, while an overlooked export dealer channel was where the real profitability lay. The episode highlights how weak integration planning compounded the initial mistakes, turning a flawed deal into a value-destroying one. Jeremy distills the lessons learned: insist on thorough due diligence, structure earn-outs intelligently, interrogate culture and people risk, and always be prepared to walk away. Links Jeremy Earnshaw on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  0:00:00 – Kevin frames the episode around learning from “the worst acquisition” and introduces Jeremy Earnshaw and his M&A background. 0:02:00 – Jeremy describes joining halfway through the deal and discovering that due diligence was basically a thin audit update. 0:06:23 – Deep dive into due diligence and valuation: why paying 90% cash up front and underweighting earn-out was a structural mistake. 0:19:35 – Cultural and legal challenges emerge: aggressive lawyers, late disclosures, and a finance controller’s resignation revealed just before completion. 0:24:35 – Post-acquisition reality check: the direct-to-consumer channel is loss-making while the neglected export dealer business is the only profitable part. 0:36:56 – Jeremy and Kevin synthesize the core lessons around diligence discipline, deal parameters, and the importance of being ready to walk away. 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

    39 min

  7. Apr 21

    #280 What Every CFO Should Know Before Implementing AI, Michael Pytel, Technology Leader & Director, VASS

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/29EE2Ec32RWQKNVvVj2U8d In this episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby, together with Michael Pytel, Technology Leader & Director at VASS, underscores why AI is now a board-level issue for finance leaders: decisions made today about platforms, data, and governance will shape an organization’s risk profile and competitive position for years to come. They frame AI not as a shiny add‑on but as an infrastructure-and-controls question that sits squarely in the CFO’s remit: data sovereignty, privacy, security, and ROI. Michael draws on his deep background in ERP and large‑enterprise technology to give CFOs a practical roadmap for implementing AI safely and effectively. He explains how vendors such as SAP are approaching “sovereign AI” to keep sensitive financial data within the organization, why mid‑market businesses should consider anchoring around the Microsoft ecosystem, and how to structure permissions so AI behaves like a fully controlled team member rather than a black box. The discussion closes with forward‑looking guidance on avoiding vendor lock‑in, upgrading ERP for an API‑ready, AI‑enabled future, and identifying quick wins that prove value without compromising security. Key topics covered: Why AI implementation is now a core responsibility of the CFO, not just IT, with direct implications for risk, compliance, and competitive advantage. How data sovereignty, privacy, and “sovereign AI” approaches (as seen in SAP) allow organizations to choose where AI runs and how data is protected. Practical options for smaller and mid‑market companies without large IT teams, including leveraging the Microsoft ecosystem for secure and scalable AI. The importance of treating AI like a human team member with defined permissions, segregation of duties, and strong policy‑driven prompt design. Why CFOs must ensure ERP and core finance systems are API‑ready and AI‑enabled to remain competitive over the next planning cycles. Strategies to avoid platform lock‑in while still moving quickly, focusing on quick wins and flexible commercial contracts with AI vendors. Links Michael Pytel on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  0:00:01 – Kevin introduces episode 280 and guest Michael Pytel, outlining his enterprise technology and ERP background and why his perspective matters for CFOs considering AI. 0:02:27 – Discussion of SAP’s cautious, data‑sovereign approach to AI, allowing customers to control where AI runs and how sensitive financial data is protected.  0:08:27 – Exploration of AI options for smaller organizations without full IT departments, including aligning with Microsoft to obtain secure, affordable AI capabilities. 0:12:05 – Deep dive into data security, permissions, and prompt engineering, positioning AI as a controlled “team member” governed by policies and segregation of duties. 0:26:25 – Analysis of how AI will reshape finance roles, the need to modernize ERP for AI integration, and what to look for in vendor roadmaps. 0:33:06 – Michael’s closing advice for CFOs in 2026: prioritize secure, in‑house AI platforms, avoid lock‑in with flexible contracts, and focus on quick, demonstrable wins. 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

    31 min

  8. Apr 14

    #279 Is AI Making CFOs Less Strategic? Susana Serrano-Davey, GrowCFO Mentor

    .entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } https://open.spotify.com/episode/0tIFk3EkP63wzKxWBPJUeD In episode 279, Kevin Appleby and GrowCFO mentor Susana Serrano‑Davey explore a critical question for modern finance leaders: whether the rapid rise of AI is enhancing or eroding the strategic role of the CFO. They frame AI as both an incredibly powerful assistant and a potential threat to originality, judgment, and confidence if used uncritically. Throughout the conversation, they examine how tools like ChatGPT and other AI solutions are reshaping research, writing, preparation, and decision support for finance leaders, and what this means for the future of strategic finance careers.  The discussion moves from personal use cases, AI as a “personal assistant, sounding board, and translator”—into the realities of implementing AI within finance functions. Susana and Kevin highlight the growing interest in AI among CFOs contrasted with a lack of confidence about how to deploy it in practice. They compare AI adoption to past ERP implementations, emphasizing trial‑and‑error, learning from failure, and maintaining authenticity. The episode ultimately argues that AI should augment, not replace, a CFO’s strategic thinking: the winners will be those who use AI for speed and insight while preserving their own voice, critical judgment, and leadership presence. Key topics covered: AI is becoming a personal assistant and translator for finance leaders, dramatically changing how they research, write, and prepare for meetings and communications. Both speakers warn that over‑reliance on AI risks diluting authenticity, with presentations and content sounding generic when leaders delegate too much to AI. The episode highlights how AI can undermine critical thinking and self‑confidence if finance professionals treat AI outputs as answers rather than input for their own judgment. Implementing AI in finance is compared to complex ERP rollouts—CFOs are interested but cautious, overwhelmed by the volume of tools and uncertainty about where to start. Kevin and Susana stress that AI should be used mainly for research, framing, and speed, while the CFO’s strategic value lies in interpretation, narrative, and decision‑making. They raise concerns that widespread AI use could homogenize thinking and propagate confident but wrong answers, making human skepticism and validation more important than ever. Links Susana Serrano-Davey on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps:  0:00:00 – Kevin introduces Susana and they explore how AI is already reshaping day‑to‑day work, especially for finance leaders who use it for research and drafting. 0:02:46 – Susana describes AI as her “personal assistant and translator,” while Kevin explains how he uses AI extensively for reports, webinars, and thought leadership content. 0:07:13 – A workshop example shows how heavy dependence on ChatGPT produced a less authentic presentation, prompting a deeper discussion on storytelling, personal experience, and confidence. 0:12:38 – They compare AI rollouts to ERP implementations: CFOs are intrigued but hesitant, facing tool overload, uncertainty, and the need to accept mistakes and learn quickly. 0:25:01 – Kevin questions whether AI is eroding original thinking; Susana argues leaders must protect their own voice and avoid relying solely on AI‑generated content. 0:30:47 – The episode closes by examining AI’s tendency to sound certain even when wrong, and the risk of AI‑generated falsehoods becoming accepted truths without human scrutiny. 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
See All (286)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Appleby
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    286
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 GrowCFO Limited
  • Show Website
    GrowCFO Show

You Might Also Like