CFO Access Podcast

Jeff Robson

Bringing you insightful conversations from CFO's and finance executives on interesting, relevant topics that are shaping the future of business.

  1. Ep 13: Is Your Business Protected? What CFOs Get Wrong About Insurance - Melissa Jolly with Host Jeff Robson

    6d ago

    Ep 13: Is Your Business Protected? What CFOs Get Wrong About Insurance - Melissa Jolly with Host Jeff Robson

    Melissa Jolly is the founder and managing director of Pinnacle Insurance Brokers, a Perth-based firm specialising in bespoke insurance solutions and risk advisory for Australian SMEs. After starting her career in domestic insurance, Melissa spent several years working at Lloyd’s of London before returning to Western Australia to launch Pinnacle, a business built on a hybrid of London broking rigour and Australian client-first service. In this episode of the CFO Access Podcast, host Jeff Robson sits down with Melissa to unpack what smart risk management really looks like for Australian SMEs. Melissa shares why the London broking model transformed how she approaches every client conversation, how CFOs should think about the self-insure decision, and why bringing your broker in early not at the last minute could save your business from a very expensive surprise. They also get into the growing cyber threat landscape, how AI is reshaping both fraud risk and the broking industry itself, and the broader question of whether Australians are becoming too risk-averse for their own good. Melissa Jolly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissajolly/ Pinnacle Insurance Brokers: https://www.pinnacleinsurancebrokers.com.au -------------------------------------- Follow Access Analytic: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AccessAnalytic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@accessanalytic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/access_analytic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-analytic Website: https://accessanalytic.com.au/ Connect with Jeff Robson: Jeff Robson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrobson/ -------------------------------------- Chapters: (0:00) Welcome & introducing Melissa Jolly (1:58) From domestic insurance to Lloyd’s of London (3:46) The hybrid London/Australian broking approach (5:30) Why insurance is genuinely exciting (yes, really) (7:30) What CFOs should be thinking about when it comes to insurance (10:10) Self-insure or buy a policy? How to make the decision (17:08) How Melissa works through a risk deep-dive with clients (21:00) Never let an insurance policy dictate how you run your business (25:14) AI risks: cyber fraud, professional indemnity & deepfakes (28:48) How AI is changing the insurance broking industry (30:04) On risk-taking: should we be saying yes more often (41:46) Running, parkrun community & mental clarity Recorded and Produced by Podwave Studios: https://www.podwavestudios.au The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute financial or insurance advice.

    48 min
  2. May 19

    Ep 12. M&A Secrets Every CFO Should Know: Insights from Mark Leaker with Host Jeff Robson

    In this episode of the CFO Access Podcast, host Jeff Robson sits down with Mark Leaker, founder of Leaker Partners, to explore the realities of mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and deal-making. Mark shares lessons from over two decades advising boards, CFOs, and business owners on complex transactions. They discuss common mistakes in M&A, how CFOs can work effectively with advisors, and what truly drives successful deals—from strategy to execution. Whether you're involved in transactions or simply want to think more strategically, this episode offers practical insights into navigating high-stakes business decisions. Chapters: (0:00) Welcome & Mark Leaker’s Background (2:00) Building a Non-Traditional Law Firm (4:30) Key Lessons from M&A Experience (6:30) The 3 Critical Questions in Any Deal (10:00) How to Increase Business Value Before Selling (13:00) Experienced vs First-Time Sellers (17:00) The CFO’s Role in Deal-Making (19:30) Managing Advisors & Decision-Making (22:00) AI in Legal Work & Transactions (26:00) How AI is Changing the Legal Industry (30:00) Client Expectations in the AI Era (33:00) Why M&A Deals Fail (and How to Avoid It) (37:30) Financial Modelling & Term Sheets (40:00) Career Advice for Professionals (42:30) Giving Back & Community Impact (45:30) Funny Stories & Wrap-Up Mark Leaker: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-leaker-627b6814/ Follow us:  Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Access Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Access Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  TikTok - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Acess Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Access Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠    Recorded and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podwave Studios⁠⁠

    53 min
  3. May 5

    Ep 11. AI & Professional Confidence: Leading Through Change with Julissa Shrewsbury and Host Jeff Robson

    In this episode of the CFO Access Podcast, host Jeff Robson speaks with Julissa Shrewsbury, founder of New Work Consulting, about how AI is reshaping professional confidence, leadership, and trust.They discuss insights from Julissa’s study of senior leaders across Australia, including how organisations are approaching AI, the risks of over-reliance, and what it means for CFOs and trusted advisors. The conversation also explores how leaders can build confidence, adapt culture, and stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment. Chapters: (0:00) Welcome & AI’s Impact on Professional Confidence (3:30) The Study: How Leaders Are Responding to AI (7:30) Gaps in AI Awareness & Leadership Mindset (11:30) Adapting to Rapid Change (15:30) Does AI Build or Erode Confidence? (20:00) Impact on Junior vs Senior Professionals (22:30) AI as a Learning & Development Tool (26:30) Why AI Is a Cultural & Change Challenge (27:30) Practical Steps for CFOs & Leaders (31:00) Measuring What Matters in Organisations (34:00) The Future of Trusted Advisors (37:00) AI, Imposter Syndrome & Human Value (39:30) Why Human Skills Still Matter (41:00) Wrap-Up & AI Dad Jokes Julissa Shrewsbury: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julissashrewsbury/ Follow us:  Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Access Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Access Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  TikTok - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Acess Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Access Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠    Recorded and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podwave Studios⁠

    46 min
  4. 12/01/2025

    Ep 8. The Art of Strategy: A Conversation with Mark Narustrang and Host Jeff Robson

    In this episode of the CFO Access Podcast, hosted by Jeff Robson from Access Analytic, we dive deep into strategic thinking and problem-solving with Mark Narustrang, a CPA and principal consultant at Pivotal Point. Explore Mark's journey from accounting to strategy, the importance of defining root causes, and the role of measurement in finance. Learn about the application of the Six Sigma method, the relevance of the Five Whys, and how CFOs can balance operational and strategic roles. Discover Mark's unique experiences in agribusiness, and gain insights into the impact of AI and data in strategic planning. We also delve into the surprising intersections between his Australian-Estonian heritage and his professional life, his involvement in the national Estonian media platform “Hao,” and the powerful family history that shapes his worldview today. Don't miss Mark's anecdotes and fatherly wisdom about being an 'ex-tractor fan'!    Mark Narustrang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-narustrang-aa411016/  Article by Mark: https://eesti.org.au/2025/06/17/perth-jaanipaev-a-midsummer-celebration-in-winter-heralds-a-new-spring/ Follow us:  Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Access Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Access Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠  TikTok - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Acess Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Access Analytic⁠⁠⁠⁠    Recorded and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Podwave Studios

    45 min

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Bringing you insightful conversations from CFO's and finance executives on interesting, relevant topics that are shaping the future of business.