Becoming A Startup CFO

Alysha Randall
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Becoming a Start-Up CFO, hosted by Alysha Randall, is a practical and honest podcast for aspiring CFOs, new finance leaders and experienced professionals navigating the fast-moving world of start-ups and scale-ups. Drawing on more than fifteen years of experience across businesses including LoveFilm, Funding Circle and her own work supporting founders and finance leaders, Alysha explores what it really takes to move beyond the numbers and become a trusted strategic partner. From leadership, confidence and commercial thinking to cash management, fundraising, boards, investors and building a high-performing finance team, each episode shares real experiences and practical insight to help finance professionals grow into the CFO role with greater clarity and confidence.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    If Nobody Understands Your Numbers, Your Reporting Isn’t Working

    Being technically right is only useful if the person listening understands what you mean. In this episode of Becoming a Start-Up CFO, Alysha explores one of the most important skills finance leaders develop as they move towards CFO level, learning how to communicate finance clearly to people who do not speak the language of finance every day. From founders and department heads to sales and marketing leaders, different audiences need different conversations. Alysha looks at why jargon can get in the way, how listening can completely change the financial question you think you are answering, and why making finance easier to understand helps the whole business make stronger decisions. You’ll hear about: Why technical accuracy does not automatically mean good communicationHow to adapt financial language for different people across the businessWhy knowing your audience changes the way you explain financeThe importance of listening before answering the financial questionHow unnecessary jargon can weaken rather than strengthen your credibilityWhy helping non-finance colleagues understand finance improves everyday decision-makingHow clearer written communication can save time and build trustWhy translating complexity is an essential part of becoming a strong start-up CFO If you are working towards a finance director or CFO role and want to become a clearer, more confident financial leader, this episode will help you rethink the way you communicate what you already know. Sign up to our next workshop on the website. Subscribe to our YouTube channel

  2. Oct 5

    Why Confidence Comes Before the CFO Title

    If you are waiting for a senior title to make you feel confident, you may be waiting a very long time. In this episode, Alysha shares her experience of entering finance leadership while still questioning whether she belonged in the room. She explores imposter syndrome, negative self-talk, asking uncomfortable questions and why confidence grows through participation rather than perfection. Episode highlights Why a CFO title does not automatically create confidenceAlysha’s experience of staying quiet in early leadership meetingsHow imposter syndrome can continue even as your career progressesWhy keeping positive feedback can help counter self-doubtWhat asking “basic” questions taught Alysha about strong leadershipHow to build evidence that you can handle situations you have never faced before Sign up to our next workshop on the website. Subscribe to our YouTube channel

  3. Sep 28

    The Leadership Shift Every Aspiring CFO Has to Make

    The step from finance manager to finance leader can be much bigger than it appears from the outside. Alysha explores why leadership requires you to change where you place your attention, moving beyond short-term delivery into planning, ownership, team development and business-wide thinking. If you are aiming for an FD or CFO role but still feel buried in the day-to-day work, this episode will help you recognise where the shift needs to begin. Episode highlights Why becoming a leader is more than taking on additional responsibilityThe difference between short-term management and longer-term leadershipWhy leaders are judged on output rather than personal effortHow proactive thinking changes your roleWhy developing other people becomes part of your own progressionHow to begin practising CFO leadership before the promotion arrives Sign up to our next workshop on the website. Subscribe to our YouTube channel

  4. Sep 21

    TRAILER

    Becoming a Start-Up CFO, hosted by Alysha Randall, is a practical and honest podcast for aspiring CFOs, new finance leaders and experienced professionals navigating the fast-moving world of start-ups and scale-ups. Drawing on more than fifteen years of experience across businesses including LoveFilm, Funding Circle and her own work supporting founders and finance leaders, Alysha explores what it really takes to move beyond the numbers and become a trusted strategic partner. From leadership, confidence and commercial thinking to cash management, fundraising, boards, investors and building a high-performing finance team, each episode shares real experiences and practical insight to help finance professionals grow into the CFO role with greater clarity and confidence. Sign up to our next workshop on the website. Subscribe to our YouTube channel

  5. Sep 21

    Why Being Good at Finance Won’t Make You a Great Start-Up CFO

    Being technically excellent can build a brilliant finance career, but becoming a CFO asks for something different. In this episode, Alysha explores the point where technical expertise stops being the main measure of your value. Drawing on her own transition into finance leadership, she looks at the shift from getting the work done to thinking strategically, influencing decisions and helping the whole business prepare for what comes next. Episode highlights Why technical finance expertise is only the foundation of CFO leadershipThe difference between managing finance and leading a businessWhy hard work can sometimes disguise a lack of strategic thinkingHow your performance is judged differently at leadership levelThe importance of commercial curiosity, judgement and relationshipsQuestions that help you start thinking like a CFO before you have the title Sign up to our next workshop on the website. Subscribe to our YouTube channel

  • 1 Trailer
    4 Episodes

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About

Becoming a Start-Up CFO, hosted by Alysha Randall, is a practical and honest podcast for aspiring CFOs, new finance leaders and experienced professionals navigating the fast-moving world of start-ups and scale-ups. Drawing on more than fifteen years of experience across businesses including LoveFilm, Funding Circle and her own work supporting founders and finance leaders, Alysha explores what it really takes to move beyond the numbers and become a trusted strategic partner. From leadership, confidence and commercial thinking to cash management, fundraising, boards, investors and building a high-performing finance team, each episode shares real experiences and practical insight to help finance professionals grow into the CFO role with greater clarity and confidence.

Information

  • Creator
    Alysha Randall
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Alysha Randall
  • Show Website
    Becoming A Startup CFO