The Better Finance Podcast

EY
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The Better Finance Podcast

The EY Better Finance Podcast explores the changing dynamics of the business world and what it means for finance leaders of today and tomorrow. Hosted by EY’s Myles Corson, this series offers insights from leaders on key topics affecting the world of corporate finance.

  1. How trust, technology and AI are shaping the role of future CFOs

    FEB 25

    How trust, technology and AI are shaping the role of future CFOs

    In this episode of The Better Finance podcast, host Myles Corson welcomes Aaron Levine, CFO of Prophix, to discuss the evolving role of CFOs in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. As organizations face ongoing digital disruption, driven by new technologies and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in finance, Aaron shares strategies to help CFOs navigate these challenges and deliver value. Aaron emphasizes the importance of utilizing technology and innovation to enhance financial processes and decision-making. He explains how CFOs can harness data and AI to create a single source of truth that delivers better insights, informing improved decision-making and streamlined operations. Additionally, Aaron also highlights the need for effective communication and building trust across the C-suite, as transparency and collaboration are vital for building a positive organizational culture. Throughout the conversation, Aaron draws on his extensive experience in finance and accounting, providing practical advice for aspiring and current CFOs. He explores the significance of continuous learning and professional development in attracting and retaining the best talent in finance. Listen to the episode and discover actionable insights that can shape your approach to finance leadership. © 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

    25 min
  2. Why effective cash management can be crucial for business success

    JAN 28

    Why effective cash management can be crucial for business success

    In this episode of The EY Better Finance Podcast, host Myles Corson explores cash management with Peter Kingma, EY-Parthenon Americas Working Capital Consulting Services Leader. Myles Corson interviews Peter Kingma, the EY-Parthenon Americas Working Capital Consulting Leader, to discuss the critical yet often overlooked aspect of cash management in business. Peter, drawing on his 15 years of experience at the EY organization and his recent book Cash is King, calls out the need for businesses to focus on cash flow, along with revenue and profitability. He argues that companies should prioritize all three metrics. During the conversation, Peter introduces the concept of a "cash leadership office" — an idea that instills a culture of placing cash management on an equal footing with other financial metrics. He believes that this concept is essential for finance leaders to unlock the potential for value creation and can help overcome a lack of visibility for informed decision-making. He also cites the findings of a proprietary EY resiliency index — How to drive operational resilience — highlighting the connection between adept cash management and the capacity of an enterprise to be resilient to market and economic instability. Peter recommends businesses to start improving liquidity by focusing on procurement processes, enhancing billing and collections, as well as optimizing supply chain management. He also stresses the importance of leveraging existing technology before jumping too quickly onto the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon — advocating a back-to-basics approach that maximizes current investments. © 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

    26 min
  3. How Microsoft's approach to AI could shape the future of finance

    12/03/2024

    How Microsoft's approach to AI could shape the future of finance

    In this episode of The EY Better Finance podcast, Cory Hrncirik discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing finance at Microsoft. Join host Myles Corson as he welcomes Cory Hrncirik, Modern Finance Lead at Microsoft, to discuss the transformation of Microsoft's finance function through the strategic application of artificial intelligence (AI). This episode of The EY Better Finance podcast delves into how AI is modernizing finance processes, enhancing forecasting accuracy and streamlining risk management. The conversation highlights Microsoft's journey toward innovation within its finance department, marked by the rapid adoption of Microsoft Copilot. Cory Hrncirik outlines the critical role of high-quality, structured and pre-indexed data as the cornerstone for successful AI implementation and the continuous evolution of data management practices at Microsoft. Moreover, the episode sheds light on the importance of a collaborative culture and systems thinking in achieving corporate objectives. It details Microsoft's strategic efforts to empower finance professionals as citizen developers, enabling them to leverage low code, no code tools, or partner with IT and engineering to  catalyze the finance function's transformation. Insightful and forward-looking, this episode provides a glimpse into how Microsoft's strategic approach to integrating finance and technology is securing its position in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

    38 min
  4. How robotics and AI can transform finance in academia

    11/07/2024

    How robotics and AI can transform finance in academia

    In this episode of The EY Better Finance Podcast, Wayne Andrews, CFO at The University of Sydney, discusses how integrating GenAI and robotics can drive transformation and enhance finance's value. Wayne Andrews, the Chief Financial Officer at The University of Sydney, shares his journey with host Myles Corson of revolutionizing the university's finance function. He navigates through the challenges of modernizing outdated systems and transforming the finance function from a purely transactional role into a key strategic partner. Wayne highlights the pivotal role of embracing innovative technologies, spotlighting the establishment of a robotics and generative AI (GenAI) center of excellence. This initiative has significantly improved service delivery and achieved remarkable cost savings. By cultivating a culture of innovation and openness to unconventional solutions, Wayne and his team have not only boosted operational efficiency but also fundamentally changed how the finance function is perceived within the academic community. This transformation has been important in elevating the finance function's strategic impact on the university's overall success. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

    28 min
  5. How CFOs are mastering change in the face of new challenges

    10/22/2024

    How CFOs are mastering change in the face of new challenges

    In The EY Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson hosts Jenna Fisher and Jim Lawson, co-leaders of the Global Financial Officers practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. The duo share their extensive backgrounds in finance and recruitment, setting the stage for a deep dive into the transformative role of the modern CFO. The conversation highlights the expanded scope of CFO responsibilities, from traditional fiduciary duties to strategic capital allocation and growth facilitation. Jim notes the shift towards strategy due to changing economic conditions, while Jenna points out the CFO's growing role in potentially succeeding to CEO positions, given the decline of the COO role. They also examine the importance of developing finance talent in light of automation and specialization within finance functions. The role of technology, particularly AI, was discussed as a tool for optimizing operations and preparing for future leadership roles. They emphasize the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in building effective finance teams and the positive impact of diverse perspectives on performance. Looking forward, they speculated on the future of the CFO role, suggesting that talent may increasingly come from private equity and investment banking sectors. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

    40 min
  6. How serial acquirers can drive value and confidence

    09/16/2024

    How serial acquirers can drive value and confidence

    Myles Corson hosts Hai Tran, Senior Vice President of MasterCard, and Lukas Hoebarth, Partner at EY, to discuss the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the face of economic uncertainty. The conversation centers on the important requirement for executive alignment and the strategic deployment of innovative technologies to navigate the complexities of executing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions.   Hai Tran emphasizes the importance of establishing clear integration priorities and the consequences of misalignment, which can lead to lost  value. Lukas Hoebarth provides insights into the recent trends in private debt funding and the rise in M&A activity, suggesting a cautious yet opportunistic approach to investment given the macroeconomic volatility. The episode also touches on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors, the evolving roles within corporate development functions, and the significance of ESG considerations in today's regulatory environment. The guests conclude by discussing the key performance indicators (KPIs) for M&A success and the necessity of a robust talent pool and strategic acumen in the field.

    23 min
  7. How board members can manage risk and complexity to drive success

    08/14/2024

    How board members can manage risk and complexity to drive success

    This episode of The Better Finance podcast explores the board member’s role in risk management and company structure, and the impact of AI and technology on organizational challenges. Host Myles Corson speaks with Jan Babiak, an independent board member and audit committee chair with extensive experience across various sectors and countries. The discussion begins with Babiak's recognition as one of the top 20 value-adding directors in the US. Her career journey is then explored, from her early days at the EY organization to becoming a seasoned board member. Jan has experience in areas, such as IT security, cybersecurity, regulatory and public policy, and climate change and sustainability. Jan emphasizes the importance of boards managing not just routine business risk strategies, but also being prepared for unexpected events and future challenges. She highlights the differences in risk management responsibilities and resources between public and private companies, noting that private companies may not have the same infrastructure and may need to be more agile in their approach. The conversation also touches on the influence of organizational structures on risk management, the impact of founder culture on private companies, and the challenges of balancing growth opportunities with risk mitigation. Jan shares her insights on the evolving risks associated with technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), and the need for businesses to be aware of the potential misuse of such technologies. Myles and Jan discuss the similarities and differences in board membership across various countries, with Jan noting that while the day-to-day work is largely similar, governance models and regulations can differ significantly. She also offers advice to aspiring board members, stressing the need for intentionality, breadth of experience and openness to serving on different types of boards. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

    32 min
  8. How CFOs can harness the transformative power of AI in finance

    06/19/2024

    How CFOs can harness the transformative power of AI in finance

    In this episode, we delve into the transformative role of the CFO in the rapidly evolving landscape of finance, shaped by the advent of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Glenn Hopper shares his insights on how the traditional responsibilities of CFOs are expanding beyond mere financial reporting to encompass strategic guidance and predictive analytics. The episode provides an understanding of how CFOs can become pivotal change agents within their organizations. It discusses the importance of embracing technology and AI to not only enhance forecasting and metrics reporting, but also to drive informed decision-making processes. The episode also explores the value of leveraging data from a variety of sources, beyond financial data, to gain a competitive edge. The episode also explores the reasons for CFOs to conduct thorough reviews of business processes across all departments and explains how identifying inefficiencies and optimizing data flows can help to improve an organization's overall performance. Plus, it offers some insights into the potential opportunities and limitations of AI in financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Finally, the episode addresses the strategic leadership skills required by CFOs in this age of digital transformation. Glenn shares insights on the need for CFOs to understand data science principles and responsibly leverage AI tools to enhance organizational efficiency. © 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

    34 min
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    4.8
    out of 5
    55 Ratings

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    The EY Better Finance Podcast explores the changing dynamics of the business world and what it means for finance leaders of today and tomorrow. Hosted by EY’s Myles Corson, this series offers insights from leaders on key topics affecting the world of corporate finance.

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