The CFO Show

Vena
  • 4.9 (18)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

With today's increasingly challenging business conditions, finance leaders are taking on more responsibilities and facing more change than ever.    Join Vena’s CFO Melissa Howatson for The CFO Show, a biweekly podcast featuring interviews with forward-thinking finance and business leaders.  Get timely commentary on today’s biggest issues in business, hear from finance leaders on how their work is transforming their organizations and get practical advice for ushering your finance team into the future.    The CFO Show isn’t just a podcast; it’s your forecast for the future of finance. thecfoshowpodcast.com

  1. Business Agility in Finance: How CFOs Can Thrive in Volatility and Uncertainty

    2D AGO

    Business Agility in Finance: How CFOs Can Thrive in Volatility and Uncertainty

    Business agility has become a defining capability for organizations operating in today’s environment of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). But while many companies focus on operational flexibility or technology investments, fewer understand the critical role finance plays in enabling true agility across the business. In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Mitch Max, founder of BetterVu and Executive in Residence for the Association of Financial Professionals, about what separates organizations that survive from those that thrive during disruption. Drawing on research and decades of experience in enterprise performance management, Mitch shares how agility is less about tools and more about culture, decision-making, and embedded finance leadership. Together, they explore: The difference between finance agility and true business agilityWhy only a small percentage of companies outperform during volatilityThe “sense, decide, act” model for faster, more effective decision-makingHow finance teams act as early warning systems and strategic partnersThe role of EPM systems in enabling real-time planning and collaborationHow to manage data overload and focus on actionable insightsWhere AI is delivering value today, from automation to advanced analytics Whether navigating economic uncertainty, implementing new planning systems, or redefining the role of finance, this conversation offers practical guidance for CFOs and finance leaders looking to build more agile, resilient organizations.

    27 min
  2. ERP Transformation Strategy: How CFOs Avoid Failure, Hidden Costs and Legacy Risk

    MAR 5

    ERP Transformation Strategy: How CFOs Avoid Failure, Hidden Costs and Legacy Risk

    One of the most consequential decisions a CFO will make is selecting and implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform. Yet beyond vendor comparisons and licensing costs lie hidden risks—customization overruns, stalled implementations, legacy system constraints, and organizational change fatigue. In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Harpal Mattu, FCMA, Managing Director at Agilyx Group, about what truly determines ERP success or failure. Drawing on decades of experience guiding global ERP transformations, Harpal shares practical lessons from both high-performing implementations and recovery projects where things went wrong. Together, they discuss: The true total cost of ERP ownership beyond implementation feesWhy excessive customization creates “Frankenstack” environmentsWhen to adapt your processes versus customizing the systemHow to structure ERP programs to reduce risk and avoid burnoutPhasing vs. “big bang” go-lives—and what CFOs must protectWhy change management must begin before system selectionThe evolution of ERP from system of record to system of reasoning Whether you’re modernizing a legacy ERP, evaluating new platforms, or leading a finance transformation initiative, this conversation offers a strategic lens for navigating ERP decisions with confidence and discipline.

    31 min
  3. Managing Costs, Complexity, and Change in Healthcare Finance

    JAN 13

    Managing Costs, Complexity, and Change in Healthcare Finance

    Healthcare finance leaders are operating under unprecedented pressure. Rising costs, staffing shortages, payer complexity, and constant uncertainty.  Matthew Ennen, Senior Vice President of Finance and Business Development at Ensemble Health Partners, shares how finance leaders can navigate volatility while staying anchored to their mission, their people and long-term resilience.  Drawing on more than 20 years of experience across healthcare and consumer industries, Matthew explains why finance skills are highly transferable, how analytics and scenario planning enable proactive decision-making, and why transparency, empathy and communication are now essential leadership requirements.  From balancing cost containment with innovation to keeping teams motivated through periods of transformation, Matthew offers practical insights for finance leaders in any industry facing rapid change.  Discussed in This Episode:   Leading finance teams through uncertainty and transformation Why finance skills transfer across industries Balancing cost control with innovation in mission-driven organizations Using analytics to move from reactive to proactive decision-making The role of transparency, empathy and communication in leadership For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

    21 min
  4. The Hallmarks of a Modern, Mature Finance Team

    12/30/2025

    The Hallmarks of a Modern, Mature Finance Team

    What separates good finance teams from great ones? In this special episode, host Melissa Howatson brings together insights from more than 20 finance leaders to answer one deceptively simple question:  What is the hallmark of a mature finance team?  Across industries and company sizes, their perspectives reveal a shared truth: modern finance teams don’t just report on the business; they help shape where it’s going.  From strategic storytelling to cross-functional partnership, from data clarity to embracing AI as an amplifier for decision-making, this episode uncovers the practices that define today’s most effective finance organizations.  Discussed in This Episode:  Why mature finance teams guide rather than control the business How partnership and communication earn finance a seat at the table The importance of ownership, consistency and predictable processes Why data culture matters more than “perfect” data How AI frees teams to spend more time on storytelling and strategy Why transformation is never one big moment, but an ongoing mindset  Guests in Order of Appearance:  John Hagerty, Distinguished Analyst, Dresner Advisory Services  Sandra Clarke, Former EVP & COO, Blue Shield of California Tom Panther, CFO, National Christian Foundation (Formerly of Corpay) Amy Ward, CFO, Blue River PetCare  Hugh Cumming, Chief Technology Officer, Vena  Kaz Takemura, Managing Director, FP&A Technology Services, ModelCom Inc.  Aaqil Kassamali, Procurement Director, Vena  Rajat Bahri, CFO, Icertis  Scott Engler, CEO, Sync Executive Partners Anisha Sood, Chief Financial & Strategy Officer, First Choice Health  Darren R. Campbell, EY Americas Tax Technology and Transformation Leader Matthew Ennen, SVP, Finance and Business Development, Ensemble Health Partners Tom Seegmiller, CFO, Texada Software  Janelle Gorman, CFO, York IE  Troy Anderson, CFO, Kelly  Dave Helmer, EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader Craig Schiff, CEO, BPM Partners  Igor Stelea, Former Director, CFGI Brandon Sharp, Chief Information Officer, Brookfield Residential  Nick McKeehan, Managing Director, CFO Solutions, Protiviti  Charlie X.W. Liu, Chief Happiness Officer, MCC Peter Emerling, Director, Digital Transformation Practice, Citrin Cooperman For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

    14 min
  5. Beyond the Close: How Financial Consolidation Creates Strategic Advantage

    12/16/2025

    Beyond the Close: How Financial Consolidation Creates Strategic Advantage

    Financial consolidation has long been treated as a “back-office necessity,” but in today’s complex, data-dense businesses, it’s becoming a strategic engine.  Craig Schiff, Founder and CEO of BPM Partners joins Melissa to unpack the evolution of consolidation, why it’s resurging in importance, and how AI is reshaping both FP&A and controllership.  Craig shares what companies are getting wrong, why consolidation and planning belong together and the trends he’s seeing as organizations move from legacy systems, Excel-heavy processes and fragmented tools toward unified performance management.  He also explains the critical connection between actuals, planning accuracy and strategic speed, and why more CFOs now lead with consolidation at the center of their data strategy.   Discussed in This Episode:   Critical features of modern financial close and consolidation software Building a unified finance tech stack AI in performance management: What CFOs need to know The future of close and consolidation For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

    28 min
  6. The FP&A Trifecta: How Finance, Data and Systems Drive Strategic Growth

    12/02/2025

    The FP&A Trifecta: How Finance, Data and Systems Drive Strategic Growth

    Finance doesn’t need to chase a mythical “best-in-class” model; success comes from mastering the fundamentals.  In this episode of The CFO Show, Charlie X.W. Liu, Founder and Chief Happiness Officer of MCC, joins Melissa Howatson to unpack the FP&A Trifecta: finance, data and systems and how getting these right transforms finance teams from spreadsheet operators into strategic partners.   Charlie shares lessons from 15+ years advising startups and Fortune 500s on optimizing EPM systems, improving data quality and building finance functions that scale with the business. He also explores how AI is changing finance roles, helping professionals shift from cost controllers to storytellers who drive business growth.  Discussed in This Episode:   The three pillars of modern FP&A: finance, data and systems Why clean data isn’t the goal, useful data is How to avoid common EPM implementation pitfalls Why finance leaders must become “story sellers,” not just storytellers How AI is reshaping skills and structure in the finance team For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

    35 min
  7. What 35 Years in Finance Taught Kelly’s CFO About Change

    11/18/2025

    What 35 Years in Finance Taught Kelly’s CFO About Change

    Career growth isn’t always a straight line, and sometimes the biggest leaps come from taking a step sideways.     Troy Anderson, Chief Financial Officer at Kelly, shares the defining moments, pivotal decisions, and leadership lessons from his 35-year career spanning industries from telecom to education to talent solutions.     He reflects on leading major turnarounds and public company transformations, navigating mergers and acquisitions, and building finance teams that act as trusted business partners. Troy also discusses how to communicate through change, the importance of listening before leading, and how AI is reshaping the role of today’s CFO.     Discussed in This Episode:   The career pivots that shaped Troy’s path to CFO  How to lead transformation with conviction and clear communication  The power of listening and empathy in leadership  Balancing strategy with detail in a modern finance role  Preparing finance teams for AI and the next era of transformation For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

    32 min
  8. How AI Is Reinventing Enterprise Finance

    11/04/2025

    How AI Is Reinventing Enterprise Finance

    AI promises efficiency, automation, and smarter decision-making, but for large enterprises, the journey is far more complex than simply adopting the latest tool.  In this episode of The CFO Show, Rajat Bahri, CFO of Icertis, joins host Melissa Howatson to explore how enterprise finance teams can harness AI to drive transformation.  With experience leading finance at global organizations, Rajat shares insights on how CFOs can balance innovation with governance, turn AI into actionable insights and lead change across complex data and system landscapes.  He also delves into how trust, data accuracy and integration are shaping the next chapter of enterprise finance, and why CFOs must lead from the top to unlock AI’s full potential.  Discussed in This Episode:  How enterprise finance can leverage AI for smarter, faster decision-making The difference between AI adoption in startups and large organizations Overcoming legacy systems and data fragmentation challenges Building trust, accuracy and responsible AI practices How CFOs can upskill teams and set the tone from the top For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

    24 min
See All (89)

4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

With today's increasingly challenging business conditions, finance leaders are taking on more responsibilities and facing more change than ever.    Join Vena’s CFO Melissa Howatson for The CFO Show, a biweekly podcast featuring interviews with forward-thinking finance and business leaders.  Get timely commentary on today’s biggest issues in business, hear from finance leaders on how their work is transforming their organizations and get practical advice for ushering your finance team into the future.    The CFO Show isn’t just a podcast; it’s your forecast for the future of finance. thecfoshowpodcast.com

Information

  • Creator
    Vena
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The CFO Show

You Might Also Like