FEI Podcast

Dana Bober on Strategy, AI, and Leading Finance Transformation

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

In this FEI Podcast Icons episode, Dana Bober, retired EY partner and C-suite advisor, discusses how financial leaders can bridge the gap between strategy and execution, lead through influence, and adapt to the rapid rise of AI. Drawing on decades of global experience, she explores the importance of listening, stakeholder alignment, and building future-ready finance teams.

This episode is part of FEI’s Icons series and supports the virtual replay of the ICONS: Leaders in Finance event on April 22, 2026. Learn more and register here:
https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026-virtual

Special Guest: Dana Bober.

How 3M’s Corporate Controller Leads Finance at Hyperspeed

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, Teri Reinseth, Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer at 3M discusses how financial leaders can keep pace with rapid change by simplifying processes, strengthening cross-functional alignment, and enabling finance teams to move faster without sacrificing accuracy or compliance.

She also shares insights on preparing finance organizations for AI, building influence across the business, and developing the next generation of financial leadership.

This episode is part of FEI’s special series featuring speakers from the upcoming ICONS: Leaders in Finance event on March 25, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

Special Guest: Teri Reinseth.

Leadership Lessons from Microsoft CAO Alice Jolla

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400

In this special edition of the FEI Podcast leading up to Financial Executives International’s ICONS: Leaders in Finance event, Heather Cole interviews Alice Jolla, Chief Accounting Officer at Microsoft and Board Director at Rockwell Automation.

Jolla reflects on her journey from counting cash for her father’s businesses as a child to leading finance at one of the world’s largest technology companies. Along the way, she shares lessons on saying yes to opportunities before you feel ready, understanding your professional value, scaling leadership through others, and building relationships that support long-term career success.

This conversation offers actionable insights for today’s financial leaders navigating complex organizations and evolving leadership responsibilities.

Special Guest: Alice Jolla.

Catherine Hoovel: AI, Empathetic Leadership, and Designing a Purpose-Driven Next Chapter

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, Heather Cole interviews Catherine Hoovel, former SVP, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller of McDonald’s Corporation. Hoovel shares insights from her nearly 30-year career, including how articulating long-term aspirations reshaped her leadership trajectory, why AI is redefining entry-level finance roles, and how financial leaders must rethink talent development in an automated world. She also provides a practical framework for retirement and transition planning – centered on continued growth, meaningful work, and paying it forward.

This episode is part of FEI’s special Icons series promoting the 2026 ICONS: Leaders in Finance event on March 25, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, CA. Learn more and register here:
https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026

Special Guest: Catherine Hoovel.

From Grit to Leadership: Muneera Carr on Range, Results, and the Future of Finance

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

In this special edition of the FEI Podcast, Heather Cole interviews Muneera Carr, Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller of Wells Fargo & Co. Carr shares her journey from minimum wage jobs to senior-level financial leadership, emphasizing performance, advocacy, and building career “range.” She also offers insights into the future of finance, the integration of accounting and finance disciplines, and how AI should be treated as an enabler supported by strong operating models.

This episode is part of a special FEI Podcast ICONS series featuring past speakers from FEI’s ICONS: Leaders in Finance event, designed to spotlight the leadership lessons and real-world strategies shaping today’s finance profession.

Learn more about FEI's 2026 ICONS: Leaders in Finance at: https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026

Special Guest: Muneera Carr.

From Street Vendor to CFO: The Resilience Playbook Every Financial Leader Needs

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:15:00 -0500

What does it take to become an Icon in finance?

In this compelling episode, Heather Cole, Executive Coach and Business Analytics Advisor at Lodestar Solutions, interviews Judy Wright, CFO of BTM Global Consulting, LLC, FEI Board Member, and incoming 2026 President of FEI Twin Cities.

Judy’s journey is anything but conventional. Early in her career, she quit her job to test her resilience—borrowing inventory from her father and becoming a street vendor in China. Carrying merchandise by bus, negotiating for market space, and building a wholesale network from scratch, she proved to herself that she could survive—and thrive—under pressure.

Today, she brings that same entrepreneurial instinct and composure to the CFO role at a global IT consulting firm.

In this episode, Judy shares:

Why being an “Icon” means paying it forward and mentoring the next generation of financial leaders
The real ROI of networking—and why waiting until you need a job is too late
Why finance professionals must develop emotional intelligence to lead effectively
How to stay calm when everyone else is panicking (“If finance loses its cool, everyone does.”)
The foundational skills future finance professionals must build in an AI-driven world
The power of slowing down, finding purpose, and leading with intention

Judy speaks openly about mentorship, faith, service, and the importance of personal development beyond the day job. Her message is clear: careers are built not just on technical skill, but on resilience, relationships, and the courage to lead with heart.

This conversation is a must-listen for financial leaders who want to elevate their impact—professionally and personally.

Special Guest: Judy Wright.

Episode 175: Don’t Ask, Don’t Get: Patti Humble on Career Courage, Strategy, and Rewiring What’s Next

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:00:00 -0500

This episode is the second in a special FEI Podcast series spotlighting past speakers from Financial Executives International’s ICONS: Leaders in Finance event – designed to build momentum toward ICONS 2026.

Heather Cole, Executive Coach and Business Analytics Advisor at Lodestar Solutions, Inc., interviews Patti Humble, former Chief Accounting Officer at UPS, Institute of Management Accountants board member, and Golden Seeds investor.

Patti reframes careers as “jungle gyms, not ladders,” sharing the pivotal moment when she walked into her leader’s office and asked for a promotion—only to learn she wasn’t even being considered. That courageous ask set off a chain reaction that ultimately led her to the C-suite.

Together, Heather and Patti explore:

Why “don’t ask, don’t get” is a leadership strategy, not a slogan

How finance leaders earn influence by shifting from black-and-white answers to business-shaping questions

What real transformation leadership requires: hearts, minds, and momentum—not just project plans

The power of building an external network to accelerate decisions and reduce friction

Patti’s next chapter as a board-ready leader and angel investor supporting women-led startups through Golden Seeds

If you’ve ever assumed that hard work alone would get you noticed, this conversation offers a better playbook—because excellence is impressive, but advocacy is what changes your zip code.

Learn more about FEI's 2026 ICONS: Leaders in Finance at: https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026

Special Guest: Patti Humble.

From Center Stage to the Front Lines: CFO Leadership on a Life-Saving Mission

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0500

Nobody becomes an icon by staying comfortable.

In this special ICONS: Leaders in Finance edition of the FEI Podcast, Heather Cole – Executive Coach and Business Analytics Advisor at Lodestar Solutions – interviews Amber Kinney, Chief Financial Officer of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Amber’s career path is anything but traditional. From a background in the performing arts to executive leadership in nonprofit organizations with life-saving missions — including Mothers Against Drunk Driving — Amber shares how conscious career choices, grit, and faith shaped her leadership journey.

In this conversation, Amber and Heather dive into:

Taking bold career leaps even when you feel “in over your head”
Reframing imposter syndrome as a growth signal
The power of networking, mentoring, and asking for help
Leading with purpose in nonprofit and healthcare organizations
Silencing negative voices and protecting your confidence
The importance of balance, self-care, and resilience in high-impact roles

This episode kicks off a series spotlighting past speakers from Financial Executives International’s ICONS: Leaders in Finance event, designed to inspire finance leaders and build momentum toward ICONS 2026, taking place on March 25, 2026 at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA and virtually on April 22, 2026.

Learn more at www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026.

Special Guest: Amber Kinney.

The State of B2B Payments: How Finance Leaders Are Driving Digital Transformation

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0400

Nearly half of all companies say their B2B payment processes need major improvement. Over 70% still rely on manual AP workflows, and nearly 60% of suppliers cite high acceptance costs as a top concern.

In this episode, based on a recent webinar hosted by Boost Payment Solutions and Financial Executives International (FEI), we explore the current state of B2B payments and the strategic shift toward automation and digitization. Hear directly from Boost executives as they share data-backed insights, lessons learned, and proven strategies to help finance leaders modernize their payment processes.

Topics Covered:

Common inefficiencies in AP and AR workflows
Using automation to enhance operations and relationships
Leveraging commercial cards for strategic advantage
Advancing payment maturity in a digital-first economy

Speakers

Seth Goodman, Chief Revenue Officer, Boost Payment Solutions
Zach Held, Chief Product Officer, Boost Payment Solutions

Special Guests: Seth Goodman and Zach Held.

Unlocking Strategic Advantage: The Transformative Power of Outsourcing Finance Functions

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the FEI Podcast, we explore key insights from a recent webinar hosted by the Financial Education & Research Foundation (FERF) and CohnReznick, focused on Financial and Accounting Outsourcing in the Age of AI. Based on new research, this conversation highlights how finance leaders are using outsourcing to overcome resource constraints, drive strategic priorities, and adapt to a rapidly changing business environment.

We’ll examine how outsourcing practices are evolving, what finance professionals expect for the future, and how technology, especially AI, is reshaping best-in-class approaches to working with providers.

Whether you're a CFO, finance executive, or strategic decision-maker, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to evaluate and evolve your outsourcing strategy for maximum impact.

Key Takeaways:

Strategic Value & Talent Resourcing: How CFOs are refocusing internal teams on high-value initiatives and accessing specialized expertise.
Technology & Innovation: The role of AI and machine learning in improving data processing, accuracy, and decision-making.
Risk Management & Compliance: How outsourcing enhances regulatory compliance and risk mitigation.
Market Trends & Insights: Fresh data on outsourcing adoption, emerging technologies, and future expectations.

Speakers:

Michelle Voyer, MBA – Director, Client Advisory Services, CohnReznick Advisory LLC
Kane Polakoff – Partner, Practice Leader, Client Advisory Services (CAS), CohnReznick Advisory LLC

Special Guests: Kane Polakoff and Michelle Voyer.

From Forecasts to Finance Bots: EY’s Sam Peterson on the AI-Powered Future of Accounting

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:15:00 -0400

In this episode of the FEI Podcast, Sam Peterson, EY’s Global Innovation Leader for Financial Accounting Advisory Services, explores the transformative impact of generative AI on the finance function. From the evolution of AI since its breakout moment to real-world use cases in FP&A, treasury, and financial reporting, Sam shares insights on how finance leaders can harness AI to drive efficiency, accuracy, and strategic value. The conversation also dives into emerging trends like agentic AI and reasoning models, and how professionals can prepare their teams for the future of work.

Special Guest: Sam Peterson.

AI Agents in Action: Real-World Applications and Top Misconceptions Debunked

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 28 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

In this deep-dive conversation, Isaac Heller (CEO, Trullion) and Shlomo Agishtein (Director of AI, Trullion) share how AI is reshaping the future of finance and accounting. From their origin stories to the development of Trulli, Trullion’s domain-specific AI, they break down what AI agents can really do, and what’s just hype.

You’ll learn:

How Trullion evolved AI specifically for accounting workflows
What separates Trulli from generic large language models
Real-world use cases of AI agents in daily financial operations
The future of AI in audit, compliance, and reporting
Why accountants will lead, not lose, in an AI-driven industry

This episode offers finance professionals a clear-eyed look at what AI means for your role today and where it's heading next.

Lease Accounting in Transition

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 06 May 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Matt Waters unpacks the key insights from the 2025 Lease Accounting Outlook report, offering expert predictions on the future of compliance, technology, and regulatory change. Listen to Matt's podcast The Lease Report.

Special Guest: Matt Waters.

Turn the CSRD delay into a strategic business win. Learn what steps you need to take

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we’re diving into the fast-changing world of global ESG reporting and regulation. FERF’s Managing Director of research, Dillon Papenfuss, sits down with Kevin O’Connell, PwC Sustainability Assurance Services Leader, to break down the latest EU sustainability proposals—including the two-year delay to CSRD reporting—and what it all means for U.S. companies with overseas operations. From long-term strategic planning and technological transformation to data-driven insights and AI integration, this discussion provides finance leaders with practical steps to navigate the complexities of global ESG requirements and achieve business success.

Additional PwC resources:

Sustainability News Brief

The CFO’s sustainability playbook for driving growth

Don’t wait for the Omnibus proposals approval to start preparing for CSDDD

European Commission publishes ‘Omnibus’ proposals

⁠PwC's Sustainability reporting guide (Register for free access)

Special Guest: Kevin O'Connell.

Sponsored By:

Avoiding the Trap of AI Washing

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

This episode explores key considerations for AI-related SEC disclosures, including how companies can avoid regulatory pitfalls, tailor risk disclosures to their specific AI applications, and enhance board oversight of AI adoption.

Special Guests: Ryan Adams and Scott Lesmes.

XBRL is Dead

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Discover why finance professionals have been disappointed by generative AI in the past, how they are leveraging unstructured data today, why this landscape is shifting, and how to capitalize on a new paradigm.

Special Guest: Kris Bennatti.

CPAs, licensing, and the cost-benefit of the 150-Hour Rule with Dr. Edward Timmons of West Virginia University

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Over the past several years, the debate around the 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure has centered on the need to streamline the accounting talent pipeline. But behind that discussion lies a broader, more ideological narrative—one that has been building over the past two decades—about the role of occupational licensing in general, and the CPA license in particular.

In this episode of the FEI Weekly Podcast, we speak with Dr. Edward Timmons, Associate Professor of Economics and Founding Director of the Knee Regulatory Research Center at West Virginia University. As you’ll hear, Dr. Timmons offers a unique perspective on the CPA licensure debate and breaks down the costs, consequences, and possible alternatives to the 150-hour rule—along with what reforms could mean for the future of accounting talent.

Special Guest: Dr. Edward Timmons.

Sponsored By:

Trullion

Trade, trust and battling fraud with Allianz Trade America’s James Daly

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

With trade and tariffs top of mind for many corporations, we thought it was the perfect time to get insight from a professional who’s spent more than two decades in the field.

In this episode of the FEI Weekly Podcast, we speak with James Daly, the outgoing CEO of Allianz Trade Americas, a leader in trade credit insurance.

Daly, who is retiring after a 22-year tenure with the company, shares the key lessons he’s learned in the global trade arena—and how financial leaders can prepare for the uncertainty ahead.

Special Guest: James Daly.

AI in finance: making your job easier and more enjoyable

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Ayan Adam. We talk about Microsoft's role in integrating AI into finance and supply chain management, particularly through its Copilot tool. To learn more about impact of AI on financial and accounting governance and on workforce dynamics, register for FEI’s virtual conference AI in Finance and Accounting 2025: Managing Governance, Adapting the Workforce.

Special Guest: Ayan Adam.

Crypto payments and security basics for financial executives, part 2 with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In part one of our conversation with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield, we explored the fast-changing crypto regulatory landscape. Now, in part two of this FEI Weekly Podcast series, we turn to crypto payments—a growing focus for businesses as customers demand alternatives to cash and ACH.
With stablecoins, CBDCs, and blockchain-based payments gaining traction, what should CFOs and finance teams consider? Dr. Morsfield breaks down key challenges, from accounting and tax implications to risk management and compliance.

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Special Guest: Suzanne Morsfield.

Crypto's pick your coin, pick your own accounting adeventure with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Despite their volatility and recent price decline, it’s hard to ignore the role of cryptocurrencies in today’s financial landscape. More importantly, it’s almost impossible to overlook them given the current administration’s focus on establishing a more favorable regulatory, accounting, and market framework—allowing institutional players to enter the sector with confidence.
In this two-part series of the Financial Executive Podcast, we speak with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield, Global Head of Accounting Solutions at Lukka—a financial software and data services provider specializing in the cryptocurrency and digital asset ecosystem—as well as the Head of Policy at Crypto UK.
In this first part of the discussion, we explore the rapid regulatory changes shaping the crypto space and their implications for financial executives tasked with assessing its potential role on their companies’ balance sheets.

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Special Guest: Suzanne Morsfield.

What will be your leadership legacy?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0500

ICONS: Women of Note 2025 speaker Dr. Sarah Skidmore shares insights on the key differences between leadership and management, the importance of intentional time management, and how finance professionals can develop their leadership voice beyond operational oversight.

Special Guest: Dr. Sarah Skidmore.

PCAOB's enforcement past and its unknown future with Cornerstone’s Jean-Philippe Poissant and Russell Molter

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0500

With ongoing changes in Washington, D.C.—including shifts in staffing and resources at some of the largest government agencies—financial executives are particularly focused on the future of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).

However, unlike other agencies, the new administration has yet to reveal any plans for change.

Still, we can take stock of where the PCAOB has been, particularly in terms of audit enforcement actions. Late last month, Cornerstone Research—a consulting firm specializing in economic and financial analysis for complex legal and regulatory matters—released its report on PCAOB enforcement activity in 2024, showing the highest level of enforcement since 2017.

In this episode of the podcast, we speak with Cornerstone’s Jean-Philippe Poissant and Russell Molter about the report and whether past enforcement trends truly reflect a new regulatory and political reality.

Cornerstone's report

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Special Guests: Jean-Philippe Poissant and Russell Molter.

Never let your network go stale with Moody's Caroline Sullivan

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0500

As FEI prepares for its annual ICONS: Women of Note conference next month, the podcast revisits one of its most popular episodes featuring Moody's Caroline Sullivan, who discusses how networking took her career to the next level.

Join ICONS: Women of Note 2025 (Hybrid Event).

Special Guest: Caroline Sullivan.

Sponsored By:

Trullion

AI and tech to drive 2025 agenda with Forvis Mazars

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0500

After a four-year hiatus, this report returns to offer a comprehensive overview of the evolving priorities, challenges, and strategies shaping the global and U.S. finance and accounting landscape for 2025.. This year’s survey data offers a rare opportunity for comparative analysis, linking the last pandemic-era survey conducted at the beginning of 2021 with the realities of today’s post-inflationary and geopolitically complex environment. This comparison sheds light on the significant trends and challenges that financial leaders now face.

Get this year's survey

Special Guests: Anthony Reggiannini, Chris Brown, and Julie Girard.

"Standards must be proportionate to the problem we're trying to solve," with PCAOB's Christina Ho

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the new year, we have Christina Ho, a board member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Board member Ho brings a wealth of experience from her journey across public and private sectors, academia, and even technology consulting.

She shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities in auditing as we head into 2025. From navigating new regulations and technological innovations to addressing talent shortages in the accounting profession, Board member Ho offers a fresh perspective on balancing regulation with practicality and fostering trust in our markets.

Special Guest: Christina Ho.

Unlocking ESG success: The power of peer networking

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Donna Teran-Krouse the crucial role that collaboration and community play in driving effective ESG initiatives.

To learn more, download the "FEI Engage Career Pathway: ESG Controller" report at https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2024/FEI-Engage-Career-Pathway-ESG-Controller.aspx.

Special Guest: Donna Teran-Krouse.

Change is not a "nice to have" in ESG with ServiceNow's Mark Spinner

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

To learn more, download the "FEI Engage Career Pathway: ESG Controller" report at https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2024/FEI-Engage-Career-Pathway-ESG-Controller.aspx.

Special Guest: Mark Spinner.

Episode 155: Understanding the risk and building for the future with CBRE’s Scott Song and S&P’s Theshan Goble

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Sustainability professionals Scott Song of CBRE and Theshan Goble of S&P Global join the FEI Weekly podcast to discuss the evolving ESG controller role, collaborative challenges within the enterprise and the journey toward value-driven sustainability reporting amid regulatory and political shifts.

Get the FEI Engage report on the ESG Controllership role.

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Special Guests: Scott Song and Theshan Goble.

What directors and management are planning for in 2025 with BDO’s Amy Rojik

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0500

What directors want and management needs to offer in 2025 with BDO’s Amy Rojik

Always at the top of mind of all financial executives is to understand what the board of directors are thinking and how to put those thoughts and priorities into action.

A new survey of directors conducted by BDO reveals that those priorities run the gamut from governance around AI to filling the management bench with the best and the brightest.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Amy Rojik of BDO about their new Board Survey and how one the the most important stakeholder groups in corporate America is planning for 2025.

BDO Board Survey

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Special Guest: Amy Rojik.

A new EU disclosure rule that will have a global impact with Latham & Watkins’ Toon Dictus

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Just as US-based multinationals are moving on from the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision around carbon disclosures with at least some measure of certainty, they will now need to turn to Europe and its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

The CSDDD is a proposed European Union (EU) regulation aimed at environmental and human rights issues. The directive obligates large EU companies, as well as non-EU companies operating in the EU, to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for adverse environmental and human rights impacts throughout their supply chains.

In this episode of the podcast week speak with Toon Dictus and associate with the law firm Latham & Watkins in London about the directive and how it could impact U.S companies operating in the EU.

Become a FEI Member.

Special Guest: Toon Dictus.

Supply chains, port strikes and the new near shoring with KPMG’s Mary Rollman

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

The port strike that was successfully avoided, for now, has reminded US companies just how fragile the global supply chain can be. And years after the global pandemic and growing geopolitical tensions, the ways companies source and ship critical goods and material has been changed forever.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Mary Rollman, US Supply Chain Leader at KPMG LLP, about how the threatened US port strike was just one of many risks that has everyone rethinking the future of the global supply chain.

Read the new KPMG report The Proximity Premium

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Special Guest: Mary Rollman.

Private credit and jumping into a dark debt market with Harvard’s Jared Ellias

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Over the past year the private credit market has gained a strong foothold in borrowing, muscling banks out of the syndicated and traditional C&I loan market and even spiriting corporates out of issuing bonds.

Borrower benefits for these fund-driven debt deals are numerous, including faster execution and tailored terms. But while private debt deals aren’t new, their rapid takeover of corporate borrowing brings up a host of risk and long-tail issues for debtors and regulators.

In this episode of the FEI Weekly podcast we speak with Jared Ellias, of Harvard Law school, who discusses his research into private credit and what it means for corporate debt issues now and in the future.

Learn about becoming and FEI member.

Special Guest: Jared Ellias.

ESG Controllership and making something new with Mastercard's Tarynn Zenk

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Financial Executives International was founded nearly a century ago as a community of like-minded professionals focused on developing the role of the financial controller. Today, the profession is going through another accelerated transformation with the development of the ESG controller role that requires new skills and metrics to match against stakeholder demands that are rapidly changing.

The Financial Education and Research Foundation, or FERF, is kicking off a series of conversations with ESG controllers and other thought leaders in the ESG finance space, focusing on how these leaders are adapting to the challenge.

These conversations, along with a survey and other interviews, will ultimately result in a new research study on ESG controllers by FERF.

In this first conversation I spoke with MasterCard's, ESG controller Tarynn Zenk. Tarynn leads the team responsible for reporting integrity over MasterCard's ESG disclosures and KPIs that measure progress towards the organization's ESG goals.

To learn more, download the "FEI Engage Career Pathway: ESG Controller" report at https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2024/FEI-Engage-Career-Pathway-ESG-Controller.aspx.

Special Guest: Tarynn Zenk.

Forecasting the future of AI in financial planning and analysis with QueBit’s Justin Croft

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0400

The role of artificial intelligence in finance is just starting to be understood and, more importantly, how it mixes with other tools like predictive analytics and robotic process automation to build a solid forecast.

In this sponsored episode of FEI Weekly we talk with Justin Croft VP, Cross Solutions Architecture at QueBit, about the promise and practicality of AI in financial planning and analysis.

Special Guest: Justin Croft.

How to think about China, conflict and “fears of the future” with The University of Virginia’s Dale Copeland

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0400

If there’s been a consistent theme of disruption in an era of disruption over the past decade it’s the US relationship in China. Shutdowns, trade battles and now real threats of force are being ratcheted up on both sides.

For financial executives tasked with managing supply chains and forecasting overseas markets, the threat of global conflict puts everything on the balance sheet in doubt.

But there is a broader historical context for today’s China worries that can help put the current conflicts in context and lay out a path to forecasting the future.

In this episode of the FEI Weekly podcast we speak with Dale Copeland, Professor of international relations at the University of Virginia and author of “A World Safe for Commerce”, a new book that reveals how trade and commerce has defined America's foreign policy – and often its military actions – and how contemporary challenges with Russia and China can be thought about in that lens.

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Copeland's "A World Safe for Commerce"

Special Guest: Dale Copeland.

ICONS: We all start in over our heads

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0400

CFO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) talks achievement and passion.

Special Guest: Amber Kinney.

ICONS: Don't hide your mistakes

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 29 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Julie Bell Lindsay, CEO at the Center for Audit Quality, talks about embracing your mistakes instead of hiding them, adapting to change both personally and professionally, and being honest about what we know and don’t know.

Special Guest: Julie Bell Lindsay.

The pipeline won't fix itself

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 22 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Geof Brown, Illinois CPA Society’s president and CEO, discusses the latest CPA Pipeline Report, which investigates why more accounting majors and young professionals are skipping over becoming CPAs.

Special Guest: Geoffrey Brown.

ICONS: The power of positive self-talk

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 15 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

ServiceNow's Danielle Fontaine talks about how to advance your career by recognizing your worth.

Special Guest: Danielle Fontaine.

ICONS: Build your network before you need it

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 08 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Nasdaq's Michelle Daly explores the power of having a strong network, before you need it.

Special Guest: Michelle Daly.

Inspiring change through storytelling

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 01 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

"Show Her the Money" explores the new acceleration of female founded funds looking to level the playing field.

Earth Day 24 and the future of ESG and carbon reporting with Persefoni’s Mike Wallace

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

As an annual celebration of environmental protection, Earth Day means a lot of things to a lot of people. But in the world of finance and accounting, it’s an opportunity to take stock on the progress the industry has made in building sustainability metrics over the past year as well as the implementation and policy challenges facing companies in the next twelve months.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Mike Wallace, Chief Decarbonization Officer at Persefoni about the opportunities and risks the ESG movement faces and how financial executives should navigate those issues until Earth Day 2025.

Episode links:
Persefoni
FERF, Persefoni Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Climate Reporting

Special Guest: Mike Wallace.

ICONS: The gift of flexibility

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Catherine Hoovel, Corporate VP and CAO at McDonald's Corporation shares how important flexible and empowering sponsors are in our careers.

Special Guest: Catherine Hoovel.

Evan Goldberg On 25 Years of NetSuite And Where ERP Heads In The Future

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Over the past quarter century NetSuite has become ubiquitous in enterprise software, especially for small and medium sized businesses building their finance operations on its cloud-based platform.
But software never stops evolving, and new technologies like artificial intelligence are creating more questions than answers when it comes to the next 25 years.
In this week’s episode we sat down with NetSuite Founder and Executive Vice President Evan Goldberg about the lessons he’s learned about managing change and how embracing the small business mindset has kept his company competitive.

Special Guest: Evan Goldberg.

ICONS: Update your dreams as you go

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Nicole Thorne Jenkins, John A. Griffin Dean of the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, talks about navigating transitions and the importance of updating your goals as your career advances.

Special Guest: Nicole Thorne Jenkins.

What’s the future of the ESG finance and accounting career with Acre’s Catherine Harris

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:00:00 -0400

With the announcement of the US Securities and Exchange Commission's final rule on carbon disclosure, financial executives and markets have finally gotten something the continuity craves: certainty.

But with a lot of the post rule discourse built around the SEC’s limiting of ESG disclosure, especially around Scope 3, there is some anticipation that the ESG talent bubble in finance and accounting will begin to burst.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Catherine Harris, director of US sustainable business at executive recruiter Acre Resources, about the prospects for ESG finance and accounting specialists post the SEC rule and how the line between sustainability and traditional financial reporting may be merging.

Special Guest: Catherine Harris.

ICONS: Networking is in my job description

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0400

A replay from FEI's ICONS: Women of Note 2024 event.

Special Guest: Caroline Sullivan.

ESG and the bigger natural capital accounting movement with Carnegie Mellon’s Nicholas Muller

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0400

With the recent decision by the US Securities and Exchange Commission around carbon disclosure, it’s important to look at the larger narrative of applying traditional financial valuation methods to natural systems.

That’s where natural capital accounting comes in. At its heart, natural capital accounting is a series of practices – including carbon disclosure– where environmental resources are measured against economic activity. It’s not anything new, per se, but natural capital accounting is becoming part of the larger dialogue about government and private market policy.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Professor Nicholas Z. Muller, Lester and Judith Lave Professor of Economics, Engineering, and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.

Dr. Muller’s work focuses on the interaction of environment and economic policy including the use of natural capital accounting.

Special Guest: Nicholas Z. Muller.

The skills no one can take from you

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0500

PwC's Kathryn Kaminsky makes an argument for getting your CPA, discusses the value of travel, her work-life-choices, and more.

Special Guest: Kathryn Kaminsky.

Finance and accounting needs tech acceptance and change champions with Gartner’s Mallory Barg Bulman

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0500

With new technologies coming online, it seems almost daily, finance and accounting leaders have been perpetually frustrated by tech’s return on investment and their impact on seemingly intractable issues of financial errors.
But a new report issued by research and consulting firm Gartner says there may be a path for financial leaders to successfully adopt and implement new technologie by focusing internally on the concept of technology acceptance.
In this episode of the podcast we speak with Gartner’s Mallory Barg Bulman about increasing technology acceptance and creating peer-driven “change champions.”

Special Guest: Mallory Barg Bulman.

Faster money, faster problems

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Andrew Davies, global head of regulatory affairs at ComplyAdvantage is a veteran of the financial crime risk management world. We discuss everything from the biggest fraud and AML trends to the role of AI.

Special Guest: Andrew Davies.

The old IPO playbook will not work in the new market with Oracle NetSuite’s Ranga Bodla and Sam Levy

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Anyone that has worked on an IPO knows the amount of preparation, diligence and detail needed for a successful move into the public markets. But a combination of economic headwinds and a spac induced hangover have meant the pipeline cut to a slow drip.

2024 is looking more promising, and that means financial executives tasked with preparing for the transition have already begun planning the work do be done.

In this episode of the FEI Weekly podcast we speak with Oracle NetSuite’s Ranga Bodla and Sam Levy to discuss the outlook for IPOs in 2024 and the tools financial executives will need to be prepared.

Special Guests: Ranga Bodla and Sam Levy.

The longer the accounting shortage continues the worse things will get with the University of Maryland’s Dr. Rebecca Hann

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Whatever the industry thinks of as a possible solution to the declining number of accounting students and professionals, there is near unanimous agreement on the dire consequences of the problem.

Declining financial reporting quality and increased stress on the existing workforce are just two aspects of the fallout.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Dr. Rebecca Hann, Dean’s Professor of Accounting and the KPMG Term Professor at the University of Maryland’s Robert Smith School of Business about her new research on the crisis in the accounting pipeline and how problems, like poor internal controls and accounting accuracy may worsen over time.

Special Guest: Rebecca Hann.

Harnessing the power of conflict

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0500

CFO of Twisted X Jeff Jones explains how "miscommunication resolution" can help you level up (personally and professionally).

The executive’s guide to trustworthiness

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Executive & Board Coach Aimee Long explains what we get wrong about emotional intelligence and the steps we can take on our leadership journeys to improve trustworthiness.

A new brand of ambition

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Ambition doesn't look one way. Nike's Holly Grennan shares how following her passions has led to promotions, not the other way around.

Special Guest: Holly Grennan.

The anatomy of an offer

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

In this final session from the FEI Engage Job Search Bootcamp, Human Resource Consultant Lauren Gainer shares how to break down a job offer and how to negotiate to get the best package possible.

Special Guest: Lauren Gainer.

Interview like a pro

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Maureen Wilner, the founder and CEO of The Wilner Group. In this excerpt from the FEI Engage Job search bootcamp, Maureen shares her best tips for interviewing to put you in the best position for landing the job offer.

Special Guest: Maureen Wilner.

Your resume and LinkedIn profile need work

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Trust us, you’re probably making at least one of these LinkedIn profile and resume mistakes. From the FEI Engage Job Search Bootcamp, listen to personal branding expert Alyssa Gelabrd explain how to improve your resume and online presence.

Special Guest: Alyssa Gelbard.

The encouraging, but not surprising, spread of AI in financial audits with KPMG’s Thomas Mackenzie

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0500

We all know that AI will forever change the finance and accounting landscape, but how quickly is it happening and what are the actual benefits? In this episode, we speak with Thomas McKenzie, KPMG audit, US and global CTO about the speed of AI adoption and the critical areas where preparers need to catch up.

Special Guest: Thomas Mackenzie.

Auditing your holiday meal and accounting for a global food crisis with Dr. Lisa Jack

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0500

As the US settles into its traditional Thanksgiving holiday meal, it should be remembered that a majority of the globe remains in a constant state of food insecurity. According to the USDA, a combination of the lingering effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and risks associated with the ongoing Russian military invasion of Ukraine are fueling the problems.

But developed nations are not immune, with the UK experiencing its crisis as food prices are rising and trade agreements with overseas partners failing.

In this episode we speak with Dr. Lisa Jack, Professor of Accounting in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth. Dr. Jack is one of the few accounting researchers to examine the agri-food industry and the effects of accounting and performance measurement practices on the industry, and on society more widely.

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Special Guest: Lisa Jack.

What California’s new sustainability disclosure laws mean for coming SEC rules with Persefoni’s Kristina Wyatt

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0500

Over the past year the accounting profession has been waiting for the Securities and Exchange Commission to reveal new disclosure rules around sustainability reporting. The rules will have a major impact on how public companies construct and communicate their finance reports.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the new SEC rules: California - the largest US state economy and one of the largest world economies – passed their own sustainability disclosure legislation that throws an even greater amount of complexity around the ESG reporting debate.
In this episode of the podcast we speak Kristina Wyatt Deputy General Counsel and Chief Sustainability Officer for carbon and climate reporting platform Persefoni, about the new rules and how they could enhance or conflict with future SEC proposals.

Special Guest: Kristina Wyatt.

Leveraging automation in the close and taking the mystery out of tech in accounting with FinOptimal’s Jesse Rubenfeld and Tom Zehentner

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Translating new technology into the sometimes slow to change world of accounting and finance takes a fair amount of passion to overcome established practices and generation skepticism. Jesse Rubenfeld and Tom Zehentner of FinOptimal are an example of a new crop of entrepreneurs trying to move the industry in the right direction.
In this episode of the podcast Tom and Jesse discuss their passion for automation, their love hate relationship with Quickbooks and how to have a startup mindset in accounting.
As you will hear, we began the conversation after a few technology missteps of our own.

Special Guests: Jesse Rubenfeld and Tom Zehentner.

Weighing The Cost of Success

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Special Guest: Judy Wright.

How AI will change small finance teams and accounting careers with NetSuite’s Paul Farrell and Tom Kelly

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0400

One of the technical backbones of small and middle market business throughout the US is Oracle’s NetSuite, offering finance and accounting teams a variety of tools that oversees everything from payroll to inventory.
Last week NetSuite announced a new initiative to incorporate artificial intelligence into its products, promising a similar paradigm shift for users that it delivered over a decade ago when the software made the jump to the cloud.
In this episode of the podcast my colleague Boyana Maras interviews NetSuites Tom Kelly and Paul Farrell about the new AI initiative and how small and middle market finance teams are adapting to this rapid technological change.
Just a note, this conversation took place at NetSuite’s user conference and the first interview you will hear will be from Paul Farrell followed by Tom Kelly.

Special Guests: Paul Farrell and Tom Kelly.

Why finance and procurement need to collaborate for success with Fine Tune’s Matthew Smith

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0400

For financial executives, that means getting into the weeds of how money is going out and if procurement operations is getting the most value and efficiency out of their work.
In this sponsored episode of the FEI Weekly podcast we speak with Matthew Smith, CFO and cofounder of Fine Tune, an expense management firm focused on getting the most value out of a company’s procurement operations and indirect services.

Special Guest: Matthew Smith.

Sponsored By:

Fine Tune

Looking past the paycheck

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Tamara Sword is a Certified Public Accountant and ordained minister who works to bridge the worlds of finance and faith. With a passion for making a meaningful impact, she serves as both an employee and consultant, guiding churches, non-profits, and businesses towards success. Become an FEI Engage subscriber today.

Special Guest: Tamara Sword.

AI, SOX and getting control of internal controls with Protiviti's Andrew Struthers-Kennedy

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Andrew Struthers-Kennedy, Protivit’si managing director and global leader of its Internal Audit and Financial Advisory practice, regarding the firms 14th annual Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance Survey and the changes he’s seeing at the intersection of technologies and internal controls.

Learn more about FEI.

Special Guest: Andrew Struthers-Kennedy.

Will hot strike summer heat up the human capital debate? with Harvard’s Ethan Rouen

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Over the past several months tens of thousands of workers– from Hollywood writers and actors, hotel workers, drivers and now auto workers – have organized job actions in an effort to demand higher pay and improved benefits and working conditions. According to reports, more than 300,000 workers walked off their jobs, earning the movement the name “hot strike summer.”

Dr. Rouen is an associate professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. We discuss how the summer of strikes may help further define the current debate around human capital disclosure.

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Special Guest: Ethan Rouen.

Sustainability means new skills for a new generation of professionals with Jeff Hales

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:45:00 -0400

FEI Engage – Financial Executives Internatinonal’s platform for the community of students and early career people in accounting finance – held three discussions during the summer for subscribers that were focused on the skills needed for newly minted professionals.

Today’s podcast is a recording of the first seminar held by FEI Engage’s Olivia Berkman with Jeffrey Hales – Executive Director of the Global Sustainability Leadership Institute at University of Texas at Austin – regarding how finance and accounting skills need to adapt to a world that demands new financial reporting skills.

Special Guest: Jeffrey Hales, PhD.

Tractor Supply’s Kris Bybee on middle-American finance, the explosion in rural lifestyle brands and the happiness of “Chick Days”

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0400

The post pandemic economy has reset the playbook for many financial executives and industries, but one company that seemed to have thrived in the crisis is Nashville-based Tractor Supply Company. With stores throughout the US and a focus on rural America, Tractor Supply has grown by double digits in terms of sales and new customers.

As part of Financial Executive Weekly’s continuing series on finance in middle America, we speak with Kris Bybee, Vice President of Finance at Tractor Supply Company, how they have managed their explosive growth, the challenges of recruiting finance talent outside of coastal cities and what you can learn from America's love of chickens.

Special Guest: Kris Bybee.

We are making some changes

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

What a new finance workforce lacks, leaders need to teach

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0400

How organizations recruit and retain their top talent has never been more of a hot button issue in the finance and accounting industry than it is at this time. Whether it’s the decline in qualified graduates or a no holds barred war for existing talent, how to incentivise and manage your workforce is going through a generational shift that requires pulling many different levers.
But its not just about retention. Today’s leaders also need to hand down the traditional communication and project management skills that today’s specialized education curriculums sometimes lack.
In this sponsored episode of the podcast week speak with Jill Silman Chapman, Director of Early Talent Programs at Insperity, about these issues and how to recruit and retain the next generation of talent.

Lean more

Special Guest: Jill Silman Chapman.

Sponsored By:

Insperity

Can Apprenticeships Fix An Accounting Pipeline That’s Drying Up?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0400

It’s no surprise that the pandemic led companies to reevaluate and adjust their approach to hiring. It also led candidates to reassess their professional preferences and priorities. For Wichita, Kansas-based Koch Industries and its companies, this was an opportunity to disrupt the way they view and hire talent in the tax and accounting fields.

Koch developed an apprenticeship program that aimed to bridge the gap between aptitudes, potential, and opportunity. The goal, according to Koch, was to provide non-traditional candidates an opportunity to pursue a fulfilling career at Koch and its companies, regardless of backgrounds, degrees, or certifications.

On this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast, we sit down with Kristi Palmer, Controller for Koch Industries, as well as two current apprentices, Juliana Pruitt and Miguel Sarratud. During our conversation we learn more about Koch’s apprenticeship program and how company leaders say it enables the company to hire contribution-motivated candidates and address talent issues.

And in an era where accounting and finance is looking to broaden its appeal, Koch says that their apprenticeship path takes a unique approach, focusing on the individual and removing barriers for candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences to pursue a new career path they are passionate about.

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Special Guests: Juliana Pruitt, Kristi Palmer, and Miguel Sarratud.

Accounting fraud and how to model it with Dr. Daniel Beneish

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Accounting fraud and how to model it with Dr. Daniel Beneish
The search for corporate and accounting fraud has become its own form of academic study with researchers and universities trying to determine the common threads that would offer the easiest path to discovering deceit. It is also fueled the sometimes highly profitable investment practice of “shorting” stocks.
One of the most established and well known tools for measuring possible accounting fraud is the Beneish M-score, a model that users say offer the best probabilistic tool for determining financial manipulation.
In this episode of the podcast we speak with the model’s namesake – Dr. Daniel Beneish of Indiana University– about the accuracy and limitations of the M-score and what it’s saying about earnings manipulation heading into the next 12 months.

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Special Guest: Messod Daniel Beneish.

Commercial real estate: warning signs and opportunities with EisnerAmper’s Lisa Knee

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

To get some clarity around the issue, I speak with Lisa Knee of EisnerAmper, Tax Partner and National leader of the firm's Real Estate practice and the National Real Estate Private Equity Group her perspective on changes in the commercial real estate market over the next fiscal year and what both CRE investors and users are thinking.

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Special Guest: Lisa Knee.

Bedrock AI’s Kris Bennatti on adapting language models to filings, disclosure “inflation” and replacing critical audit matters with 💩

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 31 May 2023 07:00:00 -0400

There is no shortage of hot takes when it comes to the possibility of generative artificial intelligence in finance, especially when it comes to consultants or vendors talking about the ways it can be leveraged by large enterprises in accounting and financial reporting. But like in many instances, first mover advantage usually belongs to investors leveraging new technologies as a window into the balance sheet.
For example, Bedrock AI is a startup that uses artificial intelligence to read financial disclosures and apply a machine-learned risk assessment tool.
Bedrock AI’s CEO Kris Bennatti has a unique perspective on the rise of AI in accounting and disclosure, having a background in data science, corporate governance as well as being a CPA.
In this episode we speak with Ms. Benatti about how AI can navigate a world of "over disclosure" along with ideas regarding how the current financial reporting industry will need to adapt.

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Special Guest: Kris Bennatti.

Episode 103: Generative AI and Finance: Opportunities and Challenges

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 17 May 2023 07:30:00 -0400

At it's core, generative AI has the potential to bring transformative impact to business and society, comparable to the paradigm shift brought about by cloud technology. Yet despite interest from executives to want to implement Generative AI, a recent survey showed that many CFOs still face significant barriers when introducing AI within their workflow.

On this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast, we sit down with Sanjay Sehgal Head of Markets for KPMG Advisory Services to get an understanding of what finance executives need to consider when implementing generative AI.

Special Guest: Sanjay Sehgal.

Governments vs. The League Of Extraordinary Accounting Measures

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 10 May 2023 07:00:00 -0400

As the US slips closer – again – to the threat of default, one of the ways policymakers talk about delaying the crisis is the use of “extraordinary accounting measures.”.
Now, that is not a term you hear in the private market and, I would think, if it were used there would be more than a few red flags brought up by investors and regulators.
So in today’s podcast we speak with Justin Marlowe, Research Professor in the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Dr. Marlowe studies government finance, has written or edited several textbooks on public financial management and served on technical advisory bodies for the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
As you will hear, we quickly jump into why extraordinary accounting measures is not really a thing, how the federal and looming economic crisis will affect state and local government and also get into the weeds of how governments are adopting XBRL for financial reporting.

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Special Guest: Justin Marlowe.

Using "Water Accounting" to Understand California's Balance Sheet

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0400

For the State of California, oversight over the water supply is of utmost concern. Especially on the back of recent climate related events.

On this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast we sit down with PPIC Water Policy Center Research Fellow, Andrew Ayres to learn about water accounting: what it is and how the accounting model can be applied outside climate related risks.

Special Guest: Andrew Ayres.

Sponsored By:

Board

How Can Organizations Drive Operational Resilience?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0400

The past three years have been marked by turbulent change. The unanticipated global pandemic fundamentally altered the ways in which organizations operate. From accelerating digital transformations to enabling a highly-functioning virtual work environment, the past three years have forced organizations to be resilient in the wake of adversity.

On the three year anniversary of the COVID-19 informed lockdowns, this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast we sit down with John Epperson, Managing Principal, Financial Services to take a closer look at operational resilience.

Special Guest: John Epperson.

Sponsored By:

Crowe: A series of discussions surrounding the most import issues facing senior-level financial executives.

Revisiting The Fair Value Debate

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0400

It didn’t take long following the most recent banking crisis for the conversation to turn to a debate around accounting and disclosure. Particularly, the fair value and hold to maturity treatment that financial institutions employ around the securities on their balance sheets.
In this episode of the podcast we speak with Rober Pozen, currently a senior lecturer at the MIT School of Management. Before entering academics, Bob was steeped in the world of investing and financial reporting as vice chairman of Fidelity Management and Chairman of MFS Investment management.
Besides teaching, he is also a trustee of the IFRS Foundation, which oversees international financial reporting standard setting.

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Special Guest: Robert Pozen.

Are You Ready For The SEC's Climate Disclosure Rule?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0400

At the onset of the new year, the WSJ reported the SEC is “considering a softening of planned rules” while also highlighting the proposed 1% threshold, otherwise known as a bright-line test.

On this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast, we sit down with Maura Hodge, KPMG’s ESG Audit Leader, to get a better understanding of what the 1% disclosure threshold could mean for companies and their auditors as they prepare for the SEC’s final climate disclosure rule.

Download the Financial Education & Research Foundation Report on "How Corporate Finance is Preparing for Climate Disclosure & Best Practices" here

Special Guest: Maura Hodge.

Fixing The Bank Disclosure/Panic Feedback Loop

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 18:00:00 -0400

The past several days have brought new attention to the way financial institutions communicate the health of their balance sheet and the way that investors and depositors react.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Pingyang Gao, Area Head of Accounting and Law and Professor at Hong Kong University. Before joining HKU in 2020, Dr. Gao had been on the faculty of Chicago Booth School of Business and Yale where his research focused on public policy and securities regulation issues, with a special emphasis on the correlation of bank runs and disclosures.

Special Guest: Pingyang Gao.

Diversify But Verify: Commercial Banking After SVB

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 08:45:00 -0400

Financial executives across the US were given a taste of the unthinkable last week when Silicon Valley Bank was closed by regulators and thousands of businesses - mostly venture or privately backed – had their deposits threatened.
Although regulators stepped in and ended the panic, what was unthinkable suddenly became possible. Would my business lose its deposits? How will I make payments? What if I can’t make payroll?
In this episode of the podcast we speak with Jay Jung, founder and managing partner at Embarc Advisors. With over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, Jay works with many small and medium sized businesses in Silicon Valley and throughout the country and he discusses the fallout of the latest banking crisis and how financial executives need to reset their approach to commercial banking.

Special Guest: Jay Jung.

Stopping Finance and Accounting Exodus

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Towards the end of last year in December 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that more than 300,000 US accountants and auditors had left their jobs in the past two years.
On the academic front, they reported that college enrollment for finance and accounting degrees fell by 17%. Now, this mass exodus of finance and accounting professionals is not entirely a new phenomenon. We've heard a lot over the last couple of years about the COVID 19 induced great resignation and of quiet quitting. But where these conversations fall short is addressing what happens next?
What happens now when employers can't fill the gap that's been created by the number of people who have left their finance and accounting jobs? And what does this trend or these generational shifts really mean for the industry at large?

Special Guests: Dr. Wayne Williams, Elizabeth Brown, and Richard Deosingh.

China Reset: IPOs, Mergers and Audits

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Tensions with China have been at the top of the political discourse over the past several months whether it's rouge balloons or Taiwan trips. And just like the geopolitical landscape, the capital markets are coming to terms with a reset of the relationship between the US and PRC.
In this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we speak with Weiheng Chen, partner with the law firm of Wilson Sonsini in Hong Kong. Weiheng has been a leader in underwriting and M&A in the China/US market and has worked on deals valued in the billions across technology, media, telecom, healthcare, education, consumer, and financial industries.

We discuss how market and regulatory changes in both countries will reshape the future of fundraising, dealflow and financial disclosures.

Special Guest: Weiheng Chen.

Sponsored By:

Board

Why Are Students Leaving Accounting?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

COVID-19 induced workplace shifts had an affect on almost every indusry. But for the finance and accounting profession at large, these shifts have contributed to a mass exodus of accountants. It was reported by the Wall Street Journal that more than 300,000 U.S. accountants and auditors have left their jobs in the past two years and colleges across the United States have seen a 17% decline in the number of students coming into the field can’t fill the gap.

In this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast, we sit down with a former accounting major from Temple University: Nathan Wakefield to learn more about his experience and decision to pivot away from accouning and the factors that influenced his decision.

Special Guest: Nathan Wakefield.

Sponsored By:

Workday

Beyoncé Has an Accountant

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0500

Mentorship in finance and accounting is more important than ever as the economy and job market changes. That’s one of the reasons Financial Executives International is launching a new mentorship platform as part of FEI Engage.
In this episode of the podcast we listen to some of the most relevant discussions that FEI’s Olivia Berman had last year as part of FEI Engage’s How I Got Here series.
In order of appearance, you will hear highlights from Oliva’s conversations with Edua Dickerson and Kevin McBride of ServiceNow, followed by Wes Bricker of PwC and Talia Smith of Deloitte.

Special Guests: Edua Dickerson, Kevin McBride, Thalia Smith, and Wes Bricker.

Sponsored By:

Board

Digital Transformation In a Time of Uncertainty

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0500

Whatever the future holds for the finance function – recession, supply chain disruptions, or management pivots – having the correct and latest financial information will be the key to success. A large part of the battle to optimize financial information falls within an organization's digital transformation efforts.
In this sponsored episode of the financial executive podcast we speak with Gina Ferguson,Senior Director of Customer Experience for Finance at Workday about how she works to leverage financial information.

Special Guest: Gina Ferguson.

Sponsored By:

Workday

Can Renewable Energy Save Us?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 11:00:00 -0500

The War in Ukraine created a new global energy crisis, while at the same time the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act is making a historic investment in solar and renewable energy. The question remains whether the transition away from fossil fuels can keep pace with renewable sector’s capacity as a reliable source of energy for the US economy.

Special Guest: William (Tres) Petmecky.

Sponsored By:

Allianz Trade

Linking Finance and Human Resources For Better Planning

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0500

In this sponsored episode of the Financial Executive podcast we speak with Rehman Rashid, Finance Leader at Workday and Rex Blodgett Director, People Analytics at Workday, regarding their approach to closely tying together finance and human resources for more effective planning,

Special Guests: Rehman Rashid and Rex Blodgett.

Sponsored By:

Workday

The Future of the Global Energy Infrastructure

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:00:00 -0400

Whether it’s uncertainty in the Gulf, war in Ukraine or the move to renewable sources, the energy industry is facing a generational paradigm shift with long-term implications for its future. Not since the crisis of the 1970s have energy providers been confronted with so many risks and opportunities.

Fossil fuels remain at the center of the global energy ecosystem, and Houston-based Halliburton provides the infrastructure to keep it flowing, from exploration to production. But as global geopolitical dynamics change, and domestic priorities shift, how the oil and gas industry responds to changes on the ground today will shape the sector for decades.

Special Guest: Charlie Geer.

ESG Strategy: Challenges, Pitfalls and Being Tangible

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Environmental, Social and Governance standards have recently moved beyond the realm of necessities. These standards, used to attract socially conscious investors, have become necessities for companies and organizations alike.
The real struggle for many investors is tangibility and practicality. Greenwashing too, has become a real industry challenge.

Chris McClure is the leader of the Crowe's newly established ESG Center of Excellence. With over 25 years of experience in regulatory and compliance matters, Chris dismantles some of the most common pitfall’s organizations face when setting the ESG agenda and concurrently when applying the strategy.

Special Guest: Chris McClure.

Coming Out and Being An Ally In the Finance Suite

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 14:15:00 -0400

October 11 is National Coming Out Day and we thought it would be a good time to share a conversation that took place earlier this year during Financial Executives International Belonging In Finance.

Dillon Papenfuss, FEI’s Director of Research and Kevin Lavin, a partner with EY had a very thoughtful discussion about some of the hurdles they faced when coming out in the industry and what changes that still need to happen to make it a more inclusive profession.

Special Guest: Kevin Lavin.

Getting Finance In Sync

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Financial professionals are currenlty dealing with a lot of unknowns in this economic environment, whether that is revenue, budgeting or even staffing. This can lead to a lot of static in your numbers and a lot of confusion for anyone trying to rely on those numbers.
In this sponsored episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we speak with Christopher Geers, Director at Huron Consulting Group, about the role that digitization in finance can play in getting you work in synchrony.

Special Guest: Christopher Geers.

Sponsored By:

Huron Consulting Group: Huron is a global professional services firm that collaborates with clients to put possible into practice by creating sound strategies, optimizing operations, accelerating digital transformation, and empowering businesses and their people to own their future. By embracing diverse perspectives, encouraging new ideas, and challenging the status quo, we create sustainable results for the organizations we serve.

Mental Health In Finance and Accounting

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Mark Cowan, a professor of accountantcy at Boise State University. A CPA and a lawyer, Prof Cowan has spent his career in both public and industry accounting and has written about the role of mental health in the profession and the need for some things to change.

Depression and the CPA
How CPAs and employers can support mental health

Special Guest: Mark Cowan.

Sponsored By:

Workday

Episode 83: Financial Services Facing the Unknown

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 22:00:00 -0400

Consecutive market shocks of a global pandemic, rising inflation, and a threatened recession continue to chip away at market confidence. Despite these traumas, the US financial services industry has never been more stable.

Special Guests: Giannine Cohoon and Tonya Hummers.

Episode 82: The Changing Face of Consumer Credit

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 16:00:00 -0400

Rapid changes in the US economy are forcing consumer credit providers to shore up their balance sheets and operations for some rough waters. Amex’s David Fabricant sits down with FEI to detail how one of the largest credit provider is bracing for any change.

Special Guest: David Fabricant.

Adapting and Creating Value Through FP&A

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0400

There is a great deal of uncertainty rolling through the business community and markets, and strategies, customers and products that seemed a sure thing six months ago are being called into question. Financial executives with critical financial planning and analysis, or FP&A skills, will be needed more than ever to help management prepare for all economic possibilities.

Special Guest: James Hsieh.

Sponsored By:

Workday

Episode 81: Payment Services

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Payments are the lifeline of any business, as the main artery for cashflow and financial sustainability. Kristy Carstensen lead’s the finance efforts of Minneapolis-based US Bank’s payment services and will offer her perspective on how payments practices will evolve over the next decade.

Special Guest: Kristy Carstensen.

Episode 80: How to Modernize and Digitize Finance

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 08:00:00 -0400

The Financial Education & Research Foundation (FERF), in cooperation with Robert Half | Protiviti, will hold live, in-depth Q&A discussions with three leaders that will offer insight on how American banks are navigating these unprecedented and challenging times, and what their customers can expect as financial services reacts to an increasingly volatile world.

Whether it is paying for a parking spot with your phone or transferring cash across the globe, all aspects of banking and finance are being digitized. Citi’s Johnbull Okpra will discuss how these changes are impacting the industry from the unique position as one of globes largest banking institutions.

Special Guest: Johnbull Okpara.

A New World Needs a New Way to Close

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

A key responsibility for anyone in the finance function is closing the company books on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis. And although to a layperson that may seem like a straightforward process, anyone with an accounting or finance background knows it’s anything but.

Filled with multiple stakeholders and dependencies, the financial close can be a complicated process for even a small organization. But that complexity can increase algorithmically with the size of the organization.

In this sponsored episode of the Financial Executive Podcast I speak with Nancy Wu, head of sales and support at SkyStem. SkyStem provides month-end close automation for enterprise-level accounting teams.

Nancy speaks about the increased use of automation in the financial close and how recent events, like the move to remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic, may have accelerated an already rapidly changing financial close process.

For more information on SkyStem please visit www.skystem.com.

Special Guest: Nancy Wu.

Episode 78: Auditing a Company's Civil Rights Record

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 15:00:00 -0400

Civil rights audits, also known as racial equity audits, have become a new way for organizations to review their internal and external operations for systemic racism and discrinination. Although they do not necessarily involve the finance function, they do have a significant impact on company disclosures and strategy.
In this episode of the podcast we speak with Valecia McDowell and Elena Mitchell, both of the law firm of Moore & Van Allen, about the increasingly important role of civil rights audits and how they fit into an organization's push for transparency.

Special Guests: Elena Mitchell and Valecia McDowell.

Sponsored By:

Workday

Proxy Season is ESG Season

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 15:00:00 -0400

Shareholders have filed more ESG resolutions in 2022 than in all previous years, according to Morngingstar..

In this podcast we speak with Andrew Behar, CEO of the non-profit As You Sow, a shareholder advocacy non-profit that focuses on corporate social responsibility. We discuss the current proxy season and how accounting, auditing and financial disclosure practices fit into their approach to engaging with public companies.

Special Guest: Andrew Behar.

Putting a SOC in Crypto

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 11 May 2022 12:00:00 -0400

Crypto and blockchain are finding quick adoption in the corporate world, and that means financial executives are looking for ways to overlay some of the time tested assurance practices.

Given the emphasis on the technology underpinning crypto it should be no surprise that service organization control reports, often referred to as SOC reports, are being embraced by companies looking to develop an operational risk structure around blockchain services.

Disclaimer:
The information in this podcast is not – and is not intended to be – audit, tax, accounting, advisory, risk, performance, consulting, business, financial, investment, legal, or other professional advice. The information is general in nature, based on existing authorities, and is subject to change. The information is not a substitute for professional advice or services, and you should consult a qualified professional adviser before taking any action based on the information. Crowe is not responsible for any loss incurred by any person who relies on the information discussed in this document.

Special Guest: Rich Perilloux.

FEI Engage 101: China Accounting and Audit

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 20:00:00 -0400

This podcast is the first in a series of discussions we are conducting for our FEI Engage subscribers, with the goal of offering access to senior auditing and accounting professionals and academics to get their thoughts on the biggest issues facing students and early career professionals entering the industry.
In this inaugural Engage 101 podcast, we look at China.
Over the past 20 years the rise of China in the global economic order has astounded economists. That has translated into an influx of Chinese companies looking to tap the U.S. capital markets.
As a result, there has been a debate between global regulators about the audit standards that China-based companies should be held to when they access the US equity markets.
We speak with Professor Paul Gillis of Peking University in China. Professor Gillis started out at Price Waterhouse and led their entrance into China before retiring in 2004 and entering academics.

Special Guest: Paul Gillis.

Episode 73: Inflation, Currency Volatility and Your Balance Sheet in 2022

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 16:00:00 -0500

The past two years of pandemic-induced uncertainty have opened the door for risks that financial executives have not had to manage at scale in decades: rapidly rising inflation and the knock-on effect of currency volatility.

Join the Financial Education and Research Foundation (FERF) for the first ForwardThinking session of the New Year to learn about how these new risks should be reported, measured and hedged when possible. It has been generations since these risks have been seen at any scale and new strategies may be needed to meet old challenges.

Special Guests: Amol Dhargalkar and Elizabeth Gordon.

Why Media Finance Matters More Than Ever

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 19:00:00 -0500

For finance leaders in the media, news and entertainment industries, digital transformation has altered traditional business models. Disruptions in politics, public policy, and consumer habits along with ever-changing digital platforms, have forced many to pivot. Media financial executives are tasked with trying to survive in an industry beset with risks, and also making their organizations financially viable for years to come.

Special Guests: Paul McDonald and Paul Sachs.

Episode 66: The Next Battleground In The Trade Revolution

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 14:00:00 -0500

Over the past several months there has been no shortage of discussion regarding global trade and the knock on-effects of the pandemic. But while debates over supply chain and cargo disruptions are at the top of everyone’s minds when it comes to physical trade, there is an even more important discussion building about the future of the global trade in services.

In this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we speak with Nawaz Ali, head of market insights at Western Union Business Solutions, regarding Western Union’s new research report -- The Global Services Trade Revolution -- which looks at how the trade of services and digital products is going through its own upheaval and revolution.

Special Guest: Nawaz Ali.

Sponsored By:

Western Union Business Solutions

Empty Spaces Full of Risk

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -0500

The new year may start with a bang for lenders, but not in a good way.

On the heels of the federal eviction moratorium expiration for most states that takes place in January, lenders may see a rise in commercial foreclosures—both on properties that had been in default before COVID-19 took hold and properties that were vacated over 2021.

In this episode the podcast we speak with Brendan Arnott, Senior Vice President at Chubb insurance about what risks lenders and other financial institutions need to keep in mind when taking ownership of a growing vacant property portfolio.

Thanks to SAP for sponsoring this episode. To learn more about SAP use the link below

https://www.sap.com/products/erp-financial-management.html

Special Guest: Brendan Arnott.

How Finance Can Keep Live Entertainment Alive

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0500

At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, government-mandated shutdowns placed live, cultural activity companies in jeopardy. Dance crews and entertainment studios known for being creative in their mediums turned to financial teams for their creative, sustainable solutions. Brian Parisi, Chief Financial Officer at Break the Floor, the nation’s prominent live entertainment company will share how live entertainment companies landed during the pandemic, and where they go from here.

Special Guest: Brian Parisi.

Episode 69: Rise of the Streaming Culture and Art of the COVID Pivot

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Government mandated stay-at-home orders significantly contributed to the growth of the streaming culture. The quarantine mandates also resulted in a mass shutdown of content productions. For media and entertainment companies that rely on production revenues, the impact was grave. Join us as we speak with Viacom EVP, Controller and CAO Katherine Gill-Charest about their transfer of non-core assets to support the growth of streaming, and how they deal with production halts.

Special Guest: Katherine Gill-Charest.

Balancing And Changing While Growing Fast In Finance

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0500

Patricio is an industry veteran with 25 years of public company finance experience. He would be able to provide insight on a Latin American company successfully going public in the U.S. and also the company’s record third quarter 2021 financial results.
In this episode of the podcast we speak about how he was able to navigate through a SPAC transition and keeping his team focused in the middle of a pandemic.

Thanks to episode sponsor SAP. To learn more about SAP's work with financial executives click on the link below.

www.SAP.com/finance

Special Guest: Patricio Vargas.

Gaining Inclusivity, Battling Isolation: Crowe Quarterly Insight

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 06:00:00 -0500

Chris Mitchell has been with Crowe for six years, serving as a consulting principal within the technology, media, and telecommunications services group prior to this appointment at the firm’s first Chief Diversity Officer. As CDO, Mitchell is responsible for driving a programmatic agenda to support a culture of inclusion in line with the firm’s vision and strategy.
In this conversation, we talk with Chris about his experiences moving up in the accounting/audit/consulting industry and his hopes for making sure diversity is represented in its ranks.

**_The information in this podcast is not – and is not intended to be – audit, tax, accounting, advisory, risk, performance, consulting, business, financial, investment, legal, or other professional advice. The information is general in nature, based on existing authorities, and is subject to change. The information is not a substitute for professional advice or services, and you should consult a qualified professional adviser before taking any action based on the information. Crowe is not responsible for any loss incurred by any person who relies on the information discussed in this document.
_

Special Guest: Chris Mitchell .

Inflation Accounting and Accounting for Inflation

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 13:00:00 -0500

Real inflation-- where prices jump and spending is pummeled -- and is not something that businesses in the United States have had to deal with in decades. In this episode we speak with Dr. Elizabeth Gordon, Professor and Chair of the Department of Accounting at the Fox School of Business at Temple University in Philadelphia about how inflation will need to change financial disclosures.

Become a member of FEI.

Special Guest: Elizabeth Gordon.

Your Cash Flows Don't Make Any Sense

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0500

When it comes to public company disclosures, the statement of cash flows does not receive a great amount of attention. Seemingly a straightforward accounting of a company’s cash position, many preparers and investors spend more time debating the makeup of the balance sheet or income statement.

But for Counterpoint Global’s Michael Mauboussin, anyone that treats the cash flow statement as an “afterthought” is making a mistake. In his new research piece titled “Categorizing for Clarity”, he argues that the cash flow statement needs to be completely overhauled to keep pace with the ways that companies absorb and pay out their cash positions.

In this episode we speak to Mr. Mauboubissin about his proposals (which can be found in the episode’s show notes) and the issues that a confused cash flow statement brings up for both prepares and investors.

Categorizing for Clarity
Join FEI

Special Guest: Michael J. Mauboussin.

Banks and CECL's Future

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0400

CECL continues to remain at the top of mind for Financial Executives in the banking industry and in this episode of the podcast we speak to two professionals from the American Bankers Association that are at the forefront of those adoption efforts: Michael L. Gullette, Senior Vice President of Tax & Accounting and Joshua Stein, Vice President, Accounting and Financial Management

Special Guests: Joshua Stein and Michael L. Gullette.

Episode 61: Digitization and How to Finance the News

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 16:00:00 -0400

Like many news and publishing houses, Guardian News & Media faced unsustainable annual losses as a result of the pandemic. Join the conversation with Regina Buckley, Chief Operating Officer, President and Former Chief Financial Officer, to learn about how amongst many challenges faced by the publishing industry (primarily digitization), she pivoted and adapted to keep their business models afloat.

Special Guest: Regina Buckley.

Episode 60: Sustainability Disclosure "Must Be Done" With Existing Rules

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Financial executives in the US are waiting for a new set of rules focused on sustainability reporting that’s expected to come from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before the end of the year. That could mean a great deal of resources and time for the preparer community to adapt to any new standards.

But sustainability reporting doesn’t necessarily need to be laden with new rules and a lot can be accomplished within the existing frameworks. That’s the argument of David Pitt Watson, one of the leaders of the Climate Accounting Project: an informal group of finance and investment executives attempting to advance the ESG accounting and reporting dialogue out of the UK.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Mr. Pitt Watson about his hopes for ESG reporting in the US, the usefulness of existing rules and the challenges of accounting and reporting carbon emissions.

Learn more about becoming an FEI member.

Special Guest: David Pitt-Watson.

Episode 52: Tax Proposal Targeting Silicon Valley

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Special Guest: Christopher Karachale.

Episode 51: Fraud in the Time of COVID

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 16:00:00 -0400

Financial executives have been at the center of fighting financial and accounting fraud, adapting as both the players and the schemes have changed with circumstances. But the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed a combination of forces that will take combating fraud to a new level, whether its remote workforces, changes in global supply chain security or hundreds of billions in government assistance pouring into corporate coffers.

Special Guests: Margo Cella and Pam Verick.

Episode 50: Government Controllers Speak

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0400

With trillions of dollars at stake, government comptrollers are at the tip of the spear in making sure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and the right private sector partners are working within the system.

The Financial Education and Research Foundation (FERF), in cooperation with Robert Half | Protiviti, held a series of interviews featuring live, in-depth Q&A discussions with government controllers on the ways they are leading the state and federal government out of the pandemic.

Special Guests: Carol Beaumier and David Araldi.

Episode 49: Navigating One City’s Financial Future 2021

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 14:00:00 -0400

As part of our ongoing ForwardThinking series, FEI’s Shivani Somaiya speaks with Phialelphia’s controller Rebecca Rhynhart about how the city of brotherly love is fighinto to come back from the crisis.

Special Guest: Rebecca Rhynhart.

Episode 48: Crypto On the Balance Sheet

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:00:00 -0400

Over the past year as the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has risen institutions have started to take a serious look at digital currencies not only for customer transactions, but also as an asset class to hold on the balance sheet within treasury accounts.

It should no surprise that an ecosystem of providers is cropping up to assist companies in the transition into digital currencies..

Special Guest: Luke Sully.

Episode 47: The Growing Role of the Federal Government

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 14:00:00 -0400

With the passage of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package the US federal government will have a monumental task of accounting for how and where the money is spent. As head of the Government Accountability Office, Comptroller General Gene Dodaro will be responsible for overseeing how taxpayer dollars are spent and provide objective, non-partisan, fact-based analysis.

Special Guest: Gene Dodaro .

Episode 42: Making SPACs Work: The Crowe Quarterly Podcast

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 25 May 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Special-purpose acquisition companies,or SPACs, have become the latest rage in corporate finance, allowing private companies to go public by first being acquired by a blank check company. According to the latest figures, there are over 400 SPACs now in the market that are seeking private firms to acquire and take public.

In this episode of Financial Executive Podcast we speak with Mandi Simpson, a partner with Crowe accounting advisory, and Bill Watts, a principal also with Crowe accounting advisory, about how financial executives involved with a SPAC transaction should plan and think about these unique transactions.

_The information in this podcast is not – and is not intended to be – audit, tax, accounting, advisory, risk, performance, consulting, business, financial, investment, legal, or other professional advice. The information is general in nature, based on existing authorities, and is subject to change. The information is not a substitute for professional advice or services, and you should consult a qualified professional adviser before taking any action based on the information. Crowe is not responsible for any loss incurred by any person who relies on the information discussed in this document.
_

Special Guests: Mandi Simpson and William Watts.

Sponsored By:

Crowe: A series of discussions surrounding the most import issues facing senior-level financial executives.

Episode 46: FowardThinking: One State’s Path to Recovery

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 18 May 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Like many states, California had their economy turned upside down by the pandemic. Betty Yee - the second woman in California’s history to serve as the state’s elected controller and the daughter of Chinese immigrants – is now tasked with helping lead the state out of the crisis.

Join the Financial Education and Research Foundation (FERF), in cooperation with Robert Half | Protiviti, for the Q2 sessions of a year-long series featuring live, in-depth Q&A discussions with government controllers on the ways they are leading the state and federal government out of the pandemic.

Special Guest: Betty Yee.

Episode 45: Speed, Agility and the CFO

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 14 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

In the episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we partnered with Accenture to bring you the top lessons learned from their most recent global CFO research “CFO Now: Breakthrough speed for breakout value” survey with an interview with Annie Peabody, Managing Director of Accenture Strategy & Consulting, and co-author of the research.

Special Guest: Annie Peabody.

Sponsored By:

Accenture

Episode 44: Big Data and Sustainability Reporting

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 17:00:00 -0400

One of the big challenges for companies, as well as investors, when it comes to ESG is wrangling the data points that are important to every stakeholder and a relevant to the issue of sustainability.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Rebeca Minguela, Founder and CEO of Clarity AI. Clarity AI uses big data and machine learning to tracks a broad universe of companies to measure sustainability metrics. In January BlackRock purchased a minority stake in the company and plans to integrate Clarity AI into its investment analytics platform.

We discuss the importance of disclosures, the challenges to standardized ESG data and why there is no turning back when it comes to sustainability reporting.

Thanks to the episode's sponsor, Deloitte.

Special Guest: Rebeca Minguela.

Episode 43: Career and Connection in 2021

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 04:00:00 -0400

The Q1 sessions of FowardThinking talks with leaders on the ways in which organizations are charting a new course on how and where they work.

Special Guests: Christopher Wright and Paul McDonald.

Episode 41: What Is Extinction Accounting?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 12:00:00 -0500

Sustainability reporting is something that both financial statement preparers and investors have been discussing for years, and it’s expected to become even more of a hot button issue in the US as a new administration focused on climate change takes charge of capital markets oversight.

It’s fair to say that in Europe, the debate regarding ESG reporting practices is more evolved. There is already a movement to adopt a practice known as “extinction accounting” where companies report on the impact they have in biodiversity.

Intertested in FEI membersip? Click here.

Special Guest: Jill Atkins.

Episode 40: What Financial Executives Really Think About Internal Controls

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 19:00:00 -0500

Given all that internal controls encompass, it’s not surprising that they are labor and time intensive and that financial executives continually seek ways to make sure they work in the most efficient way.

Where Are We Now? The Story of ICFR at Large Public Companies as Told by Financial Executives

Special Guests: Devin William, Jeff Wilks, Jeffrey Pickerd, and Mark Kissman.

Episode 39: Section 230 Reform And Back to The Dystopian Future

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we speak with Eric Goldman, Professor of Law at Santa Clara University and co-director of the High Tech Law Institute.

Special Guest: Eric Goldman.

Episode 38: CECL, Loss Models and the Unintended Consequences of COVID-19

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:00:00 -0500

The current expected credit losses standard, or CECL, had been hotly debated in banking and accounting circles long before COVID-19 surfaced earlier this year. While the resulting market and economic disruptions caused by the pandemic delayed a full rollout of CECL, many financial institutions that had begun the hard work of incorporating the standard into their models are living through a real-life stress test of CECL’s approach to accounting for credit losses.

In this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we speak with Amnon Levy, managing director and head of Moody’s Analytics Portfolio and Balance Sheet Research group regarding what the current financial crisis reveals about financial credit models and the unintended consequences of CECL.

Links:

Incorporating Emerging Risks within Credit Models: Lessons from Sociological Reactions to COVID-19

Nonbank players are ready for CECL — are banks?

Earnings Volatility, Share Price Performance, and Credit Portfolio Management Under CECL and IFRS 9

Special Guest: Amnon Levy.

Episode 37: Navigating the Impact of PPP and Government Assistance: Crowe Quarterly Update

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0500

The US government's Paycheck Protection Program was a lifeline for many public and private companies during the early dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But as financial executives begin a new year, and look to close their 2020 financials, several questions remain regarding the accounting and financial reporting of government assistance.

In today’s podcast we speak with Sean Prince, a senior manager in Crowe’s Assurance Professional Practice, regarding how financial leaders can navigate both lingering and developing government assistance issues.

The information in this podcast is not – and is not intended to be – audit, tax, accounting, advisory, risk, performance, consulting, business, financial, investment, legal, or other professional advice. The information is general in nature, based on existing authorities, and is subject to change. The information is not a substitute for professional advice or services, and you should consult a qualified professional adviser before taking any action based on the information. Crowe is not responsible for any loss incurred by any person who relies on the information discussed in this document.

Special Guest: Sean Prince.

Episode 36: Racial Justice Is a Movement, Not a Moment

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 19:00:00 -0400

As part of our FEI Forward Thinking series, we're speaking with 4 different senior-level financial executives about navigating such challenging times.
We discuss how remote work has helped Calvin gain the trust of his team and how we can turn this time of increased attention to racial injustice into a movement, not just a moment.

Special Guest: Calvin Harris.

Sponsored By:

Robert Half International/Protiviti

Episode 35: At the Center of the Storm

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:00:00 -0400

The Financial Education and Research Foundation (FERF), in cooperation with Robert Half | Protiviti, will hold live, in-depth Q&A discussions with four FEI members that have seen their industries and world upended overnight, and they’ll share how they plan to navigate the unclear road ahead.

Special Guest: Dennis Dahlen.

Sponsored By:

Robert Half International/Protiviti

Episode 34: Going on Offense

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Special Guest: Dan Crumb.

Sponsored By:

Robert Half International/Protiviti

Episode 33: Delivering When It Matters Most

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0400

The Financial Education and Research Foundation (FERF), in cooperation with Robert Half | Protiviti, held live, in-depth Q&A discussions with four FEI members that have seen their industries and world upended overnight, and they’ll share how they plan to navigate the unclear road ahead.

Special Guest: Teri Reinseth.

Sponsored By:

Robert Half International/Protiviti

Episode 32: Cybersecurity As a Competitive Advantage: Crowe Quarterly Insight

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400

The COVID-19 public health crisis has forced businesses across all industries to rapidly adapt their thinking and adoption of new digital technologies and working models in order to sustain business processes. This rapid shift has introduced new security risks and challenges.

Special Guest: Troy La Huis.

Four Challenges, Four Leaders

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 13:00:00 -0400

In this series we spoke with

Teri Reinseth, Corporate Controller & CAO, 3M Company
Calvin Harris Jr., SVP, Finance and CFO, National Urban League
Dennis Dahlen, CFO, Mayo Clinic
Daniel Crumb, CFO, Kansas City Chiefs Football Club

In this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we speak with Paul McDonald, senior executive director of Robert Half and Christopher Wright, managing director of Protiviti, in order to break down and understand some of the challenges these leaders discussed.

Special Guests: Christopher Wright and Paul McDonald.

Episode 30: Staying Liquid Means Staying Open: Crowe Quarterly Insight

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 14 May 2020 09:00:00 -0400

The Financial Executive Podcast speaks with John A. Grivetti III, partner with Crowe’s advisory services group about how senior-level financial executives can keep cash on the books even as little is coming through the door.

The information in this podcast is not – and is not intended to be – audit, tax, accounting, advisory, risk, performance, consulting, business, financial, investment, legal, or other professional advice. The information is general in nature, based on existing authorities, and is subject to change. The information is not a substitute for professional advice or services, and you should consult a qualified professional adviser before taking any action based on the information. Crowe is not responsible for any loss incurred by any person who relies on the information discussed in this document.

Special Guest: John A. Grivetti III.

Episode 29: Accounting, Tax and Financial Reporting Impacts of COVID-19: Crowe Quarterly Insight

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 16:00:00 -0400

There are a myriad of tax and financial reporting changes, in addition to liquidity options, for companies that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The chainges are complex, and will add to an already heavy burden for senior-level financial executives navigating the crisis.

The Financial Executive podcast spoke with two professionals from Crowe LLP about those changes -- Matthew Schell, a partner in Crowe's assurance professonal practice and Howard Wagner, a partner with Crowe’s national tax office, to review some of the most developments and the issues that financial leaders need to consider during implementation.

Special Guests: Howard Wagner and Matthew Schell.

Sponsored By:

Crowe: A series of discussions surrounding the most import issues facing senior-level financial executives.

Episode 28: Measuring The True Value of ESG Reporting: Crowe Quarterly Insight

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0500

There is a push for more holistic measures of value than what sits on a company's bottom line. These efforts -- combined with increased concerns stemming from corporate scandals, climate change and social justice movements -- have increased the demand for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. FEI Daily sat down with two professionals focused on ESG reporting, Jeffrey Hales, chair of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and professor of accounting at the University of Texas at Austin, and Gregg Anderson, managing director at Crowe and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Sustainability Task Force.

Special Guests: Gregg Anderson and Jeffrey Hales, PhD.

Sponsored By:

Crowe: A series of discussions surrounding the most import issues facing senior-level financial executives.

Episode 27: What's Driving Audit Fees

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0400

How and when audit fees rise and fall is something that has been of intense interest to senior-level financial executives and academics. In anticipation of the annual audit fee survey from the Financial Education and Research Foundation (FERF) and Workiva coming out this November, FERF's Dillon Papenfuss speaks with Professor W. Robert Knechel, Ph.D. -- the Frederick E. Fisher Eminent Scholar and Director of the International Accounting and Auditing Center at the University of Florida -- discuss the long and short-term drivers of audit fees.

Special Guest: Robert Knechel.

Episode 26: Project Management For Financial Executives

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 10:15:00 -0400

Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez details the competencies required to transform and thrive in the new digital and project-driven economy.

Special Guest: Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez.

Episode 25: Data Strategy Drives Better Quality, Cost Savings

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Technologies and techniques such as robotics, machine learning, natural language processing, and blockchain present a defining opportunity for the finance function. However, companies that have not adequately invested in data will find their digital transformation efforts frustrated.
The Financial Education & Research Foundation is working on a report with EY to help senior-level financial executives better understand data strategy and quality needed for their digital transformation.
As part of that effort we speak with Professor Dave Waterman, an adjunct lecturer at Georgetown University and a data scientist at U.Group.

Special Guest: Professor Dave Waterman.

Episode 24: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – One Year On

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 09 Jun 2019 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast, Dillon Papenfuss, Research Analyst for the Financial Education & Research Foundation (FERF), spoke with Brigham Young University (BYU) School of Accountancy Associate Teaching Professor Troy Lewis about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) winners and losers and how executives can prepare for future uncertainties and surprises. Professor Lewis is the past chair of the tax executive committee of the American Institute of CPAs in Washington DC. In this role, he has testified six times before the United States Senate Finance Committee and the House Committee on Small Business.

Special Guest: Troy Lewis.

Episode 23: A Guide to ICFR by Preparers, for Preparers

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 07:00:00 -0500

FEI’s Committee on Corporate Reporting (CCR) recently release two ICFR: Insights, Issues, and Practices documents that address internal control considerations for preparers’ adoption of both the new leases standard and the new current expected credit loss (CECL) standard.

FEI’s Managing Editor of FEI Daily Olivia Berkman spoke with Laura Phillips, Google - Director, Finance Compliance; CCR ICFR Working Group Leader, Matt Janzaruk, Procter & Gamble - Director, Finance & Accounting; CCR ICFR Leases Pilot Team Leader, and Craig Schmidt, Wells Fargo - Governance and Oversight Leader; CCR ICFR CECL Pilot Team Leader about what preparers can learn from these documents and their biggest takeaways from the experience.

Special Guests: Craig Schmidt, Laura Phillips, and Matt Janzaruk.

Episode 22: Where Is Technology Taking Auditing and Accounting?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 15:15:00 -0400

Rapid advances in technology are quickly disrupting the auditing, accounting and financial reporting industry at a pace not seen in decades. As soon as one leap forward is adopted, such as cloud technology, another waits in the wings, such as blockchain.
The Financial Executives Research and Education Foundation is working on a report looking to help senior-level financial executives better understand how to consider and prioritize changes in financial technology.
As part of that effort we speak with Dr. Ryan Teeter, clinical assistant professor of accounting information systems at the University of Pittsburgh regarding his work on the area of technology changes in the financial reporting industry.

Special Guest: Ryan Teeter, Ph.D..

Episode 21: Career Check: A Discussion with CFO Recruiter Samuel Dergel

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 05:00:00 -0400

FEI Daily Managing Editor Olivia Berkman speaks with Samuel Dergel, a search consultant assisting companies with their C-suite and executive talent needs across the United States and Canada

Dergel will discuss trends he sees as companies search for CFOs, controllers, and CAOs in addition to how members looking to transition into board seats can best position their resumes.

Special Guest: Samuel Dergel .

Episode 20: Inline XBRL, Explained

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 06:00:00 -0400

This summer the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a new rule that requires the use of “Inline XBRL” in the financial reporting process. Inline XBRL allows the user to embed data directly into a filing so that it is both human-readable and machine-readable.

In this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we will speak with SEC and XBRL industry professionals regarding the impact of the new requirement, the benefits and challenges of implementation and how preparers can get ready for the transition.

Special Guests: Emily Huang, Mike Starr, and Mike Willis.

Episode 19: Tariffs, Trade Wars and Planning For Uncertainty

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 07:00:00 -0400

Increasing tariffs and the threat of a global trade war is something that all senior-level financial executives need to consider when planning for their organization’s financial future. But how can you do that when policies seem to change daily.

We speak with Philip Sutter -- Director of U.S. Regulatory Affairs of global trade broker Livingston International – regarding his advice to clients when it comes to the global disruption in tariffs and trade.

Special Guest: Philip Sutter.

Episode 15: RPA Is Becoming Finance’s New Norm

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 18:00:00 -0400

How and where to leverage those technologies – and the knock on effect it has on finance staff and productivity – is the subject of a white paper that the Financial Executives Research Foundation is currently working towards publishing.

In this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast, FEI Daily Managing Editor Olivia Berkman speaks with Dave Sackett, Senior Director of Finance & Administration at ULVAC Technologies and member of Financial Executive International’s Committee on Finance and Information Technology about his use if RPA and where he thinks it’s taking his company and the industry.

Special Guest: Dave Sackett .

Episode 16: Technology Is Changing Everything In The Finance Suite: 2018 Benchmarking the Finance Function Preview

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 05:00:00 -0400

FEI Daily Managing Editor Oliva Berkman and Rober Half's Paul McDonald discuss how the latest survey of 1,700 financial executives reveals how digital transformation emergedas a critical business focus.

Episode 13: Career Strategies for Financial Executives in 2018

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 13:00:00 -0500

The war for talent isn't cooling down anytime soon, especially when it comes to the financial suite. Companies are finding unique ways of attracting job seekers and seeking candidates with a particular set of technical and soft skills who will also fit in with the company culture. Carrie Wentling, FEI's Director of Member Services, helps FEI members in staffing permanent employees and in their transitions between roles. We spoke with Carrie about what we can expect in the battle for financial talent in the new year.

Special Guest: Carrie Wentling.

Episode 11: Harassment, Toxic Workplaces and the Role of Leaders

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 15:00:00 -0400

Special Guest: Stefanie Johnson.

Episode 10: The Critical Difference Between Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 09:30:00 -0400

Financial Executives International Managing Editor Olivia Berkman discusses cyber resilience with Paul Nicholas, Senior Director, Global Security Strategy and Diplomacy at Microsoft.

Special Guest: Paul Nicholas.

Episode 9: Where Will the Next Generation of Financial Executives Come From?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 14:00:00 -0400

Companies are struggling to attract experienced hires from public accounting firms. This is particularly concerning as companies adjust to all of the accounting-rule changes in the U.S.

In this podcast, we speak with Ajit Kambil, Global Research Director of the Deloitte CFO Program, and Charles Holley, Retired CFO of Walmart and CFO-in-Residence of the Deloitte CFO Program on hiring strategies, the effects of automation, and developing accounting talent.

Special Guests: Ajit Kambil and Charles Holley.

Episode 8: Harvey, Houston and Rebuilding as a Financial Executive

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 06:00:00 -0400

Hurricane Harvey, which struck Texas and parts of Louisiana last week, has dumped nearly 19 trillion gallons of water and damaged or destroyed over 100,000 homes.

The storm has impacted people from all walks of life, including several members of Financial Executives International’s Houston Chapter.

We spoke with Josh Tabin, a member of FEI Houston and Chair of its Young Leaders program to discuss the personal toll the storm has taken and how he will use his skills as a financial executive to rebuild for the future.

Special Guest: Josh Tabin.

Episode 7: Five Years Later: Learning the Lessons of the JOBS Act

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 13:00:00 -0400

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) was signed into law five years ago this week with hope that removing burdensome disclosure requirements and encouraging the use of crowdfunding tools would spur new business startups to eventually grow into large public companies.

The Financial Executive Research Foundation, in partnership with Donnelly Financial Solutions, is preparing to publish a white paper this month on the JOBS Act, whether is has changed the IPO market and how the law could change in the next five years.

In this second podcast on the subject, we speak with Professor Reena Aggarwal, Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Financial Markets and Policy. Dr. Aggarwal, specializes in capital raising, initial public offering and corporate governance, discusses what lessons financial executives should learn regarding the first five years of the JOBS Act.

Special Guest: Dr. Reena Aggarwal.

Sponsored By:

Donnelley Financial Solutions : Thanks to Donnelly Financial Solutions for sponsoring this research and this podcast.

Episode 6: Capital Planning in the Age of Uncertainty

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 13:00:00 -0400

Uncertainty is not the friend of the financial executive, especially when it comes to long-term capital planning. What taxes will you pay, what businesses will be in demand and what regulations you will face are all subject to similar uncertainty as policies and programs are hammered out in Washington?

In this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast we talk with Robert Fry, Chief Economist of Robert Fry Economics LLC. Mr Fry, who recently retired as Senior Economist at DuPont and currently teaches economics at the University of Delaware, will discuss what financial executives how financial executives can deal with the uncertainty dominant the current economic climate.

Special Guest: Robert Fry.

Five Years Later: Did the Jobs Act Change the IPO Market (or Did the IPO Market Change the Jobs Act)?

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 09:00:00 -0500

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, will be celebrating its fifth anniversary in April. When it was passed in 2012, the hopes were that streamlining the financial disclosure process and opening crowd funding platforms for capital raising would encourage more companies to go public.

The Financial Executives Research Foundation, in partnership with Donnelly Financial Solutions, is working on a research project focusing on the Jobs Act and the impact on Emerging Growth Companies born out of the legislation.

In this issue of the podcast, we speak with Joseph Hall, a partner at the law firm of Davis Polk. Mr. Hall is head of the firm’s corporate governance practice and is a former Managing Executive for Policy at the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission. Today, he often advises companies on the disclosure relief embedded in the Jobs Act.

Special Guest: Joseph Hall.

Sponsored By:

Donnelley Financial Solutions : Thanks to Donnelly Financial Solutions for sponsoring this research and this podcast.

Episode 5: Get Control of Your Audit Fees Now With Workiva's Joseph Howell

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 21:49:49 -0400

A discussion with Joe Howell, Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Workiva about how CFOs and other financial executives can take control of audit fees.

Episode 4: Simplification and 2016 Priorities with FASB Vice Chairman James Kroeker

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 05:21:10 -0500

FASB's James L. Kroeker speaks with FEI's Erik Bradbury regarding financial reporting simplification initiatives going on with the accounting standard setter.

Episode 3: Confessions of a Startup CFO With Mark MacLeod

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 05:43:08 -0400

A discussion with Mark MacLeod of SuperPath Advisors on his career as a startup financial executive.

Episode 2: Cybersecurity and the CFO With John Stark

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 04:56:56 -0400

Want to know the first call a CFO makes in a data breach? It's not who you think.

Episode 1: Private Healthcare Exchanges With ADP's William Giaconia

info@financialexecutives.org (Financial Executives International) — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 21:10:15 -0400

How should CFOs and other financial executives think and plan for private healthcare exchanges? ADP's Will Giaconia explains.