The CFO Show

ERP migration can make or break your finance function. From outdated systems to cloud-based solutions, the stakes are high, and the risks are real. In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson, CFO of Vena, sits down with Scott Jorgens, Sr. Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships at Endeavour Solutions. With more than 25 years of experience across finance, consulting, and technology, Scott shares how to plan and execute ERP migrations that deliver ROI. They discuss the common pitfalls that derail projects, why change management is just as critical as technology, and how to ensure your data is ready to unlock automation, analytics and AI. Whether you’re just starting to evaluate systems or deep in implementation, this conversation is your guide to building ERP success. Discussed in This Episode: The biggest triggers that Indicate it’s time for a new ERP. Data readiness: how to ensure clean, consistent, automation-ready data. The underestimated cost of change management, and how to get it right. Why “minimal viable product” ERP rollouts often fail. How to align finance, IT, and operations around a shared ERP vision. For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.   

What does it take to lead a high-growth company through economic uncertainty, while still innovating for the future? Larry Roseman, Chief Financial Officer of Thumbtack, joins us to explore the modern finance leader's role in balancing resilience, agility, and long-term value creation. With a career spanning investment banking, accounting, and tech, Larry shares how he's redefined capital allocation, empowered decision-making across teams, and built a finance organization that thrives on trust and flexibility. Learn how to lead with clarity, empower innovation (without waste), and turn volatility into opportunity. Discussed in This Episode: Why CFOs must shift from fixed annual planning to rolling investment cycles The power of decentralized decision-making in fast-moving companies How to empower teams with "envelope budgeting" and shared accountability Why flexibility and financial discipline must go hand-in-hand How to balance profitability and growth through portfolio-style capital planning Tactics for encouraging innovation without a near-term ROIFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.   

Scott Engler, CEO & Co-founder of Sync Executive Partners, shares invaluable insights for those stepping into a CFO role in private equity. He discusses the critical mindset shift needed for success: ownership of all outcomes. Engler emphasizes that modern CFOs must drive transformation beyond financial reporting, focusing on performance, alignment, and stakeholder management. He also highlights the importance of building credibility and the unique challenges of the PE landscape, making this guidance essential for finance professionals aiming for excellence.

Igor Stelea, Director of Strategic Finance at CFGI, dives into the intricacies of effective annual planning. He emphasizes the importance of honest plan reviews and aligning strategic and operational goals. Igor shares insights on using OKRs, rolling forecasts, and scenario planning to enhance agility amidst uncertainty. He warns against common pitfalls like siloed planning and stresses the need for cross-functional collaboration. Additionally, he highlights the role of mature finance teams in driving decision-making through storytelling and strategic partnership.

What if the secret to financial agility lies in reimagining the relationship between FP&A and Controllership? Tom Seegmiller, CFO at Texada Software, returns to explore the transformative power of aligning FP&A and Controllership. Tom shares his journey from FP&A leader to full-spectrum CFO, and what he’s learned about the often-overlooked (but essential) collaboration between finance’s two core functions. Together, they unpack how siloed teams can unintentionally hold each other back—and how breaking down those walls can drive agility, enhance clarity, and increase business value.  Discover how aligning FP&A and Controllership could be the key to unlocking your finance team's full potential. Discussed in This Episode: What CFOs get wrong about Controllership, and how to fix it The hidden friction between finance subfunctions How to create “earned” seats at the table across the organization Why both FP&A and Controllership must focus on top-line growth Tools, leadership habits, and structural approaches that make cross-functional alignment stick How AI is helping finance teams build leverage and efficiency For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Are you leveraging AI to its full potential in your finance department? In this episode, we dive into the practical application of AI in finance with Anton Medvedev, former Senior Product Manager at Vena and CPA/CFA. With his unique blend of finance and tech expertise, Anton offers a roadmap for effectively adopting AI in your financial operations. Anton shares insights on training AI models, understanding AI agents, and effective prompting techniques. He provides real-world examples that demystify this fast-moving technology. Whether you're experimenting with AI in Excel or trying to choose the right vendor, this episode offers practical strategies for getting started, scaling smartly, and ensuring your team stays ahead. Learn how you can transform your finance team from AI novices to strategic innovators, harnessing the power of AI to drive value in your organization. Discussed in This Episode: The core components of a good AI prompt.What AI agents are and how they improve speed, security, and execution.Why early adopters are key to driving internal change.How to evaluate vendors on AI readiness for finance.Common missteps teams make with AI and how to avoid them.Why CFOs must personally engage and lead the AI learning curve.For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

In this episode, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Steve Browning, VP of Data Privacy and Corporate Security at Vena, and Kaz Takemura, Managing Director of FP&A Technologies at Modelcom, to explore how finance teams can adopt AI safely and strategically. Steve and Kaz share practical, cross-functional strategies for embedding AI into business operations, from building the right teams to creating scalable governance frameworks. They also unpack the emotional and organizational barriers to AI adoption and offer tips to drive both innovation and risk management.  Whether you're just starting your AI journey or looking to optimize existing implementations, learn how to move from fear to forward momentum, without compromising security or trust. Discussed in This Episode: Why AI is now a non-negotiable technology The importance of cross-functional teams in AI governance How fear and job insecurity are major blockers to adoption The risks of shadow AI usage and how to spot it Guardrails that enable safe experimentation, not restriction Why employee education is the secret weapon of successful AI programsFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com. 

Is your finance team truly driving strategic value, or are you stuck in reactive mode?  Host Melissa Howatson, welcomes Peter Emerling, Director in the Digital Transformation Practice at Citrin Cooperman, to explore the finance maturity model, the four stages of finance maturity and what it takes to move from reaction to transformation. With over 18 years of experience advising businesses across industries and lifecycle stages, Peter breaks down the key components of a modern maturity model, from people and processes to data and governance, and shares practical ways finance leaders can assess where they stand and how to level up.  If you're struggling with siloed systems, manual workarounds or transformation fatigue, this episode offers a roadmap toward building a smarter, more agile finance function. Learn how you can assess your current maturity level and take concrete steps towards finance transformation that drives real business impact. Discussed in This Episode: The Four Levels of Finance Maturity—Sustaining, Reactionary, Transforming and Innovating: Understanding Where Your Team Is Today and What’s Next. Five assessment pillars: People, Process, Technology, Data, and Governance.Red flags that indicate your team may be stuck at level two.How to evolve without ripping out your tech stack.Real-world client examples and what drives true business impact.Actionable strategies to progress through maturity stages.For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

The era of reactive supply chain management is over. Are you ready for predictive resilience? Nick McKeehan, Managing Director at Protiviti, shares CFO-focused insights on modern supply chain disruptions, from cybersecurity to geopolitical tensions. With 25 years in finance transformation, Nick guides the shift from reactive to predictive, tech-enabled decision-making. Learn how visionary leaders collaborate across the C-suite, invest in digital twins and AI, and redefine supply chain resilience as a competitive edge. This discussion equips finance leaders to navigate volatility, boost agility, mitigate risks, and drive change in today's complex business landscape. Discussed in This Episode: How today’s biggest threats—from tariffs to climate events—are reshaping modern supply chains What resilience means in a high-stakes global economy The CFO's crucial role in cross-functional supply chain leadership with COOs and CIOs How leading organizations use technology like AI and digital twins for smarter planning Finance’s expanding influence in risk management and strategic decisions For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

What’s driving finance leaders’ strategic planning in 2025—and its future trajectory? In this data-packed episode, we welcome back Craig Schiff, CEO of BPM Partners to unpack the findings from Vena’s 2025 State of Strategic Finance Report. From AI adoption to strategic business partnering, Craig dives into key insights on how finance leaders are navigating change, deploying technology, and building more connected and capable teams. Drawing from the report’s insights, Craig reveals the critical direction finance teams must take to remain competitive and efficient. Together with host Melissa Howatson, Craig explores major themes from this year's survey, including surprising optimism among finance leaders, a rise in cross-functional collaboration, and the evolving role of AI within finance operations. If you're a finance leader seeking clarity on where the industry is headed, this is your roadmap. Discussed in This Episode: Why finance leaders are feeling optimistic in 2025 The expanding strategic role of finance in business How teams are managing talent shortages while still growing What's driving widespread adoption of planning technology The real state of AI in finance and what's working Common traits of mature finance organizationsFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.