Are You Ready To Be A CEO?
More finance chiefs have been promoted to the ultimate power post. How do other CFOs follow in their footsteps?
We bring together a dynamic network of CFOs and senior finance executives, offering exclusive peer connections, the pulse with expert-driven editorial content, and cutting-edge technology resources.
Our weekly newsletters, research and interviews give you that insider's strategic edge on all the biggest issues you face.
Exclusive, vibrant member community of 2,500+ CFOs and finance leaders offering powerful peer insights & support.
Attend high impact in-person and online programs at the local and national level, led by industry thought leaders.
Insights
The latest news on all the right trending topics to give you that edge.
More finance chiefs have been promoted to the ultimate power post. How do other CFOs follow in their footsteps?
‘If you can improve your expertise in certain functional areas, it’s time to make a plan to acquire those skills,” writes financial services CFO Sunday Grace.
‘In trading, you make decisions with incomplete information. You learn to trust your frameworks and move fast,’ says Cin7 CFO Erik Rothschild.
Bonfield was selected by an independent committee comprised of leading CFOs for his work transforming the world’s top manufacturer of construction and mining equipment.
Especially during times of economic volatility, companies tend to prioritize continuity and institutional knowledge.
Competitive advantage no longer hinges on the largest tech budgets, but on how well financial strategy and digital capabilities align.
Bonfield was selected by an independent committee comprised of leading CFOs for his work transforming the world’s top manufacturer of construction and mining equipment.
‘Technology is playing a bigger role but adopting a new tool just because it’s shiny or trending rarely works out,’ says Visual Lease CFO Katie Eskandarian.
“If an action doesn’t drive value, delegate or defer it,” recommends VCFO’s Dustin WIlliamson to CFOs whose plates are overfull.
Are you still making significant decisions, such as resource allocation or capital budgeting, using data that is backward-looking?
Whether an M&A deal succeeds often comes down to what happens immediately after the transaction closes, says Riveron’s Alex Shahidi.
Aclara Resources CFO Francois Motte Sauter says there’s no room for inefficiency at the rare earths mining company.
‘My role involves translating the impact of regulatory and digital shifts into actionable game plans for the broader team,’ says John Schwab, CFO of the indirect tax software company.
OBBA is an opportunity ‘to reassess stalled investments and evaluate new ones under more favorable tax conditions,’ says one CFO.
Tariffs are at least temporarily back in play, creating fresh ASC 606 compliance challenges for CFOs.
Finance and procurement leaders are figuring out how to reduce the financial impact of U.S. tariffs on products they import.
As a CFO, you may have focused on risk management and cost control; as a CEO, you’ll have to balance those priorities with the demand for innovation and growth.
“Understandably, there can be resistance to a new application because there is comfort in doing things the same way,” says Labor Finders CFO Leslie Cotton.
‘Now is not the time to make big speculative moves,’ writes Thomas Allen Carver of Harren Equity Partners.
‘In trading, you make decisions with incomplete information. You learn to trust your frameworks and move fast,’ says Cin7 CFO Erik Rothschild.
Aleksandra Szuszkiewicz of Live Nite Events orchestrates sophisticated financial frameworks for high-risk, capital-intensive entertainment ventures.
In terms of protection and earnings, ‘no one ever thinks about cash—cash is the forgotten asset,’ says Ampersand CEO Kelly Brown.
OBBA is an opportunity ‘to reassess stalled investments and evaluate new ones under more favorable tax conditions,’ says one CFO.
Aclara Resources CFO Francois Motte Sauter says there’s no room for inefficiency at the rare earths mining company.
‘My role involves translating the impact of regulatory and digital shifts into actionable game plans for the broader team,’ says John Schwab, CFO of the indirect tax software company.
Aleksandra Szuszkiewicz of Live Nite Events orchestrates sophisticated financial frameworks for high-risk, capital-intensive entertainment ventures.
In terms of protection and earnings, ‘no one ever thinks about cash—cash is the forgotten asset,’ says Ampersand CEO Kelly Brown.
Data fluency starts with understanding all the things happening inside a company and all the decisions being made, says Runway Financial CEO Siqi Chen.
‘The CFO has to ensure the organization doesn’t become paralyzed by imperfect data,’ says Redgate Finance Chief Steve Mitchell.
The most practical incarnation of finance AI so far is occurring in collaboration tools like Slack and Teams, where day-to-day decisions are made.
‘Technology is playing a bigger role but adopting a new tool just because it’s shiny or trending rarely works out,’ says Visual Lease CFO Katie Eskandarian.
“Handing over finance to machines too quickly comes with a cost a finance leader can’t always see right away,” says Siqi Chen of Runway Financial.
Competitive advantage no longer hinges on the largest tech budgets, but on how well financial strategy and digital capabilities align.
‘Unlike previous disruptions, there’s no real historical parallel to predict confidently what might happen and to what degree,” says Hilary Norris, CFO of GTreasury.
Are you still making significant decisions, such as resource allocation or capital budgeting, using data that is backward-looking?
In SaaS, “there’s a greater willingness to experiment with customers, prove the product and validate the hypothesis,” says Reltio CFO James Redfern.
More finance chiefs have been promoted to the ultimate power post. How do other CFOs follow in their footsteps?
‘If you can improve your expertise in certain functional areas, it’s time to make a plan to acquire those skills,” writes financial services CFO Sunday Grace.
Especially during times of economic volatility, companies tend to prioritize continuity and institutional knowledge.
“Handing over finance to machines too quickly comes with a cost a finance leader can’t always see right away,” says Siqi Chen of Runway Financial.
‘I’m a firm believer that I work for my employees, not the other way around. In a perfect world, my job is simply to stay ahead of them and remove the obstacles they point out.’
‘I’ve learned that genuine alignment at the leadership level only occurs when teams prioritize the company’s needs over personal agendas,’ Love says.
COMMUNITY
Join the premier community for today’s finance leaders! Connect instantly with 2,500+ peers for advice, inspiration and solutions.
EVENTS
In-person & online live programs led by industry experts
COMMUNITY
Our chapter communities foster a unique ecosystem. The regular in-person events provide an opportunity for rich conversations, get advice from leaders and develop long-lasting connections with peers.
Insights
Be the first to know! Receive latest industry & tech news right in your inbox
Education
Training tools & resources carefully presented by world-class experts to keep you & your team ahead of the curve.
01
A 10-module certification program that provides participants with hands-on experience and insights into the practical application of technologies in finance, allowing participants to implement their new knowledge immediately.
02
CFO Leadership Council hosts CPE eligible events for both members and non-members. Find a CPE eligible event to receive the credits you need.
EVENTS
The largest gathering of finance and accounting technology professionals in the country is returning in 2025.