Shows
CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance252. Financial Transformation Live: Transformation Trouble-shooters November SpecialSend us your thoughtsIn this Transformation Troubleshooter episode, Hannah Munro and Neil Lynchehaun tackle two real scenarios sent in by finance and operational leaders wrestling with change. They cut through the noise and give practical, experience-led guidance on managing competing priorities, handling resistance and keeping transformation efforts on track.What the episode covers Why misaligned leadership priorities derail projects How to define ROI early so cost concerns don’t dominate later Ways to balance the natural tension between speed, control and risk How to use stakeholder management, individual conversations and senior sponso...
2025-11-2535 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance250. Beyond the Buzz: Agility, AI and the Future of Finance Tech with ACCASend us your thoughtsIn this special live episode, recorded at the ACCA Finance Futures Conference, Hannah Munro joins Alex Falcon Huerta (ACCA) to cut through the hype and explore what it really takes to choose and implement the right finance technology.From agility in software selection to preparing for the rise of AI, they share stories, frameworks, and practical advice to help finance leaders stay ahead of the curve.In this episode, Hannah and Alex discussWhy agility is key when selecting and...
2025-11-1156 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance249. Financial Transformation Live: Stop Shopping, Start TransformingSend us your thoughtsIn this insightful Financial Transformation Live session, Hannah Munro, Managing Director of itas Solutions, challenges the traditional approach to purchasing new technology solutions. Rather than focusing solely on procurement checklists and feature comparisons, Hannah encourages finance leaders to rethink how they approach technology selection — shifting from “shopping” to “transforming.”Drawing on her consultancy experience, she explores how organisations can accelerate time to value, engage suppliers more effectively, and turn the buying process itself into the first step of transformation.💡 In this episode, Hannah covers:Why the...
2025-11-0424 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance245. Financial Transformation Live: Transformation Trouble-shooters September SpecialSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of Financial Transformation Live, Hannah Munro and Neil Lynchehaun tackle real-world transformation challenges submitted by finance leaders. Together, they share practical advice, frameworks, and lessons learned from years of hands-on transformation and consulting experience.💡 Topics covered in this session include:Rethinking requirements gathering – moving away from 1,000-line requirement lists and focusing on outcomes, use cases, and best practices instead of replicatingSystem selection approaches – how to frame your needs, engage vendors effectively, and avoid box-ticking RFP traps.Data migration dilemmas – when to clean...
2025-09-3033 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance243. The 90-Day Finance Transformation Playbook with Hannah MunroSend us your thoughtsIn this special solo episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, host Hannah Munro takes on a personal challenge what she would do with 90 days to transform finance. Drawing on her experience working with finance teams, Hannah breaks the journey into three clear phases: stabilisation, automation and efficiency, and forward looking acceleration.You’ll discover practical, actionable steps you can apply in your own finance function, includingHow to stabilise core processes in the first 30 days, including bank reconciliations, AR, AP, cash collection, reporting structures, and balance sheet checksWhy automation and efficiency in...
2025-09-1628 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance241. Financial Transformation Live: Planning a Successful ProjectSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of Financial Transformation Live, host Hannah Munro shares what it really takes to deliver a successful finance system implementation. From preparing your team to managing risks and ensuring a smooth go-live, Hannah offers practical insights and lessons learned from real-world projects.You’ll learn:How to prepare your team and build urgency using the change cycleThe critical stages of a finance implementation – from planning to go-liveThe role of stakeholders and how to use a RACI matrix to clarify responsibilitiesWhy proof of conc...
2025-09-0251 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance237. Finance Transformation Live - Transformation TroubleshooterSend us your thoughtsIn this Transformation Troubleshooter edition of Financial Transformation Live, hosts Hannah Munro and Neil Lynchehaun tackle real-world finance transformation challenges shared by listeners. From project overload to spreadsheet sprawl, they offer practical strategies to help finance leaders navigate complexity with confidence.In this episode, they cover:How to manage multiple overlapping transformation projects without burning out your teamApproaches to reprioritising and phasing work to avoid chaos and maintain momentumWhat to do when a new CFO questions an in-progress finance system rolloutThe importance of focusing...
2025-07-2950 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance233. Finance Transformation Live - Future Proofing your Finance Software ArchitectureSend us your thoughtsIn this month's Finance Transformation Live host Hannah Munro explores how finance leaders can design scalable, resilient systems that adapt to change and support long-term growth.Key topics covered:The four pillars of future-proof finance architecture: data, APIs, expandability, and maintenanceWhy multi-dimensional data structures are essential for reporting, AI, and agilityHow to evaluate API strength, integration flexibility, and vendor transparencyAvoiding common pitfalls like over-customisation, poor data design, and dead-end system configurationsBuilding layered tech stacks to support FP&A, BI, automation, governance, and collaborationPlanning for continuous improvement: training, upgrades...
2025-07-0145 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance222. Confidence, Communication & the Modern CFO: A Conversation with Susana Serrano-DaveySend us your thoughtsIn this inspiring and practical episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro welcomes back Susana Serrano-Davey—career mentor, leadership trainer, and author of the newly released Confidence is Overrated. Drawing from her journey from CFO to mentor and author, Susana shares powerful insights on how senior finance leaders can develop the soft skills essential for leadership success.In this episode, Hannah and Susana explore:Why confidence is often misunderstood—and how to support yourself through self-doubtHow to spot unhelpful behaviours that undermine your confidencePhysical signs of stress and...
2025-04-1547 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance216. Financial Transformation Live: The Finance-Driven Approach to Smarter Business ProcessesSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of Financial Transformation Live Hannah Munro explores how finance leaders can step up and take a more strategic role in driving change and process improvement across their organisations.With AI and automation set to reshape finance, CFOs and finance teams must shift their focus beyond transactional tasks and become catalysts for business transformation. Hannah dives into the opportunities for finance to lead cross-departmental change, break down silos, and enhance operational efficiency.Key Topics Covered:The evolving role of finance in a world of...
2025-03-0441 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance204.Financial Transformation Live: Assessing Your Current Financial SystemsSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of Financial Transformation Live, Hannah Munro explores how to assess and optimise your current financial systems to support your organisation’s goals. As the final live session of the year, this episode is packed with actionable advice and frameworks to help finance leaders plan their next steps for system improvements.Tune in to learn:The four key components of a financial technology stack: controls, compliance, reporting, and process efficiency.A comprehensive framework for assessing your financial systems, including:Understanding strategic direction and goals.Gathering feedback an...
2024-12-0341 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance192. Why Technology Projects Fail: 10 Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Finance Transformation with Hannah MunroSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro highlights the common reasons why finance technology projects often fail. With insights from years of experience in financial transformation, Hannah shares real-world examples and practical advice to help you navigate your next project successfully.Key topics covered include:How to avoid heading in the wrong direction by setting the right goals.Why breaking your project into manageable phases leads to better success.Why it’s essential to optimise your processes, not just automate them.Understanding how different attitudes towards change im...
2024-09-1022 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance184. Making Transformation Work: Expert Advise From Hannah MunroSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro is joined by co-host Paul Newton, Pre-sales Consultant at itas, to delve into the essential components of successful financial transformation projects. Topics covered include:Defining Project Scope and Priorities: Tips on setting clear goals and involving the right stakeholders.Budget and Resource Management: Discussing the importance of budget considerations and resource allocation.Integration and Implementation Strategies: Exploring the pros and cons of Big Bang versus phased approaches.Data Quality and Migration: Assessing and improving data quality before migration.Optimisation and Continuous...
2024-07-0948 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance181. 2024 Mid-Year Highlights: Transformative Conversations with Finance LeadersSend us your thoughtsIn this special episode of CFO 4.0, Mark Blackmore steps in for Hannah Munro to provide a mid-year roundup of our podcast's most impactful conversations from 2024. Join us as we revisit the wisdom, laughter, and ground-breaking ideas shared by our remarkable guests.Key Highlights:January:Scott Buchanan on the challenges and preparations for taking a company through the IPO process.Dominique Highfield from Purple Bricks on the dynamics of financial and operational leadership.Soufyan Hamid on the transformative power of storytelling in finance.Chris Ortega on generative AI...
2024-06-1835 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance178. Financial Transformation Live: Navigating Process Improvement on the Maturity ScaleSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of Financial Transformation Live, Hannah Munro discusses the Process Improvement Maturity Scale. This session focuses on helping you understand and evaluate the maturity of your organisation's process development. Hannah takes you through various aspects of process improvement, offering insights and practical advice.Key topics covered:Overview of the Process Improvement Maturity Scale.Assessing process knowledge and measuring performance with KPIs.Defining process ownership and leveraging technology for digitisation and automation.Stages of process optimisation and continuous improvement.Importance of thorough and consistent process documentation.Indicators...
2024-05-2834 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance174. Financial Transformation Live: The New Normal in Finance- Future-Proofing your Finance TeamSend us your thoughtsJoin us for the latest FTL episode on the CFO 4.0 Podcast, hosted by Hannah Munro, where we delve into the future-proofing of finance teams and explore the evolving landscape of financial operations. In this session, In the episode we discuss:Insights into how the finance function is adapting post-COVIDExamination of the rapid acceleration in technology adoption, particularly AI and cloud computing.Detailed discussions on how digital process are reshaping areas like accounts payable, accounts receivable, and overall financial workflows.Exploration of how AI is being integrated into financial...
2024-04-3055 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance170. Financial Transformation Live: Maximising Efficiency - Achieving More with LessSend us your thoughtsIn this month's FTL session on CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro dives deep into the concept of maximising efficiency within finance teams, particularly focusing on how to achieve more with less. Amidst a challenging economic environment, finance professionals are increasingly required to enhance productivity without significant increases in resources. Key highlights include:An overview of the critical need for finance teams to enhance efficiency and productivity.The importance of evaluating and optimising meeting schedules.A focus on time management methods to boost individual productivity and ensure effective breaks.The significance...
2024-03-2741 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance166. Financial Transformation Live: Navigating the Budgeting Process for Transformation SuccessSend us your thoughtsIn this month's FTL episode on CFO 4.0, hosted by Hannah Munro, we delve into the intricacies of budgeting in the modern finance landscape. Focusing on shifting towards a more agile budgeting approach, Hannah shares invaluable insights and strategies to help finance professionals navigate the complexities of financial planning and transformation. Join us as we explore:Introduction to Agile Budgeting: Understanding the need for flexibility in financial planning.Different Budgeting Approaches: A deep dive into incremental, zero-based, and scenario-based budgeting.Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Budgeting: Analyzing the pros and cons...
2024-02-2844 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance164. Leadership Evolution: Transforming from CFO to CEO with Hannah WilliamsSend us your thoughtsJoin host Hannah Munro in this enlightening episode of CFO 4.0 podcast, featuring returning guest Hannah Williams, CEO of Alacrity Foundation. Dive into a detailed exploration of the transition from a CFO to a CEO role, along with insights into effective team communication, board meeting management, and much more.Key Points Covered:Team Communication: Highlighting the importance of aligning team efforts with organisational goals.In-depth discussion on managing board meetings efficiently.The importance of giving and receiving feedback for continuous personal and organisational growth.The role of mentorship in...
2024-02-1346 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance163. Sneak Peek! Choosing the Right Sage Software: A Comprehensive Guide to Consolidation Tools with the itas Consultant TeamSend us your thoughtsThis week's episode of CFO 4.0 we have a slight change to the usual format. We are excited to give you a sneak peak of our brand new podcast that is coming soon. Join Hannah Munro and itas’ Pre-sales consultant Paul Newton in this insightful first episode of 'itas Talks Sage Software' where we discuss the world of Sage Financial Software. In this pilot episode we dive into how Sage 50, Sage 200 and Sage Intacct handle financial consolidation, and which is the best choice for your business.We'd love for you to tune in an...
2024-02-0629 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance162. Financial Transformation Live: Ensuring your system passes auditSend us your thoughtsJoin Hannah Munro in this insightful episode of The Financial Transformation Live series.This episode is a comprehensive guide for finance professionals navigating the complexities of system audits and employing technology for efficient financial management.Key Points Covered:Discussion on ensuring system security, privacy, and user access controlsThe need for documenting financial processes, checklists, and standard operating procedures The shift towards digital approvals and controls in transaction processingInsights into the importance of controlling report design and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of financial reports.Strategies for m...
2024-01-3045 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance154. Finance Transformation Live: Building a Business Case for Your Finance SystemSend us your thoughtsIn this insightful episode of Financial Transformation Live on the CFO 4.0 Podcast, hosted by Hannah Munro, we delve into the crucial aspects of calculating Return on Investment (ROI) for financial transformation projects. Key discussion points include:The transition from building a business case to a deep dive into calculating ROI.In-depth examination of ROI calculation, focusing on cost savings, and various elements like time savings, risk avoidance, and intangibles.Detailed exploration of costs not incurred, revenue generation, and the impact of intangibles on financial decisions.Emphasizing the importance...
2023-11-2849 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance150. Financial Transformation Live: Building Out a Set of Requirements for your Finance SystemSend us your thoughtsThis episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast comes from our recent Financial Transformation Live session with Hannah Munro, and is all about gathering and documenting requirements for financial system transformation! Overview of what was discussed:How to approach gathering requirements for your finance system Infrastructure and customisation capabilities to consider What options you have for system strategyHannah's top tips! Links mentioned:October FTL: Building Out a Set of Requirements for your Finance SystemRevisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessions Register for November's Financial Transformation Live sessionRequest a Req...
2023-10-2453 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance149. CFO Stories: Developing a Programmatic Approach to M&A with Rob ClaySend us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, Hannah Munro sits down with Rob, the CFO of Modaxo. Dive into the world of mergers and acquisitions with Hannah and Rob as they explore the strategies, challenges, and key learnings from Rob’s journey. Discover how Rob achieved ongoing improvement in his approach to programmatic M&A, offering valuable insights for finance professionals and businesses.In this episode learn about:The importance of a clear M&A strategyBalancing culture and numbers in acquisition decisionsTalent retention strategies in a growing or...
2023-10-1750 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance146. Aligning Procurement & Finance in the Digital Age with Thomas Siersbæk Heller-NjorSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro delves deep into the ever-evolving world of procurement with our guest, Thomas Siersbæk Heller-Njor, Founder and CEO of CostBits. Together, Hannah and Thomas explore the challenges and nuances of aligning procurement with financial insights and how technology, particularly SaaS, is paving the way for improved transparency and efficiency.In the episode, we cover:Understanding why not all KPIs should be centred around costs and the significance of a holistic view.How businesses can stay ahead of the curve, m...
2023-09-2644 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance138. Financial Transformation Live: Designing Your Finance Systems ArchitectureSend us your thoughtsThis week's episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast is taken from our most recent Financial Transformation Live session where Hannah Munro delves into the intricacies of designing an efficient and agile finance system!Hannah explores the world of financial system architecture, the layers of integration and automation that are crucial for enhancing efficiency and connectivity within organisations. Key Points Covered:Understanding the different options: Best of Breed vs. ERP systemsUnravelling the layers of financial system architecture: Functional, Data Analytics, and ForecastingEvaluating the technical competence and capacity required...
2023-08-011h 01CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance135. From CFO to CEO: Igniting Passion and Driving Growth with Hannah WilliamsSend us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast Hannah Munro is joined by Hannah Williams, CEO at Alacrity. Hannah Williams is a recent CFO turned CEO, and during the episode she shares her journey, passion, and insights into the world of finance and entrepreneurship, discussing the power of embracing opportunities, fuelling enthusiasm, and driving growth in family businesses.Hannah William's authenticity and wisdom shine through as she discusses various topics, including:The transformative journey from CFO to CEO and the excitement of new possibilities.Unleashing passion and authenticity as ke...
2023-07-1146 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance131. Key Takeaways from the GENCFO Summit: A Look into the Future of Finance with Chris ArgentSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro is joined by Chris Argent, founder of GENCFO. Together, Chris & Hannah delve into the insights, trends, and key takeaways from the recent GENCFO Summit. Topics covered include: The shifting role of the finance function, moving beyond transactional processing to business partneringThe necessity of selecting the right people for your tech transformation and why it's about more than just acquiring new technologyThe discussion on the current and future use of Excel and the future of finance tools with the advent of...
2023-06-0652 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance130. Flipping the Script: Hannah Munro hops into the Guest Seat on Mark Gandy's CFO BookshelfSend us your thoughtsThis week's episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast takes an exciting twist as host Hannah Munro steps into the guest seat on Mark Gandy's highly-regarded CFO Bookshelf podcast. Hannah & Mark engage in an interesting discussion that spans entrepreneurship, mentorship, literature, and the evolution of CFO 4.0! Throughout their discussion, Hannah and Mark delve into: A detailed review of Derek Sivers' book 'Anything You Want: 40 lessons for a new kind of entrepreneur', evaluating its worthiness for CFOs and finance professionals.The significance and impact of having a mentor, specifically for CFOs, and...
2023-05-3050 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance129. Mastering Finance Business Partnering: The 9 C's to Elevate Your Impact with Andi LonnenSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, Hannah Munro delves into the essential characteristics and skills needed for successful finance business partnering with guest, Andi Lonnen, Founder & CEO at Finance Business Partner Academy! Andi shares her insights on the 9 C's of effective finance business partners and discusses the importance of having the right mindset, skillset, and daily actions. Hannah & Andi also explore the challenges of onboarding finance business partners and the critical role they play in organisations. Also covered in this episode: The 9 C's of...
2023-05-2344 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance126. Financial Transformation Live: Top Tips Before Starting Your Finance Systems Implementation ProjectSend us your thoughtsThis episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast is taken from our recent Financial Transformation Live session! Host and Managing Director at itas, Hannah Munro, discusses the challenges and best practices for implementing new finance systems. Drawing from her extensive experience, Hannah offers valuable insights and guidance on how to effectively manage change in the finance department.Key takeaways:Understanding the change cycle: Pre-implementation activities to set up for success.Phases of a successful implementation project: How to avoid common pitfalls and optimise outcomes.Ensuring open communication: Encouraging constructive feedback and addressing...
2023-05-021h 09CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance121. The positive impact of applying for finance and business awards, live panel event with Hannah Munro & ACCASend us your thoughtsWelcome to a special edition of the CFO 4.0 podcast, brought to you in partnership with the ACCA. In this live panel event, host Hannah Munro is joined by an expert panel of ACCA members, including Hannah Williams, Becky Glover, Andi Lonnen, and Jess Harcourt. Together, they share their insights and experiences on how finance and business awards can propel your business and personal brand to new heights. In this engaging and informative discussion, our panellists delve into the following topics:Discover the key elements that make an award-winning a...
2023-03-2858 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance120. Financial Transformation Live: How to Map Out Your Finance Integration ProjectSend us your thoughtsThis week’s episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast is part of our monthly Financial Transformation Live series, how to map out your finance integration project! Part two of our integration series, Hannah Munro covers what options for integration you have, and shares her top tips for building out an integration strategy paired with some helpful examples!Also covered in this session:Key areas to focus on before building out your integration strategyWhy it’s important to plan out your data dependencies Hannah’s top tips for building...
2023-03-2144 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance118. Handling conflict and friction effectively in finance with Dr. Jon GrudaSend us your thoughtsReturning to the CFO 4.0 podcast this week with Hannah Munro is Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Maynooth University, Dr. Jon Gruda! Jon and Hannah dig into the concept of conflict, discussing how to best navigate specific scenarios within finance teams, particularly during change. Also covered in this episode:What is conflict within an organisation? How do you approach a disagreement between team membersWhat are the key components of good decision-making?Tips for structuring the way you deal with conflict Links referenced in this episode:Jon Grud...
2023-03-0759 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance114. CFO Stories: Challenges a Bootstrap CFO faces with David Brandeis, CFO of PowToonSend us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of CFO 4.0 Hannah Munro is joined by David Brandeis, CFO at PowToon to chat about the challenges David faces as a CFO of a bootstrap organisation as well as his unique journey to becoming a CFO.Also covered in this episode • Where to begin building out a finance team from nothing• How bootstrap companies measure success• The affect Covid-19 has had on software-based companies • How to balance strategy and being hands-on as a CFOLinks mentioned in this episode.• David’s Link...
2023-02-0730 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance113. Stepping away from a traditional Finance mindset with Chris OrtegaSend us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of CFO 4.0 Hannah Munro is joined by Chris Ortega, CEO of Fresh FP&A, together they share their passion for financial transformation and discuss their ideas on what the future could look like for finance leaders.Also covered by Chris and Hannah in this episode:• Chris’ journey to becoming a Fractional CFO• How much change has the pandemic driven in finance?• The benefits of healthy friction in finance teams• What does good finance business partnering look like?• Why CFOs need to start...
2023-01-3139 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance112. Managing stress and burnout in your finance team in 2023 with Tony MartignettiSend us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of CFO 4.0, Tony Martignetti, a self-proclaimed recovering finance professional, now a Chief Inspiration Officer at Inspired Purpose Coaching talks to Hannah Munro about how finance leaders can manage stress and burnout in their finance teams. Also covered on the podcastThe importance of planning and structure to avoid overwhelm in the New Year Why finance leaders need to strike the balance between optimism and realism Identifying the different types of stresses within your finance teamHow to recognise when your team are heading into burno...
2023-01-2444 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance111.The World of Football through a Finance Lens with Stefan Gamble, CEO of Walsall Football ClubSend us your thoughtsJoining Hannah Munro on this week’s episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast is CEO and ex FD of Walsall FC, Stefan Gamble! Stefan & Hannah talk about his experience transitioning from Finance Director to CEO at Walsall FC, sharing his secrets for success in both roles and what its like working in finance at a football club. Also covered in the episode:What attracted Stefan to finance in footballStefan’s journey from Management Accountant to Finance DirectorHow football was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic The challenges finance teams h...
2023-01-1738 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance110. What does 2023 hold for finance teams with Kevin Appleby, GrowCFOSend us your thoughtsStarting the New Year with a bang, Hannah Munro sits down with Kevin Appleby from GrowCFO to talk about what 2023 might look like for finance teams. Not only do they share their own predictions for 2023, but also those of CFOs that GrowCFO have surveyed in recent months, diving into some interesting insight! Also covered on the podcast:How much time are finance teams spending on non-finance activities?The trend towards sustainability reporting and ESG reportingFinance’s responsibility to good data governance The shift in the skills require...
2023-01-1042 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance109. Financial Transformation Live: Building Your 12-Month Transformation PlanSend us your thoughtsThis week’s episode of CFO 4.0 brings the last Financial Transformation Live session of 2022, Building out your 12-month Transformation plan!Hannah Munro talks you through the different stages of a top-level plan for you and your finance team and the framework you will need to build it out.Also covered in this session:Understanding your current situation and challengesTraditional brainstorming VS independent brainstormingTechniques to identify what your priorities should be What are the key elements of a business case?How to put together an effective project pla...
2023-01-0339 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance107. How a transformational mindset can benefit finance teams with Chris Argent from GenCFOSend us your thoughtsIn the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro & Chris Argent, Founder & Chief Future Officer at GenCFO, dissect day two of the GenCFO Academy, delving into transformational mindsets and what it means.Also covered on the podcast:Why finance traditionally lacks a transformational mindsetWhat does a Chief Future Officer profile look like?What does the future look like for entry-level finance jobs?The definition of a transformational mindsetLinks mentioned in the podcast: Follow GenCFO on LinkedInExplore the GenCFO academy Chris Argent’s LinkedIn CFO 4.0 Podcast Explore other CFO 4.0 Podca...
2022-12-0641 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance106. Financial Transformation Live: How to Approach Automating your Finance ProcessesSend us your thoughtsThis week’s episode of CFO 4.0 brings the latest Financial Transformation Live session, covering all things finance automation! Hannah Munro talks you through the best approach to automating your finance processes, covering why you should consider automation, and how you can best prepare for it. Also covered in this session: What is automation in finance?What stops us from being able to introduce automation?The benefits of understanding and documenting your processes before automatingWhy automation doesn’t always mean new technologyThe options we have for automation in fina...
2022-11-291h 05CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance105. Financial Transformation Consultant Insight – Challenging the status quo in Finance with Hannah Munro & Michael RyanSend us your thoughtsBack with another exciting Financial Transformation Consultant Insight episode, Hannah Munro & Michael Ryan find themselves challenging the status quo in finance, digging into the depths of innovation in finance teams, and exploring what is holding them back! Also covered in this episode:What is innovation in finance?There is a time and a place for Excel, but when is it?What’s stopping finance from becoming critical thinkers?Why finance teams should be the strategic partner in a businessThe problem with siloed functions in finance Links refe...
2022-11-2253 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance103. CFO Stories: The importance of an effective Finance Business Partnering Function with Alwyn JonesSend us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, Alwyn Jones, CFO of Global Cryptocurrency company, Luno, sat down with Hannah Munro to talk about the importance of an effective finance business partner function.Hannah and Alwyn covered the following:Alwyn’s journey to becoming a CFOWhy businesses are reluctant to invest in finance and analytics at an early stageHow to prioritise effectively as a CFOUnderstanding the impact of finance teamsThe benefits of providing insight to the executive teamLinks mentioned in this podcast:Conn...
2022-11-0852 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance102. Financial Transformation Live: Integrating your finance systemsSend us your thoughtsOn this episode of CFO 4.0, we're bringing you our latest session of Financial Transformation Live, Integrating your Finance Systems. Hannah Munro talks you through the best approach for integrating your finance systems, covering why you should integrate, what options you have, and planning it out! Also covered in this session: What systems should you be integrating?What are your options for integration?The pros and cons of Excel, Middleware, API, and P2P How to map out your integrations To le...
2022-11-0157 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance101. Financial Transformation Consultant Insight – Transformation vs software implementation with Hannah Munro & Michael RyanSend us your thoughtsWe’ve heard your feedback and are now bringing you an additional regular financial transformation slot! Get a sneak peek behind the consultant curtain with these sessions as Michael and Hannah discuss what makes a successful financial transformation project and how they approach their clients. This time, they kick things off with a discussion about the differences between Financial Transformation and Software implementation and how to tell the difference. Also covered in this episode:Why transformation is more than just automationWhat is a...
2022-10-2543 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance100. CFO Stories: How to become a data-driven CFO with Glenn Hopper, CFO & Author of Deep FinanceSend us your thoughtsThis week CFO 4.0 Podcast host, Hannah Munro is joined by Sandline Global CFO & author, Glenn Hopper!With over 15 years of experience as a CFO, Glenn talks to Hannah about his new book ‘Deep Finance’ discussing the importance of being a data-driven organisation no matter your business size. Other topics they cover include:The different levels of data maturity within an organisationHow your finance team can become finance scientistsThe importance of real-time data for finance teamsHow to become a data-driven organisationLinks mentioned in thi...
2022-10-1855 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance99. The First 90 Days as a CFO: Managing Leadership during change with Jon GrudaSend us your thoughtsIn the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro continues her conversation with Jon Gruda, Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Maynooth University.Jon has been researching the role of leadership and previously on the podcast, he discussed the relationship they have with their followers.This week, Hannah and Jon dig deeper into the topic, talking in depth about what a leader's relationship with their followers means regarding the changes in management, and how we manage leadership. Also covered in this episode:How...
2022-10-111h 01CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance98. CFO Stories | Fundraising: Prepare for the worst & hope for the best with Chris RolingSend us your thoughtsThis week CFO 4.0 Podcast host, Hannah Munro is joined by the CFO for Coinme, Chris Rolling! Chris and Hannah dive into the world of start-ups and fundraising, discussing whether fundraising fatigue is real, the impact of Covid on fundraising, and how to maintain a healthy cash balance. Other topics they cover include:The top success factors in finance teamsChallenges start-ups are facing in this current climate Balancing the needs of CFOs & CEOs: Pragmatic VS PassionateHow inflation is impacting the cash runway Chris’ top tips for fundraisingL...
2022-10-0452 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance97. Financial Transformation Live: Assessing your current finance systemsSend us your thoughtsOn this episode of CFO 4.0, we're bringing you our latest session of Financial Transformation Live.Hannah Munro talks to you about how you can assess your current finance system.Also covered in this session:Framework for reviewing your current system10 Common quick wins for system improvementHow to identify whether to invest in improving your current system vs switching to a new oneTemplate for documenting and sharing your findingsTo learn more about this financial transformation live session, visit www.itassolutions.co.uk/financial-transformation-live ...
2022-09-271h 01CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance96. Finding the Silver Linings in Challenging Times with Becky GloverSend us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro is joined by Becky Glover, Finance Director at VNC Automotive.Putting the World to rights, Becky & Hannah take it upon themselves to find the silver linings in the challenging times we have faced and are currently facing.Other topics they cover include:Why encouraging failure drives innovation in finance teamsHow challenging circumstances can pressure businesses to change their processes for the betterThe benefits of networking in financeBecky’s future predictions on the changes in financeLink...
2022-09-2044 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance95. Recession, Inflation and Volatility – Dissecting the latest quarterly CFO Survey with Ian StewartSend us your thoughtsRepeat offender, Ian Stewart, Chief Economist from Deloitte, and Founder of the CFO Survey joins Hannah Munro on this week’s episode of CFO 4.0! Ian shares some key findings from the most recent CFO Survey, a quarterly survey that is sent out to some of the UK’s leading CFOs on pressing issues.Hannah & Ian explore some interesting findings, including that CFOs predicted the recession.Also covered in this episode:Why do the Bank of England and Treasury use the CFO Survey findings Key findin...
2022-09-1346 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance94. CFO Stories: Balancing the need for high growth with regulation in a start-up FinTech with Rajesh GuptaSend us your thoughtsJoining Hannah Munro on this week’s episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast is Rajesh Gupta, CFO of OakNorth Bank! With a wealth of experience building and leading finance teams, Rajesh talks to Hannah about the challenges he’s faced when trying to grow a finance team in a volatile environment and a highly regulated industry.Also covered in this episode:How OakNorth does strategic planning wellBalancing the need for growth and talent in a start-upThe importance of hiring people who think differentlyWhat diversity in all its forms...
2022-09-0643 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance93. Financial Transformation Live: 5 Things to think about before your next Financial Transformation projectSend us your thoughtsJoin Hannah Munro on the most recent Financial Transformation Live session as she shares practical tips and frameworks to think about before you tackle your next Financial Transformation project!The 5 areas Hannah dives into are:Have you understood the problem?Have you selected the right solution?Have you identified what good will look like?Have you engaged the team well?Have you resourced it properly?Links for this episode:Learn More about Financial TransformationFollow us on LinkedIn for our Live Sessions Explore other CFO 4.0...
2022-08-3048 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance92. Top reads for CFOs this summer with Mark Gandy, host of CFO BookshelfSend us your thoughtsIn the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks to Mark Gandy, creator of the Financial Operating System and Host of the CFO Bookshelf podcast. A finance pioneer, Mark has worked in several finance positions during his career including Corporate Controller, VP of Finance, and CFO. Together Hannah and Mark talk about their shared interest in reading and discuss their book recommendations for finance this Summer. Also covered on this episode:Hannah & Mark’s favourite genre of booksWhy people in finance should embrace their creative sideMark’s top book...
2022-08-1658 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance91. What VCs want from a CFO with David Foreman, VC Managing Director at Praetura VenturesSend us your thoughtsIn the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks to David Foreman, self-proclaimed 'worst accountant ever'. After dabbling in finance and investment banking, David realised his passion lay in helping founders build their businesses from the ground up and founded Praetura Group, specialists in lending and equity solutions for start-ups & SMEs. David runs the VCs group of Praetura Ventures.Also covered in this episode:What are VCs looking for in a CFO?What is currently happening in the world of VC funding?What are VCs looking for in a seed...
2022-08-091h 01CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance90. Startup CFO to COO – Funding, Scaling and Recruiting in a startup world!Send us your thoughtsStartup CFO to COO – Funding, Scaling, and Recruiting in a startup world! In the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks to Sabrina Castiglione, Chief Operating Officer at Pento.She comes from a slightly unusual background for a CFO having studied chemistry at university, working in financial services for a number of years, and then got into the world of startups as a CFO at Tassie. During this session we cover: Hannah and Sabrina explore the differing needs of a business as it sh...
2022-08-0245 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance89. The First 90 Days as a CFO: Building Exceptional Finance TeamsSend us your thoughtsIn the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks to Darren Woods, CFO at Freedom Fibre about building the ideal finance team.Darren has a degree in Finance and Accounting in Portsmouth, over 20 years of experience working in finance including multiple CFO roles as well as a stint as a consultant helping other companies develop teams.Also covered on this episode:Darren’s passion for people and team developmentDoes finance invest enough in different skills?What are the potential skill gaps in finance teams?Finding the right balance of...
2022-07-2646 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance88. The First 90 days as a CFO: Building strong and healthy relationships with your finance teamSend us your thoughtsIn the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks with Jon Gruda, who is the Assistant Professor of organisational behaviour at Maynooth University.Jon has a joint PhD in Management and Psychology and is currently researching the role of leadership; the relationship leaders have with their followers and what that means in regards to the changes in management. Also covered in this episode:Building and developing the right relationship between a leader and followerHow to set yourself up for success as a leader before you even start t...
2022-07-1948 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance86. How to do Financial Transformation Successfully with Michael Ryan, Founder of Finance Transformation UKSend us your thoughtsIn the latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks with Michael Ryan, the Founder and Managing Partner of Finance Transformation UK. Michael is an independent transformation consultant who previously has worked for several large corporates including Argos and Whitbread and we discuss what it takes to do Financial Transformation well. Also covered in this episode: Michael discusses his 25-year history with Financial Transformation The opinions on what is the secret sauce to success in terms of adoption What are the big mistakes found in transformation projects? The difference between...
2022-07-0544 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance84. The Rise of Disinformation and the Increasing Risk to both Finance and Business, with Alan Jagolinzer, Professor of Financial Accounting at Cambridge Judge Business SchoolSend us your thoughtsIn this latest episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro sits down with Alan Jagolinzer, Professor of Financial Accounting at Cambridge Judge Business School. Alan is a member of the editorial boards of The Accounting Review and The Journal of International Accounting Research. In 2015, he was a Fellow of the International Accounting Standards Board, London. Also covered in this episode:Alan’s background and his journey from Pilot to Professor of Financial Accounting at Cambridge JudgeWhat are the risks within finance?Is it something CFOs should be concerned ab...
2022-06-1452 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance83. CFO Stories: The Future Focused CFO - James Owen, Global CFO at KantarSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro chats with James Owen, Global Chief Financial Officer at Kantar, about the Future Focused CFO, and how to build a transformational mindset within your finance team.Also covered in this episode: James’ journey to becoming Global CFO of Kantar Profiles & his work with CIMA/AICPAHow has the CFO role changed and how will the CFO role change over the next few years?How far away are we from where we need to be within the CFO role? What is holding CFOs back...
2022-06-0751 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance82. Financial Transformation Live - A Framework for Building a Future Proofed Chart of AccountsSend us your thoughtsIn this session, Hannah Munro talks about how you can re-design your Chart of Accounts (COA). Ideal for those who are thinking about or currently going through the process, we give you the methodology and the framework to ensure that you not only make no mistakes but that you design a robust COA that can deliver on your reporting needs, ensuring it is futureproofed so you won't have to re-do it again next year!Links for this episode:Learn More about Financial Transformation
2022-05-3156 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance81. The Increasing Importance of Understanding and Communicating Value in Finance - with Clive Webb, ACCA, and Tim Barber, University of HullSend us your thoughtsIn this episode, Clive Webb and Tim Barber join Hannah Munro to talk about the increasing importance of understanding and communicating value in finance.Clive Webb, Head of Business Management at ACCA. Clive deals with business and technology-related matters from the perspective of the CFO. His research interests include the application of digital technologies to the finance function, and how they impact the people and processes they support. Clive has a particular interest in the personal developmental aspects of an organisation.Tim Barber has worked in...
2022-05-2450 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance76. CFO Stories: The Unconventional CFO with Jeremy Foster, CFO, TalrooSend us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro chats to Jeremy Foster to discuss the role of the CFO, and the benefits of not thinking like a traditional CFO. Jeremy is Chief Financial Officer at Talroo. He has more than fifteen years of experience as a senior executive, mainly in the technology and banking field. Jeremy has been CFO or COO for 3 Inc. 5000 companies, two of which have made the Inc. 500. Also covered in this episode:Jeremy’s unconventional journey to becoming CFOBenefits of not thinking like a t...
2022-04-1940 minCFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance75. The Pandemic and Beyond with Clive Webb, Head of Business Management, ACCASend us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks to Clive Webb, Head of Business Management at ACCA. Clive deals with business and technology-related matters from the perspective of the CFO. This episode covers the Pandemic and Beyond for finance, and also explores the research Clive carried out about the pandemic, and also the future of finance as a function.Also covered in this episode:Update on current research in the ACCA professional insights teamCOVID and the shift it has created within the role of financeImpact of v...
2022-04-1241 min