Financial Management (FM) magazine

The latest Future of Finance research from the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants reveals several key focus areas for finance and business leaders. Rebecca McCaffry, FCMA, CGMA, the Association's associate technical director, joined the FM podcast to discuss survey results, highlighting leaders' top transformation strategies, barriers facing organisations looking to upskill talent, and notable areas of progress in finance teams since a previous survey on the topic six years earlier. McCaffry also explains the interplay between people and process and one key preference that signals a "significant shift away" from organisations' workforce strategies in 2019. What you'll learn from this episode: Finance and business leaders' top priorities for transformation. Consistencies and shifts in focus from 2019 to 2025. The interplay between process and people priorities. Skills gap challenges and what risks they pose for organisations. Two points of progress since 2019. One key strategic area gaining traction and investment.

In celebration of CGMA Week, the FM podcast welcomed two CGMA designation holders who recently spoke at UK & Ireland ENGAGE to discuss the lessons they've learned throughout their careers, how their mindset has shifted over the years, and the advice they would give to finance professionals navigating opportunities in a challenging era defined by potential and uncertainty. Simon Ritchie, ACMA, CGMA, founder and CEO of Blox Software, and Olcay Yilmaz, FCMA, CGMA, finance director–Rail Infrastructure at Siemens, explain the importance of continuous learning in a time when knowledge has a faster expiration date for finance professionals. Ritchie and Yilmaz highlight the ways finance professionals can position emerging technologies as innovation drivers in the finance function and how to fully embrace those tools in their roles. CGMA Week is a global celebration designed to showcase the value, pride, and achievements associated with the CGMA designation. What you'll learn from this episode: How an early start in technology can prevent finance professionals from working "backwards". The importance of learning to love learning — and why it pays off. Key areas Yilmaz and Ritchie expect AI to optimise within the finance function. Strategies for harnessing structure and embracing change through uncertainty. Their advice for professionals preoccupied with career ladders and titles. Tips for professionals struggling to map their learning and growth journeys.

The latest episode of the podcast provides an overview of content in the October digital edition of FM. Editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises articles on topics that include AI and cybersecurity, including one with advice on writing AI prompts. The episode closes with an explanation of how members can access the October digital edition as well as the issue library. What you'll learn from this episode: Focus areas of the October digital edition. The topic connection in the edition's leadership columns. More about the advice to managers to "keep their antenna up". The topic of the Excel article by Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA.

Swaran Singh, Ph.D., professor of social and community psychiatry at the University of Warwick, explores the reasons we feel disconnected from our mental process and responses to stressful events, along with ways we can exert more control over those processes to rationalise and minimise uncertainty. Singh also illustrates the connection between mental and physical health and the role of a growth mindset in limiting stress and promoting positivity in the face of adversity. He will speak on the topic of mastering your mindset at UK & Ireland ENGAGE in October in London and online. What you'll learn from this episode: § Why organisations' approach to wellbeing is evolving. § How to begin to master your mindset and stay positive. § The link between mental and physical health conditions. § Small steps to becoming more at peace with change and uncertainty. § Ways to reframe your inner critic. § Tips for managing and recovering from stress.

Leadership coach and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professional Sophie Turner explains how CIMA helped her navigate the learning and development path in her career, the psychology of imposter syndrome, and considerations for organisations looking to create a more diverse and inclusive culture. Turner explains the importance of objectivity as a remedy for persistent self-doubt and why it's hard for people suffering from imposter syndrome to tap into the objective side of their brain. She also illustrates ways that organisations can think differently about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued. What you'll learn from this episode: § How CIMA studies led Turner down the leadership coaching path. § Why imposter syndrome is more complex than feeling anxious or out of place. § The role of feedback in managing imposter syndrome. § The way language impacts women professionally. § Some reasons why companies fail to execute DEI initiatives. § Advice for organisations looking to close diversity and equality gaps.

Jamie Gruman, Ph.D., professor of organisational behaviour at the University of Guelph in Canada, discusses some of the ways technology is distancing us from other people and how this can harm employees. Gruman explains why this era of urgency and efficiency, aided by technological advancements, threatens to further dehumanise and objectify workforces and describes ways this is happening in businesses. He talks about the research he and Alan Saks, Ph.D., professor of organisational behaviour and human resources management at the University of Toronto Scarborough), have done. That research concludes that work cultures focused on care are necessary for good management and satisfied employees. Gruman also highlights one commonly held "naive belief" preventing the development of more compassionate practices in the workplace. What you'll learn from this episode: § Different ways technology can dehumanise and objectify employees at work. § Why creating a caring work environment should be simple. § One shared falsehood that stops organisations from implementing caring cultures. § The role of leadership in demonstrating and rewarding care. § The interplay between work culture and employees' relationship with technology. § How employees are resisting algorithms that threaten their autonomy.

Stephen Flatman, vice-president–Education & Professional Qualifications at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, explains how the CGMA Professional Qualification (CGMA PQ) upgrade is designed to respond to the change of "shape" in the finance function and how those changes will propel businesses and expand opportunities for finance professionals. Flatman discusses disruptions to role requirements and career development opportunities in a competitive job market and the skills and competencies required for finance professionals to drive organisations forward and future-proof their careers. "I genuinely think we engineered the way we think about education, and that will transform the skills and competency acquisition of candidates going through the programme," Flatman said. "We think that there's real growth in the strategic and analytical roles that we're preparing people for." What you'll learn from this episode: § External factors driving talent development challenges for employers. § Some ways the CGMA PQ is changing to meet the growing requirements of the finance function. § What an evolving finance function means for students and members. § How a business-partnering focus aims to expand future finance professionals' skillsets. § Essential skills to empower professionals across various roles and industries.

This episode of the FM podcast is the continuation of an occasional series on the show called Beyond the Code. That means taking a detailed look at part of the CIMA Code of Ethics. Xose Lumor, manager–Advocacy and Professional Ethics, discusses details with Monique Samuel, associate manager–Professional Conduct, on how members can properly handle official complaints and what they should know about the process if a complaint moves forward. Resources mentioned in this episode include: n A downloadable ethics checklist. n CIMA Member in Practice Rules. n A summary page on CIMA's approach to potential sanctions. What you'll learn from this episode: · An introduction of the topic and a refresher on the Beyond the Code series. · Why members in practice should maintain communication with a client that has raised an official complaint. · An explanation of resources, including an ethics checklist that can help members deal with ethical dilemmas. · Samuel's summary of the process after an ethics complaint is referred to the Disciplinary Committee. · A reminder that such complaints are rare.