The Diary of a CFO

Most finance teams spend two weeks building a board report that gets reviewed in ten minutes. The formatting alone could take days. And if one number changes, the entire approval cycle restarts.In this episode, I sit down with Fabian Ferrada, Senior Solutions Engineer at Insight Software. Before moving to tech, Fabian spent over a decade in financial and operational leadership for a publicly traded company, carrying P&L responsibility on major projects across South America and the Middle East.We break down what a great board presentation actually looks like versus what most teams are delivering. Why three out of four manual disclosure processes contain at least one number appearing differently across documents. The real cost of broken reporting, and it is not just overtime. How to present bad news to a board and keep their trust. The difference between board reporting and investor reporting and why most manual processes can barely handle one. And a real case study where a company with 12 subsidiaries across 6 countries cut their disclosure process from weeks to days.If your team dreads reporting season or your board deserves better than what you are currently delivering, this episode will show you what the fix actually looks like.Brought to you by insightsoftware's Certent Disclosure Management (CDM). Visit insightsoftware.com/board-reporting to learn more.

Most founders make the same fundraising mistakes and do not realize it until the cash is gone.In this episode, I sit down with Julianne Averill, a healthcare AI CFO, board director, and fractional CFO with over 20 years of experience helping life science and digital health companies scale through fundraising, M&A, and IPOs. She has been through over 50 transactions on both the buy and sell side and currently serves as a fractional CFO working with multiple founders.We break down how startup funding actually works from Seed all the way to IPO. What investors are really looking for at each stage. The difference between debt and equity and why getting that wrong can be one of the most expensive decisions a founder makes. The 9 mistakes she sees founders make during fundraising that kill deals before they start. What actually happens when a company goes public and why it is not the finish line most people think it is. How AI is changing the way investors discover and evaluate companies. And the ideal finance team structure as a company scales.Whether you are raising capital, sitting on a board, or leading finance at a growing company, this episode covers the full picture.FREE DOWNLOAD: Julianne shared her sample pitch decks during the conversation. Grab both here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GlZiV70W4zIulXhFgf1Z9TtkeLyyzR7r

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Dave DeFreitas, retired group CFO of Caterpillar Inc., to explore the unconventional career path that took him from staff accountant to the C-suite.Drawing on over 30 years of experience leading finance teams at one of the world's largest manufacturing companies, Dave shares why he had seven different jobs in his first six years before getting his first promotion, and how those lateral moves built the foundation for executive-level thinking. The conversation also explores:The situational leadership framework that allows leaders to adapt their approach based on where each team member is in their development, Why understanding how a company works matters more than functional expertise,The critical difference between managing change and leading improvements.This episode is for CFOs, aspiring CFOs, and senior finance leaders who want a realistic roadmap to the C-suite and the leadership skills that matter most once you get there.Key Timestamps01:19 Three things that made the difference to group CFO03:25 The power of lateral moves in career progression12:06 Situational leadership framework explained15:41 Leading a team where most direct reports are older than you24:04 The difference between managers and leaders28:16 Value stream mapping and process optimization42:09 How university curriculum needs to evolve for AI47:37 What finance professionals must do to adapt to AILearn more about the podcast at https://www.thediaryofacfo.comExplore the CFO Readiness Scorecard at https://thecfo.scoreapp.com👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here:http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

Stepping into your first CFO role can feel overwhelming. In this episode, former divisional CFO and GrowCFO Mentor Kevin Appleby shares what really changes when you move from finance leader to CFO.Drawing on years of experience working with finance leaders across industries, Kevin shares why many CFOs feel unprepared when they step into the role and how the real work begins after the reporting is done. The conversation examines how CFOs add value through judgment, questioning, and forward-looking insight, especially when the path forward is unclear.This episode is for CFOs, aspiring CFOs, and senior finance leaders who want clarity on what actually matters in the seat and how to grow into the role without trying to be everything to everyone.Key Timestamps00:02 Intro02:18 What separates good finance teams from great ones05:48 Asking better questions to drive real insight09:28 Developing business partnering skills through responsibility12:42 Why CFOs must shift from backward-looking to forward-looking work18:34 Imposter syndrome and confidence in new CFOs24:56 Choosing which CFO skills matter most37:56 The importance of FP&A and delivering bad news early41:14 Why risk management sits with the CFO44:22 What new CFOs should focus on in their first 90 daysLearn more about the podcast at https://www.thediaryofacfo.comIf becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.comGet Involved Have a question or topic suggestion? Email: Ask@thediaryofacfo.comConnect with Guest Kevin Appleby: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinappleby/Connect with Host Wassia Kamon onLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wassiakamon/Connect with The Diary of a CFO Podcast onLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-diary-of-a-cfo-podcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thediaryofacfopodcast/featuredWebsite: https://www.thediaryofacfo.comX (Twitter): https://x.com/thediaryofacfo

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Teri Kozub, a three-time CFO with more than 33 years of experience in nonprofit finance and current CFO at Community Legal Services of Mid Florida.Teri shares how her non-linear career shaped her leadership style, why nonprofit finance is far more complex than many assume, and how CFOs can lead effectively through uncertainty, risk, and mission-driven pressure.Expect to LearnWhy the CFO role extends far beyond numbers and reportingHow nonprofit CFOs navigate uncertainty and funding volatilityWhat trust and communication look like when leading outside your expertiseKey Timestamps00:00:00 Introduction and career journey03:18:00 Why nonprofit finance is not easier09:03:00 Trust, communication, and leadership18:47:00 Community and executive isolation20:45:00 Endowments and long-term legacyLearn more about the podcast at https://www.thediaryofacfo.comExplore the CFO Readiness Scorecard at https://thecfo.scoreapp.com👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com📬 Get InvolvedHave a question or topic suggestion?Email: Ask@thediaryofacfo.com🔗 Connect with Guest Teri Kozub:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-kozub-81058a12/🔗 Connect with Host Wassia Kamon onLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wassiakamon/🔗 Connect with The Diary of a CFO Podcast onLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-diary-of-a-cfo-podcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thediaryofacfopodcast/featuredWebsite:https://www.thediaryofacfo.comX

Attorney and risk-management expert Natalia Greene reveals the real stories behind major fraud cases, including those featured on American Greed that she personally worked on.She also shares exactly how accountants, fractional CFOs, and boutique finance firms accidentally expose themselves to lawsuits, even when they’ve done nothing wrong.We cover: The wildest embezzlement schemes she’s seen in 20+ years of litigation Why accountants often get blamed first when fraud is uncovered The engagement letter mistakes that put firms at massive risk How scope creep silently increases your legal exposure The insurance policy every fractional CFO or firm owner needs (but few ever buy) The documentation habits that can make or break you in court Why client acceptance and annual reevaluation may be your best risk-prevention toolWhether you run an accounting firm, work as a fractional CFO, or simply want to protect your professional services business, this episode is packed with hard-won insights you won’t find in any textbook.------Subscribe to the Finance Executive Track newsletter for actionable insights to become the obvious choice for top finance roles and thrive once you get therehttps://the-finance-executive-track.kit.com/signupDon't forget to download the free guide on AI prompts every finance leader needs:https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

Join Vivienne Wei, COO of Unified Agent Force Platform at Salesforce and a leading thinker in financial technology, as she shares her journey from Wall Street to orchestrating enterprise-wide AI transformations.In this episode, Vivienne breaks down the realities and myths of AI in the finance function, from predictive models to generative AI, and reveals how agentic AI is creating a new category of digital workers, “AI agents,” that drive both productivity and resilience in modern businesses.You'll also learn the essentials of upskilling for an AI-augmented workforce, the leadership behaviors needed to foster adoption, and actionable strategies for CFOs to harness AI for operational and strategic advantage.Whether you're a finance leader, tech executive, or simply curious about the future of work, discover practical lessons and frameworks to drive innovation and business value in the AI era.If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/Don't forget to download the free guide on AI prompts every finance leader needs:https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

CFOs are expected to drive transformation, lead strategy, and still deliver flawless numbers every month. In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Tom Hood, one of the most influential voices in finance leadership, to unpack what’s really behind the growing pressure on today’s CFOs.We talk about:✅ How the CFO role has evolved from finance expert to strategic co-pilot✅ Why upskilling and reskilling are the new competitive edge✅ How to balance performance with transformation✅ The real impact of AI and automation on finance teamsIf you’ve ever felt like you’re doing 5 jobs at once as a CFO, this episode is for you.Other resources mentioned in this episode: Upskilling & Reskilling Resources - Business Learning Institute (BLI)https://blionline.org Business Resilience Toolkit https://www.aicpa-cima.com/advocacy/download/business-resilience-toolkitF.A.M.E. Finance Assessment Model for Effectivenesshttps://blionline.org/finance-assessment-model-for-effectiveness

Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/What does it take to lead finance through real estate booms, construction slowdowns, and global crises?In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, I sit down with Bona Allen, a CFO with three decades of experience across real estate development, construction, and investment. Bona has led finance at both public and private companies, navigated the savings and loan crisis, the 2008 crash, and COVID, and built strategies that kept projects and people moving through uncertainty.We talk about:How the CFO role has changed Real estate vs construction financeSpotting business cyclesCrisis leadership Building and keeping strong teamsBona also shares the career moves that shaped him, the mistakes that made him better, and why networking to help others is the best long-term strategy.If you’re in real estate, construction, or any cyclical industry, this conversation is full of lessons you can use to prepare, adapt, and lead.If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Mike High (CFO, NAIT; ex-Shell Deep Water CFO) shares leadership lessons from the Army to corporate finance: why the “platinum rule” beats one-size-fits-all leadership, what truly changes when you move from FP&A to the CFO seat, and how to carry a portfolio of crises without burning out.We discussed:practical playbooks to lead through a portfolio of crisis,how to keep long-term work moving during emergencies,what most companies get wrong about FP&A,how to make digital transformation succeed.Get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/Whether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance.It’s completely free, and you will get personalized results instantly.Big thanks to insightsoftware for sponsoring this episode.Join our upcoming webinar on October 15th >https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/

Controller vs FP&A : which path gives you a better shot at the CFO seat? Wassia Kamon has done both. In this solo episode, she reveals why neither route guarantees success on its own and what truly sets future CFOs apart. Drawing on her first year as a CFO, Wassia introduces her Executive Readiness Framework and explains how to develop the executive substance, influence, and presence boards and CEOs look for. Whether you're in the weeds of the close or building forecasts, this is the episode that will change how you think about your next move.Resources mentioned:The Free CFO Readiness AssessmentWhether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance.Get your CFO score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/Learning Hub for Aspiring CFOsTo learn more about how to become a CFO, visit: https://thediaryofacfo.com/resources

Christian Wattig is the program director of Wharton’s FP&A Certificate and the founder of InsideFP&A. In this episode, he shares his path from Procter & Gamble to becoming a leader in finance education, along with the pivotal lessons he learned along the way.You’ll learn:Why forecasting accuracy remains a major challenge for finance teamsHow to apply multiple forecasting methods for better resultsWhat separates great financial models from the restHow AI is reshaping FP&A work beyond just automationThe habits and mindset shifts needed to move from analyst to strategic business partnerThis conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to sharpen their FP&A skills and drive real impact in their organization.

Most companies think cybersecurity is about firewalls and IT policies. But the real risk often starts with culture.In this episode, Dutch Schwartz, VP of Cloud Services at SideChannel and former security leader at AWS and Raytheon, shares why companies with poor culture are three times more likely to face a breach. We talk about how leadership, disengaged employees, and outdated mindsets quietly open the door to cyber threats.You'll also hear:The $25 million AI voice scam that could have been preventedHow to build a culture of security that actually sticksWhat CFOs need to understand about working with CISOsWhy cybersecurity is no longer just a tech problemThis conversation is a must-listen for finance and business leaders navigating today's digital risks.