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Arriving at a high school in Cape Town, South Africa, without speaking English, Cosmin Pitigoi faced an immediate communication challenge. Years later, that same resolve reemerged in eBays IR function, where Pitigoi realized the company’s available data was falling short in communicating the breadth of eBay’s story.
Running the Numbers Without Running from the Truth No one sees the cracks forming in a businesss foundation quite like the CFO. Before the headlines, before the boardroom fallout, the numbers tell a story – and its your responsibility to make sure its the truth. You see the numbers before anyone else.
Hand Over the Numbers and Focus on What Matters Lets be honest, handling finances isnt everyones favourite job. Instead of struggling with numbers, spreadsheets, and financial rules, you can get an expert to handle it for you. Finance isnt just about adding up numbers. Communication is key. When Is It Time to Outsource?
Leading by Example Finance teams often look to the CFO for cues on communication and collaboration. Focusing on External Relationships for Sustainable Growth Engaging Investors Beyond the Numbers Investors appreciate financial results, but they also want to feel confident in the team leading the organisation.
Finance and Strategy: Making Numbers Work for Your Vision Imagine this: Your company has a fantastic vision—perhaps it’s to dominate a new market, launch a groundbreaking product, or grow your team and profits. It’s about making sure your numbers don’t just add up but drive your company toward its ultimate goals.
This month's edition kicks off with the news that Holistiplan has announced the rollout of a new estate plan document extraction tool to stand alongside its highly popular tax return scanning tool – which highlights how advances in AI technology have allowed tools like Holistiplan to go beyond tax returns and scan nearly any kind of document (..)
The ability to analyze numbers and translate them into actionable strategies has always intrigued me. Early in my career, I realized that finance is not just about managing numbers—it’s about empowering organizations to make informed decisions, optimize resources, and achieve long-term goals.
By distilling hundreds of pieces of information into a single number that purports to show the percentage chance that a portfolio will not be depleted over the course of a client's life, advisors often place special emphasis on this data point when they present a financial plan.
Being good at finance and getting numbers right is not enough anymore Of course, strong analytical skills and knowledge of finance are essential for an FP&A professional but gone are those days when these skills or proficiency in Excel were enough to excel in this role, pardon the pun. If you want to stand out, learn beyond finance.
Lessons for CFOs Being a CFO for a cross-listed company is about more than just numbers; it’s about strategy. Communicate Effectively Don’t assume your investors or board members understand the intricacies of cross-border reporting. Use simple, plain language to explain the “why” behind your numbers.
A better way to implement and communicate fee increases may be one that is centered around providing more value to the client in exchange for the higher fee.
Also in industry news this week: While inter-channel advisor moves often make headlines, a recent study from Diamond Consultants found that most advisor transitions occur between firms in the same channel The number of disciplinary cases and restitution orders from FINRA increased in 2024 (the total amount of fines declined) as the self-regulatory (..)
Also in industry news this week: While many financial advisors are paying close attention to the potential extension of sunsetting measures within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in the coming year, legislation related to retirement savings could be on Congress' agenda as well Fidelity is planning to change the default for its existing RIA non-retirement (..)
He explains how they identified which clients were no longer profitable, developed an alternative service model to offer these clients, mentally prepared for the transition, and effectively communicated the changes. staff time, technology, and custodial fees) and indirect costs (e.g., rent, marketing, and training).
While accuracy, control, and compliance remain core responsibilities, the modern CFO is also a strategic communicator someone who can turn financial complexity into actionable insight. The ability to simplify complex ideas and communicate them clearly across diverse teams is no longer a soft skill; its a critical leadership function.
By 2025, the traditional image of number-crunching accountants confined to back offices will be a relic of the past. Harding emphasises the importance of "the abilities to influence, the abilities to lead, the abilities to communicate and the ability to inspire." The finance function is undergoing a seismic shift.
Also in industry news this week: While RIA M&A deal flow hit record levels in 2024 (both in terms of volume and the speed of completing them), firm valuations saw relatively modest gains In its latest annual regulatory oversight report, FINRA joined the SEC in flagging the potential risks to firm and client data from the use of third-party vendors (..)
Feng Gu GF: About the loss of talent, can better, more timely communication help prevent this? We provide a very user-friendly tool where you just insert the numbers from the target and from the buyer, and you get a score indicating the likelihood of success. GF: When is a company well-placed to make an acquisition?
Holton’s professional path is guided by a passion for numbers and a philosophy that sees finance not just as a support function, but as a powerful tool for steering businesses toward success. I loved the intricacy of number, how these 10 digits can tell a story depending on the context they are places and the accuracy of the information.
Global Finance: Last year, we discussed the departure of a number of high-profile foreign banks from Africa. One good recent example is in Ethiopia, where the central bank recently promulgated a number of new regulations that have made the foreign exchange market more competitive. Tadesse: Capital markets are indeed an area of growth.
Talking Money Without Causing Panic Numbers tell the truth, but how you communicate with them determines how they are received. Simply presenting the numbers without explanation leaves room for doubt and speculation. Be prepared with data and a well-thought-out response to show confidence in the numbers.
Profit Leaks and Panic Fixes: How Smart CFOs Solve Problems with Precision In the world of financial management, being a CFO means far more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. But navigating complex financial problems isnt just about being good with numbers; its about using those numbers to make smart, impactful decisions.
Beyond technical expertise In terms of taking on essential skills beyond just technical expertise, Wong says becoming a standout finance leader definitely takes more than just mastering the numbers. Advice For younger, aspiring finance professionals, Wong advises: Always look beyond the numbers.
And while Black Diamond has cut a deal with Morningstar to be the 'default' option for Office advisors to move to, a host of other portfolio management platforms are offering their own incentives as well, leaving Morningstar Office advisors with an opportunity to evaluate a large and crowded landscape of options to find the platform that will work (..)
While no two days are exactly the same, the constant in my day is this: a drive to connect - to connect numbers to purpose, strategies to success, and people to their fullest potential. When you genuinely listen, adapt your communication style, and treat them as individuals with respect, curiosity, and empathy, then something shifts.
Businesses do not just want accurate numbers. Internal communication should be built around solutions, not just compliance. Communication must also improve. Instead of reporting a number, suggest what to do about it. When it demonstrates that it understands the business, not just the numbers.
Inside The Mentoring Round , PairSoft CFO Matt Collis shares his leadership philosophy on transparency, communication, and cultural alignment. For Collis, scaling isnt just about numbers; its about fostering a shared vision. He believes employees want to add value but need clarity on expectations to stay engaged.
Your ERP platform should be able to unify different modules for different areas of the business, including payroll, bills of material, inventory, accounting, customer relationship management, supply chain management, and others, helping these different departments communicate. Support for various business sectors. Typically:
IRIS2, the European satellite communications program, is finally taking off. IRIS2 and its 290 satellites are much smaller than the 6,000 active Starlink satellites but the constellation is a strong communication tool. The European Commission carefully avoided numbers. It didn’t say what will be the final cost.
million nonprofits in the United States – nearly double the number from 30 years ago – organizations need to stand out in an increasingly crowded field. Check out the full interview with Howard here: Why Strong Branding Matters for Nonprofits Howard emphasizes that with approximately 1.6
In this 165th episode of Kitces & Carl , Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards explore how advisors can simplify the delivery of complex advice and why doing so is such a critical (and often underdeveloped) skill. Fortunately, advisors don't need to start from scratch.
IRIS2, the European satellite communications program, is finally taking off. IRIS2 and its 290 satellites are much smaller than the 6,000 active Starlink satellites but the constellation is a strong communication tool. The European Commission carefully avoided numbers. It didn’t say what will be the final cost.
Identifying and Overcoming Ethical Dilemmas in Business In the corporate world, numbers might drive decisions, but values define leadership. Communicate transparently about the rationale behind decisions, even if they are unpopular. As a CFO your influence extends beyond financial reports and budgets.
Reflecting on that moment, he explains how relocating, digging into the numbers, and telling privateequity owners the hard truth set the stage for a radical turnaround.
He believes that clear, succinct and consistent communication is critical within organisations to ensure focus and drive cross-functional collaboration. “It’s impossible to predict everything, but building an organisation which can work through distinct scenarios and craft respective responses is the optimal approach,” Shivam says.
This early encouragement played a key role in shaping my future, as it introduced me to the world of business and numbers. Understand that as a CFO, your role is not just about numbers but about influencing and guiding the organisation’s financial health and strategy.
a ski chalet), assessing whether it will lead to greater overall wellbeing, or, alternatively, more stress, is more challenging Enjoy the 'light' reading!
Winnie Law , CFO, Technology & Operations (T&O), Global Functionsand Fit for Growth, Standard Chartered , believes the war on talent continues to be a challenge as the role of Finance pivots from being mere number crunchers and financial journalists to strategy influencers.
Analytical Thinking: Turning Data into Actionable Insights Numbers may tell a story, but without analysis, they’re just noise. It’s not just about seeing the numbers—it’s about understanding their story. Implement advanced analytics tools to visualise data and uncover hidden opportunities.
Anderson shared her experiences as a CPA, noting the frustration of dealing with arbitrary fundraising targets or “plug” numbers to balance the budget. Both experts agreed that open communication and realistic goal-setting are crucial for creating a workable budget.
Below are the key takeaways from this insightful discussion: The Foundation of a Strategic Vision Roger shared that a successful strategic vision starts with identifying the “magic numbers” for a business. He recommended frequent communication to address concerns and align employees. Roger Castle: Hi, Leana.
Leadership is About People, Not Just Strategy Many leaders focus on strategy, numbers, and financial goals, but Paula emphasizes that true leadership starts with people. Navigating Business Transitions: Communication is Key Change is inevitable, especially in todays fast-evolving business landscape.
Communicate a Clear Vision One of the biggest reasons change fails is poor communication. Instead of relying solely on emails or official announcements, they should communicate through team meetings, one-on-one discussions, and open forums where employees can ask questions. How to Manage Change Effectively 1.
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