Why AI Still Feels Hard for Finance Teams
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Alex Curran, CEO of Aptitude Software, explains that the biggest barrier to AI adoption in finance is not the AI models themselves but outdated finance architecture built on batch‑processed ERPs that create fragmented, delayed data. He argues that CFOs need real‑time, auditable, and AI‑native finance systems to deliver trustworthy, explainable insights and to shift from manual, month‑end reporting to strategic decision‑making. Aptitude offers a modern finance‑ERP platform that integrates AI natively, delivers live P&L updates, and can be deployed in weeks rather than years, addressing the gap between AI ambition and data reality. The conversation highlights the need for a new category of finance‑specific ERP that separates from traditional operational ERP suites.
AI Adoption in Finance: What CFOs Get Wrong (And How to Do It Right)
In this episode of CFO Weekly, host Megan Weiss talks with Ashok Manthena, CFO and Chief Finance AI at Chatfin, about the current state of AI adoption in finance. Ashok explains that CFOs are moving from curiosity to active experimentation,...
Beyond the Spreadsheet: Why Finance Leaders Must Translate, Not Just Analyze
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Derek Polson, VP of FP&A at purpose‑driven brand Pura Vida, explains why finance leaders must act as generalists who translate insights across the organization rather than merely crunch numbers. Drawing on his early experience...
Greatest Hits: Financial Planning 101 for College Students with Stephen Heath
In this episode of CFO Weekly, host Megan Weiss talks with Stephen Heath—a former high‑school dropout turned UC Berkeley graduate, CPA, litigation consultant, professor, and author—about the fundamentals of personal financial planning for college students. Stephen shares how a community‑college...
How to Become a CFO: The Real Career Path, Skills & Decisions That Matter
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Megan Weiss talks with David Liu, CFO of Success KPI, about the unconventional yet strategic path to becoming a chief financial officer. Liu highlights the pivotal role of GE Capital’s two‑year rotational program, diverse...
IPO Readiness for CFOs: Processes, Controls & Strategy for Going Public
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Ignacio "Nacho" Redondo, SVP of Finance at NextPower (formerly NextTracker), shares how he prepared the solar‑tech company for an IPO by building robust financial processes, internal controls, and operational discipline. He recounts his unconventional...
Greatest Hits: Building Learning Cultures in Finance with Jessica McClain, CFO at American Staffing Association
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Jessica McClain, CFO of Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, discusses the importance of lifelong learning for financial leaders, especially as AI and automation reshape accounting work. She shares how her background in public accounting and...
AI-Powered Vendor Management and How CFOs Streamline Operations with Sara Wyman, CEO & Founder at Stackpack
In this episode of CFO Weekly, host Megan Weiss talks with Sara Wyman, CEO and founder of StackPak, about the evolving role of CFOs in vendor management and how AI can automate and streamline the process. Wyman explains that traditional...
Automated, Insightful, and Connected: The Future of Finance with Hari Sankar, SVP of Applications Development at Oracle
In this episode, Oracle SVP Hari Sankar discusses how finance is evolving toward automation, AI‑driven predictive insights, and seamless connectivity. He explains that finance has been slower to adopt new tech due to its high standards for accuracy, governance, and...
Greatest Hits: Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Fractional CFO with Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre Group Limited
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre Group, explains how fractional CFOs give fast‑growing entrepreneurs access to senior finance expertise without the expense of a full‑time hire. She identifies the $2‑3 million revenue threshold as...
How New Finance Leaders Navigate Transition and Build Confidence with Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO
In this episode, Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO, guides new CFOs through the critical first hundred days, emphasizing the cultural shift from finance director to strategic leader. He outlines a structured onboarding plan, tactics for overcoming imposter syndrome,...