GrowCFO Show

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/47RAQ1TXbfnlvIjsxzCHwH

Delaying action on emerging technologies is often seen as the safest path for finance leaders. But in today’s environment, standing still can quietly erode competitiveness faster than visible missteps. For CFOs, the choice is no longer between perfection and experimentation; it is between shaping how intelligent tools transform their business model, or inheriting a cost base, tech stack, and operating rhythm that were designed for a world that no longer exists. The real risk now lies in missed efficiencies, slower decision cycles, and constrained strategic options when rivals are already compounding the benefits of data- and AI-enabled finance.

In this GrowCFO Show episode, host Kevin Appleby speaks with Todd McElhatton, CFO of Zuora, about why hesitating on AI adoption could be more damaging for CFOs than making imperfect early decisions. They frame AI not as a distant future technology, but as an immediate strategic lever that will separate adaptive finance leaders from those who are left managing obsolete operating models. The conversation stresses that waiting on AI often compounds operational risk, opportunity cost, and competitive disadvantage, especially for CFOs accountable for both efficiency and growth.

Todd outlines how AI is reshaping finance, from quote-to-cash and system implementation to workforce design and governance. Drawing on his experience at HP, WebMD, Oracle, VMware, SAP, and now Zuora, he explains why CFOs must actively lead AI strategy, re-architect their tech stacks, and develop robust oversight rather than defaulting to conservative inaction. By the end of the episode, listeners gain a pragmatic view of where AI can deliver tangible value today, and why inaction may be the riskiest choice of all.

Key topics covered:

Todd charts his career journey across major tech companies and explains how it shaped his view of the CFO as both financial steward and operational leader.

He details Zuora’s evolution into an AI-enabled quote-to-cash platform and how AI is accelerating shifts to new, outcome-based business models.

Todd and Kevin unpack the build vs. buy decision around AI, highlighting integration, domain expertise, compliance, and governance as critical factors for CFOs.

The discussion explores how AI can reduce rework, speed implementations, and reallocate finance capacity from manual tasks to higher-value analysis and decision-making.

Todd argues that CFOs who hesitate on AI risk constraining strategy, delaying business model transformation, and missing efficiency and innovation gains competitors are already capturing.

He shares his personal AI use cases: research, scenario analysis, and board preparation, while emphasizing human oversight, skepticism, and multi-model validation.

Links

Todd McElhatton on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps: 

0:00:00 – How roles at HP, WebMD, Oracle, VMware, and SAP shaped his perspective on the modern CFO and why understanding operations is now non‑negotiable.

0:02:53 – How AI is impacting subscription and outcome-based business models, and why this forces companies to reassess their tech stacks.

0:06:27 – ZUORA’s internal journey: moving beyond pilots to AI projects that materially affect performance while maintaining human oversigh.

0:11:37 – The trade-offs between building AI in-house and buying AI-native systems of record, with a focus on integration, compliance, and risk.

0:19:04 – How AI will reshape implementation timelines, roles, and the skills finance teams need, plus the efficiency and innovation upside.

0:19:19 – Todd’s guidance on aligning AI and tech stack decisions with business strategy, and a cautionary example where system limitations stalled an acquisition.

0:32:00 – How Todd uses AI for research, analysis, and board materials while maintaining critical thinking and cross-checking outputs across models.

0:36:21 – A closing argument for CFOs to lead AI adoption, embrace calculated risk, and redeploy teams from repetitive work to higher-value contributions.

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O3AJJ7rl6xqzgLnf82KP8

In today’s finance function, relying solely on monolithic systems and periodic reporting is no longer enough, as rapid advances in AI transform how data is collected, processed, and turned into insight. Finance leaders are now expected to orchestrate an ecosystem of intelligent tools that automate routine work, enable continuous forecasting, and surface risks and opportunities in real time. Those who continue to treat technology as a back-office utility will quickly fall behind leaders who use it as a strategic lever for competitiveness and resilience.

In this GrowCFO Show episode, Kevin Appleby is joined by Darren Cran, CEO of AccountsIQ, to explore how AI is reshaping the finance function and what a “CFO Mindset 2.0” really looks like in practice. The conversation underscores why this shift is not just a technology upgrade but a fundamental change in how CFOs think about systems, teams, and decision-making. As AI tools, such as Anthropic’s Opus 4.6, rapidly increase their capabilities, Darren explains why finance leaders must move beyond simply running ERP systems and start orchestrating a broader ecosystem of AI-enabled tools that enhance forecasting, productivity, and strategic insight

The episode examines the practical realities behind this transition: the readiness of organizations to adopt AI, the risks and opportunities around system change, and the human impact in terms of workload, overtime, and work–life balance. Darren contrasts AI-native companies with established platforms like AccountsIQ and shows how AI can be layered onto existing systems of record to automate routine tasks, strengthen continuous forecasting, and free finance professionals to do more relational, higher-value work. For CFOs wondering what to do next, this discussion offers a clear roadmap: maintain robust core systems, embrace AI as an orchestration layer on top, and cultivate a mindset that looks for opportunity in uncertainty rather than reacting to it.

Key topics covered:

The episode positions “CFO Mindset 2.0” as a response to AI’s rapid impact on finance software, using Anthropic’s Opus 4.6 as a signal that traditional software models are being disrupted and augmented by AI-first approaches.

Darren explains how AccountsIQ is investing in AI orchestration, automating repetitive tasks for finance teams while preserving the ERP or core system of record as the backbone of financial data.

The discussion compares AI-native companies versus established platforms, arguing that incumbents with deep domain knowledge and existing customers can unlock major value by embedding AI into real workflows rather than chasing hype.

Kevin and Darren explore the evolving role of ERP systems, concluding that while ERPs remain essential for core functions, AI-powered financial operating platforms and integrations will increasingly handle flexibility, user experience, and advanced analytics.

The conversation highlights the human and cultural side of AI, showing how automation can reduce overtime, improve work–life balance, and shift finance professionals toward more strategic and relational work if leadership sets the right expectations.

Darren outlines how AI can transform forecasting, from periodic budgeting to more continuous, scenario-based modeling, while stressing that CFOs must still validate models and use judgment rather than blindly trusting outputs.

Links

Darren Cran on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps: 

0:00:02 – Kevin introduces Darren and frames the episode around CFO Mindset 2.0, AI’s impact on finance software, and the significance of Anthropic’s Opus 4.6 as a turning point.

0:07:18 – Discussion on the pain of system changes, how older systems will coexist with new AI capabilities, and how AccountsIQ is investing in AI orchestration to automate routine finance tasks.

0:14:12 – Deep dive into the limitations of traditional ERP systems and the rise of financial operating platforms that rely on integrations and AI to deliver more flexible, user-friendly finance environments.

0:17:45 – Darren explains why ERP systems will remain core systems of record, while AI will build rich ecosystems around them rather than fully replacing them.

0:21:06 – Exploration of how AI can reduce overtime, change the shape of finance roles, and the importance of company culture in ensuring that productivity gains translate into better working lives.

0:28:27 – Darren and Kevin discuss how AI can dramatically speed up financial modeling and scenario analysis, enabling continuous forecasting as long as CFOs apply proper checks and validations.

0:31:49 – Darren shares AccountsIQ’s roadmap for AI agents and products designed to improve the day-to-day experience of finance professionals and keep pace with frontier technology.

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/35qKYO14JG1pUeM5uoCQPg

In a world of rapid disruption and volatility, finance teams can no longer rely on single‑point forecasts and rigid spreadsheets. They must understand ranges of possible outcomes, quantify risk, and communicate uncertainty in ways that enable better, faster strategic decisions, turning uncertainty from a threat into a competitive advantage.

In this episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby speaks with Jason Brisbane, Founder of Finhelm, about how AI and Monte Carlo simulation are reshaping finance by replacing deterministic forecasts with probability‑driven models. Brisbane shares his journey from FP&A and treasury at Adobe to founding Finhelm, a platform that brings “computational finance” into the CFO organization and assigns an “uncertainty exposure score” to models, essentially a credit score for forecast risk.

This approach helps FP&A teams treat variances as learning signals rather than failures and move from static scenario planning to continuous simulation at scale. The discussion also explores how probabilistic modeling supports risk management and AI governance, including “nutrition labels” for AI‑enabled processes so domain experts can understand volatility, detect drift, and know when human intervention is required.

Key topics covered:

Shift from deterministic to probabilistic finance: Brisbane explains how most organizations still rely on single‑point, deterministic forecasts, and how Monte Carlo simulation combined with AI introduces probability distributions, helping teams understand the likelihood of outcomes rather than relying on one number.

Uncertainty Exposure Score as a “credit score” for forecasts: Finhelm applies Monte Carlo simulation to generate an “uncertainty exposure score,” giving finance leaders a clear measure of volatility and risk embedded in their models over time.

Variances as learning, not failure: Brisbane argues that probabilistic finance allows FP&A teams to reframe forecast variances as opportunities for learning and calibration, rather than signs of failure, driving a more mature approach to performance management.

From scenario to simulation in risk management: The discussion extends Monte Carlo beyond financial forecasting into risk, highlighting how organizations can move from simplistic low/medium/high risk grids to simulated, monetized risk impacts across portfolios and risk registers.

AI “nutrition labels” and governance: Brisbane introduces the idea of a “nutrition label” for AI‑enabled processes, where risk scores and volatility bands help domain experts decide when it is safe for autonomous agents to operate and when human intervention is required.

AI‑native build by a finance domain expert: As a finance professional rather than a traditional technologist, Brisbane describes how he is using AI‑native development tools to build Finhelm, demonstrating how domain experts can now create sophisticated, AI‑driven solutions without large in‑house engineering teams.

Links

Jason Brisbane on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps: 

00:00 – 04:30 – Jason shares his background from Adobe’s rotation program through FP&A and product roles, and explains Finhelm’s mission: bringing computational finance and Monte Carlo simulation into the CFO organization to add probability and distribution to traditional forecasts.

04:30 – 08:30 – Appleby and Brisbane break down Monte Carlo as running hundreds or thousands of simulations across best/likely/worst‑case assumptions to produce a forecast with confidence bands instead of a single number, reframing how finance understands uncertainty.

08:30 – 13:45 – Appleby recounts a defense procurement project where Monte Carlo was used to estimate 25‑year life‑cycle costs and readiness, illustrating why probabilistic modeling is essential when multiple uncertain drivers interact over long horizons.

14:00 – 18:30 – Brisbane contrasts the classic “three‑tab spreadsheet” (worst/base/best) with probabilistic finance, arguing that Monte Carlo and uncertainty exposure scores allow FP&A teams to treat variance as learning data and continually recalibrate models.

18:30 – 22:30 – The conversation turns to risk registers and enterprise risk, discussing how organizations can move beyond low/medium/high matrices to simulated, monetary impact of risks, and how this supports more informed resource allocation and strategic decisions.

21:30 – 26:00 – Brisbane introduces the concept of scoring volatility to determine when AI agents can operate autonomously within “safe bands” and when domain experts must intervene, aligning probabilistic finance with AI governance and auditability requirements.

25:20 – 32:00 – Brisbane outlines Finhelm’s early traction in law, professional services, and healthcare, and shares his vision that within 12–18 months, FP&A teams will routinely use Monte Carlo and uncertainty scoring to answer deeper questions about risk and performance.

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/0zRJsjw9He6j7fvBc1Vzkp

Stepping into senior finance leadership is rarely neat or linear. The move from technical expert to strategic leader often happens sooner than expected, with higher stakes, tougher decisions, and sharper scrutiny. Yet these stretching moments are where the next generation of CFOs is really formed.

In this episode of the GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby speaks with David Hudson, Group Financial Controller at Empiric Student Property PLC. David shares how he found himself effectively operating as CFO during Empiric’s takeover by Unite Group plc; leading a difficult audit, resolving a major misstatement, handling confidential deal work, and guiding his team through intense change.

He explains how combining these real-world challenges with the GrowCFO program, especially the virtual boardroom, peer learning, and focus on personal branding, helped him accelerate his readiness for the top job. The conversation offers a practical blueprint for senior finance leaders who are being asked to step up before they feel fully prepared, showing how confidence, mentoring, and smart use of technology can enable them to perform credibly at CFO level.

Key topics covered:

David Hudson outlines his journey from audit into senior finance roles and ultimately into a position where he was effectively acting as CFO during a major corporate transaction.

He explains how stepping into the CFO role created a step‑change in responsibility—owning cash, leading the team, and steering auditors through a challenging year-end with a significant misstatement.

Hudson shares how the GrowCFO program, especially the virtual boardroom, stress‑tested his skills, built confidence, and helped him prepare for real board‑level scrutiny.

He highlights the importance of personal branding, networking, and maintaining a strong LinkedIn presence and CV as critical enablers for aspiring CFOs.

The discussion covers the realities of acquisition and integration—confidentiality, staff retention, fair reward, and managing external stakeholders such as brokers and investment banks.

Hudson describes how leveraging AI and OCR in the finance function, combined with mentoring and team development, positions him for his longer‑term ambition to become a CFO in a FTSE 250 business.

Links

David Hudson on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps: 

0:00:01 – David Hudson’s background and progression to Group Financial Controller at Empiric Student Property, and how he found himself stepping into a de facto CFO role during a takeover.

0:03:00 – Discussion of fear versus imposter syndrome, and what changes when the responsibility and accountability of a CFO role land on your desk.

0:04:52 – How the GrowCFO virtual boardroom and peer group challenged Hudson, built confidence, and simulated real board pressure ahead of stepping up. 

0:10:35 – The importance of personal branding, LinkedIn presence, and professional networking for finance leaders aiming at CFO roles.

0:18:10 – Lessons from leading through an acquisition: confidentiality, employee retention, fair recognition, and learning from brokers and investment banks.

0:21:25 – The role of mentoring, team strength, and calm leadership in successfully handling CFO‑level challenges.

0:29:37 – Practical use of AI and OCR in the finance function and how technology supports a more strategic, commercially focused CFO.

0:35:22 – The link between physical well‑being (e.g., marathon training) and better problem‑solving and resilience in high‑pressure finance roles.

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YwnZv8yNCPYP1osEaVFY6

In a world where business models, technology, and regulation can all shift in a single planning cycle, building a finance team and infrastructure that still works five years from now is a strategic necessity. Short‑term fixes and ad hoc processes quickly turn into bottlenecks as organizations grow and face deeper scrutiny from investors and regulators.

In this episode, Kevin Appleby speaks with Rishi Oberoi, Deputy CFO and CAO at Varo Bank, about designing a finance function that scales for the long term. Rishi frames finance as a leadership system that enables organizations to move fast without breaking trust, drawing on two decades in global banking, fintech, audit, and capital markets.

Together, they explore why scalable finance is as much about people and principles as it is about processes and platforms. Rishi highlights empathy, humility, and storytelling as core leadership traits, and explains how AI can act as a control sentinel and efficiency driver while preserving customer trust and regulatory rigor in a mission‑driven bank.

Key topics covered:

Finance should be designed and run as a leadership system, where everyone in the function leads in some way, not just the CFO. 

Scalable finance functions are built on empathy, humility, and values-based hiring, not only on technical skill sets. 

AI’s most powerful role in finance may be as a real-time control sentinel, enhancing compliance, monitoring controls, and supporting faster, safer decision-making. 

Systems should be architected to be modular, vendor-agnostic, and future-ready, designed around what the organization will need in 4–5 years rather than just today’s constraints. 

Finance can and should be a force for good, especially in mission-driven organizations, by balancing profitability with equitable access to financial products for underserved communities. 

Modern CFOs must spend more time looking forward than backward, closing the books quickly so they can focus on strategy, relevance, and long-term value creation.

Links

Rishi Oberoi on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps: 

0:00:00 – Kevin introduces Rishi and his global finance career; Rishi outlines his experience building fast-moving, trust-centric finance teams.

0:02:21 – Rishi explains why he views finance as one of the world’s foundational leadership systems, shaping economies, companies, and households.

0:05:27 – Discussion on leading finance teams with empathy, recognizing life outside work, and hiring for values and learning ability.

0:09:46 – Rishi describes how finance must provide a forward-looking view and use storytelling to make numbers meaningful and actionable.

0:13:06 – Exploration of AI in finance, including using AI to monitor controls and compliance in real time within regulated environments.

0:18:12 – How to design finance systems that are modular, vendor-agnostic, and aligned to where the organization will be in 4–5 years.

0:24:26 – Rishi discusses using finance to benefit customers, employees, investors, and regulators, especially in a mission-led bank like Varo.

0:26:15 – The tension and balance between serving underserved communities and maintaining regulatory- and investor-grade profitability.

0:32:53 – Advice for CFOs to close faster, look further ahead, and focus on keeping their organizations relevant in a fast-changing world.

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net