A digital mindset is key to a CFO being able to drive change in their business. Alexandra Cain captured the key themes from my recent interview with three senior leaders in the finance teach space in Australia

Technology & Finance – Why CFOs Need to Develop a Digital Mindset

This article was first published on the CFO Magazine website here

By Alexandra Cain

You can have all the tech in the world. But it is likely to be rendered useless unless there are strong processes and procedures behind it, and a change management culture that supports people across the business to adopt new technologies.

This was the central message at the most recent CFO Magazine Lunchtime Live WebCast, which attracted over 230 CFOs and finance leaders, highlighting the importance of the topic.

The audience was treated to an insight into how a well-run fintech operates, in addition to popping the bonnet on one of Australia’s most successful med-tech companies.

The topic for the panel was situated in our new COVID reality, in which many finance teams are transitioning back to the office. In fact, a survey of audience members found the majority (63 per cent) were back in the office.

Continue reading “Technology & Finance – Why CFOs Need to Develop a Digital Mindset – CFO Series”

A great summary by Alexandra Cain of my chat with three of NZ’s most senior finance leaders !

The CFO as Change Agent – Reducing Costs & Driving Efficiencies in Times of Uncertainty

This article was first published on the CFO Magazine website here

By Alexandra Cain

New Zealand has been one of the most successful countries to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. But the nation’s early, brutal lockdown was one of the most challenging events its finance professionals have ever had to manage.

A year on, CFO Magazine was fortunate to host a fascinating webinar with three of NZ’s most senior finance professionals, facilitated by James Solomons, global CFO of online reference checking platform Xref.

The session was an opportunity for the 150 CFOs who attended it to hear how the panellists piloted their organisations as they automated and transformed many aspects of their operations to drive down costs and drive up efficiencies through 2020.

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Alexandra Cain wrote this piece summarising all the takeaways from my chat with leading CFOs on how reviewing your supplier agreements and possibly outsourcing this process could reap your business significant benefits !

Rationalising Suppliers Delivers Many Benefits

This article was first published on the CFO Magazine website here

By Alexandra Cain

Systematically reviewing procurement processes delivers many benefits aside from reducing costs. But all too often, lack of expertise, time and resources means businesses simply roll over supplier contracts without really taking the time to explore all their options. Which is why outsourcing this process can deliver so much value.

Guest speakers at CFO Magazine’s most recent CFO Lunchtime Live event explored this topic, drawing on their experience rationalising the cost base in their organisation with Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA).

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A topic that does not get enough attention is IFRS 16. Aside from the requirements for financial accounts, understanding IFRS 16 can empower businesses to make better decisions on the use of their capital. Alexandra Cain with another great write up, summarises the benefits from focusing more attention on this area

Leveraging the hidden benefits of IFRS 16:

This article was first published on the CFO Magazine website here

The real questions CFOs should be asking their finance team.

The transition to the AASB 16 / NZ IFRS 16 accounting standard, which was published in 2016 and came into force in January 2019, has been one of the most widely-anticipated shifts in accounting and finance. Now that most reporting entities have been through one full compliance cycle, it’s an opportune time to assess how all stakeholders are responding to the new standard.

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Nina Hendy wrote a fantastic wrap of my chat with BioPak CFO Kim Jeanneret

How Technology is Changing the Role of the CFO

This article was first published on the CFO Magazine website here

Technology is changing the way forward thinking CFOs work, particularly in the last year during the Covid-19 health crisis.

Technology has revolutionised the CFO role over the years, streamlining processes and bolstering company insights in new ways.

That’s according to the CFO of environmentally friendly food packaging company BioPak, Kim Jeanneret, who is an avid believer that the wonders of technology can drive better business outcomes.

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Great write up by Alexandra Cain to close out the calendar year on how CFOs can drive digital transformation !

Driving Digital Transformation Post Pandemic

This article was first published on the CFO Magazine website here

New Zealand is known for both its early adoption of digital technologies and it’s mastery over the COVID-19 pandemic. This puts its finance heads in a leadership role to explore the future of digital transformation.

How CFOs can help drive transformation was the topic for the most recent trans-Tasman CFO Series Lunchtime Live, sponsored by Microsoft New Zealand. Moderator James Solomons, CFO of online talent sourcing solution Xref, situated the discussion in light of the events of 2020.

Continue reading “Driving Digital Transformation Post Pandemic – CFO Series”