#FinanceMaster

Many finance professionals are running faster than ever, but still feel like they’re falling behind. In this episode, Anders Liu-Lindberg talks with Michaela Daly, FCCA, about the growing challenge of burnout and pressure in finance careers. They explore why this struggle is so common, how to spot the early signs, and what professionals and leaders can do to create balance without losing ambition.

In this episode of #FinanceMaster, we speak with Anna Oblakova, PMP®, PhD, about what it really means to be a business partner in FP&A. Together, we unpack how FP&A can move beyond spreadsheets and forecasts to influence decisions, collaborate across teams, and help build world-class finance functions. Anders and Anna also explore what separates Finance Business Partnering from FP&A Business Partnering, and how professionals can develop the skills, curiosity, and confidence to create real impact.

AI is rapidly transforming the finance function, but most teams still don’t know where to begin. Finance Innovation Now aims to change that, providing practical, accessible AI education and advisory services built specifically for finance professionals. In this episode, Anders speaks with Marie Speakman and Kirsty Mackenzie about how finance teams can move from curiosity to implementation: gaining confidence with AI, identifying use cases, and embedding automation to drive efficiency and innovation without losing human insight.

As the finance profession evolves, FP&A is emerging as the engine driving insight, strategy, and transformation. In this week’s #FinanceMaster, Anders sits down with Vishaka Taneja, finance professional and FP&A advocate, to explore why this field has become one of the most exciting paths in modern finance. We unpack what makes FP&A distinct from traditional accounting, the skills professionals need to make the transition, and how AI and automation are reshaping the function to deliver deeper, faster business insights.

Tariffs, trade wars, and supply-chain disruption are redefining how finance leaders plan and protect their businesses. In this episode, Anders Liu-Lindberg talks with Thomas Mehlkopf from SAP Taulia about insights from the new e-book “Impact of Tariffs on Finance.” They discuss how CFOs can build resilience through better liquidity management, predictive analytics, and data-driven agility. To learn more about how finance can act in the current tariff-impacted environment, you can download SAP Taulia's latest report "Impact of Tariffs on Finance". Get the report here: https://bit.ly/437xliV

As finance evolves from reporting to real-time decision support, the role of the finance business partner is more important than ever. In this week’s #FinanceMaster, Anders speaks with Rachel Daly, Commercial Finance Manager and CIMA Committee Member for Northern Ireland, about how accountants can successfully transition into strategic business partnering roles. We explore the mindset shifts, key skills, and career decisions that enable this transformation—and how automation and AI are reshaping what it means to add value as a finance professional today.

As global finance grows more interconnected, navigating cross-border accounting and GAAP conversions has never been more critical. In this week’s #FinanceMaster, Anders sits down with Katrina Nacci, CPA and technical accounting expert, to unpack the complexities of multi-jurisdictional conversions, U.S. IPO readiness, and working with global finance teams. We explore why cross-border projects are so challenging, how CFOs can prepare their organizations for success, and why agility and expertise often outweigh size when choosing the right advisory model.

As AI reshapes the CFO tech stack, reinventing the quote-to-cash process has become critical for growth-focused finance leaders. In this week’s #FinanceMaster, Anders speaks with Riya Grover, CEO & Co-Founder of Sequence, about how AI is unlocking efficiency in billing and AR, bridging the CRM-to-ERP gap, and empowering finance teams to scale faster. We also explore what the modern CFO tech stack looks like, where AI is driving the most immediate value, and how automation is set to transform finance functions over the next few years.

As the accounting profession faces a mounting talent crisis, innovative solutions are reshaping how finance teams operate. In this week’s #FinanceMaster, we sit down with Maura Teitelbaum, COO of Elite Virtual Employment Solutions, to explore how offshoring is helping organizations address the accountant shortage. From why the Philippines stands out as a hub for skilled finance talent, to practical first steps for CFOs considering offshore models, Maura shares insights on building resilient, world-class finance functions. We also discuss how offshoring complements automation, enabling finance leaders to focus on strategic value creation across the business.

As AI moves beyond the buzzword stage, finance leaders are already using it to transform reporting, compliance, and decision-making. In this week’s #FinanceMaster, Anders sits down with Steve Soter, VP at Workiva and former Head of SEC Reporting at Overstock, to explore where AI is driving real impact for finance and accounting teams. We unpack the most promising use cases, the biggest adoption hurdles, and how leaders can embrace AI without disrupting critical workflows—ensuring technology supports, rather than overwhelms, today’s finance professionals.

As digital transformation reshapes the finance landscape, understanding how to effectively use enterprise platforms is more critical than ever. In this week’s #FinanceMaster, we dive into the SAP Business Suite with Christian Straub — unpacking its relevance for finance teams, key starting points, and practical applications. We also explore how AI, through SAP’s Joule, is being integrated to support — not replace — finance professionals, driving smarter decisions across the value chain.

As finance becomes increasingly complex, roles in finance teams must evolve with a stronger emphasis on specialization. This shift also intensifies the need for effective business partnering within finance. Finance professionals are not only required to have technical expertise but must also act as strategic advisors. There’s quite a gap to cover between the two, so join this week’s #FinanceMaster Show to learn more about strategic business partnering and how to make the jump.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have become central to business strategy and stakeholder expectations. What was once a “nice-to-have” is now a critical part of how companies operate, attract investors, and comply with increasingly stringent regulations. Organizations must go beyond annual ESG reports to demonstrate real-time accountability and transparency in this new landscape.   Enter real-time ESG auditing and assurance services. Powered by advanced monitoring tools and Internet of Things (IoT) data streams, this approach enables companies to continuously validate ESG compliance, respond proactively to risks, and build trust with stakeholders. But are companies ready for this transformation?   In this week’s show, we’ll explore the rise of real-time ESG auditing, how it works, its benefits, and the steps organizations can take to prepare for this seismic shift.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have always been the backbone of the global economy, driving innovation, job creation, and local economic growth. Yet, one of their most persistent challenges is managing their finances effectively. Limited resources, lack of financial expertise, and unpredictable cash flows often hinder their ability to compete with larger corporations. In 2025, a new wave of hyper-personalized financial management tools is set to change the game for SMEs. These platforms, powered by advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), offer tailored financial planning, budgeting, and cash flow management solutions. They are poised to empower SMEs with the insights and tools needed to thrive in a competitive marketplace. Join this week’s #FinanceMaster Show to learn more about the latest in financial management tools. 

As sustainability becomes a non-negotiable business imperative, finance teams will increasingly need to account for circular economy models. This includes tracking carbon credits, measuring the financial impact of recycling efforts, and integrating sustainability metrics into financial KPIs. In this week’s #FinanceMaster we look at how finance teams can get started.

While AI has been used for automation and basic analysis in recent years, the trend in 2025 shifts towards AI as a strategic advisor. Finance teams will increasingly leverage AI for automation and strategic tasks like scenario planning, risk management, and decision-making support. Tune in to this week’s #FinanceMaster Show and get the latest insights on how AI will elevate Finance to the strategic level.

With Viktor Mendel, a strategic finance transformation expert, we will discuss the main trends for finance and accounting in 2025. Tune into this week's episode of  #FinanceMaster Show to learn more about AI-driven Strategic Finance, Circular Economy Accounting, Hyper-Personalized Financial Management Tools for SMEs, Real-Time ESG Auditing and Assurance Services, and the Evolution of Finance Roles. With us as your guide, we’ll lead you safely into 2025 to accelerate your performance and career.

If you invest in stock, you would know that most of a company’s value is based on future expectations of the company. All you need to do is not disappoint these expectations. However, how do you influence the expectations and ensure you don’t disappoint? We will discuss your company’s future expectations as the fourth and final driver of shareholder value creation in this week's episode of #FinanceMaster

No one cares about the company’s balance sheet but Finance. That’s a shame because all value creation in a company passes through the balance sheet before it is distributed to company shareholders. That’s why we also need to bring this to the attention of decision makers. We should ensure our assets are highly utilized, that we collect our money and pay our bills efficiently, and that we have the optional funding structure. In this week’s episode of the #FinanceMaster Show, we will show you how you can drive asset efficiency and create value through your balance sheet.

The answer is “No one!” Sure, finance professionals don’t always execute cost savings programs, but they’re often tasked with finding efficiencies, facilitating decision-making, and following up to see if savings are realized. Further, they conduct benchmarking and spread good ideas across the company. Join the next episode of the #FinanceMaster