The Better Finance Podcast: Recent Episodes

EY

The EY Better Finance Podcast explores the changing dynamics of the business world and what it means for finance leaders of today and tomorrow. Hosted by EY’s Myles Corson, this series offers insights from leaders on key topics affecting the world of corporate finance.

Many finance organizations are exploring how to scale AI, but readiness remains uneven across teams and processes.

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Mike Whitmire, CEO and co-founder of FloQast, about what CFOs need to get right before scaling AI in finance.

Drawing on his experience working with thousands of finance teams and building FloQast's accounting workflow platform, Mike explains why visibility into workflows, structured processes and reliable data remain essential for effective AI adoption. The conversation also highlights how AI adoption varies widely across finance functions, with different levels of maturity requiring tailored approaches based on scale, complexity and growth plans.

Mike also discusses the importance of governance, audit readiness and operating discipline, outlining how CFOs can align people, process and technology to scale AI in a structured way and deliver measurable value.

Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance.

Key takeaways:

Challenge assumptions about AI by focusing on what finance teams need to trust and adopt it, not what technology promises.
Tailor AI approaches to the scale, complexity and maturity of the finance function, rather than applying a single model.
Redefine the role of finance teams, with greater emphasis on judgement, review and providing confidence in outputs.

© 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited

Treasury is entering a new phase of responsibility, one defined by continuous action rather than periodic oversight.

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Stephen Randall, Global Head of Liquidity Management Services at Citigroup, about how treasury is adapting to an always-on, real-time global economy and becoming more central to enterprise value creation.

Stephen shares insights from Citi's research and client experience on what differentiates high-performing treasury functions, highlighting the importance of strong fundamentals, high-quality data, automation and programmable, rules-based cash management. He explains how always-on treasury models help CFOs and treasurers respond faster to disruption, reduce operational risk and make more informed balance sheet decisions.

Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance.

Key takeaways:

Understand why forecasting accuracy alone is no longer sufficient to support confident finance decision making.
Recognize how treasury can enable confidence through real‑time liquidity, visibility and control.
Explore how leading organizations are redesigning treasury operating models for an always‑on environment.
Identify the role of real‑time liquidity and automation in reducing reliance on manual intervention.
Understand how treasury's evolving role can support resilience, agility, unlock capital and support enterprise value creation.

© 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson is joined by Jack McCullough, President of the CFO Leadership Council, to explore how CFOs can uncover and support hidden talent within their organizations to thrive in an AI-driven world. They discuss the concept of indispensable specialists — those individuals who may not hold senior titles or be highly visible but possess unique skills that drive significant value and impact. Jack shares insights on why recognizing these key contributors are important for CFOs navigating rapid technological change and organizational complexity.

The conversation highlights how AI is transforming finance roles but cannot replace the nuanced judgment, trust and crisis management that these specialists provide. Jack and Myles also explore practical strategies for CFOs to identify, nurture and reward these talents, including embracing dual career paths that allow experts to deepen their skills without necessarily moving into management roles.

Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance.

Key takeaways:

Identify the specialists who deliver outsized value in your finance teams.
Recognize the importance of unique skills that AI cannot replace.
Implement strategies to nurture and retain indispensable talent.
Assess whether current career paths support both technical experts and leaders.

© 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, Myles Corson speaks with David Homonoff, CFO at Feast & Fettle, about what it takes to lead finance in a fast-growing business where culture and customer experience are deeply intertwined.

David shares how Feast & Fettle's success stems from a simple yet powerful idea: make decisions through the lens of the customer. He explains why treating the customer as the North Star shapes nearly every decision, from pricing and expansion to how the organization thinks about retention, profitability and long-term value. Rather than chasing growth at any cost, the conversation explores how finance leaders can use their operating model to make thoughtful trade-offs as complexity increases.

The episode offers an inside look at the modern CFO mindset. David reflects on why strong fundamentals are essential, but not sufficient, and why some of the most important work happens outside the spreadsheet. He talks candidly about testing new ideas, learning from experience and willingness to adjust course when something no longer makes sense. Throughout the conversation, David highlights the importance of building teams that take ownership, stay curious about technology and are prepared to navigate uncertainty, illustrating how today's CFOs are evolving from financial stewards into true business leaders.

Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance.

Key takeaways:

Understand how strong finance fundamentals and operational discipline create the foundation for sustainable, profitable growth.
Discover why treating the customer as the North Star can help CFOs balance expansion, pricing and investment decisions without compromising quality or culture.
Learn how embracing innovation, including AI, while leading with integrity can enable finance leaders to navigate complexity and create long‑term value.

© 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, Brian Tomlinson, Managing Director, ESG, Financial Accounting Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLP, speaks with Jan Rosenow, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the University of Oxford, about how the global energy transition is reshaping the economic landscape for businesses.

The discussion explores the growing role of industrial policy in decarbonization and how different regions are using incentives such as tax credits and subsidies to influence where clean energy technologies are developed and deployed. As economies shift from fossil fuel dependence toward electrification, companies face new considerations around energy costs, supply chain exposure and policy uncertainty.

Jan shares practical insights on how organizations can approach the transition, highlighting the importance of improving efficiency first and making step-by-step investments that make financial sense. The conversation also examines how quickly markets can change and why companies that delay adaptation may face competitive risk.

Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance.

Key takeaways:

Understand how industrial policy and targeted incentives can influence investment decisions and competitive positioning.
Discover how shifting from fossil fuels to electrification can change cost structures, supply chain exposure and energy risk.
Learn how a phased, efficiency-first approach can help organizations navigate the transition while maintaining financial discipline.

© 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Riya Grover, CEO and co-founder of Sequence, about how CFOs and finance leaders can navigate revenue complexity and enhance collaboration.

Riya shares her entrepreneurial journey and discusses the important role of finance in shaping revenue strategy. She highlights how identifying disconnects between pricing, revenue data and accountability can improve decision-making and business performance.

The conversation explores how CFOs can leverage technology for better visibility into pricing strategies, track revenue trends and maintain pricing hygiene as organizations scale. She also discusses the impact of emerging pricing models, such as usage-based and outcome-based pricing.

The discussion highlights the evolving role of finance in driving growth and the importance of collaboration between finance sales teams to effectively manage revenue and growth.

Follow The EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance.

Key takeaways:

Understand the strategic importance of pricing for CFOs and its impact on revenue management.
Recognize how early involvement in pricing decisions can transform the role of finance leaders.
Explore the role of data integrity and collaboration in informed financial decision-making.
Learn how CFOs can leverage technology for visibility into pricing strategies and revenue trends.
Identify challenges and opportunities with emerging pricing models, including usage-based pricing.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

Cash flow forecasting and liquidity confidence have become defining priorities for CFOs and finance leaders, yet both remain persistent challenges across organizations.

Two studies, APQC's Cash Flow and Liquidity Management Practices Report and the 2025 EY Global DNA of the Treasurer Survey, found that even with automation, AI and analytics, many finance teams may struggle to trust their source data and forecast with accuracy.

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Kelley Pruetz, Principal Research Leader at APQC, and Francois Holzman, EY Global Treasury and Commodities Leader, about how CFOs and treasurers can improve cash visibility and strengthen liquidity management.

They discuss why forecasting remains difficult in an era of technology-enabled finance and how leading organizations can improve collaboration, data transparency and agility to make more confident decisions.

Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance.

Key takeaways:

Discover why cash flow forecasting remains a persistent challenge for treasurers and CFOs despite advances in automation and analytics.
Explore how cross-functional collaboration can help finance and treasury teams break down silos to improve forecasting accuracy and liquidity resilience.
Recognize how "transformative treasurers" can redefine value creation through mentorship, collaboration and strategic leadership.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Simon Brown, EY Global Learning and Development Leader and co-author of The Curious Advantage. Drawing on years of research into learning, leadership and behavioral science, Simon explains how embedding curiosity into everyday practices can help finance teams evolve beyond traditional ways of working.

The conversation explores how a mindset of curiosity can help CFOs lead through uncertainty and respond to emerging challenges. Through real-world examples, Simon illustrates how asking better questions, creating space for exploration and staying open to different perspectives can uncover opportunities that might otherwise be missed.

The conversation reframes curiosity as a leadership behavior that fosters stronger connections across the business and supports a culture of continuous learning.

Key takeaways:

Explore how curiosity can help CFOs strengthen decision-making, build collaboration and foster trust.
Understand how asking better questions can guide teams through complexity with greater clarity and confidence.
Learn how psychological safety and a culture of experimentation can strengthen resilience and spark innovation in finance.
Discover ways to embed curiosity into everyday leadership behaviors and continuous learning practices.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

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In this episode of the Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Alex Curran, CEO of Aptitude Software, about what it takes to lead finance transformation in today's data-rich, technology-enabled landscape. Drawing on findings from the 2025 Global Autonomous Finance Benchmark, they explore how finance teams are making progress through scalable initiatives, cross-functional collaboration and a focus on real-time insights.

Alex stresses that successful transformation starts at the leadership level. She discusses how CFOs, CTOs and CIOs are aligning on priorities, breaking down silos and rethinking how technology, talent and data can come together to support strategic outcomes.

She also shares how leading organizations are modernizing finance by automating manual processes, building business cases for AI adoption and shifting from a compliance mindset toward strategic partnership. As new skill sets emerge, including data science and business analytics, finance is being redefined from the ground up.

Key takeaways: * Learn how CFOs, CTOs and CIOs are aligning to lead transformation with shared priorities and accountability. * Explore why high-performing finance teams start small, prove value early and then scale successful initiatives. * Understand how clean, real-time data can help finance leaders shift from control to strategic partnership. * Discover emerging skill sets that are shaping the future of finance, from data science to cross-functional collaboration. * Recognize the importance of leadership alignment in driving successful finance transformation.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Stacey Ryan-Cornelius, who served as the CFO of Ogilvy at the time of recording and now holds the role of Global CFO at Burson. In this episode, Stacey shares how the role of CFO is evolving from financial stewardship to a more human-centered leadership approach, where influence, empathy and communication are just as important as technical expertise.

She discusses how finance leaders are navigating complexity by fostering psychological safety, strengthening relationships across the business and turning data into compelling stories that drive alignment and action. Stacey also explores how technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), is helping enhance decision-making and enabling more innovative ways of working.

Stacey highlights the importance of cultivating presence and leading with purpose, encouraging finance professionals to create a lasting impact that extends beyond the numbers.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode, Brian Tomlinson, Managing Director, ESG, Financial Accounting Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLP, speaks with Aniket Shah, Managing Director and Global Head of the Sustainability and Transition Strategy team at Jefferies. They discuss how finance leaders can navigate the growing complexity of environmental, social and governance (ESG) as it becomes increasingly integrated into strategic decision-making.

Aniket explains how ESG has evolved beyond just disclosure to encompass investor expectations, business resilience and regulatory pressures. He highlights the importance of materiality, urging CFOs to focus on ESG factors that align closely with their sector, strategy and value drivers.

The conversation delves into how public policy developments are influencing ESG implementation in real time, requiring finance leaders to balance long-term vision with short-term catalysts. They also explore the role of CFOs in integrating ESG into capital allocation, regulatory alignment and strategic planning, as well as how evolving stakeholder expectations are influencing decision-making.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Isaac Heller, CEO of Trullion, an AI-powered accounting software company. They explore the transformative role of CFOs amidst rapid technological advancements. As organizations grapple with the complexities introduced by AI in finance, Isaac shares insightful strategies for CFOs to navigate these challenges and create value.

Isaac emphasizes the importance of technology and innovation in refining financial processes and enhancing decision-making capabilities. He elaborates on how CFOs can leverage data and AI to develop insights that facilitate informed decision-making and optimize operations, while also highlighting the need for high-quality data.

Throughout the discussion, Isaac draws from his extensive experience in finance and accounting, offering actionable advice for both aspiring and current CFOs. He highlights the necessity for CFOs to act as the CEO's closest business partner, trusted to assist in making critical organizational decisions.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson interviews Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of the advertising agency Ogilvy UK. Drawing on his extensive experience in behavioral economics, Rory encourages finance professionals to develop a mindset that balances certainty and opportunity.

Rory explores the finance sector's demand for absolute certainty, which can often hinder innovation and impact decision-making. He advocates for a probabilistic approach to finance, where understanding potential outcomes and embracing uncertainty can lead to greater innovation and value creation. The conversation also touches on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming finance, highlighting the need for finance leaders to adapt and leverage AI to free up time for strategic thinking.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the EY Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson interviews Wassia Kamon, CFO of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE). Wassia discusses how finance leaders in mission-driven organizations can create value for entrepreneurs through open communication and strategic financial planning.

Wassia emphasizes that value creation for entrepreneurs should be measured not just in financial terms but also in creating long-term sustainable growth. She also elaborates on the importance of finance leaders helping entrepreneurs carry out their vision while aligning on the balance sheet.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson interviews Michael Coombs, Executive in Residence, EY Strategy and Consulting Co., Ltd., based in Japan, to explore the evolving role of CFOs and the importance of a data-first approach in driving value creation. Leveraging his extensive global professional background, Michael emphasizes the necessity for CFOs to focus on maintaining global competitiveness and supporting sustainable business models within their organizations.

Michael shares that in his view, the most effective CFOs are those who are discontented and seek to innovate, seeing their roles as opportunities to elevate the organization and embrace transformation. However, to truly drive change, CFOs should also possess strong communication skills and an ability to simplify complex data-driven insights into compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the EY Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson speaks with Julia Gudish Krieger, Managing Partner at Pari Passu Venture Partners. Julia shares her innovative approach to empowering early-stage companies through a dynamic network of founders and investors.

Drawing on her extensive experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship, Julia emphasizes the importance of community in driving success. She discusses how Pari Passu operates on a deal-by-deal basis, allowing smaller investments from a curated group of accredited investors, fostering collaboration and value beyond just capital.

Julia highlights the role of technology in facilitating these interactions, including a mobile app designed to streamline communication within the community. She also shares insights into current investment themes, such as B2B SaaS, consumer tech, and wellness technology, while addressing the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The Better Finance podcast, host Myles Corson welcomes Aaron Levine, CFO of Prophix, to discuss the evolving role of CFOs in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. As organizations face ongoing digital disruption, driven by new technologies and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in finance, Aaron shares strategies to help CFOs navigate these challenges and deliver value.

Aaron emphasizes the importance of utilizing technology and innovation to enhance financial processes and decision-making. He explains how CFOs can harness data and AI to create a single source of truth that delivers better insights, informing improved decision-making and streamlined operations. Additionally, Aaron also highlights the need for effective communication and building trust across the C-suite, as transparency and collaboration are vital for building a positive organizational culture.

Throughout the conversation, Aaron draws on his extensive experience in finance and accounting, providing practical advice for aspiring and current CFOs. He explores the significance of continuous learning and professional development in attracting and retaining the best talent in finance.

Listen to the episode and discover actionable insights that can shape your approach to finance leadership.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The EY Better Finance Podcast, host Myles Corson explores cash management with Peter Kingma, EY-Parthenon Americas Working Capital Consulting Services Leader.

Myles Corson interviews Peter Kingma, the EY-Parthenon Americas Working Capital Consulting Leader, to discuss the critical yet often overlooked aspect of cash management in business. Peter, drawing on his 15 years of experience at the EY organization and his recent book Cash is King, calls out the need for businesses to focus on cash flow, along with revenue and profitability. He argues that companies should prioritize all three metrics.

During the conversation, Peter introduces the concept of a "cash leadership office" — an idea that instills a culture of placing cash management on an equal footing with other financial metrics. He believes that this concept is essential for finance leaders to unlock the potential for value creation and can help overcome a lack of visibility for informed decision-making.

He also cites the findings of a proprietary EY resiliency index — How to drive operational resilience — highlighting the connection between adept cash management and the capacity of an enterprise to be resilient to market and economic instability.

Peter recommends businesses to start improving liquidity by focusing on procurement processes, enhancing billing and collections, as well as optimizing supply chain management. He also stresses the importance of leveraging existing technology before jumping too quickly onto the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon — advocating a back-to-basics approach that maximizes current investments.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The EY Better Finance podcast, Cory Hrncirik discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing finance at Microsoft.

Join host Myles Corson as he welcomes Cory Hrncirik, Modern Finance Lead at Microsoft, to discuss the transformation of Microsoft's finance function through the strategic application of artificial intelligence (AI). This episode of The EY Better Finance podcast delves into how AI is modernizing finance processes, enhancing forecasting accuracy and streamlining risk management.

The conversation highlights Microsoft's journey toward innovation within its finance department, marked by the rapid adoption of Microsoft Copilot. Cory Hrncirik outlines the critical role of high-quality, structured and pre-indexed data as the cornerstone for successful AI implementation and the continuous evolution of data management practices at Microsoft.

Moreover, the episode sheds light on the importance of a collaborative culture and systems thinking in achieving corporate objectives. It details Microsoft's strategic efforts to empower finance professionals as citizen developers, enabling them to leverage low code, no code tools, or partner with IT and engineering to catalyze the finance function's transformation.

Insightful and forward-looking, this episode provides a glimpse into how Microsoft's strategic approach to integrating finance and technology is securing its position in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The EY Better Finance Podcast, Wayne Andrews, CFO at The University of Sydney, discusses how integrating GenAI and robotics can drive transformation and enhance finance's value.

Wayne Andrews, the Chief Financial Officer at The University of Sydney, shares his journey with host Myles Corson of revolutionizing the university's finance function. He navigates through the challenges of modernizing outdated systems and transforming the finance function from a purely transactional role into a key strategic partner.

Wayne highlights the pivotal role of embracing innovative technologies, spotlighting the establishment of a robotics and generative AI (GenAI) center of excellence. This initiative has significantly improved service delivery and achieved remarkable cost savings. By cultivating a culture of innovation and openness to unconventional solutions, Wayne and his team have not only boosted operational efficiency but also fundamentally changed how the finance function is perceived within the academic community. This transformation has been important in elevating the finance function's strategic impact on the university's overall success.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In The EY Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson hosts Jenna Fisher and Jim Lawson, co-leaders of the Global Financial Officers practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. The duo share their extensive backgrounds in finance and recruitment, setting the stage for a deep dive into the transformative role of the modern CFO.

The conversation highlights the expanded scope of CFO responsibilities, from traditional fiduciary duties to strategic capital allocation and growth facilitation. Jim notes the shift towards strategy due to changing economic conditions, while Jenna points out the CFO's growing role in potentially succeeding to CEO positions, given the decline of the COO role.

They also examine the importance of developing finance talent in light of automation and specialization within finance functions. The role of technology, particularly AI, was discussed as a tool for optimizing operations and preparing for future leadership roles.

They emphasize the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in building effective finance teams and the positive impact of diverse perspectives on performance. Looking forward, they speculated on the future of the CFO role, suggesting that talent may increasingly come from private equity and investment banking sectors.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

Myles Corson hosts Hai Tran, Senior Vice President of MasterCard, and Lukas Hoebarth, Partner at EY, to discuss the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the face of economic uncertainty. The conversation centers on the important requirement for executive alignment and the strategic deployment of innovative technologies to navigate the complexities of executing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions.

Hai Tran emphasizes the importance of establishing clear integration priorities and the consequences of misalignment, which can lead to lost value. Lukas Hoebarth provides insights into the recent trends in private debt funding and the rise in M&A activity, suggesting a cautious yet opportunistic approach to investment given the macroeconomic volatility.

The episode also touches on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors, the evolving roles within corporate development functions, and the significance of ESG considerations in today's regulatory environment. The guests conclude by discussing the key performance indicators (KPIs) for M&A success and the necessity of a robust talent pool and strategic acumen in the field.

This episode of The Better Finance podcast explores the board member’s role in risk management and company structure, and the impact of AI and technology on organizational challenges.

Host Myles Corson speaks with Jan Babiak, an independent board member and audit committee chair with extensive experience across various sectors and countries. The discussion begins with Babiak's recognition as one of the top 20 value-adding directors in the US. Her career journey is then explored, from her early days at the EY organization to becoming a seasoned board member. Jan has experience in areas, such as IT security, cybersecurity, regulatory and public policy, and climate change and sustainability.

Jan emphasizes the importance of boards managing not just routine business risk strategies, but also being prepared for unexpected events and future challenges. She highlights the differences in risk management responsibilities and resources between public and private companies, noting that private companies may not have the same infrastructure and may need to be more agile in their approach.

The conversation also touches on the influence of organizational structures on risk management, the impact of founder culture on private companies, and the challenges of balancing growth opportunities with risk mitigation. Jan shares her insights on the evolving risks associated with technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), and the need for businesses to be aware of the potential misuse of such technologies.

Myles and Jan discuss the similarities and differences in board membership across various countries, with Jan noting that while the day-to-day work is largely similar, governance models and regulations can differ significantly. She also offers advice to aspiring board members, stressing the need for intentionality, breadth of experience and openness to serving on different types of boards.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode, we delve into the transformative role of the CFO in the rapidly evolving landscape of finance, shaped by the advent of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Glenn Hopper shares his insights on how the traditional responsibilities of CFOs are expanding beyond mere financial reporting to encompass strategic guidance and predictive analytics.

The episode provides an understanding of how CFOs can become pivotal change agents within their organizations. It discusses the importance of embracing technology and AI to not only enhance forecasting and metrics reporting, but also to drive informed decision-making processes. The episode also explores the value of leveraging data from a variety of sources, beyond financial data, to gain a competitive edge.

The episode also explores the reasons for CFOs to conduct thorough reviews of business processes across all departments and explains how identifying inefficiencies and optimizing data flows can help to improve an organization's overall performance. Plus, it offers some insights into the potential opportunities and limitations of AI in financial planning and analysis (FP&A).

Finally, the episode addresses the strategic leadership skills required by CFOs in this age of digital transformation. Glenn shares insights on the need for CFOs to understand data science principles and responsibly leverage AI tools to enhance organizational efficiency.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

Brian Tomlinson, EY Managing Director, ESG, Financial Accounting Advisory Services welcomes Evan Tylenda, Head of EMEA GS Sustain at Goldman Sachs and Nadia Humphreys, Head of Sustainable Finance Data Solutions at Bloomberg for an in-depth discussion on the EU Sustainable Taxonomy. The trio delves into how the taxonomy aims to standardize what constitutes “green” economic activities, its role in combating greenwashing, and how it influences a company's transition to sustainable practices.

They share insights from the first two years of reporting under the taxonomy, highlighting its increasing adoption beyond the mandated European companies and its potential to become a market standard for defining “green” funds. With the incoming expansion of the taxonomy to include four other environmental objectives, they discuss the implications for different sectors and the anticipated shift in the sustainable finance landscape.

Finally, they offer advice on leveraging the taxonomy to create a sustainability baseline, embracing voluntary reporting and maintaining transparency, which benefits companies and investors committed to understanding their green footprint and navigating the sustainable finance landscape.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode, Lululemon executives Meghan Frank, CFO, and Alex Grieve, CAO, engage in a captivating conversation with Myles Corson. Together, they delve into their pivotal roles in driving Lululemon's success, highlighting the significance of sustainability, customer connections, and technological advancements.

To kickstart the discussion, Meghan and Alex reflect on their unique experience of sharing the CFO role for a brief period, which ultimately resulted in the development of a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between them. They emphasize how open and transparent communication has played a pivotal role in their successful engagement with investors. By consistently focusing on key themes that investors are genuinely interested in, they have been able to shape their communication strategies accordingly.

Recognizing the paramount importance of sustainability, Meghan and Alex proudly view it as an integral part of Lululemon's mission. They prioritize keeping investors well-informed about the company's progress in this domain, and specifically stress the crucial role of accurate reporting, including sustainability reporting.

Customer loyalty is another important aspect that Meghan and Alex address during their discussion. They delve into the various programs implemented by Lululemon to nurture and maintain customer satisfaction. Moreover, they emphasize that the very essence of Lululemon's DNA lies in fostering connection and building a strong sense of community among its customers. By prioritizing these foundational principles, Lululemon continues to cultivate and strengthen its customer relationships, reinforcing loyalty and further solidifying its position in the market.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The EY Better Finance podcast, we are joined by Deirdre Ryan, Global Finance Transformation Leader, and Andrea Gronenthal, Americas Strategic Tax Transformation Leader from the EY organization, to delve into key findings from the EY Global DNA of the CFO survey.

The episode also features insights from two seasoned global executives : Joseph J. Wolk (Joe), the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Johnson & Johnson, and Nick Priday, the CFO of Dentsu Group Inc., who were interviewed as part of the research.

During the discussion, Deirdre and Andrea examine three paradoxes that CFOs confront on a daily basis: balancing short-term and long-term value, navigating the tightrope between safety and boldness, and transitioning from a traditional skill set to assuming a strategic leadership role.

Enjoy this engaging exploration of the challenges and complexities faced by today's CFOs, and the multifaceted role they play in shaping the future of finance.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The EY Better Finance podcast, Jack McCullough president of The CFO Leadership Council, joins host Myles Corson to explore what makes an elite CFO. In this episode of The EY Better Finance podcast, Jack and Myles dive into the world of CFOs, exploring the unique qualities that make them successful. Jack highlights that it's not just skills, but also personality traits, that can make an exceptional CFO stand out. Jack shares valuable insights on how to develop these traits and build stronger cross functional relationships.

Jack emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of transparency where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and learning from mistakes. He also explains that as a CFO, it can be crucial to help everyone understands the company's goals and values.

In this episode, Jack also stresses the significance of establishing a personal brand as a CFO. This brand reflects one's expertise, reputation, and values within the industry. He discusses the role of a CFO as a storyteller and provides examples on how to create narratives that resonate with specific audiences. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode, host Myles Corson and Phil Shelley, Chairman of doc Stribute, delve into the significance of clear and consistent CFO communication across all business areas. They explore its role in attracting the right shareholders, stakeholders and employees, and highlight the actions taken by successful CFOs to foster effective communication.

The episode underscores the importance of cultivating the right organizational culture to effectively execute a company's mission and vision. Without effectively communicating these goals, CFOs and their organizations risk attracting the wrong investors and talent, especially in a market where prospective employees and shareholders prioritize understanding the culture they will be a part of.

The episode also discusses the role of technology in the business world and the need for organizations to strike a balance between maintaining alignment and adopting new technologies into daily employee tasks. They also discuss Mergers and Acquisitions, emphasizing that transparent communication, regarding the acquisition's objectives, can be crucial for smooth transactions of this nature.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, Perry Wiggins, CFO at AQPC, discusses technology’s impact on finance and what it means to be a human CFO.

As the chief financial officer (CFO) for American Productivity and Quality and Productivity Center (AQPC), Perry Wiggins leads the finance and accounting teams, as well as servesserving as a member of the executive team. His career before AQPC centered on the health care and non-profit sectors.

While there is often a substantial focus on technology and its impact on finance, Perry is passionate about using technology as a tool and an enabler, but not forgetting the human dimension and the idea of the “human CFO.” Through his experience, Perry has realized that he can find a way to be a good steward of the organization, a great financial leader, but also be mindful of the impact that his decisions have on people's lives.

Perry shares perspectives on the findings from the APQC 2023 Financial Management Priorities survey, including why he expects to see the number of organizations using advanced data visualization tools to rise rapidly from the current 15%.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, Noah Barsky, Professor at Villanova University, joins host Myles Corson to explore the impact of AI across finance function.

Host Myles Corson talks to Noah Barsky, a professor at Villanova University, about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the finance function. Noah brings his insights from an article he wrote for Forbes and a survey conducted by EY teams.

Noah dives into the exciting opportunities and challenges that AI presents in finance. He highlights why senior leaders in the C-suite and boards should have meaningful discussions about incorporating AI into their operations. However, many organizations can struggle with this because of distractions and ineffective leadership.

Noah explains what can make a true leader — someone with the ability to think critically, communicate clearly and have a strong sense of purpose. He emphasizes the importance of leaders who can guide their teams, make informed decisions and build trust. He also warns against being dependent on specialized knowledge, as it can hinder decision-making and hold back progress.

Noah stresses that successful AI adoption can require not only understanding the business, but also anticipating future outcomes. He emphasizes the role of bold leadership in setting clear goals and creating a practical plan to achieve them. Additionally, Noah underlines the need for a culture that encourages open discussions about effectively integrating AI into company practices.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2023 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the EY Better Finance Podcast, Myles Corson is joined by Christopher Volk, business leader and author of the book, The Value Equation, a guide to wealth creation for entrepreneurs, leaders and investors.

Christopher’s distinguished business career has included taking three companies public, two of which he founded. Leading those companies, he evolved the ideas that inform the reader that wealth creation for shareholders was a more important measurement of business success than typical earnings metrics. His approach provides a roadmap to how successful companies can create wealth through strong business models.

With this approach, there are six key variables that combine to deliver equity return. The key for the CFO is to dissect the business model, understand where the variables are, and track them over time. The objective is to make the business and the equity worth more than it costs to create. The key stakeholders are customers and shareholders. If a business can deliver value for them, other stakeholders, such as employees, suppliers and communities will all benefit from the wealth created. In a high-performing business, corporate culture is vital and strong communication should be at the heart of it. Employees should be empowered to put forward ideas and solutions, and not be held back by fear of disrupting positivity.

Finally, Christopher gives us a glimpse into a quote that inspires him and looks forward to a constructive future for finance as it exploits the potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2023 Ernst & Young Global Limited

This episode of the Better Finance podcast features Maria Montenegro, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Wolters Kluwer, and James Paterson, Vice President and General Manager, CCH Tagetik, North America.

As organizations continue to drive change management and adopt behaviors that embed sustainability into their processes, the integration of ESG performance management with financial and operational reporting is quickly becoming the norm in driving improved business outcomes.

However, it’s a complex task to harmonize financial, strategic, operational and sustainability goals. Finance executives may find themselves taking the lead to standardize and validate the accuracy of integrated financial and nonfinancial data.

In this episode, podcast host Myles Corson discusses with Maria and James how leveraging their corporate performance and ESG technology platforms from Enablon and CCH Tagetik can help provide a centralized source of accessible and reliable data. They explore how this increases collaboration and integrates risk management and performance improvement with reporting.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2023 Ernst & Young Global Limited

This special ESG episode of the Better Finance podcast features Brian Tomlinson from Ernst & Young LLP, and Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School.

The environmental, social and governance (ESG) space is at a remarkable phase of its development, having gone from being a niche part of corporate and capital markets discourse to being part of the mainstream. The trends that have been driving that include market participants making commitments around ESG, large corporations embracing aspects of ESG disclosure, and in recent years, the ESG disclosure ecosystem being adopted by regulators in key markets across the world.

We appear to be at a high watermark for ESG, and Alex Edmans discusses how his paper, “The End of ESG,” highlights how ESG should be mainstream for executives and investors. There are many risk factors and opportunities with ESG that can affect the long-term valuation of a company.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2023 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the EY Better Finance podcast, host Myles Corson is joined by Tom Hood, Executive Vice President of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

An early adopter of social media, Tom reveals how it has helped him engage with a new generation of finance professionals. Also, he provides advice for CFOs considering venturing into the world of social media.

The episode also explores Tom’s work with the AICPA and the future of the Finance Leadership Group — a community of senior finance leaders who meet to discuss major issues and the future of the industry.

Tom discusses how new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are beginning to have a significant impact on the finance profession. And how these new technologies could help finance teams to focus more time on adding value across complex finance matters. This is achieved by reducing the amount of resources needed to complete simple and repetitive activities.

The episode explores how mastering these new technologies could lead to the reverse mentorship, in which seasoned financial professionals could benefit from the capabilities and experiences of their younger counterparts. This collaboration with other departments and age groups could help financial professionals widen their perspectives and skill sets at all levels.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2023 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, host Myles Corson, Victor Casalino, Americas VP and CFO at Microsoft and Dave Helmer, EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader, discuss changes potentially impacting tax and finance today.

Results from the EY 2022 Tax and Finance Operations Survey indicate that, of the 1,700 companies across 45 countries that responded, 85% are scrutinizing their existing finance and tax operating models for issues that can potentially weaken their future impact. Many are finding it necessary to make dramatic adjustments in some key operational areas to keep pace with our evolving post-pandemic workplace.

Talent: Businesses are experiencing a short supply of finance and tax talent internally, particularly those with transformational skills in technology — e.g., AI, machine learning, data modeling — all of which can help drive speed and quality.

Legislative and regulatory changes: Dramatic changes globally sent companies scurrying to find skilled resources to identify and interpret myriad changes and make required adjustments within their company.

Sustainable plans for data and technology: 50% of survey respondents cited the absence of formal, viable data and technology plans as the number one reason they could fail to achieve their mission and vision.

Budget pressures and cost reduction: 74% of respondents said they had to institute cost reduction strategies due to the pandemic and economic downturn.

To help address these and other functional and operational challenges, many large companies are exploring co-sourcing more strategic and value-add activities in their finance and tax functions and partnering with teams outside their organization with deep knowledge and commitment to certain areas of the business. Successful co-sourcing enables companies to streamline and develop consistent processes, automate when possible, and optimize technology to drive value and speed.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2023 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson talks to Prat Bhatt, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Cisco, and Ciara Lee, Cisco’s first ESG Controller, about the importance of financial rigor in ESG.

Cisco’s stated purpose is to make the world a better place. So how does the company’s first environmental, social and governance (ESG) Controller make sure that happens?

In a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion, they cover what the rigor of finance can bring to ESG, and the importance of finance’s unique ability to bring accountability, governance, control systems and formal processes to the ESG table. Together, they unpack the challenges of getting to net zero across scope 1, 2 and 3 by 2040, and the particular challenges of scope 3.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2023 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson welcomes Brian Tomlinson, ESG Reporting Managing Director at Ernst & Young LLP and Ariel Babcock, Head of Investment Stewardship at Fidelity Investments and formerly Head of Research for FCLT Global, a not-for-profit organization that develops research and tools to drive long-term value creation.

FCLT’s research of short- and long-term business strategies has found that the pressure for quick projects and fast payoffs may trigger poor outcomes and investment value erosion. In fact, short-termism is experiencing some market pushback due to the constraints it places on decision-making relative to longer-term investments.

It seems clear that short-termism does constrain companies’ appetite for investing in environmental, social and governance (ESG), primarily due to ESG’s inherent medium- to long-term (often times decades long) payoff. ESG investments may be minimized or cut entirely to hit short-term earnings goals, possibly undermining shareholder rights as a result. Particularly in turbulent economic environments where companies tend to hoard capital, long-term goals may be weakened or overthrown.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.

© 2023 Ernst & Young Global Limited

Myles Corson, EY Global & Americas Strategy and Markets Leader, Financial Accounting Advisory Services, Dave Helmer, EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader, and Lyn Bird, VP, Cross-Industry at Microsoft, were guests on the EY Microsoft Tech Directions podcast. Together they discuss how technology is enabling modern finance and tax transformations. Talent shortages, legislative change, and technological transformation caused by the pandemic and geopolitical uncertainty are placing unprecedented pressure on corporate finance and tax departments. In-house finance and tax specialists are tracking a growing set of requirements that crowd their agenda. These developments are increasing the workload for functions that are facing budget cuts and unparalleled skills shortages.

Many businesses are co-sourcing select activities to tech-enabled finance and tax specialists. The mounting complexity of modern finance and tax systems is leading corporate finance and tax departments to pass at least some of the responsibility for routine work to outside providers. Whether it’s in-house, managed services or a blend of both, co-sourcing routine tasks such as financial planning, tax and statutory accounting can help improve efficiency and give senior staff the breathing space to tackle answers to some of the big strategic questions facing businesses.

In this podcast, our panelists share how businesses are taking action to adjust to these changing dynamics and how leaders can better position their finance and tax functions, leveraging data and technology, to add greater value to the organization.

This special Think ESG episode of the Better Finance podcast features Brian Tomlinson from Ernst & Young LLP, and Nathan Fabian, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at the Principles for Responsible Investment.

The discussion sheds light on the EU taxonomy: a system for reporting on sustainable activities. The taxonomy is expected to be a lasting reform, with significant implications for companies with operations in the EU.

The EU has placed sustainable finance and the transition to a sustainable net-zero economy at the core of its growth strategy. Efforts were directed toward development of a taxonomy with standardized environmental performance criteria aligned with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. Communication and disclosure of progress toward alignment of companies’ economic activities with the taxonomy’s sustainability performance criteria was a priority.

The EU taxonomy creates the concept of “green by law” and provides an objective set of largely science-based criteria by which activities are measured in order to be labeled and marketed as “sustainable.” The taxonomy structure indicates when an activity makes a substantial contribution to one of six environmental objectives (climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, water, circular economy, pollution and biodiversity) with no significant harm done to the other five.

A recent EY study examines the first-year results of the application of the taxonomy and the disclosure practices adopted by EU companies in the first wave of reporting.

Visit ESG Reporting on ey.com for more.

© 2023 Ernst & Young LLP

This special ESG episode features Brian Tomlinson, Ernst & Young LLP, and Tensie Whelan, Director, Center for Sustainable Business at NYU’s Stern School of Business, as they explore ESG reporting and the correlation between sustainability and financial performance.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, and how it is reported has gained significant attention across the market — as investors continue to drive for more consistent and transparent ESG metrics that will help them better assess corporate health and long-term value.

The EY Global Institutional Investor Survey found that 89% of the investors said they would like the reporting of ESG performance — measured against a set of consistent standards across the globe — to become a mandatory requirement.

While many corporations are reporting on their ESG performance and financial performance, they are often not reporting on how the two relate. The challenge most businesses face is proving the monetary impact of their sustainability efforts. So, the Center for Sustainable Business at the New York University Stern School of Business developed a Return on Sustainability Investment (ROSI) methodology to bridge the gap between sustainability strategies and financial performance, helping to build a better business case for both current and planned sustainability initiatives.

The pace of change in ESG reporting continues to accelerate. Corporate leaders across the organization should recognize and address the ESG needs of investors and all their stakeholders to create sustainable, long-term value.

Visit ESG Reporting on ey.com for more.

© 2023 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode, Myles Corson welcomes Marc Siegel, EY Americas Corporate and ESG Reporting Leader, and Brian Tomlinson, ESG Managing Director at Ernst & Young LLP, to discuss updates on ESG reporting matters and the launch of an ESG subseries of the Better Finance podcast. © 2022 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode, Myles Corson welcomes Marc Siegel, EY Americas Corporate and ESG Reporting Leader, and Brian Tomlinson, ESG Managing Director at Ernst & Young LLP, to discuss updates on ESG reporting matters and the launch of an ESG subseries of the Better Finance podcast. © 2022 Ernst & Young LLP

Ken Tanji, CFO of Prudential, discusses how his organization is responding to the challenges and opportunities of a changing world. © 2022 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson welcomes Joel Bernstein, CFO, Customer Success & Head of Global Finance at SAP. They discuss SAP’s business model transformation, how finance functions adapted during the pandemic to accelerate investments in digital finance, and SAP’s efforts to make environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting more transparent.

This special episode of the Better Finance Podcast features a conversation between Marc Siegel, EY ESG Reporting Thought Leader, and Janine Guillot, the Chief Executive Officer of the Value Reporting Foundation (VRF). Their discussion covers how the VRF is helping to streamline the evolving ESG reporting and disclosure landscape and how corporations should approach ESG strategy and capture, measure and report ESG data, engaging cross-functional teams.

In this special episode of the Better Finance podcast, Pat Grismer, Former CFO Starbucks, Hyatt Hotels and Yum Brands, and Cory Hrncirik, Microsoft Modern Finance Lead, join Myles Corson for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of finance. Their discussion covers the role of the CFO, the importance of a strong culture and why CFOs need to spend more time on talent, how the finance function can have an even greater impact in strategy and resource allocation, and the need for more data. © 2022 Ernst & Young LLP

Podcast host Myles Corson is joined by Sally Jones, EY UK Trade Strategy and Brexit Leader, and Nicolas Veron, Senior Fellow at Bruegel in Brussels, and Senior Fellow at Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington D.C. Together, they exchange insights on how two major incidents, Brexit and Covid-19, are reshaping trade policies and the CFO’s role in the global environment.

The EY DNA of the CFO survey revealed an increased growth in data volumes, with 35 percent of the finance leaders significantly involved in providing data and analytics to reduce cost and improve effectiveness of their organizations.

In this episode, podcast host Myles Corson welcomes Jennifer Crowe, CFO of CognitiveScale, and Anthony Sgammato, EY America’s Private Assurance Leader to discuss how private company CFOs can identify and effectively use this rising amount of data to make a difference.

They explore how private company CFOs use data analytics to maintain a competitive edge. Tools such as business intelligence systems, artificial intelligence and cloud storage can offer insights from data, in real time. However, these tools may bring new challenges of cyber-attacks and staff and cultural issues.

© 2021 Ernst & Young LLP

Myles Corson is joined by Fulya Kocak, senior vice president of ESG issues for National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit) and Serena Wolfe, chief financial officer of Annaly Capital Management. Together, they discuss the increasing stakeholder focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues within the real estate investment trusts (REITs) and the broader real estate sector. The conversation starts with a look at how the pandemic has influenced agility within REITs to become ESG change agents for other sectors.

The impact of the global pandemic has pushed businesses to adapt and embrace innovative ideas for decision-making processes along with acting as agents for change. While it proved to be an adaptability test for almost all sectors, it was also an opportunity to identify gaps and issues that could be solved with great solutions.

For real estate companies, the pandemic led to changes in how they operate including updates to cleaning protocols in anticipation of reopening of workspaces. Additionally, property owners and landlords invested in new technologies for indoor air quality, studied energy consumptions versus occupancy and witnessed an increase in health and wellness rating applications.

Annaly Capital Management brought together its infrastructure, IT infrastructure and human capital in ways never considered before, in response to the magnified importance of emergency planning and system resiliency.

Given the challenges faced through the pandemic, investors are not only focused on how businesses are responding to COVID, but also the business continuity plan. This shift in focus was also influenced by the acceleration in momentum to implement improved ESG practices and meet the changing expectations of stakeholders. From a CFO standpoint, it’s about being proactive and instrumental in helping the company and the executive team define what ESG means for the company and industry.

The CFO is now critical in managing change, assessing where their company is today and how to benefit from situations in the future. It’s an opportunity to make a long-lasting, meaningful impact in the face of continued uncertainty and disruption.

Episode links:

Leading with Purpose: Annaly 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report (July2021)
Nareit's 2021 REIT ESG Dashboard
The Sustainability Leader in You by Fulya Kocak
2021 Outlook for REITs and Commercial Real Estate: Risk and Resilience
http://www.REIT.com/ESG
How can the CFO evolve today to reframe finance for tomorrow? | EY - Global

© 2021 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, Myles Corson is joined by Dave O’Hara, corporate vice president and chief financial officer for Commercial Finance at Microsoft.

Dave shares how his unconventional career path, going from public policy and economic development to a friend’s software company, eventually led to being CFO of a major division in Microsoft. He attributes his career success to never staying too comfortable and embracing change, never backing down from a challenge, and finding the right mentor who will help you think differently and grow your career.

Podcast host Myles Corson welcomes Ryan Grimsland, Senior Vice President Corporate Finance and Treasurer at Lowe’s Companies, and Loren Garruto, EY Partner and Global and Americas Corporate Finance Leader. Together, they discuss how finance can enable business to better manage unpredictable market behavior as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. They take a closer look at the challenges caused by the pandemic and how becoming more agile in forecasting and planning can help the business prepare for future disruptions.

Find out more about the role of tomorrow’s CFO and the future skills of finance. Podcast host Myles Corson welcomes Simon Bittlestone, CEO of Metapraxis, a financial analytics company, and Andrew Harding, chief executive of Management Accounting at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, which was created in 2017 when they brought together the American Institute of CPAs and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Podcast host Myles Corson welcomes Brian Tomlinson, Director of Research, CEO Investor Forum, Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP), and Marc Siegel, a member of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and EY partner. Together they discuss the acceleration of ESG, or environmental, social and governance, issues in corporate reporting. Their conversation also considers the increasingly vital role ESG plays in investor communications and what investors are looking for companies to disclose. © 2021 Ernst & Young LLP

Podcast host Myles Corson welcomes Michael Keeler, Chief Executive Officer of LeaseAccelerator, to discuss how technology and managed services are transforming lease accounting. Together, they take a closer look at the challenges, administrative burdens and missed cost saving opportunities of large lease portfolios. The conversation continues with managed services and how technology is helping to automate, harmonize and simplify the leasing process and lease accounting compliance.

© 2020 Ernst & Young LLP

Podcast host Myles Corson welcomes Dr. Matthew Bell, EY’s Asia Pacific Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Leader, to discuss his varied career path and key findings from the 2020 EY CCaSS Institutional Investor survey, How will ESG performance shape your future?

© 2020 Ernst & Young LLP

Podcast host Myles Corson welcomes Marna Ricker, EY Americas Vice Chair – Tax. They discuss the depth of the US government response to COVID-19 and the impact the 2020 US presidential election will have on the tax landscape and overall economy. Their discussion also analyzes the role that technology has played in tax during COVID-19, and the types of technology and software CFOs and tax executives are seeking out to help them access more data at a faster pace.

© 2020 Ernst & Young LLP

Trust is the foundation on which organizations can build stakeholder confidence and active participation with their AI systems. However, in the finance world, one mistake, or the perception of a mistake, can harm an organization’s trust in the technology. How do finance functions build trust into their AI?

Podcast host Myles Corson welcomes Cathy Cobey, EY’s Global Trusted AI Advisory Leader, to discuss how she helps organizations understand some of the new risks that AI brings and how, most importantly, they can start to create the right governance and control mechanisms.

They explore the broad definition of AI, and its growing use in the COVID-19 landscape. With AI introducing new risks and impacts that have historically been the purview of human decision-making, organizations need a new framework for identifying, measuring and responding to the risks of AI to make it operational. © 2020 Ernst & Young LLP.

Podcast host Myles Corson welcomes back Paul Brody, EY Global Blockchain Leader, to discuss the evolution of blockchain and how it is enabling seamless transactions and near real-time exchange of information, to evolve into an open, scalable, compliant and secure public transaction system. #betterfinance © 2020 Ernst & Young LLP.

Winna Brown, Private Equity (PE) Leader in the EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services practice, joins podcast host Myles Corson to discuss PE’s ability to create operational value and its long-term outlook. Though traditionally seen as a tool for financial engineering and cost reduction, their conversation explores how companies can think about private equity at any point in its growth life cycle and why talent is at the top of the list in terms of private equity focus. #betterfinance © 2019 Ernst & Young LLP.

Andrew Hay, Head of Proposition, Statutory Reporting and Shared Service Centers at Thomson Reuters, joins podcast host Myles Corson to discuss how companies can standardize and centralize global finance operations by leveraging technology. Their conversation examines how the area of statutory reporting and tax compliance is evolving, the opportunities and challenges organizations have with standardization as they transform their organizations and address the risks of protecting financial data in the cloud. © 2019 Ernst & Young LLP. All rights reserved.

This special podcast episode features an abridged recording of “When Great Technology Meets Great Finance Professionals” a panel discussion from the 2018 Current Financial Reporting Issues Conference hosted by Financial Executives International. The panel, moderated by Myles Corson, included David Fabricant, SVP, Global Record to Report Controller at American Express and Dan Werries, formerly Global Director for Finance Systems, Purchasing Systems and Analytics at the Dow Chemical Company and now VP Information Technology, Corporate Enablement at Intel Corporation. They discuss how integrating technology into the finance function can create more than just immediate efficiencies and cost savings.

Marc Siegel, a member of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), former member of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and EY partner, joins podcast host Myles Corson to discuss key trends in corporate reporting. Their conversation takes a closer look at the influence of short-termism on an organization’s long-term value story, the power of shareholder activism, the insatiable consumption of data by investors and other reporting challenges finance executives face today. © 2019 Ernst & Young LLP. All rights reserved.

Kris Pederson, EY Americas Governance Leader, joins podcast host Myles Corson to discuss strategic and purpose-led transformation and the importance it has in communicating long-term value. ©2019 Ernst & Young, LLP. All Rights Reserved.

Tom Shea, Chief Executive Officer at OneStream Software, joins podcast host Myles Corson to discuss the role of corporate performance management (CPM) solutions in helping CFOs rationalize data and enabling managers across the enterprise make better business decisions.

©2019 Ernst & Young, LLP Limited. All Rights Reserved.

John Murphy, Executive Vice President and CFO at Adobe Inc. joins podcast host Myles Corson to discuss the role of the CFO in enabling digital transformation and its impact on the finance function. Ernst and Young, LLP © 2019.

Host Myles Corson and Chief Data Analytics Officer and Emerging Technologies Leader, Chris Mazzei, discuss the ways in which emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and robotic process automation are impacting businesses and how finance executives are adapting to these changes. ©2018 Ernst & Young, LLP Limited. All Rights Reserved.

EY's Myles Corson and Global Vice Chair of Assurance, Felice Persico, discuss how finance is being redefined, in areas from reporting to auditing, and how finance leaders need to view technology as a tool for creating the finance function of the future.

EY’s Myles Corson sits down with Microsoft Americas CFO Jack Ryder to talk about the evolving role of finance. Together, they discuss integrating real-time data with human analysis as well as Microsoft’s four pillars for finance: People, Prioritization, Partnership and Protection.

With automation and integrated technology on the cusp of redefining today’s accounting, function leaders need to be smart about how to efficiently and effectively implement new offerings. EY’s Myles Corson sits down with BlackLine founder and CEO Therese Tucker to discuss a strategic shift in the way the function operates and redefining accounting as a critical partner in driving forward new business objectives.

The complexities of corporate reporting are increasing, driving the necessity to utilize technology to bring innovation to reporting and the finance function overall. EY’s Myles Corson, Peter Wollmert and Dana Bober discuss this disruption and how to prepare finance professionals for the shift.

Artificial intelligence is on the rise, and applications like machine learning and speech recognition are positioned to transform the business landscape. EY’s Myles Corson and Nigel Duffy, Global Innovation Artificial Intelligence Leader at EY, discuss how AI can enhance human insight.

Adapting and incorporating new technologies is leading the way for exponential change in companies. EY’s Myles Corson and Deepak Krishnamurthy, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President at SAP, discuss emerging technologies and the role the startup community plays in innovation today.

EY’s Myles Corson is joined by Leslie Seidman, chair of the recent Pacesetters in Financial Reporting Conference and Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Financial Reporting at the Lubin School of Business, for a discussion exploring enhancing financial reporting practices in a time of exceptional change.

Financial Executive International’s 2017 Current Financial Reporting Issues Conference co-chairs, Sharon Virag and Heather Dixon, speak with EY’s Myles Corson on how the financial reporting function can help their organizations evolve and change in the era of disruption.

Emerging technologies and innovation are changing the way tax functions operate. EY’s Myles Corson and Jeff Saviano share insights on the transformation in tax, how the tax function is evolving to be more digital and the future skill set of the tax professional of the future.

How do technology and talent work best together? EY’s Myles Corson and Tony Klimas discuss digital disruption’s impact on the finance talent pool and how skill sets are changing in order to help finance deliver strategic insights for an organization.

Finance professionals are facing both demands to deliver information more quickly and requirements surrounding long-term value and measurement. EY’s Myles Corson and Neri Bukspan talk about how finance professionals can navigate the diverging trends in financial reporting and deliver the most value to stakeholders.

Blockchain technology is poised to transform the finance function and has the potential to solve real business issues facing many companies today, tightly redefining the relationship between business operations and finance in ways that have never been possible before. EY's Myles Corson and Paul Brody discuss blockchain's revolutionary impact.

EY's Myles Corson and Mike Cowan discuss how the role of the finance function is changing and what that means for CFOs of the future.