Episodes
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Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA, began his one-year term as CIMA president and AICPA & CIMA chair in June, and he joined the FM podcast for an interview in late July, discussing what he sees as three key opportunities for the accounting and finance profession.
In the episode, Bittlestone reviews his focus areas, explains the value of a technology background when leading technology initiatives, and details how seizing opportunity as it relates to today’s workforce can help to future-proof the profession.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· Why he agrees that the profession faces challenges, which he views as opportunities.
· The area of accountants’ work that, according to Bittlestone, has understandable “pushback”.
· Three takeaways from Bittlestone on the ESG course offered in partnership with Oxford University.
· Why Bittlestone considers it important to focus on the profession’s future generations and accountants already in the profession.
· His thoughts on the retirement of AICPA & CIMA CEO Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA.
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Paul Thambar, FCMA, CGMA, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting at Monash University in Australia, explains the obstacles CFOs face when transitioning to a business partner role and where organisations are setting ambiguous and conflicting expectations for finance leaders.
A recent AICPA & CIMA report on the role of the CFO was informed by Thambar’s research.
Thambar also discusses the challenges and opportunities for CFOs grappling with digitilisation and how aspiring CFOs can adopt a “progressive” approach to career development. Thambar also was a guest on a 2019 FM podcast episode.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
§ Why CFOs sometimes struggle to transition into a business partner role.
§ Some ways organisations are setting ambiguous and conflicting expectations.
§ How relationship building can help CFOs grow in their roles.
§ The importance of understanding digitilisation at “two levels”.
§ What it means to be a “progressive” CFO.
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Missing episodes?
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This episode features Oliver Rowe, the editor-in-chief of FM, detailing the contents of the August digital edition of the magazine.
Rowe highlights several articles, including the first column by CIMA President Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA. He also discusses articles on digital transformation, based on a previous FM podcast episode with author David Rogers; working with images in Excel; and dealing with meeting anxiety.
Rowe explains how members can access the most recent edition of the online magazine as well as the issue library.
Previous podcast episodes focusing on 2024 digital editions:
n February
n April
n June
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· Details on an article about digital transformation — and why many of the steps in such a transformation don’t include technology.
· Highlights of an Excel article by Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA.
· Advice on preparing for and overcoming anxiety about meetings.
· Options for accessing current and past digital editions.
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Author Mike Drayton, a clinical psychologist and leadership coach at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, explains why certain people are more susceptible to burnout than others, how people can recognise the early signs of burnout within themselves and in the people around them, and why it’s important to stay “rounded”.
Drayton suggests tactics that leaders and professionals can adopt to establish firm boundaries, promote work/life balance within their teams, cultures, and themselves, and encourage professional and personal development.
Drayton is scheduled to speak in October at UK and Ireland ENGAGE about the psychology of influence and persuasion.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
§ Steps for managing burnout.
§ What behaviours can determine if leaders will be prone to burnout or not.
§ Two personality traits that make people more vulnerable to burnout.
§ Ways to set firm boundaries that prioritise work/life balance.
§ What it means to “strive for wholeness” and how to adopt that mindset.
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This episode of the FM podcast is the continuation of an occasional series on the show called Beyond the Code.
That means taking a detailed look at the CIMA Code of Ethics.
Xose Lumor, manager–Advocacy and Professional Ethics–Management Accounting at AICPA & CIMA, talks with Samantha McDonough, another AICPA & CIMA ethics manager, who oversees the CIMA ethics helpline and email inbox.
In the episode, McDonough shares some of the questions received from CIMA members and registered students, general guidance for how some of those concerns can be addressed, and resources for members who might find themselves facing an ethics dilemma.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
n The main CIMA ethics resources page.
n The page where an ethics checklist can be downloaded.
n The email address for members with ethics questions.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· An introduction of the topic and the focus of the Beyond the Code series.
· Why McDonough advises members and students to give business advice in writing.
· A hypothetical example of a potential conflict of interest.
· One scenario in which an accountant might be asked to create a misleading financial report.
· Resources available on the CIMA ethics page, including the email inbox address and the number for the telephone helpline.
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This episode features Oliver Rowe, the editor-in-chief of FM, detailing the contents of the June digital edition of the magazine.
Rowe highlights several articles, including one on the risks associated with generative AI.
One article explores common management reporting mistakes to avoid. Also in the issue are articles about successful enterprise resource planning implementations and on the shifts that are redefining how finance creates sustainable value.
Rowe explains how members can access the most recent edition of the online magazine as well as the issue library.
This link features Rowe speaking about the February edition, and this link has the conversation about the April edition.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· Details of an article focused on the risks of generative AI.
· Highlights of an Excel article by Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA.
· Advice from author Rhymer Rigby on preparing to go on holiday.
· Options for accessing current and past digital editions.
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Author Nuala Walsh, CEO and founder of MindEquity, a business and behavioural science consultancy in the UK, discusses the challenges of being a thoughtful leader in “the daily din of distraction and disinformation” – and why decision friction is a necessary skill.
Walsh’s book, Tune In: How to Make Smarter Decisions in a Noisy World, suggests numerous strategies that leaders can use to analyse information effectively and holistically, as well as methods to recognise biases and misjudgements that could hold them back.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
§ What it means to tune in and tune out.
§ Some reasons we fall into misinformation traps.
§ Strategies we can use to recognise our biases.
§ How decision friction can help us more accurately decode the information we hear.
§ The benefits of using emotional intelligence to interpret clouded judgements.
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The best time to start on digital transformation? Well, it was five years ago. But, says digital transformation expert David Rogers, starting now is the next best time.
Rogers, an author, speaker, and corporate consultant, is also a professor at Columbia University. He explains some of the ways companies hurt themselves in transformation efforts, why people management is such a big part of those digital changes, and how some companies are making gains even without big budgets or fancy, new apps.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· A discussion on why digital transformations are so difficult.
· The importance of people alignment in a digital transformation effort.
· Why budgeting is not a vital part of such transformations.
· The advice about planting a tree that also applies to digital transformation urgency.
· Why there is no single KPI for digital transformation.
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This episode features Oliver Rowe, the editor-in-chief of FM, detailing the contents of the April digital edition of the magazine.
Rowe explains how members can access the most recent edition of the online magazine. He also highlights several articles, including this edition’s theme of sustainability.
One noteworthy column, on businesses increasingly taking a multicapital approach to maximising value, was written by CIMA President Sarah Ghosh, FCMA, CGMA. Ghosh recently was a guest on the FM podcast, speaking about the importance of International Women’s Day.
Also, this link features Rowe speaking about the February edition.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· The paths for members to access content in the digital editions.
· Highlights of the April edition, including focus areas of sustainability and leadership.
· The advice regular contributor Rhymer Rigby gives for delivering bad news.
· The focus of Liam Bastick’s column on using Microsoft Excel.
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Avani Desai, CPA, attended the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January. It was her first visit to the mountain town’s famed event that brings together world leaders and subject matter experts.
In this episode of the FM podcast, Desai reflected on the lessons she learned and on the perspective she gained — as an attendee and a discussion moderator. Desai led a panel discussion on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, and cybersecurity. She summarised some of the lessons she can apply to her role as CEO of a large US accounting firm.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· Desai’s description of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
· Details of the panel discussion that Desai led.
· The session that was “definitely a highlight” for Desai.
· The tie-in between AI and cybersecurity.
· Why the International Women’s Day theme resonates with her.
· How one mentoring experience changed Desai’s view of Schellman’s messaging about the profession.
· The lessons from Davos she has taken back to her firm.
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Sarah Ghosh, FCMA, CGMA, is most of the way through her one-year term as CIMA president. In this episode of the FM podcast, intended to recognise International Women’s Day, she reflects on people she’s met, questions she’s asked, and progress made on numerous fronts.
Ghosh discussed the launch of an AICPA & CIMA mentoring programme, reflected on her background in technology, and shared highlights of her global travels.
FM resources:
Article about a finance director on leading with integrity
Article about a CFO in South Africa who champions collaboration
Article about a Singapore CFO on leadership
AICPA & CIMA resource:
Main page on diversity, equity, and inclusion
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· Three themes of her term as CIMA president.
· How the accounting profession can continue to be purpose-driven.
· Ways in which the profession can take the lead on inspiring inclusion.
· The stories of female leaders that “are really powerful”.
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Author Alison Taylor, a clinical associate professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, explains the reasons business ethics has become a “confused topic” and why treating ethical problems as “tick-the-box PR” can make leaders look directionless.
Taylor’s book, Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World, opens up a discourse on new ways to approach this complex landscape and highlights the importance of prioritising fundamental values, with the impact on human beings at the centre of decision-making.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
Why business ethics is a complex issue. The problems arising from conflating ethics and ideology and treating “CEOs as politicians”. How to cut through the noise by taking a people-centric approach. The reasons that leaders should avoid treating ethics and impact issues as public relations problems. The importance of understanding and focusing on your core values. -
This episode features an occasional host of previous FM podcasts, Oliver Rowe, who is editor-in-chief of FM.
Rowe explains how members can access the most recent edition of the online magazine. He also details some of the articles, including those by AICPA & CIMA leaders.
Resources:
n The page for members to access FM editions.
n The public link for FM magazine, featuring news, podcasts, and more.
n A previous, ethics-focused FM podcast episode hosted by Xose Lumor.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· Details on the frequency of FM editions.
· Two paths for members to access the content in the editions.
· An explanation of the fraud triangle and highlights of Xose Lumor’s article on the topic.
· More on Rhymer Rigby’s career-focused article about dealing with the departure of the boss who hired you.
· One article’s practical advice on leading digital strategy.
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Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, chief executive—Management Accounting at AICPA & CIMA, made the trip to Orlando, Florida, last week to continue in the knowledge sharing that occurs at the Future of Finance Summit, a US event in its third year and one with companion events in other parts of the world.
In this FM episode recorded at the summit, Harding shared key takeaways, insights into the optimism from businesses in China, and why one session topic took him back to his days as a coach on the football pitch.
He also offered a succinct, three-pronged message for the profession in 2024.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· The importance of “learn, unlearn and relearn” for finance professionals.
· An explanation of the T-shaped model for skill and knowledge development.
· Why a session on how women can gain appointments to corporate boards resonated with Harding.
· His observation about China’s use of digital payments being different than in other parts of the world.
· An explanation of the T-shaped model for skill and knowledge development.
· The key trends affecting the profession in the new year.
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A single cybersecurity breach can cost millions of dollars, so it’s critical that companies take a proactive approach and commit to shoring up their defences by making informed decisions and investments. An updated CGMA cybersecurity tool provides a place to start.
Ken Witt, CPA, CGMA, AICPA & CIMA's associate director–Management Accounting Research and Development, joins the FM podcast to discuss the latest trends in cybersecurity and share details about what the recently released tool offers organisations of all sizes.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· How digitalisation sped up by the pandemic has accelerated cyber risk.
· The stunning price tag of a security breach and the areas that are most vulnerable to breaches.
· The unique challenges facing small entities, and a small step they can take to combat their concerns.
· Top “amplifiers” and “mitigators” that finance decision-makers should keep in mind.
· How the CGMA cybersecurity tool can help IT pros and non-IT stakeholders alike.
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Productivity expert and author Hayley Watts discusses the reasons people struggle with productivity and why digital correspondence is, despite its advantages, creating a challenging environment for communication.
Watts spoke at the UK and Ireland ENGAGE several months ago, and she offers tips to help leaders and employees to channel productivity into their working lives.
Watts, a co-author of How to Fix Meetings: Meet Less, Focus on Outcomes and Get Stuff Done, explains why technology can sometimes be more of a hindrance than an aid, why less is more when it comes to setting priorities, and shares strategies we can use to “get in the zone” in an era of urgency and distraction.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
§ Three common reasons why people struggle to stay productive.
§ Why our reliance on digital tools to improve communication can be antithetical.
§ How leaders and managers can respond to cultures that are enabling burnout.
§ Why flexible working is a challenging balancing act.
§ How to get a better understanding of daily goals and priorities.
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New research from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) found a disconnect between the way leaders operate in day-to-day business and the long-term strategic initatives that keep businesses relevant and competitive amid constant change and transformation.
Peter Spence, associate technical director of management accounting at AICPA & CIMA, and Andy Beanland, a former consultant with the WBCSD, provide further insight into why business strategies are becoming increasingly complex, and why a holistic, adaptive approach to performance is necessary to set businesses up for long-term success in an era of disruption.
Resource page
AICPA & CIMA
What you’ll learn from this episode:
§ How integrated performance management can help drive better business decision-making.
§ Some of the reasons businesses today may fail to fully execute their strategies.
§ Why silo mindsets make for weak management systems.
§ Analysis of the differences between weak-matrix and strong-matrix management systems.
§ The importance of adaptability and innovation in an era of change.
§ How to create a performance culture that engages workforces.
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This episode of the FM podcast is the start of an occasional series on the show. That series is called Beyond the Code.
In this case, that means taking a close look at the CIMA Code of Ethics.
Xose Lumor, manager, Advocacy and Professional Ethics – Management Accounting at AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, talks with disputes attorney Alastair Campbell, of the firm Level, about some of the ethical issues that accountants should be prepared to face.
The vast majority of CIMA members comply with regulations, and misconduct is not the norm. But there are instances where ethical violations are reported or alleged. Campbell takes listeners through some of those examples and reminds accountants that being “unimpeachable in terms of your integrity” is one key way to make sure no ethics missteps occur.
Resources:
Campbell’s contact information: [email protected] and LinkedIn
Lumor’s contact information: [email protected] and LinkedIn
More about Regulation 19 and the duty to notify
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It makes sense that the themes emerging from the words of Phillipa Spicer, FCMA, CGMA, and Bruce Martin, ACMA, CGMA, are similar — they are sister and brother, both having ascended to CEO roles in the UK. Spicer set forward on a path to becoming a management accountant, and her younger brother followed.
In this conversation, hear about their early trips to the office while growing up in South Africa, the questions they got from students, and the advice they give about being your own self as a CEO.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
· Martin and Spicer’s youth in South Africa (2:24).
· The early exposure they had to office “work” (5:50).
· Spicer’s reflection on “being really fortunate” to land a temporary role with Unilever (7:01).
· How Spicer has applied her work in other sectors to the role as CEO of a charity (9:03).
· Martin’s path to a role at Vodafone in the UK and then other businesses (12:26).
· The top challenges that Spicer (17:42) and Martin (20:03) have overcome to make the move from finance leader to chief executive.
· The siblings’ recall of speaking about career journeys with university students (Spicer at 22:25 and Martin at 24:57).
· Advice from Martin (28:15) and Spicer (29:39) for aspiring CEOs.
· Why Spicer advises budding leaders to “make your own kind of music” (30:54).
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AICPA & CIMA research on the future state of the finance profession found emerging themes from global discussions with leaders around the world. Some of these themes include automation, hybrid working, sustainability, and moving beyond traditional finance roles.
Rebecca McCaffry, FCMA, CGMA, associate technical director at AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, discusses the shift from traditional finance in a digital world, to a new era of soft skills as the value of people and connection takes focus.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
§ How finance roles are becoming less fixed and more adaptable.
§ An overview of focus areas for management accountants and finance leaders across the globe.
§ The shift of focus from digital to soft skills, and why those skills are becoming more ingrained into the culture and priorities of accountants now.
§ How the younger generation is influencing change in the profession.
- Show more
