CFO Series: Driving Efficiency

Overview

This event is a rebroadcast of a live event.

The CFO Series provides a convenient, one-stop way for CFOs and those who aspire to be CFOs, to earn an entire year of CPE with a single decision. Each day consists of a subject matter expert leading discussions about four different topics. The CFO Series features high-quality presentations and an interactive, executive level colleague-to-colleague approach with case studies, group discussions, and team exercises. 

“It’s the little things that matter.” We are so busy that we sometimes fail to do the fundamental duties as well as we should. How can we get more out of every audit, reduce the pressure, and streamline the process? What lessons can we learn from diabolical and brazen fraud activities? We need to re-examine our internal controls so they will be effective today and will scale to remain effective in the future. Even the Statement of Cash Flows can be made much more effective – we will show you how.  These ‘little things’ can and do have an outsized impact. We will review today’s best practices. We can all learn from the mistakes made by others so we will be even more efficient. 

Module 1: Audit Survival Toolkit: Tactics to Reduce Stress and Get Through Audits with Confidence
If the word “audit” makes your team groan – you are not alone. Whether it is an internal review, a regulatory exam, or a full-blown financial audit, most finance and accounting teams face scrutiny from multiple directions. This seminar helps participants understand what auditors are really looking for, how to align your goals with theirs, and what you can do to make the audit process smoother, less stressful, and more productive? You will learn what to expect during each phase of the audit – planning, fieldwork, and reporting –and walk away with practical strategies to improve your communication, documentation, and overall preparedness. Whether you are supporting an external audit, prepping for compliance testing, or working with internal auditors, this session will help your team respond with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. We will show you how to streamline the audit process – so it is easier for you and for the auditors which saves time and money. 

Module 2: Internal Controls That Matter: Protection with Simple, Smart, and Scalable Practices
Internal controls don’t have to be complicated – but they must be effective and intentional. In many organizations, especially small to mid-sized ones, internal controls are informal or incomplete, exposing teams to unnecessary risk. This discussion helps finance and accounting professionals understand what internal controls really are, why they matter, and how to build systems that actually work - without overwhelming your people or processes. We’ll discuss how to design, implement, and monitor core controls – across financial reporting, operations, and compliance – using real-world examples that scale to fit your organization. Whether you’re starting from scratch or tightening what’s already there, this seminar will help you put the right checks and balances in place to protect your resources, your people, and your reputation.

Module 3: Cash Flow Clarity: Effectively Communicate Cash Flows to Drive Better Decisions
The cash flow statement is one of the most confusing financial reports – yet it has the potential to deliver the essential keys to understand business performance. After all, cash is still both king and queen! This session explores how to present, interpret, and communicate cash flows effectively to help CEOs, boards, and decision-makers drive smarter results. By using the Sources and Uses format, professionals can make the statement more intuitive and actionable. Learn how to simplify cash flow information and focus discussions on what matters most: how cash is generated and deployed? We will demonstrate how to confidently present this powerful financial statement to non-financial leaders. The cash flow statement is misunderstood, and we will show you how to fix that.

Module 4: Amazingly Crazy Fraud Cases - Fraud So Wild It Shouldn’t Be Real
Some fraud cases are so unbelievable, they sound like Hollywood scripts, but they are all real and we can learn a lot from them. In this fast-paced, story-driven discussion, we will review some outrageous fraud cases – from forged financials and luxury lifestyles to deepfakes and fake companies that fooled the smartest people in the room. You will hear the stories, spot the red flags, and walk away with practical takeaways to help you strengthen your professional skepticism, identify fraud warning signs, and build a better fraud prevention mindset. If you enjoy a relevant story with a side of financial insight – you’re in the right place. We all can learn valuable lessons from these outrageous and real frauds.