Strategic CFO Series: Big Picture Skills

Overview

Strategic CFO is a four-part series that answers the "why" & "direction" our companies take & our role in thinking about this big picture to infuse into our everyday lives.

Strategic CFO: Strategic Financial Communications

Financial professionals are expected to do more than report numbers-they must explain them in ways others understand & trust. This session focuses on improving financial communication by addressing financial literacy gaps, simplifying complex accounting concepts & building compelling narratives around data. Participants will learn how to use stories, visuals & language effectively to communicate strategy, performance & risk. Through examples & interactive discussion, this session helps CPAs & CFOs become clearer, more confident communicators in both live & virtual environments. Also, some video clips will be used to add to the learning materials & research. Don’t worry, they are pretty entertaining.

Strategic CFO: Strategic Cash Management

Cash is the lifeblood of every organization, yet many leaders struggle to explain, manage & plan for it effectively. This session focuses on strategic cash management, capital structure decisions & financing options available to organizations at different stages of growth. Participants will explore how CFOs balance today’s cash needs with long-term strategy, evaluate debt & equity decisions & communicate cash flow concepts to non-financial stakeholders. The session emphasizes practical frameworks, real-world examples & modeling approaches that support better cash decisions. A few negotiation videos will be displayed to bring humor & effectiveness to the key points.

Strategic CFO: Strategic Risk Management

Risk management is no longer a compliance exercise-it is a core strategic responsibility of today’s CFO & CPA. This session demystifies Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) by walking through the COSO framework in clear, practical terms. Participants will learn how risk integrates with strategy & performance, how organizations identify & assess risk & how leaders respond to uncertainty in a disciplined way. Using examples, polling & case discussions, this session equips financial professionals to communicate risk effectively & help organizations protect & create value. Some funny video clips will be used to focus on the learning material.

Strategic CFO: Developing Strategy & the Why

Effective CFOs & CPAs play a critical role in shaping & executing organizational strategy. This session focuses on how strategy is developed, why many strategic plans fail & how finance leaders can help organizations create focus in an increasingly complex & fast-changing environment. Participants will explore competitive advantage, the use of financial & non-financial metrics & the importance of aligning strategy with mission, culture & resources. Through discussion & real-world case examples, attendees will gain practical tools to evaluate, measure & support successful strategies across for-profit & nonprofit organizations. Use of some video reels will add levity to some of the key points.