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, w…

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 increasing…

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 atten…

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 he…

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,…

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 fo…

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 s…

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 Researc…

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 in…

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 consta…

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 Profess…

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 …

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…

Christina Thomas-Lewin, FCMA, CGMA, is now assistant financial controller for a US company, but she got her start in finance in the UK. In this podcast episode, Thomas-Lewin discusses her career moves, the value of lifelong learning, and the meaning behind the phrase “block it out to knock it out.” She also talks about the importance of delivering …

This episode of the FM podcast focuses on the newly updated Global Management Accounting Principles (GMAPs). The principles, first released nearly 10 years ago, provide a framework for management accountants. The most recent version updates that framework to reflect new business realities. David Hackett, an AICPA & CIMA technical manager, looks bac…

Grace Baxter, ACMA, CGMA, initially thought she would pursue a career in physics. But she’s happy with the switch she made to accounting, where she became CIMA qualified and later landed a role at the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Baxter is now head of management reporting for DEFRA, and she also serves on a CIMA reg…

Genevieve Hawkins, a business leader based in Melbourne, Australia, had a previous career in occupational therapy. That’s one part of her background that contributed to the decision to write a book about workplace mental health. Hawkins said that, in the past, most organisations left mental health to the employee. That’s changing, but it can change…

Jeremy Osborn, FCMA, CGMA, wants to make sure finance professionals are prepared for all that's coming their way. Osborn, AICPA & CIMA's global head of ESG, joined the FM podcast for a two-part discussion on the rising importance of ESG initiatives. In part one of the interview, Osborn explained why ESG, along with related auditing and assurance op…

It’s a big year for ESG initiatives, and Jeremy Osborn, FCMA, CGMA, wants to make sure finance professionals are prepared for all that’s coming their way. Osborn, AICPA & CIMA’s global head of ESG, joined the FM podcast for a discussion on the business reasons to pay attention to ESG, how he became interested in the topic about 15 years ago, and wh…

This episode of the FM podcast features two leaders in the accounting profession globally. Alicja Dworowska, ACMA, CGMA, is finance director at Thermo Fisher Scientific and also a coach and mentor. Lindsay Stevenson, CPA, CGMA, is chief transformation officer at the firm BPM LLP and chair of the AICPA Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee (WIEC).…

The themes of sessions at the Future of Finance Summit, which concluded earlier this month in Austin, Texas, were global in nature: talent development, transformation of the finance function, and managing amidst uncertainty. There was, however, one comment from a speaker that stood out to Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, chief executive–Management Accou…

David Tiplady, ACMA, CGMA, head of commercial, Vodafone Automotive, is in training for an intriguing and difficult competition. He’s part of a four-man team rowing without support across the Atlantic Ocean, from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, in 2023. He joins host Kyle Hannan to discuss the planning and training that’s underway, along with c…

Harvard Business School professor and author Ranjay Gulati says that sentiment is growing among business leaders that companies have a larger role to play than simply providing shareholder value. He joined the FM podcast to discuss that topic and others highlighted in his recent book, Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies. …

Well before the COVID-19 pandemic led to a remote work revolution, Lynda Gratton was thinking about how work should be redesigned. Gratton, an author, consultant, and professor, is a world-renowned expert on organisational behaviour. She joined the FM podcast to discuss some of the thoughts in her new book, Redesigning Work: How to Transform Your O…

Risk management is no longer an annual, tick-the-box exercise. It’s a regular, vital part of an organisation’s business plan. To provide a framework and questions that risk leaders should consider, a new tool has been developed and published. Jeff Parkison, CPA, CGMA, a US finance leader, is a co-author of the updated document, which is called “ERM…

In this second part of this series on Excel, Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA, an Excel MVP, shares what he thinks are the top functions for accountants and finance professionals, Excel’s limitations, and what he thinks is the future direction of this most popular spreadsheet software in the world.

In this first episode of a two-part FM podcast series on Excel with FM contributor and Excel trainer Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA, we look at the most common mistake accountants make when using Excel, whether Excel is outdated and should be replaced with other software, and the new LAMBDA function.

In this second episode of a two-part FM podcast series on skills, Gary Cox, ACMA, CGMA, a coach for businesses and individuals, describes how to create a learning plan. He recommends conducting an audit of current skills and those needed over the next three years. Making incremental progress and finding someone to support or champion you from insid…

There was a dizzying array of announcements during the two-week UN climate change summit last month. Which ones matter for accounting and finance professionals? Martin Farrar, Ph.D., associate technical director at AICPA & CIMA, breaks down key pledges by governments and businesses, and new requirements on the horizon that accounting and finance pr…

In this first episode of a two-part FM podcast series on skills, Gary Cox, ACMA, CGMA, a coach for businesses and individuals, describes the in-demand finance skills of effective use of data, insights, and “really good storytelling”. The second episode will look at how to create a learning plan — analysing the skills you have today and those you wi…

The definition of value continues to evolve in the knowledge economy. Finding new ways to measure, manage, and understand organisational value is a critical role for finance professionals and management accountants. In this episode, Paul Ashworth, FCMA, CGMA, previews his upcoming Financial Management articles on effective valuation, the challenges…

Negotiation is a key skill to master, both in the workplace and outside it. In this episode, Fotini Iconomopoulos, founder of negotiation training company Forward Focusing, based in Toronto, and author of Say Less, Get More: Unconventional Negotiation Techniques to Get What You Want, shares advice for succeeding in negotiations. She talks about how…

Tom Eisenmann, Harvard Business School professor and author of The Fail-Safe Startup, says only 10% of high-tech, high-potential startups are successful. In that success, the CFO has a critical role that includes managing cash and working out when to raise more and monitoring key metrics. He warns the new entrepreneur against rushing in without pro…

To celebrate International Podcast Day, we’ve compiled some of the top insights offered in 2021 episodes from speakers all over the world. Learn more about advice for fighting ransomware, the role of finance in navigating Olympic Games uncertainty for a medal-winning team, how to spot “greenwashing” in ESG reporting, and more from a five-part FM se…

There is no “opt-out clause” for management accountants on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information, says Association Chair and CIMA President Paul Ash, FCMA, CGMA, in this final podcast in an FM series on ESG. Ash describes how his formative years led to developing businesses focusing on environmentally clean energy and real-time me…

Extreme weather risks have been on the rise for businesses worldwide, and regulators and standard setters are taking steps to keep investors updated. The recent merger of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), which formed the Value Reporting Foundation, was a step towards con…

The belief that companies should not solely focus on shareholder value, but should benefit all stakeholders — including employees, customers, and communities — is what many investors, large and small, have been rallying around. As a result, investors have been demanding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information from companies to help …

Ransomware is on the rise. Organisations of all sizes are at risk, and finance departments are at the forefront of identifying and mitigating ransomware risks. However, that diligence comes with its own challenges. To help organisations identify the growing risks and cost of ransomware, we talk with Gerry Glombicki, CPA, director with Fitch Ratings…

Finance’s role is evolving rapidly, which means the skills needed by finance professionals are changing. A recent FM Q&A series with finance leaders from around the world provided insight on skills that matter most. Hear this conversation with Alexis See Tho, an FM associate editor, and Barry Payne, the Association’s director of external relations …

Kuldeep Kaur, ACMA, CGMA, England Hockey’s finance and administration director, explains how scenario planning, data-led decision-making, and effective communication combined to lead the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting Olympic Games scheduling uncertainty. What you’ll learn from this episode: An explanation of England Hockey’s …

When finance and accounting professionals think about ESG, it shouldn’t be limited to churning out sustainability reports. To enable real change in a company’s impact on environmental, social, and governance issues, they need to be part and parcel of long-term strategy. But how can that be done? In this episode, we hear from Michael Bueker, senior …

Sustainability has become a prominent topic of discussion in business, but it can mean different things to different people. Jeffrey Hales, Ph.D., professor of accounting at the University of Texas at Austin and chairman of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), explains what it means to management accountants. As SASB chair, Hales h…

Jame DiBiasio, financial journalist and author of Cowries to Crypto: The History of Money, Currency, and Wealth, describes the long history of money, what the shift from Internet 1.0 to 2.0 means for trading large illiquid assets, and considerations for companies when dealing with bitcoin. He looks to a fintech future of wearable and implanted tech…

Building trust has always been important in business, and COVID-19 has served to highlight it, according to leadership and workplace culture expert Liz Lugt. In this interview, Lugt sets out the elements of “vulnerability-based trust” and how finance leaders can focus on being effective rather than only efficient. Lugt is speaking at the upcoming A…

Governments around the world are tightening anti-money laundering regulations and increasing noncompliance penalties. Management accountants are at the frontlines of money laundering risk. In this FM podcast episode, Matthew Russell, a London-based financial crime partner at PwC, discusses how finance professionals can address the changing anti-mon…

Alnoor Bhimani, Ph.D., professor of management accounting at the London School of Economics, thinks the finance and accounting profession has yet to fully understand the sweeping implications of today’s digitalised business models and operations. In this episode of the FM magazine podcast, he shares key findings from his new book, Accounting Disrup…

CIMA Member in Practice Fiona Bevan, ACMA, CGMA, describes recent trends in the UK SME sector and how her company, Bevan Financial Management Ltd, adapted to the COVID-19 crisis. She offers advice for SMEs — and larger businesses — on effective customer feedback and how businesses can improve and speed up their decision-making without losing contro…

Amy Radin, who serves on the board of directors of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, wrote an article in the December 2020 issue of FM with the headline “How CFOs Can Enable Innovation Now”. Radin is an author, adviser, and former corporate innovation executive, so she has keen insight into the topic, including ho…

Jeremy Hawkins, senior European economist at Econoday, provides an overview of the UK and Europe’s economic landscape two months on from the signing of the UK-EU post-Brexit trade deal and a year from the start of the coronavirus pandemic. He highlights the sectors likely to bounce back more rapidly and those that could struggle to regain lost grou…

Rhymer Rigby shared advice for how to deal with co-workers’ annoying habits and how to succeed in remote meetings in previous FM podcasts. This episode is the conclusion of a three-part conversation with Rigby, a regular career contributor to FM. He responds to questions about how career management has changed since the onset of COVID-19, how recru…