FEI Podcast

In this episode of the FEI Podcast, we explore key insights from a recent webinar hosted by the Financial Education & Research Foundation (FERF) and CohnReznick, focused on Financial and Accounting Outsourcing in the Age of AI. Based on new research, this conversation highlights how finance leaders are using outsourcing to overcome resource constraints, drive strategic priorities, and adapt to a rapidly changing business environment. We’ll examine how outsourcing practices are evolving, what finance professionals expect for the future, and how technology, especially AI, is reshaping best-in-class approaches to working with providers. Whether you're a CFO, finance executive, or strategic decision-maker, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to evaluate and evolve your outsourcing strategy for maximum impact. Key Takeaways: Strategic Value & Talent Resourcing: How CFOs are refocusing internal teams on high-value initiatives and accessing specialized expertise. Technology & Innovation: The role of AI and machine learning in improving data processing, accuracy, and decision-making. Risk Management & Compliance: How outsourcing enhances regulatory compliance and risk mitigation. Market Trends & Insights: Fresh data on outsourcing adoption, emerging technologies, and future expectations. Speakers: Michelle Voyer, MBA – Director, Client Advisory Services, CohnReznick Advisory LLC Kane Polakoff – Partner, Practice Leader, Client Advisory Services (CAS), CohnReznick Advisory LLC Special Guests: Kane Polakoff and Michelle Voyer.

In this episode of the FEI Podcast, Sam Peterson, EY’s Global Innovation Leader for Financial Accounting Advisory Services, explores the transformative impact of generative AI on the finance function. From the evolution of AI since its breakout moment to real-world use cases in FP&A, treasury, and financial reporting, Sam shares insights on how finance leaders can harness AI to drive efficiency, accuracy, and strategic value. The conversation also dives into emerging trends like agentic AI and reasoning models, and how professionals can prepare their teams for the future of work. Special Guest: Sam Peterson.

In this deep-dive conversation, Isaac Heller (CEO, Trullion) and Shlomo Agishtein (Director of AI, Trullion) share how AI is reshaping the future of finance and accounting. From their origin stories to the development of Trulli, Trullion’s domain-specific AI, they break down what AI agents can really do, and what’s just hype. You’ll learn: * How Trullion evolved AI specifically for accounting workflows * What separates Trulli from generic large language models * Real-world use cases of AI agents in daily financial operations * The future of AI in audit, compliance, and reporting * Why accountants will lead, not lose, in an AI-driven industry This episode offers finance professionals a clear-eyed look at what AI means for your role today and where it's heading next.

Matt Waters unpacks the key insights from the 2025 Lease Accounting Outlook report, offering expert predictions on the future of compliance, technology, and regulatory change. Listen to Matt's podcast The Lease Report (https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-lease-alert-podcast-sponsored-by-costar-real/id1766312631). Special Guest: Matt Waters.

In this episode, we’re diving into the fast-changing world of global ESG reporting and regulation. FERF’s Managing Director of research, Dillon Papenfuss, sits down with Kevin O’Connell, PwC Sustainability Assurance Services Leader, to break down the latest EU sustainability proposals—including the two-year delay to CSRD reporting—and what it all means for U.S. companies with overseas operations. From long-term strategic planning and technological transformation to data-driven insights and AI integration, this discussion provides finance leaders with practical steps to navigate the complexities of global ESG requirements and achieve business success. Additional PwC resources: Sustainability News Brief (https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/esg/sustainability-news-brief.html?utm_source=FEI&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Promotion) The CFO’s sustainability playbook for driving growth (https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/esg/library/cfo-playbook.html?utm_source=FEI&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Promotion) Don’t wait for the Omnibus proposals approval to start preparing for CSDDD (https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/esg/library/omnibus-csddd.html?utm_source=FEI&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Sponsored) European Commission publishes ‘Omnibus’ proposals (https://viewpoint.pwc.com/dt/us/en/pwc/in_briefs/2025/2025-in-brief/int-european-commission-publishes-omnibus-proposals.html?utm_source=FEI&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsored) ⁠PwC's Sustainability reporting guide (Register for free access) (https://viewpoint.pwc.com/user/gated-content.html?territory=us&locale=en_us&referrer=%7Bf547052b5ae59e8483ea96e199ab0b881028146d5de03846011d1ac7d67b3cb5dc31e4e59264721439bd6d9a49f9cf8c1d434bbf98c1d0a97dc46e66e094bff4a0bd574d459e5162dfbda6fca694601e8dd0fd3aa61810c36e4c53fdf0243eadd4deb9101401b61ae819e49ca9552c51b5b59f9a0bf2454bfae0c1f75830d9387307b96beef416eb60eb53cbe472c2f2%7D&isPremium=true&accessType=premium&isInternalOnly=false) Special Guest: Kevin O'Connell.

This episode explores key considerations for AI-related SEC disclosures, including how companies can avoid regulatory pitfalls, tailor risk disclosures to their specific AI applications, and enhance board oversight of AI adoption. Special Guests: Ryan Adams and Scott Lesmes.

Discover why finance professionals have been disappointed by generative AI in the past, how they are leveraging unstructured data today, why this landscape is shifting, and how to capitalize on a new paradigm. Special Guest: Kris Bennatti.

Over the past several years, the debate around the 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure has centered on the need to streamline the accounting talent pipeline. But behind that discussion lies a broader, more ideological narrative—one that has been building over the past two decades—about the role of occupational licensing in general, and the CPA license in particular. In this episode of the FEI Weekly Podcast, we speak with Dr. Edward Timmons, Associate Professor of Economics and Founding Director of the Knee Regulatory Research Center at West Virginia University. As you’ll hear, Dr. Timmons offers a unique perspective on the CPA licensure debate and breaks down the costs, consequences, and possible alternatives to the 150-hour rule—along with what reforms could mean for the future of accounting talent. Special Guest: Dr. Edward Timmons.

With trade and tariffs top of mind for many corporations, we thought it was the perfect time to get insight from a professional who’s spent more than two decades in the field. In this episode of the FEI Weekly Podcast, we speak with James Daly, the outgoing CEO of Allianz Trade Americas, a leader in trade credit insurance. Daly, who is retiring after a 22-year tenure with the company, shares the key lessons he’s learned in the global trade arena—and how financial leaders can prepare for the uncertainty ahead. Special Guest: James Daly.

Ayan Adam. We talk about Microsoft's role in integrating AI into finance and supply chain management, particularly through its Copilot tool. To learn more about impact of AI on financial and accounting governance and on workforce dynamics, register for FEI’s virtual conference AI in Finance and Accounting 2025: Managing Governance, Adapting the Workforce (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Events/Conferences/AI-Managing-Data-and-Driving-Analysis-Conference.aspx). Special Guest: Ayan Adam.

In part one of our conversation with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield, we explored the fast-changing crypto regulatory landscape. Now, in part two of this FEI Weekly Podcast series, we turn to crypto payments—a growing focus for businesses as customers demand alternatives to cash and ACH. With stablecoins, CBDCs, and blockchain-based payments gaining traction, what should CFOs and finance teams consider? Dr. Morsfield breaks down key challenges, from accounting and tax implications to risk management and compliance. Subscribe to FEI Weekly (https://financial-executives-international.read.axioshq.com/signup/industry-news-and-insights-mttj) Become an FEI member (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Special Guest: Suzanne Morsfield.

Despite their volatility and recent price decline, it’s hard to ignore the role of cryptocurrencies in today’s financial landscape. More importantly, it’s almost impossible to overlook them given the current administration’s focus on establishing a more favorable regulatory, accounting, and market framework—allowing institutional players to enter the sector with confidence. In this two-part series of the Financial Executive Podcast, we speak with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield, Global Head of Accounting Solutions at Lukka—a financial software and data services provider specializing in the cryptocurrency and digital asset ecosystem—as well as the Head of Policy at Crypto UK. In this first part of the discussion, we explore the rapid regulatory changes shaping the crypto space and their implications for financial executives tasked with assessing its potential role on their companies’ balance sheets. Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Subscribe to FEI Weekly (https://financial-executives-international.read.axioshq.com/signup/industry-news-and-insights-mttj) Special Guest: Suzanne Morsfield.

ICONS: Women of Note 2025 (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Events/Conferences/ICONS-Women-of-Note-2025.aspx) speaker Dr. Sarah Skidmore shares insights on the key differences between leadership and management, the importance of intentional time management, and how finance professionals can develop their leadership voice beyond operational oversight. Special Guest: Dr. Sarah Skidmore.

With ongoing changes in Washington, D.C.—including shifts in staffing and resources at some of the largest government agencies—financial executives are particularly focused on the future of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). However, unlike other agencies, the new administration has yet to reveal any plans for change. Still, we can take stock of where the PCAOB has been, particularly in terms of audit enforcement actions. Late last month, Cornerstone Research—a consulting firm specializing in economic and financial analysis for complex legal and regulatory matters—released its report on PCAOB enforcement activity in 2024, showing the highest level of enforcement since 2017. In this episode of the podcast, we speak with Cornerstone’s Jean-Philippe Poissant and Russell Molter about the report and whether past enforcement trends truly reflect a new regulatory and political reality. Cornerstone's report (https://www.cornerstone.com/insights/press-releases/pcaob-enforcement-activity-2024-highest-level-since-2017/) Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Subscribe to the FEI Weekly newsletter (https://financial-executives-international.read.axioshq.com/signup/industry-news-and-insights-mttj) Special Guests: Jean-Philippe Poissant and Russell Molter.

As FEI prepares for its annual ICONS: Women of Note conference next month, the podcast revisits one of its most popular episodes featuring Moody's Caroline Sullivan, who discusses how networking took her career to the next level. Join ICONS: Women of Note 2025 (Hybrid Event). (https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2025?homepage-banner) Special Guest: Caroline Sullivan.

After a four-year hiatus, this report returns to offer a comprehensive overview of the evolving priorities, challenges, and strategies shaping the global and U.S. finance and accounting landscape for 2025.. This year’s survey data offers a rare opportunity for comparative analysis, linking the last pandemic-era survey conducted at the beginning of 2021 with the realities of today’s post-inflationary and geopolitically complex environment. This comparison sheds light on the significant trends and challenges that financial leaders now face. Get this year's survey (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2025/2025-Financial-Executives-Priorities-Report.aspx) Special Guests: Anthony Reggiannini, Chris Brown, and Julie Girard.

In this episode of the new year, we have Christina Ho, a board member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Board member Ho brings a wealth of experience from her journey across public and private sectors, academia, and even technology consulting. She shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities in auditing as we head into 2025. From navigating new regulations and technological innovations to addressing talent shortages in the accounting profession, Board member Ho offers a fresh perspective on balancing regulation with practicality and fostering trust in our markets. Special Guest: Christina Ho.

Donna Teran-Krouse the crucial role that collaboration and community play in driving effective ESG initiatives. To learn more, download the "FEI Engage Career Pathway: ESG Controller" report at https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2024/FEI-Engage-Career-Pathway-ESG-Controller.aspx. Special Guest: Donna Teran-Krouse.

To learn more, download the "FEI Engage Career Pathway: ESG Controller" report at https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2024/FEI-Engage-Career-Pathway-ESG-Controller.aspx. Special Guest: Mark Spinner.

Sustainability professionals Scott Song of CBRE and Theshan Goble of S&P Global join the FEI Weekly podcast to discuss the evolving ESG controller role, collaborative challenges within the enterprise and the journey toward value-driven sustainability reporting amid regulatory and political shifts. Get the FEI Engage report (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2024/FEI-Engage-Career-Pathway-ESG-Controller.aspx) on the ESG Controllership role. Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Special Guests: Scott Song and Theshan Goble.