In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we chat with Chris Stanley, an experienced finance professional turned successful business founder, about his journey to where he is today.During this episode, Chris shares how he has found that leaning into the network you have at an early age, no matter how big or small, is the best way to scale your career. He studied Economics at Yale University and landed his first job in Sales and Trading at Nomura in New York. He credits this experience with establishing the hustle, work ethic, and resilience required to be an entrepreneur. Today, Chris is the Founder of Patterns.app and is passionate about leveraging AI to boost productivity and accuracy and transform the workflow of financial accounting in today's data-driven world. Join us as we chat through all of this and more.
In this episode of Careers in Finance, we have an insightful conversation with Bill Dillmeier, exploring his unique career journey in finance. Bill shares his intentional path into finance, starting from a young age, influenced by his entrepreneurial grandfather. He discusses his educational background, early entrepreneurial ventures, and the pivotal role of mentorship in shaping his career. The conversation delves into Bill's experiences at Vanguard and Morgan Stanley, his transition into mortgage banking, and the importance of finding balance in a fast-paced career. Last but not least, Bill touches on something we often don't think about: the evolution of our professional passion.
In this episode of What’s New at CFI, we are talking about a course that is going to help make everyone's job a little bit easier. The course itself may be in the context of financial statement analysis, but in today's world, everything is data-driven, and in turn, so is almost every job. Spend some time with Glenn as he talks about what AI can do, what it is best at, and how we can interact with it now that generative AI gives the layperson a friendly user interface.If you want to learn and practice how to make your working day a little easier, this is a course you don't want to miss.
In this episode of Careers in Finance, we sit down with Ben Murray, known as the SaaS CFO, who shares his unique career journey from customer service in a mutual fund company to becoming a fractional CFO and entrepreneur. Ben discusses his early experiences in finance, the transition from traditional industries like airlines and healthcare tech to the SaaS model, and the importance of understanding metrics and operations in finance. He emphasizes the need for attention to detail, the role of RevOps, and the current trends in SaaS, including the focus on efficiency and profitability. Ben also offers valuable advice for aspiring finance professionals.
In this episode of What's New at CFI, you have the whole gang: Ryan Spendelow, Duncan McKeen, Jeff Schmidt, and Sebastian Taylor. We all took part in creating this course that deeply resonates with a major reason why people come to CFI: to learn about career paths in finance and banking and the skills required. This course is different - it does not talk about roles in isolation but rather places them into the context of a real-life business' evolution. If you're not sure what that means, here's all the more reason to join us and listen to this podcast.
In today's episode of What's New at CFI, join us as we talk about the G in ESG. Our latest ESG offering is a mini module of three courses with a module dedicated to each of environmental, social and governance issues and financial materiality.Today, we focus on governance issues – which are arguably the most important. Why? without proper governance, how could anything be actioned?
In today's episode of What's New at CFI, join us as we talk all about the S in ESG. Our latest ESG offering is a mini module of three courses with a module dedicated to each of environmental, social and governance issues and financial materiality. Today we focus on what social issues are and how they can pose potential risks and opportunities for investors and business operators alike.
In today's episode of What's New at CFI, join us as we talk all about the E in ESG. Our latest ESG offering is a mini module of three courses with a module dedicated to each of environmental, social and governance issues and financial materiality. Today we kick things off by talking about environmental issues, which are often the most tangible and readily understood amongst ESG topics. In our discussion, we talk about how they can pose potential risks and opportunities for investors and business operators alike.
In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Eric Mason, CFO of the City of Quincy, to explore his journey into municipal finance. Eric shares how his background as an economist, economic advisor, and chief analyst prepared him to take on the CFO role during the pandemic, leading his team through uncertainty with resilience and innovation. His story is a testament to the power of adaptability and continuous learning in finance.Eric dives into his groundbreaking initiatives, including leading the first blockchain bond in U.S. municipal finance, and explains how public finance can drive transparency, innovation, and community impact. From maximizing taxpayer dollars to embracing new technology, Eric offers practical insights and inspiration for finance professionals and public service enthusiasts alike.
In today's episode of What's New at CFI, we are talking about one of your favorite topics: Mergers and Acquisitions, or better known as, M&A! We're so excited to be bringing you a more bite-sized course on the topic so join us as we talk about how we've tailored this course and what you can expect to learn.
In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we speak with CFI member Devrhoid Davis, who shares how following his passion and pursuing what made him curious led him from medical radiation physics to finance. During the episode, Devrhoid shares his unconventional path into finance and how he finds himself in a full-circle moment today as he aspires to find a business in robotic prosthetics. From his academic studies in medical physics to multiple roles in capital markets, Devrhoid discusses how his unique path now empowers him to be able to pursue entrepreneurship with more than just a great idea but, moreover, a sharp business acumen. With his background in capital markets, Devrhoid speaks to the importance of understanding the financing of a business and how he does and plans to further give back to the small/medium business owners of his native Jamaica's economy.
It's not about the extraordinary, it's about making it ordinary. In this episode we talk about our Normalizing Income Statements course where we spotlight the importance of making company income statements reflect their true underlying profitability by adjusting for any one-off or non-recurring events that make profits look more volatile than they really are.
In this episode of Careers in Finance, we sit down with Co-Founder of CFI, Scott Powell. If you are familiar with CFI, then you will know Scott as an instructor and coach. But today, he's showing you a different side as he shares his personal career journey. Join us as Scott shares how finding his passion was a process of elimination, and how his full circle career roots his deep passion for mentorship. During this episode, Scott talks about how he wanted his very first job to be in investment banking, but his parents strongly encouraged him to go into Accounting (thanks, Mom and Dad!). But every step has a purpose, and it's through earning his CPA and his time at EY that he found his passion for teaching, and specifically adult education in Investment Banking and Capital Markets. While there is no surprise where his career takes him in the end, Scott's journey demonstrates why the in-between is what makes life so interesting.
Data analysis has had some immense benefits with the introduction of ChatGPT. A great deal of the 'heavy lifting' can be done with ChatGPT, but it takes a bit of getting used to in order to take advantage of it. Try it out with our course on how to use ChatGPT for data analysis.
In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we welcome back Ashok Manthena, founder of Chatfin.ai and finance analytics expert. Ashok shares insights on how generative AI is impacting finance—from FP&A to tax and treasury—by automating tasks like reconciliation and variance analysis. We discuss how AI is improving data access, enhancing forecasting accuracy, and enabling real-time analysis, creating game-changing efficiencies for finance teams. Ashok also explains the hurdles to AI adoption, particularly team readiness for automation, and offers practical advice on leveraging AI tools like Chatfin.ai for finance professionals, especially those working with Excel. Tune in as we discuss what a future landscape driven by AI looks like.
In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss operational risk management in banks, breaking down its four main dimensions: people, processes, systems, and external events. Operational risk stands apart from other risks like credit or market risk, affecting banks uniquely due to strict regulatory standards, particularly those outlined in the Basel Accord. We discuss why these risks are so significant for banks today and how failures in operational risk management often lead to high-profile fines and industry-wide consequences.Listeners will gain insights into why operational risk is one of the top challenges banks face and how our new course dives deep into real-world examples and strategies to manage these risks effectively. This episode is a must-listen for those curious about the complex landscape banks navigate, offering a clear understanding of operational risk and the tools needed to manage it.
In this episode of the Careers in Finance on FinPod, James M. Binsfeld shares his story as a leader at the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund, where he manages U.S. equities and private credit. With a background at Wells Fargo, Bank of America, NASDAQ, and WestPath Investment Management, James brings a wealth of knowledge from across the finance world and a hands-on understanding of how large funds work.This episode is packed with real-world advice from a seasoned finance pro. Tune in for James’ insights on topics like the role of private credit in diversifying portfolios, the importance of continuous learning, and his advice for anyone starting a finance career.
In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we introduce our newest specialization, Accounting for Financial Analysts, which is designed for financial analysts who are looking to master essential accounting skills. This practical program covers the critical accounting concepts analysts encounter regularly, from dissecting financial statements and calculating essential ratios to understanding unique accounting methods for banks, insurance companies, and mergers. Listeners will hear about efficient strategies for navigating real-world annual reports and interpreting accounting standards across jurisdictions.Whether you're enhancing analysis skills or starting fresh, these insights provide clear guidance to help you build a strong foundation in accounting. Tune in as we explore how foundational accounting knowledge complements the FMVA for a well-rounded skill set.
In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we chat with Mark Allbee, VP of Finance and Operations at Roko Labs. Mark shares his journey from Big Four accounting at KPMG, where he specialized and built key skills, to leading finance in dynamic startups. He details his transition to FP&A, tackling budgeting and reporting while navigating the unique demands of the startup world. Mark’s real-world advice is perfect for anyone interested in learning how various finance functions perform in both established and start-up environments. Tune in for practical career tips and lessons learned along the way!
In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss the latest course in the FP&A Specialization, FP&A Professional Model Protection and Presentation. This course is the third in a series designed to equip financial professionals with advanced modeling skills. It focuses on essential practices for protecting and presenting financial models, making them more efficient and secure for long-term use.We discuss the importance of model protection, including the different levels of safeguarding – from entire file locks to individual cell protection. Additionally, the episode explores practical presentation techniques like row grouping, custom views, and formatting tricks that enhance model usability and professionalism. If you're looking to improve your FP&A model-building skills, this episode is full of valuable insights to help you get there.