Financial Management (FM) magazine

The latest episode of the podcast provides an overview of content in the December digital edition of FM. Editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises articles that detail the Rise2040 project and other future-focused topics. The episode closes with an explanation of how members can access the December digital edition as well as the issue library. What you'll learn from this episode: The December digital edition's focus on the future. Why IFRS 18 is "more than an incremental update". Details of the article on AI visualisation tools by Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA. Advice for finance professionals who have an eye on the C-suite.

Change consultant and executive coach Nicola Hopes shares several tips and tricks for crafting intentional business projects that can facilitate meaningful changes for organisations.  Hopes explains the fundamental questions that help ensure projects achieve intended outcomes, the importance of knowing what good looks like throughout the process, and how leaders can better balance project demands alongside their day-to-day responsibilities.  "I've seen lots of organisations passionate about doing a great project," Hopes said. "And, at the end of it, what's delivered doesn't quite solve the problem they were trying to solve, or it doesn't quite realise the opportunity, because they just weren't clear enough about what good looks like. Unless you've painted that picture really clearly, you don't know how to navigate the problems as you go through." Resource: Nicola Hopes' UK & Ireland ENGAGE slides. What you'll learn from this episode: Crucial areas to understand before taking on a business project. How to improve your approach when pitching initiatives to stakeholders. Digital tools that can help organise key information. Strategies for improving interpersonal skills. How leaders can help stakeholders find common ground during disagreements. Three ways leaders can save time and resources on projects.

In celebration of CGMA Week, the FM podcast welcomed two CGMA designation holders who recently spoke at UK & Ireland ENGAGE to discuss the lessons they've learned throughout their careers, how their mindset has shifted over the years, and the advice they would give to finance professionals navigating opportunities in a challenging era defined by potential and uncertainty.  Simon Ritchie, ACMA, CGMA, founder and CEO of Blox Software, and Olcay Yilmaz, FCMA, CGMA, finance director–Rail Infrastructure at Siemens, explain the importance of continuous learning in a time when knowledge has a faster expiration date for finance professionals.  Ritchie and Yilmaz highlight the ways finance professionals can position emerging technologies as innovation drivers in the finance function and how to fully embrace those tools in their roles. CGMA Week is a global celebration designed to showcase the value, pride, and achievements associated with the CGMA designation. What you'll learn from this episode: How an early start in technology can prevent finance professionals from working "backwards". The importance of learning to love learning — and why it pays off. Key areas Yilmaz and Ritchie expect AI to optimise within the finance function. Strategies for harnessing structure and embracing change through uncertainty. Their advice for professionals preoccupied with career ladders and titles. Tips for professionals struggling to map their learning and growth journeys.

Executive coach and author Nick Robinson illuminates the challenging traits of work colleagues and shares strategies from his book — The 9 Types of Difficult People: How to Spot Them and Quickly Improve Working Relationships — that professionals can employ to improve relationships on the job.  Robinson, a speaker at UK & Ireland ENGAGE earlier this month, explores the interplay between organisational pressures, psychological stressors, power dynamics, and how those factors can influence the development of traits and behaviours that make people difficult to work with. He also shares strategies managers and professionals can explore to help get to the crux of performance issues, improve communication skills, and gain a deeper understanding of peers. "When you ask a difficult person why they're doing what they do, they don't think they're difficult," Robinson said. "They're trying to do something that they think is right." What you'll learn from this episode: Four pressures that can negatively affect our ability to work with others. Three common types of difficult people in the workplace. Advice for managers and employees to navigate challenging relationships and dynamics. Steps for surviving a difficult boss. Tips for "unlearning" bad habits that make you appear more difficult to work with.

The latest episode of the podcast provides an overview of content in the October digital edition of FM. Editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises articles on topics that include AI and cybersecurity, including one with advice on writing AI prompts. The episode closes with an explanation of how members can access the October digital edition as well as the issue library. What you'll learn from this episode: Focus areas of the October digital edition. The topic connection in the edition's leadership columns. More about the advice to managers to "keep their antenna up". The topic of the Excel article by Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA.

John Graham, FCMA, CGMA, CIMA president and Association of International Certified Professional Accountants co-chair, joined the FM podcast to discuss the pace of change and how finance professionals can lead their organisations through unpredictable conditions.  Graham explains the skills needed to move into a finance business partner role, how to effectively challenge outdated practices, the role of critical thinking skills in gaining trust, and why curiosity is essential for continuous learning and skills development.  What you'll learn from this episode: One vital ability for finance professionals in this fast-paced era. Key attributes for transitioning into a finance business partner role. The impact of critical thinking on career development and reputation. Risk management advice and the importance of leading with purpose. How the Association plans to prepare members for future trends. The convergence of curiosity and success.

Swaran Singh, Ph.D., professor of social and community psychiatry at the University of Warwick, explores the reasons we feel disconnected from our mental process and responses to stressful events, along with ways we can exert more control over those processes to rationalise and minimise uncertainty.  Singh also illustrates the connection between mental and physical health and the role of a growth mindset in limiting stress and promoting positivity in the face of adversity.   He will speak on the topic of mastering your mindset at UK & Ireland ENGAGE in October in London and online.  What you'll learn from this episode: §  Why organisations' approach to wellbeing is evolving. §  How to begin to master your mindset and stay positive. §  The link between mental and physical health conditions. §  Small steps to becoming more at peace with change and uncertainty. §  Ways to reframe your inner critic. §  Tips for managing and recovering from stress.

Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, is CEO of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and president and CEO of the AICPA. He's been in that role since the start of the year and travelled all over the world hearing from members. Summer's end seemed like a good time for a progress report on a variety of fronts from Koziel, who at the time of publication was visiting Asia. This is a special edition of the podcast, published jointly on the Journal of Accountancy and FM channels. What you'll learn from this episode: The skills gap affecting businesses around the world. Global influence on accounting and standard setting. An explanation of Rise 2040 and what it will mean for finance professionals. The role of hard and soft trends in strategic planning exercises. Why a 2026 report release is not the end of the Rise 2040 project. What Koziel has learned about himself now that he's had nearly eight months on the job.

Leadership coach and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professional Sophie Turner explains how CIMA helped her navigate the learning and development path in her career, the psychology of imposter syndrome, and considerations for organisations looking to create a more diverse and inclusive culture.  Turner explains the importance of objectivity as a remedy for persistent self-doubt and why it's hard for people suffering from imposter syndrome to tap into the objective side of their brain.  She also illustrates ways that organisations can think differently about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued. What you'll learn from this episode: §  How CIMA studies led Turner down the leadership coaching path. §  Why imposter syndrome is more complex than feeling anxious or out of place. §  The role of feedback in managing imposter syndrome. §  The way language impacts women professionally. §  Some reasons why companies fail to execute DEI initiatives. §  Advice for organisations looking to close diversity and equality gaps.

The latest podcast episode provides a preview of content in the August digital edition of FM. To focus on the edition's overall theme of sustainability, FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe and podcast host Neil Amato are joined for the episode by Jeremy Osborn, FCMA, CGMA, FCPA (Australia), global head of sustainability at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Rowe summarises articles on topics such as change fatigue, circular business models, Excel Compatibility Versions, and landing a finance job in the era of AI-enabled hiring. Osborn focuses on the state of adoption of global sustainability standards and how the standards will affect the role of finance and accounting professionals. What you'll learn from this episode: ·         Highlights of the August digital edition cover an article on change fatigue. ·         Osborn's assessment of the "accelerating" global adoption of IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 sustainability standards. ·         How the UK's sustainability standards differ slightly from the IFRS standards. ·         A definition and examples of circularity in business. ·         Other highlights from the FM digital edition, including an article on Excel Compatibility Versions.

Jamie Gruman, Ph.D., professor of organisational behaviour at the University of Guelph in Canada, discusses some of the ways technology is distancing us from other people and how this can harm employees.  Gruman explains why this era of urgency and efficiency, aided by technological advancements, threatens to further dehumanise and objectify workforces and describes ways this is happening in businesses.  He talks about the research he and Alan Saks, Ph.D., professor of organisational behaviour and human resources management at the University of Toronto Scarborough), have done. That research concludes that work cultures focused on care are necessary for good management and satisfied employees. Gruman also highlights one commonly held "naive belief" preventing the development of more compassionate practices in the workplace.  What you'll learn from this episode: §  Different ways technology can dehumanise and objectify employees at work. §  Why creating a caring work environment should be simple. §  One shared falsehood that stops organisations from implementing caring cultures. §  The role of leadership in demonstrating and rewarding care. §  The interplay between work culture and employees' relationship with technology. §  How employees are resisting algorithms that threaten their autonomy.

Ben Schwencke, chief psychologist at Test Partnership, a psychometric assessment and pre-employment testing service provider in the UK, joined the FM podcast to discuss common recruitment challenges facing employers, what psychometric testing entails and how it's implemented, and the use of artificial intelligence in recruitment practices. In an earlier FM episode, an expert discussed how businesses are eager to embark on AI initiatives despite remaining wary of its pitfalls. What you'll learn from this episode: Why an assessment of recruitment challenges in a business depends on who you talk to in the organisation. An explanation of psychometric testing and common concerns companies may have in using such testing. Why Schwencke considers it beneficial for job candidates to be allowed to take a practice test version of a psychometric assessment. The "two sides" to the use of AI in the recruitment process. Why recruitment methods should include tools that both incorporate AI and are resistant to it, according to Schwencke.

Stephen Flatman, vice-president–Education & Professional Qualifications at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, explains how the CGMA Professional Qualification (CGMA PQ) upgrade is designed to respond to the change of "shape" in the finance function and how those changes will propel businesses and expand opportunities for finance professionals. Flatman discusses disruptions to role requirements and career development opportunities in a competitive job market and the skills and competencies required for finance professionals to drive organisations forward and future-proof their careers. "I genuinely think we engineered the way we think about education, and that will transform the skills and competency acquisition of candidates going through the programme," Flatman said. "We think that there's real growth in the strategic and analytical roles that we're preparing people for." What you'll learn from this episode: §  External factors driving talent development challenges for employers. §  Some ways the CGMA PQ is changing to meet the growing requirements of the finance function. §  What an evolving finance function means for students and members. §  How a business-partnering focus aims to expand future finance professionals' skillsets. §  Essential skills to empower professionals across various roles and industries.

This episode features Oliver Rowe, FM's editor-in-chief, detailing the contents of the magazine's June digital edition. The discussion begins with a focus on the CGMA Professional Qualification's May update. Rowe also details the key points of an article about accountability and discusses the magazine's regular columns and features. The episode closes with an explanation of how members can access the June digital edition as well as the issue library. Previous 2025 episodes about the digital editions: n  February n  April What you'll learn from this episode: ·         Highlights of an article about the CGMA Professional Qualification update. ·         Advice in an article about dealing with the growing threat of deepfake fraud. ·         A summary of the president's column by Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA. ·         Details of one article's focus on the social-return-on-investment framework. ·         An explanation of vertical and horizontal accountability and their relationship to the finance function.

This episode of the FM podcast is the continuation of an occasional series on the show called Beyond the Code. That means taking a detailed look at part of the CIMA Code of Ethics. Xose Lumor, manager–Advocacy and Professional Ethics, discusses details with Monique Samuel, associate manager–Professional Conduct, on how members can properly handle official complaints and what they should know about the process if a complaint moves forward. Resources mentioned in this episode include: n  A downloadable ethics checklist. n  CIMA Member in Practice Rules. n  A summary page on CIMA's approach to potential sanctions. What you'll learn from this episode: ·         An introduction of the topic and a refresher on the Beyond the Code series. ·         Why members in practice should maintain communication with a client that has raised an official complaint. ·         An explanation of resources, including an ethics checklist that can help members deal with ethical dilemmas. ·         Samuel's summary of the process after an ethics complaint is referred to the Disciplinary Committee. ·         A reminder that such complaints are rare.

Bayport Financial Services' CEO Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, explains why having employees return to the office is not enough to improve productivity and why leaders should transparently explain expectations of workers.  Ramosedi details the benefits for organisations that are intentional about bringing employees back to the office, where morale could be affected by return-to-office policies, and what three things senior leaders can do to drive productivity across all work models and environments.  What you'll learn from this episode: §  Four reasons companies are asking employees to return to the office. §  Why leaders need to understand and communicate how they intend to measure productivity. §  Three possible advantages for companies' bringing employees back to the office. §  Morale concerns that could arise from return-to-office policies. §  The importance of rewarding employees with flexible working arrangements. §  Three things leaders can consider to drive productivity across all work models.

Author Mike Drayton, a clinical psychologist and leadership coach at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, explores attributes professionals can build on to be more persuasive at work, key distinctions between persuasion and manipulation, and examples of coercion in the workplace. He also explains why expanding influence in the workplace is less about "clever words or phrases" and more about exhibiting expertise and reliability. On 8 May, Drayton is scheduled to speak on influencing and persuasion skills at AICPA & CIMA's 2025 CPD 360 Annual Conference at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement in the UK.  Last July on the FM podcast, he shared tips for managing burnout, including how to adopt firm boundaries to prioritise wellbeing. What you'll learn from this episode:  §  Some differences between influence and persuasion. §  Attributes and behaviours that can make us more persuasive. §  Distinctions between persuasion and manipulation. §  How to spot and respond to coercive tactics in the workplace. §  Two fundamental traits that make us more respected at work. §  Questions to help professionals identify their strengths and weaknesses.

This episode features Oliver Rowe, FM's editor-in-chief, detailing the contents of the magazine's April digital edition.   The discussion highlights articles on artificial intelligence (AI), including one that advises how finance can steer AI adoption. Rowe also details the key points of an article on understanding and avoiding burnout and discusses April's regular columns. Also included: an explanation of how members can access the April digital edition as well as the issue library. What you'll learn from this episode: ·         The edition's focus on AI and explanation of three AI-related articles. ·         Advice from regular FM writer Rhymer Rigby on avoiding burnout. ·         A practical Excel article: How to create a chart template in Excel. ·         The other articles in the edition, including regular columns, a Q&A with Association CEO Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, and Institute News. ·         Ways to access the April edition.

Andrew Pain, a motivational, mental health, and wellbeing speaker, explains why we should be cautious about using gut feelings to help us make decisions.  Pain also explains psychological and environmental steps we can take to ensure our decision-making processes are fair and logical and offers ways organisations can make conversations around biases more comfortable and accessible. "If we want to make better decisions, then we need to understand these biases and how we relate to them," Pain said. What you'll learn from this episode: §  Why our gut instincts are often flawed. §  A mental checklist for working through problems effectively. §  Resources to improve our awareness of biased thinking. §  One way organisations can improve bias training courses. §  Environmental factors and stimuli that can interact with cognitive processing.

Wassia Kamon, CPA, a member of AICPA & CIMA's Women's Initiatives Executive Committee (WIEC), emphasises the interplay between gender equity, representation, and establishing yourself as a leader in this podcast episode celebrating International Women's Day. Kamon discloses how seeing gender representation early in her career helped her find her voice at work while balancing study and family commitments. She also explains why women often endure "subconscious" doubts when it comes recognising their worth as a leader. International Women's Day this year is on Saturday 8 March. What you'll learn from this episode: Why more women are climbing the ladder in the profession. Gender representation's impact on work culture. The relationship between hybrid work and equal opportunities. How the WIEC engages and empowers women in finance. The convergence of underrepresentation and impostor syndrome.