The Diary of a CFO

Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/What does it take to lead finance through real estate booms, construction slowdowns, and global crises?In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, I sit down with Bona Allen, a CFO with three decades of experience across real estate development, construction, and investment. Bona has led finance at both public and private companies, navigated the savings and loan crisis, the 2008 crash, and COVID, and built strategies that kept projects and people moving through uncertainty.We talk about:How the CFO role has changed Real estate vs construction financeSpotting business cyclesCrisis leadership Building and keeping strong teamsBona also shares the career moves that shaped him, the mistakes that made him better, and why networking to help others is the best long-term strategy.If you’re in real estate, construction, or any cyclical industry, this conversation is full of lessons you can use to prepare, adapt, and lead.If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Not every CFO starts as a controller or FP&A lead. Axel Talout shares how banking and private equity shaped his journey, why your “different” background can be your edge, and how to intentionally build a team that fills your blind spots.Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Mike High (CFO, NAIT; ex-Shell Deep Water CFO) shares leadership lessons from the Army to corporate finance: why the “platinum rule” beats one-size-fits-all leadership, what truly changes when you move from FP&A to the CFO seat, and how to carry a portfolio of crises without burning out.We discussed:practical playbooks to lead through a portfolio of crisis,how to keep long-term work moving during emergencies,what most companies get wrong about FP&A,how to make digital transformation succeed.Get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/Whether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance.It’s completely free, and you will get personalized results instantly.Big thanks to insightsoftware for sponsoring this episode.Join our upcoming webinar on October 15th >https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/

Andrea Hecht, EVP & CFO at CSAA Insurance Group, walks through the real shifts at each step of her career — from auditor at Big 4 accounting firm, EY, to Controller, and ultimately CFO. She explains how the focus moves from technical detail to culture, strategy, and leadership. We cover:Why the first move from public accounting to industry didn’t work, and why the second one did.How interviews and expectations change as you move up.What makes the Controller → CFO leap so challenging.How to get Accounting and FP&A working as one team.The habits that keep her sharp while leading finance at a 4,000-person organization.It's an insightful roadmap for anyone asking what actually changes when you leave public accounting and aim for the CFO seat.Get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/Whether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance.It’s completely free, and you will get personalized results instantly.

Controller vs FP&A : which path gives you a better shot at the CFO seat? Wassia Kamon has done both. In this solo episode, she reveals why neither route guarantees success on its own and what truly sets future CFOs apart. Drawing on her first year as a CFO, Wassia introduces her Executive Readiness Framework and explains how to develop the executive substance, influence, and presence boards and CEOs look for. Whether you're in the weeds of the close or building forecasts, this is the episode that will change how you think about your next move.Resources mentioned:The Free CFO Readiness AssessmentWhether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance.Get your CFO score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/Learning Hub for Aspiring CFOsTo learn more about how to become a CFO, visit: https://thediaryofacfo.com/resources

This week on The Diary of a CFO, host Wassia Kamon is joined by Sheryl Shaw, Senior Manager at Bridgepoint Consulting and a former CFO with three decades of experience leading finance teams through transformation.Sheryl shares her remarkable journey, from starting as an accounting clerk in the 1980s to becoming a CFO 3 times, and now a trusted consultant for companies implementing NetSuite. She opens up about the lessons learned through chaos, the role of technology in finance, and how to build teams that are ready for change.In this episode, you’ll learn:What it really takes to scale a finance team that embraces innovationHow Sheryl built a treasury function from scratch, without formal trainingThe difference between operational and fundraising CFOsHer go-to strategies for managing change and gaining team buy-inThe mindset shift needed to lead in today’s tech-driven finance worldSpecial thanks to FISPAN for sponsoring this episode. FISPAN is a leading fintech company that seamlessly integrates banks with their clients’ enterprise resource planning (ERP) and accounting systems. For more information, head to www.fispan.com.

Christian Wattig is the program director of Wharton’s FP&A Certificate and the founder of InsideFP&A. In this episode, he shares his path from Procter & Gamble to becoming a leader in finance education, along with the pivotal lessons he learned along the way.You’ll learn:Why forecasting accuracy remains a major challenge for finance teamsHow to apply multiple forecasting methods for better resultsWhat separates great financial models from the restHow AI is reshaping FP&A work beyond just automationThe habits and mindset shifts needed to move from analyst to strategic business partnerThis conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to sharpen their FP&A skills and drive real impact in their organization.

In this episode, Summa Simmons, Associate VP of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co., shares what most people get wrong about treasury and why it's a strategic powerhouse. She explains how treasury helps companies manage cash, risk, and financial readiness during major business decisions like mergers and divestitures.Summa also opens up about her own journey from accounting to treasury, and what it means to be a true business partner across teams. You’ll learn:How treasury supports M&A and long-term business strategyWhy relationship-building is key to finance leadershipThe mindset shift from accounting to strategic thinkingCareer lessons on ownership, feedback, and staying curious

Most companies think cybersecurity is about firewalls and IT policies. But the real risk often starts with culture.In this episode, Dutch Schwartz, VP of Cloud Services at SideChannel and former security leader at AWS and Raytheon, shares why companies with poor culture are three times more likely to face a breach. We talk about how leadership, disengaged employees, and outdated mindsets quietly open the door to cyber threats.You'll also hear:The $25 million AI voice scam that could have been preventedHow to build a culture of security that actually sticksWhat CFOs need to understand about working with CISOsWhy cybersecurity is no longer just a tech problemThis conversation is a must-listen for finance and business leaders navigating today's digital risks.

Christina Ross, serial CFO turned CEO of Cube, explains why spreadsheets aren’t the problem and what finance leaders should focus on instead. She shares multiple frameworks for moving from manual chaos to strategic clarity. This episode is packed with insights on real-time planning, clean data, and leading high-impact finance teams.In this episode, we cover:The four layers of strategic financeHow to plan faster and forecast smarterPartnering across departments for better dataLeading with speed, structure, and strategic intent

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon speaks with Dr. Tamer Alsayed, CFO at the Future Investment Initiative and author of The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO. With over two decades of experience across industries and regions, Dr. Tamer offers a clear-eyed view of what today’s finance leaders need to succeed.The discussion covers:How the CFO role has evolved beyond reporting and complianceWhat it means to think and lead strategically in financeLessons from working on IPOs, M&A deals, and international startupsWhy transparency matters more than polish in investor relationsThe impact of mentorship, curiosity, and AI on future finance teamsThis episode is for anyone who wants to grow as a finance leader and make a meaningful impact in their organization.Special thanks to Bill for sponsoring this episode. Visit https://www.bill.com/guides to download a free toolkit on leading through uncertain times.

Welcome to Season 2 of The Diary of a CFO. In this kickoff solo episode, Wassia Kamon shares behind-the-scenes highlights from Season 1, why some careers stall at the executive door, and what actually opens it.You’ll hear:The real reason technical skills alone won’t get you promotedThe 3-digit P.I.N. code to executive leadershipWhat separates great CFOs from the restWhy work-life harmony beats balanceWhat’s new in Season 2?🎥 Full-video episodes on YouTube🗞 A brand-new Substack called Off the RecordJoin the conversation at: https://wassiakamon.substack.com/

In this episode, Syed Nadeem shares the lessons he wishes more finance professionals learned early on. He talks about why certifications alone won’t get you promoted, and why your mindset, human skills, and personal brand matter just as much as your technical skills.Syed also shares how losing his job became a turning point. He built a global brand and started helping others grow in their careers. From business partnering to leadership, this episode is full of insights that can help you stay relevant and move forward, no matter where you are in your finance journey.Today’s episode is brought to you by BILL, a leading financial operations platform for small and midsize businesses. I’m also hosting a free webinar on June 24th, 2025 at 1pm ET. Click here to learn more.

If you’ve ever lost sleep over complex contracts, usage-based pricing, or revenue schedules that live in hundreds spreadsheet tabs, this episode is for you.I’m joined by Apurv Bansal, co-founder and CEO of Zenskar, to talk about how AI is helping SaaS companies automate billing and revenue recognition end-to-end. We unpack why legacy tools can’t keep up with modern pricing models, what finance teams really need from automation, and how to avoid the most common implementation mistakes.Special thanks to Zenskar for sponsoring this episode. Visit zenskar.com/upgrade to learn more.

Audit Director at FORVIS Mazars and board treasurer for Girls on the Run Georgia, Kendra LaFleur opens up about her journey from intern to partner, how she grew into strategic leadership, and how she navigates the evolving role of finance in mission-driven organizations.