In this episode, Tom is joined by Colin Wittmer, CFO of PwC. Colin's 31-year journey at PwC has seen him transition from the audit practice to a leadership role in finance, with a significant focus on deals and transaction services. Unlike the typical technology-centric CFO, Colin emphasizes the importance of human skills in AI-driven transformations. He offers insights into the evolving role of finance leaders, the impact of AI, and how to cultivate leadership within the organization.

Guest Quote:

“As a CFO, you see the whole picture… where a good CFO really excels is being able to connect the dots so everyone understands how something happening in one part of the business affects the rest.”

“If you start managing the business like you have a lot of cash, you can easily go sideways when things get tough. It’s maintaining that discipline in good times and in bad times.”

“Make the tough decisions early and stay the course. The companies that don’t come out of restructuring are the ones that defer making the hard decisions.”

Timestamps:

01:07 Colin Wittmer's Career Journey

02:27 Insights on M&A and Finance Leadership

07:34 The Role of AI in Modern Finance

08:49 AI Implementation at PwC

12:58 Balancing Human Skills and Technology

14:44 Continuous Learning and Adaptation

25:43 Advice for Aspiring CFOs

26:50 Balancing Client and Firm Management

27:54 The Importance of Leadership

28:26 Evaluating Career Decisions

29:54 Market Trends in M&A

31:52 Red Flags in Finance Functions

34:58 Future of the CFO Role

41:30 Personal Insights and Hobbies

44:41 Recommended Reads and Conclusion

Links & Resources:

Connect with Tom Gavaghan

Connect with Colin Wittmer

Learn more about Kyriba

Learn more about PwC

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In this episode, Tom is joined by David Smith, CFO at RevSpring, for a wide-ranging conversation on what a true 360-degree finance leader looks like. David shares how his rare path, from private equity investor to CEO to CFO, shapes the way he connects strategy, operations, and value creation across the entire business. He also explains why discipline, transparency, and partnership are essential in both turnarounds and high-growth environments, and how he helps teams stay engaged by empowering them to think and act like owners.

Guest Quote:

“As a CFO, you see the whole picture… where a good CFO really excels is being able to connect the dots so everyone understands how something happening in one part of the business affects the rest.”

“If you start managing the business like you have a lot of cash, you can easily go sideways when things get tough. It’s maintaining that discipline in good times and in bad times.”

“Make the tough decisions early and stay the course. The companies that don’t come out of restructuring are the ones that defer making the hard decisions.”

Timestamps:

00:50 David Smith's Unique CFO Perspective

04:48 Insights on Private Equity and Turnarounds

10:26 The Importance of Forecasting and Cash Flow Management

13:21 Balancing CFO Responsibilities and Team Motivation

20:52 Building Trust Through Small Wins

23:14 Leveraging AI in Finance

28:19 International Experience and Its Impact

33:35 Future of Finance Roles

Links & Resources:

Connect with Tom Gavaghan

Connect with David Smith

Learn more about Kyriba

Learn more about RevSpring

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In this episode, Tom is joined by Nick Dahm, CFO at Salesloft, to discuss the importance of relationships and storytelling in the CFO seat. They discuss the role of the CFO as a coach, but not a referee or score keeper. Nick also talks about how his background in finance and M&D informs his current approach as CFO and how he maintains team engagement amid constant change.

Guest Quote:

• “You think about like the player and the referee getting into it. I never want to replicate that as far as how finance engages with the business. I really want to build that relationship like you would have with your coach or = with your trainer, where you're like, hey, we're both in this together. They're invested in me achieving my best.”

Timestamps:

01:10 Nick Dom's Background and CFO Role Evolution

02:22 Balancing Growth and Profitability

04:23 Finance as a Coach, Not a Scorekeeper

06:12 The Importance of Storytelling in Finance

08:37 Common Misconceptions About Finance

11:25 M&A Insights and Value Creation

17:04 Team Management and Company Culture

20:20 Personal Reflections and Advice

Links & Resources:

Connect with Tom Gavaghan

Connect with guest Nick

Learn more about Kyriba

Learn more about Salesloft

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