Welcome to FinPod by CFI's "Careers in Finance" series! In this exclusive episode, we sit down with Tim Vipond, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Corporate Finance Institute (CFI). Go beyond the typical resume and uncover the fascinating career journey that led him to build the world's leading online finance education platform. Tim shares his candid experiences starting from his early interest in finance, shaped by family and university, and his foundational investment banking analyst roles at...
Jul 24, 2025•49 min•Ep. 144
Want to understand how credit ratings actually affect your company’s financial decisions? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we unpack how credit ratings from agencies like Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch impact everything from bond yields and stock prices to capital structure decisions. Learn how companies like Ford, Apple, Kraft Heinz, and Netflix responded to downgrades, upgrades, and rating watchlists—and how finance teams manage their credit profile through strategy, communication,...
Jul 22, 2025•15 min•Ep. 143
In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Eric Byunn, Partner and Co-Founder of Centana Growth Partners, to unpack the journey behind one of the most respected voices in growth equity. From his early days at Harvard and McKinsey to product leadership at Netscape and founding his own investment firm, Eric shares candid insights on navigating career transitions, leading through uncertainty, and building a successful finance career with curiosity and conviction. This episode...
Jul 17, 2025•57 min•Ep. 142
What’s really behind the rise of corporate stock buybacks? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained , we break down how buybacks work, when they create value, and when they can backfire. You'll learn the financial strategy behind share repurchases, how they compare to dividends, and what finance professionals need to know about timing, capital structure, and investor perception. Featuring real-world case studies from Apple, Boeing, and Bed Bath & Beyond, this is a must-listen for mid-c...
Jul 15, 2025•14 min•Ep. 141
Are you building your budget—or defending your assumptions? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore how cognitive bias quietly influences financial decisions in forecasting, capital planning, and corporate strategy. Whether you’re in FP&A, M&A, or treasury, understanding behavioral finance can help you avoid critical missteps caused by overconfidence, anchoring, or groupthink.
Jul 11, 2025•16 min•Ep. 140
Expanding into emerging markets? Finance teams face a whole new level of risk and opportunity. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we reveal how multinational companies manage currency risk, political instability, and regulatory complexity when operating in fast-growing economies. Learn how Tesla structured its China expansion, how Coca-Cola hedges naira risk in Nigeria, and how Unilever handles pricing and compliance in India.
Jul 10, 2025•15 min•Ep. 139
Behind the Course: Economic Analysis for FP&A – New from CFI In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we walk through our latest course release: Economic Analysis for FP&A, co-authored by instructors Mimi Hu and Meeyeon Park. Designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world finance, this course helps learners understand how FP&A teams drive strategic decisions—using scenario analysis, economic trends, and business partnering to influence the direction of a com...
Jul 08, 2025•12 min•Ep. 138
Is corporate finance about maximizing shareholder value, or should companies focus on broader stakeholder interests? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore the evolving debate between shareholder primacy and stakeholder capitalism—and what it means for finance professionals today. Whether you work in financial planning, strategy, or corporate development, this episode provides practical takeaways to help you align financial strategy with long-term value creation.
Jul 04, 2025•12 min•Ep. 137
Why do big companies collapse? And how can corporate finance professionals spot the warning signs before it’s too late? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained , we explore the most common causes of corporate bankruptcy and financial distress, backed by case studies of Lehman Brothers, Toys “R” Us, WeWork, and more. Learn how finance teams use metrics like interest coverage, working capital trends, and debt ratios to assess risk, and how FP&A and treasury roles are critical in crisis ...
Jul 03, 2025•18 min•Ep. 136
Is corporate finance about maximizing shareholder value, or should companies focus on broader stakeholder interests? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore the evolving debate between shareholder primacy and stakeholder capitalism—and what it means for finance professionals today. Whether you work in financial planning, strategy, or corporate development, this episode provides practical takeaways to help you align financial strategy with long-term value creation.
Jul 01, 2025•15 min•Ep. 135
How do companies decide between paying dividends and reinvesting profits? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we break down the key considerations behind corporate dividend policy and why it’s such a powerful tool for shaping investor sentiment and long-term strategy.
Jun 27, 2025•18 min•Ep. 134
Why do companies spin off parts of their business, and how does it create shareholder value? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore the core strategies behind corporate restructuring, including spin-offs, carve-outs, and divestitures.
Jun 26, 2025•25 min•Ep. 133
In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we spotlight CFI’s new course “Forecasting Techniques” with expert instructor Duncan McKeen. If you've ever wanted a clear breakdown of how forecasting actually works inside a company, this conversation walks through the course’s learning objectives with practical context, examples, and insights into corporate best practices. From aligning forecasts with strategic goals to performing variance analysis and improving forecast accuracy over time, Dunc...
Jun 24, 2025•11 min•Ep. 132
How does the treasury team impact corporate strategy? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we break down the critical role of the corporate treasury function, including liquidity management, financial risk mitigation, and capital allocation.
Jun 20, 2025•18 min•Ep. 131
In this episode of Member Spotlight on FinPod, UK-based finance professional Judith Singh, FCCA, CFM, FMVA, shares her inspiring path to success without a university degree. From passing all her ACCA exams by age 20 to mastering project accounting, budgeting, and financial modeling, Judith reveals how curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning fueled her growth in the finance industry. This conversation is packed with practical insights for aspiring accountants, career changers, and hands-on f...
Jun 19, 2025•29 min•Ep. 130
Mastering Financial Storytelling for Strategic Influence in Corporate Finance In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we explore one of the most critical yet overlooked skills in mid-career finance: financial storytelling. For professionals in FP&A, strategic finance, treasury, and corporate development, the ability to move beyond analysis and shape narratives that influence decisions is becoming essential for visibility and impact. This episode equips you with actionable s...
Jun 17, 2025•22 min•Ep. 129
How High Interest Rates Are Reshaping Corporate Finance Strategy In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we explore how high interest rates are transforming the decisions corporate finance teams make every day, from capital budgeting to debt management and strategic planning. For FP&A professionals, finance leaders, and decision-makers navigating today's economic uncertainty, understanding these shifts is essential to staying proactive, strategic, and resilient....
Jun 14, 2025•12 min•Ep. 128
From Philosophy to Finance: Funmi Oriji’s Global Career Journey In this episode of Member Spotlight on FinPod, Funmi Oriji shares her inspiring path from aspiring doctor to McKinsey consultant and Amazon finance leader. With warmth, resilience, and deep insight, Funmi reflects on the pivots that shaped her career from counting cash in her grandmother’s textile shop to earning an MBA and thriving in corporate finance roles across continents. You’ll hear how she broke into KPMG without a finance d...
Jun 12, 2025•47 min•Ep. 127
How do major companies plan for long-term success and stay agile when things change? In this episode of What’s New at CFI, Duncan McKeen breaks down the essentials of corporate budgeting, why it’s critical for aligning strategy with execution, and how FP&A teams use budgeting to drive better decision-making across every department. Whether you're a finance professional working in FP&A, a business analyst building forecasts, or a team lead navigating strategic planning cycles, this episod...
Jun 10, 2025•11 min•Ep. 126
Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is more than simple math, it’s the cornerstone of smart business decisions. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we dive deep into how companies weigh financial trade-offs, avoid common pitfalls, and use CBA to drive strategy. Learn how leading firms like Amazon, Tesla, Apple, Ford, and Quibi used (or misused) CBA to shape their success—or struggle.
Jun 06, 2025•18 min•Ep. 125
PhD to Corporate Finance & M&A? Gabriel Fung's Unconventional Journey! Ever wondered how a PhD in Pathology transitions to high-stakes roles in Equity Research and Corporate Development? In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, Gabriel Fung reveals his unique path from the lab to leading strategic M&A and partnerships at Exact Sciences in the competitive healthcare and biotech sectors. This is a must-listen for PhDs, scientists, and anyone considering a career pivot into fina...
Jun 05, 2025•39 min•Ep. 124
In a world of constant change, rising interest rates, inflation, and global disruptions, how do top companies prepare for the unexpected? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained , we break down scenario planning and sensitivity analysis, the essential tools finance teams use to stay agile, resilient, and ready for anything. Learn how Airbnb, Starbucks, Delta Airlines, and Unilever use these strategies to thrive despite uncertainty, from pandemic disruptions to geopolitical shifts....
Jun 03, 2025•11 min•Ep. 123
In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we dive into the world of corporate debt management, a crucial aspect of business strategy that can fuel growth or sink companies if mismanaged. Join us as we break down the fundamentals of debt versus equity financing, explore real-world examples like Tesla, Apple, and Toys R Us, and reveal best practices that companies use to navigate the complex financial landscape. Learn how companies use leverage to amplify returns, the strategic use...
May 30, 2025•15 min•Ep. 122
In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight, we sit down with Russel Tan, a dynamic professional from Singapore who’s bridging the worlds of engineering and finance. Join us as Russel shares his unconventional journey from aerospace engineering to pursuing a career in finance, highlighting his passion for problem-solving, private equity, and the power of networking. Russel’s early dive into financial modeling and his plans to pursue an Accounting and Finance degree at Durham University set him up fo...
May 29, 2025•21 min•Ep. 121
How do companies decide where to invest, when to return cash to shareholders, or when to take bold risks on new technologies? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained , we break down capital allocation, the art and science behind a company’s biggest money decisions. From ROI and NPV to multi-billion dollar bets on streaming, cloud computing, and biotech, this deep dive features case studies from Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Pfizer, and more. Learn how capital allocation drives long-t...
May 27, 2025•19 min•Ep. 120
What happens when a company starts slipping, has declining margins, mounting debt, or cash flow concerns? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we take a closer look at how businesses bounce back from financial distress and the critical role corporate finance teams play in making that happen. From early warning signs to full-scale restructurings, we break down the strategies, case studies, and financial tactics that fuel real-world corporate turnarounds. In this episode, you’...
May 23, 2025•15 min•Ep. 119
What does it take to go from audit associate to CFO of a PE-backed startup? In this episode of Careers in Finance, host Meeyeon reconnects with longtime friend and finance leader Sharron Xiao to explore the career choices, transitions, and leadership lessons that shaped her journey from the Big Four to the C-suite. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a future in finance, especially those considering the CPA route, a career pivot into startups, or long-term CFO goals. In this episod...
May 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 118
Discover how companies like Tesla, Apple, and Amazon strategically use corporate tax planning to drive profitability, fund innovation, and stay competitive. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we break down how world-leading finance teams turn tax incentives into strategic levers, from sustainability credits and R&D tax breaks to international tax optimization. Learn how corporate tax isn’t just about compliance; it’s a powerful part of the financial playbook. In this e...
May 20, 2025•14 min•Ep. 117
In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have evolved from a corporate buzzword to a financial imperative. ESG now directly influences valuation, capital costs, risk exposure, and investor sentiment, making it a critical factor for finance professionals. We’ll break down: How ESG affects capital allocation and cost of capital The role of ESG in valuation, risk management, and financial modeling Case studies of companies le...
May 16, 2025•27 min•Ep. 116
Jorge Marques joined CFI back when it was just a WeWork dream, and now he's a portfolio manager at North Growth Management. In this episode, Jorge shares his path from studying math and economics and ultimately landing in capital markets. You’ll hear about the skills that helped him succeed, how he navigated the CFA and FMVA, and why curiosity is key to thriving in finance. This is a must-watch for aspiring portfolio managers and anyone in the early stages of their finance career. Learn how Jorg...
May 15, 2025•38 min•Ep. 115
