Episode description
Episode description
Episode 100. In today's interview, "The 3 Kinds of Modern Day CFO with Kevin Appleby."
Kevin Appleby is COO at GrowCFO. He hosts the GrowCFO show, a weekly podcast dedicated to finance leaders. He is also the co-host of the long-running business show The Next 100 Days Podcast. He qualified with BDO, worked as European Business Accountant for ICI’s Plastics Business, and as a management consultant with PwC and BearingPoint. Key takeaways from this episode include:
⍟ how exams teach someone how to be an accountant but not a CFO
⍟ what is changing about most CFOs coming from accountancy backgrounds
⍟ the three types of CFOs and their relative strengths/skillsets
⍟ the different routes accountants and other professionals take to CFO roles
⍟ the role of fractional CFOs who hold roles in several companies
⍟ how the CFO role has changed and expanded over the last 10 years and why it's so much more than running the finance
⍟ what separates the good CFOs and the great CFOs in becoming the external face of finance
⍟ the difference between generalist and specialist CFOs, and 9 key areas of competence required in the role
⍟ an outline of the GrowCFO Competency Framework and the benchmarking of proficiency and professionalism
⍟ the increasing importance of soft skills in finance, CFO and accounting roles
⍟ the two biggest challenges faced by a first time CFO or even a newly promoted accountant or partner
⍟ how an accountant or finance professional might know they are ready to step into a CFO role
⍟ how the CFO role is becoming less male dominated as compared with the general accounting and finance profession
⍟ the key differences between male and female CFOs, and the two biggest skills that both require to be successful
⍟ exploring the viability of a CFO career from an accountancy starting point
⍟ the benefits of joining a CFO community for accounting and finance professionals
⍟ the importance of mentoring, coaching and peer networking for all CFOs, not just those with career aspirations
⍟ thinking ahead - what is happening with the CFO role in coming years
Outside work, Kevin is passionate about Newcastle United Football Club in the UK and can often be found in his railway room playing trains. Contact @jkevinappleby on Twitter and here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-appleby-295417a
NOTE TO LISTENERS:
The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.
Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay informed and build your commercial acumen.
Every Wednesday and Friday, we feature an uncut interview with top authors, leaders, thinkers and performers in the accounting and fintech world.
Every Thursday the show gives you a practical 'here's what works' tips concerning a key challenge, need or strategy for accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay current and keep your skills topped up.
Finally, every Saturday gives listeners a bonus episode which focuses on the buyers of accounting services - the clients themselves. In particular how they feel, react to and experience their interactions with accountants. That includes why they buy or don't buy, why they move or stay and why they think how they think about...