FEI Podcast

With the recent decision by the US Securities and Exchange Commission around carbon disclosure, it’s important to look at the larger narrative of applying traditional financial valuation methods to natural systems. That’s where natural capital accounting comes in. At its heart, natural capital accounting is a series of practices – including carbon disclosure– where environmental resources are measured against economic activity. It’s not anything new, per se, but natural capital accounting is becoming part of the larger dialogue about government and private market policy. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Professor Nicholas Z. Muller, Lester and Judith Lave Professor of Economics, Engineering, and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Muller’s work focuses on the interaction of environment and economic policy including the use of natural capital accounting.Special Guest: Nicholas Z. Muller.

PwC's Kathryn Kaminsky makes an argument for getting your CPA, discusses the value of travel, her work-life-choices, and more.Special Guest: Kathryn Kaminsky.

With new technologies coming online, it seems almost daily, finance and accounting leaders have been perpetually frustrated by tech’s return on investment and their impact on seemingly intractable issues of financial errors. But a new report issued by research and consulting firm Gartner says there may be a path for financial leaders to successfully adopt and implement new technologie by focusing internally on the concept of technology acceptance. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Gartner’s Mallory Barg Bulman about increasing technology acceptance and creating peer-driven “change champions.”Special Guest: Mallory Barg Bulman.

Andrew Davies, global head of regulatory affairs at ComplyAdvantage is a veteran of the financial crime risk management world. We discuss everything from the biggest fraud and AML trends to the role of AI. Special Guest: Andrew Davies.

Anyone that has worked on an IPO knows the amount of preparation, diligence and detail needed for a successful move into the public markets. But a combination of economic headwinds and a spac induced hangover have meant the pipeline cut to a slow drip. 2024 is looking more promising, and that means financial executives tasked with preparing for the transition have already begun planning the work do be done. In this episode of the FEI Weekly podcast we speak with Oracle NetSuite’s Ranga Bodla and Sam Levy to discuss the outlook for IPOs in 2024 and the tools financial executives will need to be prepared.Special Guests: Ranga Bodla and Sam Levy.

Whatever the industry thinks of as a possible solution to the declining number of accounting students and professionals, there is near unanimous agreement on the dire consequences of the problem. Declining financial reporting quality and increased stress on the existing workforce are just two aspects of the fallout. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Dr. Rebecca Hann, Dean’s Professor of Accounting and the KPMG Term Professor at the University of Maryland’s Robert Smith School of Business about her new research on the crisis in the accounting pipeline and how problems, like poor internal controls and accounting accuracy may worsen over time.Special Guest: Rebecca Hann.

CFO of Twisted X Jeff Jones explains how "miscommunication resolution" can help you level up (personally and professionally).

Executive & Board Coach Aimee Long explains what we get wrong about emotional intelligence and the steps we can take on our leadership journeys to improve trustworthiness.

Ambition doesn't look one way. Nike's Holly Grennan shares how following her passions has led to promotions, not the other way around.Special Guest: Holly Grennan.

In this final session from the FEI Engage Job Search Bootcamp, Human Resource Consultant Lauren Gainer shares how to break down a job offer and how to negotiate to get the best package possible. Special Guest: Lauren Gainer.

Maureen Wilner, the founder and CEO of The Wilner Group. In this excerpt from the FEI Engage Job search bootcamp, Maureen shares her best tips for interviewing to put you in the best position for landing the job offer. Special Guest: Maureen Wilner.

Trust us, you’re probably making at least one of these LinkedIn profile and resume mistakes. From the FEI Engage Job Search Bootcamp, listen to personal branding expert Alyssa Gelabrd explain how to improve your resume and online presence.Special Guest: Alyssa Gelbard.

We all know that AI will forever change the finance and accounting landscape, but how quickly is it happening and what are the actual benefits? In this episode, we speak with Thomas McKenzie, KPMG audit, US and global CTO about the speed of AI adoption and the critical areas where preparers need to catch up.Special Guest: Thomas Mackenzie.

As the US settles into its traditional Thanksgiving holiday meal, it should be remembered that a majority of the globe remains in a constant state of food insecurity. According to the USDA, a combination of the lingering effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and risks associated with the ongoing Russian military invasion of Ukraine are fueling the problems. But developed nations are not immune, with the UK experiencing its crisis as food prices are rising and trade agreements with overseas partners failing. In this episode we speak with Dr. Lisa Jack, Professor of Accounting in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth. Dr. Jack is one of the few accounting researchers to examine the agri-food industry and the effects of accounting and performance measurement practices on the industry, and on society more widely. Join FEISpecial Guest: Lisa Jack.

Over the past year the accounting profession has been waiting for the Securities and Exchange Commission to reveal new disclosure rules around sustainability reporting. The rules will have a major impact on how public companies construct and communicate their finance reports. But a funny thing happened on the way to the new SEC rules: California - the largest US state economy and one of the largest world economies – passed their own sustainability disclosure legislation that throws an even greater amount of complexity around the ESG reporting debate. In this episode of the podcast we speak Kristina Wyatt Deputy General Counsel and Chief Sustainability Officer for carbon and climate reporting platform Persefoni, about the new rules and how they could enhance or conflict with future SEC proposals.Special Guest: Kristina Wyatt.

Translating new technology into the sometimes slow to change world of accounting and finance takes a fair amount of passion to overcome established practices and generation skepticism. Jesse Rubenfeld and Tom Zehentner of FinOptimal are an example of a new crop of entrepreneurs trying to move the industry in the right direction. In this episode of the podcast Tom and Jesse discuss their passion for automation, their love hate relationship with Quickbooks and how to have a startup mindset in accounting. As you will hear, we began the conversation after a few technology missteps of our own.Special Guests: Jesse Rubenfeld and Tom Zehentner.

Special Guest: Judy Wright.

One of the technical backbones of small and middle market business throughout the US is Oracle’s NetSuite, offering finance and accounting teams a variety of tools that oversees everything from payroll to inventory. Last week NetSuite announced a new initiative to incorporate artificial intelligence into its products, promising a similar paradigm shift for users that it delivered over a decade ago when the software made the jump to the cloud. In this episode of the podcast my colleague Boyana Maras interviews NetSuites Tom Kelly and Paul Farrell about the new AI initiative and how small and middle market finance teams are adapting to this rapid technological change. Just a note, this conversation took place at NetSuite’s user conference and the first interview you will hear will be from Paul Farrell followed by Tom Kelly. Special Guests: Paul Farrell and Tom Kelly.

For financial executives, that means getting into the weeds of how money is going out and if procurement operations is getting the most value and efficiency out of their work. In this sponsored episode of the FEI Weekly podcast we speak with Matthew Smith, CFO and cofounder of Fine Tune, an expense management firm focused on getting the most value out of a company’s procurement operations and indirect services.Special Guest: Matthew Smith.

Tamara Sword is a Certified Public Accountant and ordained minister who works to bridge the worlds of finance and faith. With a passion for making a meaningful impact, she serves as both an employee and consultant, guiding churches, non-profits, and businesses towards success. Become an FEI Engage subscriber today.Special Guest: Tamara Sword.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Andrew Struthers-Kennedy, Protivit’si managing director and global leader of its Internal Audit and Financial Advisory practice, regarding the firms 14th annual Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance Survey and the changes he’s seeing at the intersection of technologies and internal controls. Learn more about FEI.Special Guest: Andrew Struthers-Kennedy.

Over the past several months tens of thousands of workers– from Hollywood writers and actors, hotel workers, drivers and now auto workers – have organized job actions in an effort to demand higher pay and improved benefits and working conditions. According to reports, more than 300,000 workers walked off their jobs, earning the movement the name “hot strike summer.” Dr. Rouen is an associate professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. We discuss how the summer of strikes may help further define the current debate around human capital disclosure. Join FEISpecial Guest: Ethan Rouen.

FEI Engage – Financial Executives Internatinonal’s platform for the community of students and early career people in accounting finance – held three discussions during the summer for subscribers that were focused on the skills needed for newly minted professionals. Today’s podcast is a recording of the first seminar held by FEI Engage’s Olivia Berkman with Jeffrey Hales – Executive Director of the Global Sustainability Leadership Institute at University of Texas at Austin – regarding how finance and accounting skills need to adapt to a world that demands new financial reporting skills.Special Guest: Jeffrey Hales, PhD.

The post pandemic economy has reset the playbook for many financial executives and industries, but one company that seemed to have thrived in the crisis is Nashville-based Tractor Supply Company. With stores throughout the US and a focus on rural America, Tractor Supply has grown by double digits in terms of sales and new customers. As part of Financial Executive Weekly’s continuing series on finance in middle America, we speak with Kris Bybee, Vice President of Finance at Tractor Supply Company, how they have managed their explosive growth, the challenges of recruiting finance talent outside of coastal cities and what you can learn from America's love of chickens.Special Guest: Kris Bybee.

How organizations recruit and retain their top talent has never been more of a hot button issue in the finance and accounting industry than it is at this time. Whether it’s the decline in qualified graduates or a no holds barred war for existing talent, how to incentivise and manage your workforce is going through a generational shift that requires pulling many different levers. But its not just about retention. Today’s leaders also need to hand down the traditional communication and project management skills that today’s specialized education curriculums sometimes lack. In this sponsored episode of the podcast week speak with Jill Silman Chapman, Director of Early Talent Programs at Insperity, about these issues and how to recruit and retain the next generation of talent. Lean moreSpecial Guest: Jill Silman Chapman.

It’s no surprise that the pandemic led companies to reevaluate and adjust their approach to hiring. It also led candidates to reassess their professional preferences and priorities. For Wichita, Kansas-based Koch Industries and its companies, this was an opportunity to disrupt the way they view and hire talent in the tax and accounting fields. Koch developed an apprenticeship program that aimed to bridge the gap between aptitudes, potential, and opportunity. The goal, according to Koch, was to provide non-traditional candidates an opportunity to pursue a fulfilling career at Koch and its companies, regardless of backgrounds, degrees, or certifications. On this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast, we sit down with Kristi Palmer, Controller for Koch Industries, as well as two current apprentices, Juliana Pruitt and Miguel Sarratud. During our conversation we learn more about Koch’s apprenticeship program and how company leaders say it enables the company to hire contribution-motivated candidates and address talent issues. And in an era where accounting and finance is looking to broaden its appeal, Koch says that their apprenticeship path takes a unique approach, focusing on the individual and removing barriers for candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences to pursue a new career path they are passionate about. Join FEISpecial Guests: Juliana Pruitt, Kristi Palmer, and Miguel Sarratud.

Accounting fraud and how to model it with Dr. Daniel Beneish The search for corporate and accounting fraud has become its own form of academic study with researchers and universities trying to determine the common threads that would offer the easiest path to discovering deceit. It is also fueled the sometimes highly profitable investment practice of “shorting” stocks. One of the most established and well known tools for measuring possible accounting fraud is the Beneish M-score, a model that users say offer the best probabilistic tool for determining financial manipulation. In this episode of the podcast we speak with the model’s namesake – Dr. Daniel Beneish of Indiana University– about the accuracy and limitations of the M-score and what it’s saying about earnings manipulation heading into the next 12 months. Join FEISpecial Guest: Messod Daniel Beneish.

To get some clarity around the issue, I speak with Lisa Knee of EisnerAmper, Tax Partner and National leader of the firm's Real Estate practice and the National Real Estate Private Equity Group her perspective on changes in the commercial real estate market over the next fiscal year and what both CRE investors and users are thinking. Take our podcast survey Join FEISpecial Guest: Lisa Knee.

There is no shortage of hot takes when it comes to the possibility of generative artificial intelligence in finance, especially when it comes to consultants or vendors talking about the ways it can be leveraged by large enterprises in accounting and financial reporting. But like in many instances, first mover advantage usually belongs to investors leveraging new technologies as a window into the balance sheet. For example, Bedrock AI is a startup that uses artificial intelligence to read financial disclosures and apply a machine-learned risk assessment tool. Bedrock AI’s CEO Kris Bennatti has a unique perspective on the rise of AI in accounting and disclosure, having a background in data science, corporate governance as well as being a CPA. In this episode we speak with Ms. Benatti about how AI can navigate a world of "over disclosure" along with ideas regarding how the current financial reporting industry will need to adapt. Join FEISpecial Guest: Kris Bennatti.

At it's core, generative AI has the potential to bring transformative impact to business and society, comparable to the paradigm shift brought about by cloud technology. Yet despite interest from executives to want to implement Generative AI, a recent survey showed that many CFOs still face significant barriers when introducing AI within their workflow. On this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast, we sit down with Sanjay Sehgal Head of Markets for KPMG Advisory Services to get an understanding of what finance executives need to consider when implementing generative AI. Special Guest: Sanjay Sehgal.

As the US slips closer – again – to the threat of default, one of the ways policymakers talk about delaying the crisis is the use of “extraordinary accounting measures.”. Now, that is not a term you hear in the private market and, I would think, if it were used there would be more than a few red flags brought up by investors and regulators. So in today’s podcast we speak with Justin Marlowe, Research Professor in the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Dr. Marlowe studies government finance, has written or edited several textbooks on public financial management and served on technical advisory bodies for the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. As you will hear, we quickly jump into why extraordinary accounting measures is not really a thing, how the federal and looming economic crisis will affect state and local government and also get into the weeds of how governments are adopting XBRL for financial reporting. Join FEISpecial Guest: Justin Marlowe.

For the State of California, oversight over the water supply is of utmost concern. Especially on the back of recent climate related events. On this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast we sit down with PPIC Water Policy Center Research Fellow, Andrew Ayres to learn about water accounting: what it is and how the accounting model can be applied outside climate related risks.Special Guest: Andrew Ayres.

The past three years have been marked by turbulent change. The unanticipated global pandemic fundamentally altered the ways in which organizations operate. From accelerating digital transformations to enabling a highly-functioning virtual work environment, the past three years have forced organizations to be resilient in the wake of adversity. On the three year anniversary of the COVID-19 informed lockdowns, this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast we sit down with John Epperson, Managing Principal, Financial Services to take a closer look at operational resilience. Special Guest: John Epperson.

It didn’t take long following the most recent banking crisis for the conversation to turn to a debate around accounting and disclosure. Particularly, the fair value and hold to maturity treatment that financial institutions employ around the securities on their balance sheets. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Rober Pozen, currently a senior lecturer at the MIT School of Management. Before entering academics, Bob was steeped in the world of investing and financial reporting as vice chairman of Fidelity Management and Chairman of MFS Investment management. Besides teaching, he is also a trustee of the IFRS Foundation, which oversees international financial reporting standard setting. Join FEISpecial Guest: Robert Pozen.

At the onset of the new year, the WSJ reported the SEC is “considering a softening of planned rules” while also highlighting the proposed 1% threshold, otherwise known as a bright-line test. On this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast, we sit down with Maura Hodge, KPMG’s ESG Audit Leader, to get a better understanding of what the 1% disclosure threshold could mean for companies and their auditors as they prepare for the SEC’s final climate disclosure rule. Download the Financial Education & Research Foundation Report on "How Corporate Finance is Preparing for Climate Disclosure & Best Practices" hereSpecial Guest: Maura Hodge.

The past several days have brought new attention to the way financial institutions communicate the health of their balance sheet and the way that investors and depositors react. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Pingyang Gao, Area Head of Accounting and Law and Professor at Hong Kong University. Before joining HKU in 2020, Dr. Gao had been on the faculty of Chicago Booth School of Business and Yale where his research focused on public policy and securities regulation issues, with a special emphasis on the correlation of bank runs and disclosures.Special Guest: Pingyang Gao.

Financial executives across the US were given a taste of the unthinkable last week when Silicon Valley Bank was closed by regulators and thousands of businesses - mostly venture or privately backed – had their deposits threatened. Although regulators stepped in and ended the panic, what was unthinkable suddenly became possible. Would my business lose its deposits? How will I make payments? What if I can’t make payroll? In this episode of the podcast we speak with Jay Jung, founder and managing partner at Embarc Advisors. With over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, Jay works with many small and medium sized businesses in Silicon Valley and throughout the country and he discusses the fallout of the latest banking crisis and how financial executives need to reset their approach to commercial banking.Special Guest: Jay Jung.

Towards the end of last year in December 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that more than 300,000 US accountants and auditors had left their jobs in the past two years. On the academic front, they reported that college enrollment for finance and accounting degrees fell by 17%. Now, this mass exodus of finance and accounting professionals is not entirely a new phenomenon. We've heard a lot over the last couple of years about the COVID 19 induced great resignation and of quiet quitting. But where these conversations fall short is addressing what happens next? What happens now when employers can't fill the gap that's been created by the number of people who have left their finance and accounting jobs? And what does this trend or these generational shifts really mean for the industry at large?Special Guests: Dr. Wayne Williams, Elizabeth Brown, and Richard Deosingh.

Tensions with China have been at the top of the political discourse over the past several months whether it's rouge balloons or Taiwan trips. And just like the geopolitical landscape, the capital markets are coming to terms with a reset of the relationship between the US and PRC. In this episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we speak with Weiheng Chen, partner with the law firm of Wilson Sonsini in Hong Kong. Weiheng has been a leader in underwriting and M&A in the China/US market and has worked on deals valued in the billions across technology, media, telecom, healthcare, education, consumer, and financial industries. We discuss how market and regulatory changes in both countries will reshape the future of fundraising, dealflow and financial disclosures.Special Guest: Weiheng Chen.

COVID-19 induced workplace shifts had an affect on almost every indusry. But for the finance and accounting profession at large, these shifts have contributed to a mass exodus of accountants. It was reported by the Wall Street Journal that more than 300,000 U.S. accountants and auditors have left their jobs in the past two years and colleges across the United States have seen a 17% decline in the number of students coming into the field can’t fill the gap. In this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast, we sit down with a former accounting major from Temple University: Nathan Wakefield to learn more about his experience and decision to pivot away from accouning and the factors that influenced his decision. Special Guest: Nathan Wakefield.

Whatever the future holds for the finance function – recession, supply chain disruptions, or management pivots – having the correct and latest financial information will be the key to success. A large part of the battle to optimize financial information falls within an organization's digital transformation efforts. In this sponsored episode of the financial executive podcast we speak with Gina Ferguson,Senior Director of Customer Experience for Finance at Workday about how she works to leverage financial information.Special Guest: Gina Ferguson.

Mentorship in finance and accounting is more important than ever as the economy and job market changes. That’s one of the reasons Financial Executives International is launching a new mentorship platform as part of FEI Engage. In this episode of the podcast we listen to some of the most relevant discussions that FEI’s Olivia Berman had last year as part of FEI Engage’s How I Got Here series. In order of appearance, you will hear highlights from Oliva’s conversations with Edua Dickerson and Kevin McBride of ServiceNow, followed by Wes Bricker of PwC and Talia Smith of Deloitte.Special Guests: Edua Dickerson, Kevin McBride, Thalia Smith, and Wes Bricker.

The War in Ukraine created a new global energy crisis, while at the same time the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act is making a historic investment in solar and renewable energy. The question remains whether the transition away from fossil fuels can keep pace with renewable sector’s capacity as a reliable source of energy for the US economy. Special Guest: William (Tres) Petmecky.

In this sponsored episode of the Financial Executive podcast we speak with Rehman Rashid, Finance Leader at Workday and Rex Blodgett Director, People Analytics at Workday, regarding their approach to closely tying together finance and human resources for more effective planning, Special Guests: Rehman Rashid and Rex Blodgett.

Whether it’s uncertainty in the Gulf, war in Ukraine or the move to renewable sources, the energy industry is facing a generational paradigm shift with long-term implications for its future. Not since the crisis of the 1970s have energy providers been confronted with so many risks and opportunities. Fossil fuels remain at the center of the global energy ecosystem, and Houston-based Halliburton provides the infrastructure to keep it flowing, from exploration to production. But as global geopolitical dynamics change, and domestic priorities shift, how the oil and gas industry responds to changes on the ground today will shape the sector for decades.Special Guest: Charlie Geer.

Environmental, Social and Governance standards have recently moved beyond the realm of necessities. These standards, used to attract socially conscious investors, have become necessities for companies and organizations alike. The real struggle for many investors is tangibility and practicality. Greenwashing too, has become a real industry challenge. Chris McClure is the leader of the Crowe's newly established ESG Center of Excellence. With over 25 years of experience in regulatory and compliance matters, Chris dismantles some of the most common pitfall’s organizations face when setting the ESG agenda and concurrently when applying the strategy. Special Guest: Chris McClure.

October 11 is National Coming Out Day and we thought it would be a good time to share a conversation that took place earlier this year during Financial Executives International Belonging In Finance. Dillon Papenfuss, FEI’s Director of Research and Kevin Lavin, a partner with EY had a very thoughtful discussion about some of the hurdles they faced when coming out in the industry and what changes that still need to happen to make it a more inclusive profession.Special Guest: Kevin Lavin.

Financial professionals are currenlty dealing with a lot of unknowns in this economic environment, whether that is revenue, budgeting or even staffing. This can lead to a lot of static in your numbers and a lot of confusion for anyone trying to rely on those numbers. In this sponsored episode of the Financial Executive Podcast we speak with Christopher Geers, Director at Huron Consulting Group, about the role that digitization in finance can play in getting you work in synchrony.Special Guest: Christopher Geers.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Mark Cowan, a professor of accountantcy at Boise State University. A CPA and a lawyer, Prof Cowan has spent his career in both public and industry accounting and has written about the role of mental health in the profession and the need for some things to change. Depression and the CPA How CPAs and employers can support mental healthSpecial Guest: Mark Cowan.