246. Close Faster, Decide Better: Process, People, and the Right Tech with Grow CFO's Kevin Appleby

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, recorded in partnership with ACCA, Hannah Munro is joined by Nicolas Raynaud FCCA, CFO at the Science Museum Group. Nicolas shares a frank and practical view of what it really takes to settle into a new CFO role and why those early months demand clarity, curiosity and steady judgement.In this episode, Nicolas covers Why the first 100 days start with understanding the organisation you’re joining, not diving into delivery How to diagnose whether you’re entering a growth phase, a turnaround or a realignment The importance of preparing before day one and validating the brief you were given How to balance early stakeholder engagement with the pressure to act What to do when your findings don’t match expectations, and how to handle difficult course correction Why staying open minded, curious and willing to learn will set the tone for long term successLinks mentionedNicolas' Linkedin Learn more about the Science Museum Group Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this in-person conversation, Hannah Munro sits down with Matthew Robinson, Financial Controller at Zebra Pens, to explore the realities of running and transforming finance inside a small but ambitious business. This episode coversWhy small-business finance needs pragmatism, balance and the courage to let go of total control How Matt rebuilt finance around risk-based thinking, strong foundations and the ability to switch off at the end of the day The hard lessons of a difficult first implementation How Zebra Pens is moving towards 21st-century operations with integrated systemsLinks mentionedMatthew's LinkedinLearn more about Zebra PensZebra Pens Customer Story Coming Soon! Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this Transformation Troubleshooter episode, Hannah Munro and Neil Lynchehaun tackle two real scenarios sent in by finance and operational leaders wrestling with change. They cut through the noise and give practical, experience-led guidance on managing competing priorities, handling resistance and keeping transformation efforts on track.What the episode covers Why misaligned leadership priorities derail projects How to define ROI early so cost concerns don’t dominate later Ways to balance the natural tension between speed, control and risk How to use stakeholder management, individual conversations and senior sponsorship to regain direction What to do when a team member becomes disruptive during implementation and how to reset the room Practical facilitation toolsLinks MentionedPrevious session: Stop Shopping, Start Transforming Connect with Hannah MunroConnect with Neil LynchehaunExplore more Finance Transformation Live sessionsWhich Sage Product is Right For You Quiz!Learn more about Sage Intacct Customer Success StoriesBook a discovery call  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn the second instalment of our CFO 4.0 Revisited series, we return to a conversation that first aired as the twentieth episode of the podcast. Hannah Munro sits down with Patrick Dunne, now an experienced chair and influential voice across business and social enterprise, to explore what boards truly expect from a modern CFO.This episode offers a clear, direct view of boardroom dynamics and the realities of senior leadership. Patrick sets out what a strong board and CFO relationship looks like, the qualities that boards value most, and where new finance leaders often fall short. He also tackles the balance of the CEO and CFO partnership, how trust is built or lost, and whether a strained relationship can ever be repaired.Key themes include• The hallmarks of an effective board and CFO relationship • What boards genuinely want from their CFO • How to make a strong start with your board • The role and boundaries of the CEO and CFO partnership • Whether damaged senior relationships can be rebuilt • Practical guidance for new CFOs looking to set the right toneLinks mentionedContact Patrick on LinkedIn  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this special live episode, recorded at the ACCA Finance Futures Conference, Hannah Munro joins Alex Falcon Huerta (ACCA) to cut through the hype and explore what it really takes to choose and implement the right finance technology.From agility in software selection to preparing for the rise of AI, they share stories, frameworks, and practical advice to help finance leaders stay ahead of the curve.In this episode, Hannah and Alex discussWhy agility is key when selecting and assessing finance softwareHow to rethink ROI beyond time and cost, and measure real business valueThe dangers of traditional RFPs and how to adopt a more flexible, iterative approachUnderstanding the technology lifecycle from bleeding edge to rusting edgeHow to future-proof your finance team with the right AI readiness and mindsetManaging resistance to change and building momentum for digital transformationLinks Mentioned:Hannah's Linkedin Alex's Linkedin Learn more about ACCA Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this insightful Financial Transformation Live session, Hannah Munro, Managing Director of itas Solutions, challenges the traditional approach to purchasing new technology solutions. Rather than focusing solely on procurement checklists and feature comparisons, Hannah encourages finance leaders to rethink how they approach technology selection — shifting from “shopping” to “transforming.”Drawing on her consultancy experience, she explores how organisations can accelerate time to value, engage suppliers more effectively, and turn the buying process itself into the first step of transformation.💡 In this episode, Hannah covers:Why the traditional RFP (Request for Proposal) approach often fails to deliver transformational outcomesHow to design a consultative selection cycle that prioritises outcomes over featuresThe importance of sharing problem statements, goals, and process maps with suppliers to drive better recommendationsHow to educate and engage potential partners to uncover innovation and align with your business challengesMethods to evaluate technology solutions based on process efficiency, control, ROI, and real-world use casesPractical steps to ensure suppliers start learning about your organisation before implementation — accelerating time to valueLinks mentioned in this episode:Previous session: Transformation TroubleshooterConnect with Hannah MunroExplore more Finance Transformation Live sessionsWhich Sage Product is Right For You Quiz!Learn more about Sage Intacct Customer Success StoriesPre Purchase ConsultancyBook a discovery call  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks with Daniel Healey, Group FD at Direct Heating Group, about building a finance function that never stands still.Also covered in this episode:From manual processes to a fully automated, scalable finance teamHow to prioritise automation projects and prove ROI to stakeholdersOvercoming resistance and redefining finance’s value beyond transactionsUsing automation to free capacity for strategic, value-add work Why continuous improvement beats perfection in transformationDaniel’s practical tips for starting small and scaling smart with automationLinks mentioned:Daniel's LinkedinLearn more about Direct StovesLearn more about Flue & Ducting Learn more about Direct Fireplaces Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsWe’re rewinding to where it all began. In the very first episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro sat down with digital transformation expert Phil Raynor (now Lead Delivery Manager at the UK Home Office) to unpack what makes or breaks a transformation programme — and how finance leaders can navigate change with confidence.In this CFO 4.0 Revisited edition, we revisit the timeless lessons that still shape transformation success today. From planning and communication to leadership and culture, this conversation remains as relevant as ever for modern CFOs leading digital change.🔑 In this episode, you’ll discover:The key differences between projects and programmes — and why that distinction mattersWhat defines a truly successful digital transformationThe most common causes of failure and how to prevent themThe CFO’s critical role in managing expectations and driving alignmentHow to plan, communicate, and secure stakeholder buy-in for changeWhy “slowing down to speed up” is the secret to long-term successLinks mentioned:Phil's Linkedin Contact Phil directly: [email protected] Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsHost Hannah Munro sits down with Kevin Appleby, host of the Grow CFO Show, to share hard-won lessons from finance transformation projects. From failed demos to faster closes, they explore how CFOs can avoid common pitfalls and deliver real value.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to approach system selection with scenarios and use cases, not just feature lists.Why keeping solutions simple and phased prevents failure points.The importance of engaging naysayers and building super users for adoption.Why benefits come from people and process changes, not just technology.Practical lessons for faster month-end closes and smarter procurement processes.How CFOs can communicate with boards, influence decisions, and choose the right timing for go-live.Links mentioned: Kevin's Linkedin Learn more about GrowCFO Join the Grow CFO community Discover more with Anchor Customer Story  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of Financial Transformation Live, Hannah Munro and Neil Lynchehaun tackle real-world transformation challenges submitted by finance leaders. Together, they share practical advice, frameworks, and lessons learned from years of hands-on transformation and consulting experience.💡 Topics covered in this session include:Rethinking requirements gathering – moving away from 1,000-line requirement lists and focusing on outcomes, use cases, and best practices instead of replicatingSystem selection approaches – how to frame your needs, engage vendors effectively, and avoid box-ticking RFP traps.Data migration dilemmas – when to clean data before Go Live, strategies for managing messy supplier and transactional records, and the risks of “garbage in, garbage out.”Simplify before you automate – why tackling root causes and streamlining processes is often more valuable than layering automation on top of inefficiency.Dealing with change fatigue – overcoming eye-rolling resistance to yet another project by contextualising benefits for teams, linking change to day-to-day roles, and building compelling outcomes.Practical controls and safeguards – validation techniques, duplicate supplier detection, and post-implementation clean-up strategies.Links mentioned:Previous session: Planning a Successful ProjectConnect with Hannah MunroConnect with Neil LynchehaunExplore more Finance Transformation Live sessionsWhich Sage Product is Right For You Quiz!Learn more about Sage Intacct Customer Success StoriesBook a discovery call  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!