August FM: Digital transformation steps, meeting anxiety, gen AI

Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA, began his one-year term as CIMA president and AICPA & CIMA chair in June, and he joined the FM podcast for an interview in late July, discussing what he sees as three key opportunities for the accounting and finance profession. In the episode, Bittlestone reviews his focus areas, explains the value of a technology background when leading technology initiatives, and details how seizing opportunity as it relates to today’s workforce can help to future-proof the profession. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         Why he agrees that the profession faces challenges, which he views as opportunities. ·         The area of accountants’ work that, according to Bittlestone, has understandable “pushback”. ·         Three takeaways from Bittlestone on the ESG course offered in partnership with Oxford University. ·         Why Bittlestone considers it important to focus on the profession’s future generations and accountants already in the profession. ·         His thoughts on the retirement of AICPA & CIMA CEO Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA.

Paul Thambar, FCMA, CGMA, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting at Monash University in Australia, explains the obstacles CFOs face when transitioning to a business partner role and where organisations are setting ambiguous and conflicting expectations for finance leaders. A recent AICPA & CIMA report on the role of the CFO was informed by Thambar’s research. Thambar also discusses the challenges and opportunities for CFOs grappling with digitilisation and how aspiring CFOs can adopt a “progressive” approach to career development. Thambar also was a guest on a 2019 FM podcast episode. What you’ll learn from this episode: §  Why CFOs sometimes struggle to transition into a business partner role. §  Some ways organisations are setting ambiguous and conflicting expectations. §  How relationship building can help CFOs grow in their roles. §  The importance of understanding digitilisation at “two levels”. §  What it means to be a “progressive” CFO.

This episode features Oliver Rowe, the editor-in-chief of FM, detailing the contents of the August digital edition of the magazine. Rowe highlights several articles, including the first column by CIMA President Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA. He also discusses articles on digital transformation, based on a previous FM podcast episode with author David Rogers; working with images in Excel; and dealing with meeting anxiety. Rowe explains how members can access the most recent edition of the online magazine as well as the issue library. Previous podcast episodes focusing on 2024 digital editions: n  February n  April n  June What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         Details on an article about digital transformation — and why many of the steps in such a transformation don’t include technology. ·         Highlights of an Excel article by Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA. ·         Advice on preparing for and overcoming anxiety about meetings. ·         Options for accessing current and past digital editions.

Author Mike Drayton, a clinical psychologist and leadership coach at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, explains why certain people are more susceptible to burnout than others, how people can recognise the early signs of burnout within themselves and in the people around them, and why it’s important to stay “rounded”. Drayton suggests tactics that leaders and professionals can adopt to establish firm boundaries, promote work/life balance within their teams, cultures, and themselves, and encourage professional and personal development.  Drayton is scheduled to speak in October at UK and Ireland ENGAGE about the psychology of influence and persuasion.  What you’ll learn from this episode: §  Steps for managing burnout. §  What behaviours can determine if leaders will be prone to burnout or not. §  Two personality traits that make people more vulnerable to burnout. §  Ways to set firm boundaries that prioritise work/life balance. §  What it means to “strive for wholeness” and how to adopt that mindset.

This episode of the FM podcast is the continuation of an occasional series on the show called Beyond the Code. That means taking a detailed look at the CIMA Code of Ethics.   Xose Lumor, manager–Advocacy and Professional Ethics–Management Accounting at AICPA & CIMA, talks with Samantha McDonough, another AICPA & CIMA ethics manager, who oversees the CIMA ethics helpline and email inbox.   In the episode, McDonough shares some of the questions received from CIMA members and registered students, general guidance for how some of those concerns can be addressed, and resources for members who might find themselves facing an ethics dilemma. Resources mentioned in this episode include: n  The main CIMA ethics resources page. n  The page where an ethics checklist can be downloaded. n  The email address for members with ethics questions. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         An introduction of the topic and the focus of the Beyond the Code series. ·         Why McDonough advises members and students to give business advice in writing. ·         A hypothetical example of a potential conflict of interest. ·         One scenario in which an accountant might be asked to create a misleading financial report. ·         Resources available on the CIMA ethics page, including the email inbox address and the number for the telephone helpline.

This episode features Oliver Rowe, the editor-in-chief of FM, detailing the contents of the June digital edition of the magazine. Rowe highlights several articles, including one on the risks associated with generative AI.   One article explores common management reporting mistakes to avoid. Also in the issue are articles about successful enterprise resource planning implementations and on the shifts that are redefining how finance creates sustainable value.   Rowe explains how members can access the most recent edition of the online magazine as well as the issue library.   This link features Rowe speaking about the February edition, and this link has the conversation about the April edition. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         Details of an article focused on the risks of generative AI. ·         Highlights of an Excel article by Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA. ·         Advice from author Rhymer Rigby on preparing to go on holiday. ·         Options for accessing current and past digital editions.

Author Nuala Walsh, CEO and founder of MindEquity, a business and behavioural science consultancy in the UK, discusses the challenges of being a thoughtful leader in “the daily din of distraction and disinformation” – and why decision friction is a necessary skill.  Walsh’s book, Tune In: How to Make Smarter Decisions in a Noisy World, suggests numerous strategies that leaders can use to analyse information effectively and holistically, as well as methods to recognise biases and misjudgements that could hold them back. What you’ll learn from this episode: §  What it means to tune in and tune out. §  Some reasons we fall into misinformation traps. §  Strategies we can use to recognise our biases. §  How decision friction can help us more accurately decode the information we hear. §  The benefits of using emotional intelligence to interpret clouded judgements.

The best time to start on digital transformation? Well, it was five years ago. But, says digital transformation expert David Rogers, starting now is the next best time. Rogers, an author, speaker, and corporate consultant, is also a professor at Columbia University. He explains some of the ways companies hurt themselves in transformation efforts, why people management is such a big part of those digital changes, and how some companies are making gains even without big budgets or fancy, new apps. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         A discussion on why digital transformations are so difficult. ·         The importance of people alignment in a digital transformation effort. ·         Why budgeting is not a vital part of such transformations. ·         The advice about planting a tree that also applies to digital transformation urgency. ·         Why there is no single KPI for digital transformation.

This episode features Oliver Rowe, the editor-in-chief of FM, detailing the contents of the April digital edition of the magazine. Rowe explains how members can access the most recent edition of the online magazine. He also highlights several articles, including this edition’s theme of sustainability. One noteworthy column, on businesses increasingly taking a multicapital approach to maximising value, was written by CIMA President Sarah Ghosh, FCMA, CGMA. Ghosh recently was a guest on the FM podcast, speaking about the importance of International Women’s Day. Also, this link features Rowe speaking about the February edition. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         The paths for members to access content in the digital editions. ·         Highlights of the April edition, including focus areas of sustainability and leadership. ·         The advice regular contributor Rhymer Rigby gives for delivering bad news. ·         The focus of Liam Bastick’s column on using Microsoft Excel.

Avani Desai, CPA, attended the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January. It was her first visit to the mountain town’s famed event that brings together world leaders and subject matter experts. In this episode of the FM podcast, Desai reflected on the lessons she learned and on the perspective she gained — as an attendee and a discussion moderator. Desai led a panel discussion on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, and cybersecurity. She summarised some of the lessons she can apply to her role as CEO of a large US accounting firm. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         Desai’s description of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. ·         Details of the panel discussion that Desai led. ·         The session that was “definitely a highlight” for Desai. ·         The tie-in between AI and cybersecurity. ·         Why the International Women’s Day theme resonates with her. ·         How one mentoring experience changed Desai’s view of Schellman’s messaging about the profession. ·         The lessons from Davos she has taken back to her firm.