The Evolving Role of the CFO
The evolving role of the CFO is a critical topic for finance leaders to understand and adapt to in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. This opening session of the GrowCFO Global Finance Summit delves deep into the historical transformation of the CFO’s responsibilities, highlighting the shift from a primarily guardian and operational role to one that is increasingly strategic and change-focused.
Led by industry experts Dan Wells, Kevin Appleby and Tom Ricca-McCarthy, this session provides a comprehensive overview of the key drivers behind the CFO’s evolving mandate. Participants will gain valuable insights into the growing importance of strategic leadership, business partnering, and the integration of innovative technologies like automation and AI. By examining the past, present, and future of the CFO role, attendees will be better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, positioning themselves as indispensable business partners and catalysts for growth within their organizations.
Highlights:
- Introduction to the GrowCFO Global Finance Summit and its focus on CFO strategy, growth, and impact
- Overview of the action-packed 2-day agenda, including sessions on the evolving CFO role, modern skills, leadership, and ESG
- Importance of CPD/CPE accreditation and polls for participants to complete
- Introduction of key speakers – Dan Wells, Kevin Appleby, and Tom Ricca-McCarthy
- Detailed examination of the historical evolution of the CFO role, from guardian to strategic and change-focused
- Future projections showing the increasing importance of strategy and change management for CFOs
- Insights from Tom Ricca-McCarthy on the critical role of CFOs in strategic leadership and business partnering
- Emphasis on the need to adopt innovation, automation, and AI to drive efficiency and free up time for strategic initiatives
- Discussion on the future of finance and the importance of talent management and team development
- Encouragement to leverage GrowCFO resources, such as the Future CFO program, to develop relevant skills and stay ahead of the curve
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