Business agility has become a defining capability for organizations operating in today’s environment of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). But while many companies focus on operational flexibility or technology investments, fewer understand the critical role finance plays in enabling true agility across the business.

In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Mitch Max, founder of BetterVu and Executive in Residence for the Association of Financial Professionals, about what separates organizations that survive from those that thrive during disruption. Drawing on research and decades of experience in enterprise performance management, Mitch shares how agility is less about tools and more about culture, decision-making, and embedded finance leadership.

Together, they explore:

• The difference between finance agility and true business agility
• Why only a small percentage of companies outperform during volatility
• The “sense, decide, act” model for faster, more effective decision-making
• How finance teams act as early warning systems and strategic partners
• The role of EPM systems in enabling real-time planning and collaboration
• How to manage data overload and focus on actionable insights
• Where AI is delivering value today, from automation to advanced analytics

Whether navigating economic uncertainty, implementing new planning systems, or redefining the role of finance, this conversation offers practical guidance for CFOs and finance leaders looking to build more agile, resilient organizations.

One of the most consequential decisions a CFO will make is selecting and implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform. Yet beyond vendor comparisons and licensing costs lie hidden risks—customization overruns, stalled implementations, legacy system constraints, and organizational change fatigue.

In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Harpal Mattu, FCMA, Managing Director at Agilyx Group, about what truly determines ERP success or failure. Drawing on decades of experience guiding global ERP transformations, Harpal shares practical lessons from both high-performing implementations and recovery projects where things went wrong.

Together, they discuss:

• The true total cost of ERP ownership beyond implementation fees
• Why excessive customization creates “Frankenstack” environments
• When to adapt your processes versus customizing the system
• How to structure ERP programs to reduce risk and avoid burnout
• Phasing vs. “big bang” go-lives—and what CFOs must protect
• Why change management must begin before system selection
• The evolution of ERP from system of record to system of reasoning

Whether you’re modernizing a legacy ERP, evaluating new platforms, or leading a finance transformation initiative, this conversation offers a strategic lens for navigating ERP decisions with confidence and discipline.

Healthcare finance leaders are operating under unprecedented pressure. Rising costs, staffing shortages, payer complexity, and constant uncertainty.

Matthew Ennen, Senior Vice President of Finance and Business Development at Ensemble Health Partners, shares how finance leaders can navigate volatility while staying anchored to their mission, their people and long-term resilience.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience across healthcare and consumer industries, Matthew explains why finance skills are highly transferable, how analytics and scenario planning enable proactive decision-making, and why transparency, empathy and communication are now essential leadership requirements.

From balancing cost containment with innovation to keeping teams motivated through periods of transformation, Matthew offers practical insights for finance leaders in any industry facing rapid change.

Discussed in This Episode: 

• Leading finance teams through uncertainty and transformation
• Why finance skills transfer across industries
• Balancing cost control with innovation in mission-driven organizations
• Using analytics to move from reactive to proactive decision-making
• The role of transparency, empathy and communication in leadership

For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Financial consolidation has long been treated as a “back-office necessity,” but in today’s complex, data-dense businesses, it’s becoming a strategic engine.

Craig Schiff, Founder and CEO of BPM Partners joins Melissa to unpack the evolution of consolidation, why it’s resurging in importance, and how AI is reshaping both FP&A and controllership.

Craig shares what companies are getting wrong, why consolidation and planning belong together and the trends he’s seeing as organizations move from legacy systems, Excel-heavy processes and fragmented tools toward unified performance management.

He also explains the critical connection between actuals, planning accuracy and strategic speed, and why more CFOs now lead with consolidation at the center of their data strategy.

Discussed in This Episode: 

• Critical features of modern financial close and consolidation software
• Building a unified finance tech stack
• AI in performance management: What CFOs need to know
• The future of close and consolidation

For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Finance doesn’t need to chase a mythical “best-in-class” model; success comes from mastering the fundamentals.

In this episode of The CFO Show, Charlie X.W. Liu, Founder and Chief Happiness Officer of MCC, joins Melissa Howatson to unpack the FP&A Trifecta: finance, data and systems and how getting these right transforms finance teams from spreadsheet operators into strategic partners.

Charlie shares lessons from 15+ years advising startups and Fortune 500s on optimizing EPM systems, improving data quality and building finance functions that scale with the business. He also explores how AI is changing finance roles, helping professionals shift from cost controllers to storytellers who drive business growth.

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The three pillars of modern FP&A: finance, data and systems
• Why clean data isn’t the goal, useful data is
• How to avoid common EPM implementation pitfalls
• Why finance leaders must become “story sellers,” not just storytellers
• How AI is reshaping skills and structure in the finance team

For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Career growth isn’t always a straight line, and sometimes the biggest leaps come from taking a step sideways. 

Troy Anderson, Chief Financial Officer at Kelly, shares the defining moments, pivotal decisions, and leadership lessons from his 35-year career spanning industries from telecom to education to talent solutions. 

He reflects on leading major turnarounds and public company transformations, navigating mergers and acquisitions, and building finance teams that act as trusted business partners. Troy also discusses how to communicate through change, the importance of listening before leading, and how AI is reshaping the role of today’s CFO. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The career pivots that shaped Troy’s path to CFO 
• How to lead transformation with conviction and clear communication 
• The power of listening and empathy in leadership 
• Balancing strategy with detail in a modern finance role 
• Preparing finance teams for AI and the next era of transformation

For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

AI promises efficiency, automation, and smarter decision-making, but for large enterprises, the journey is far more complex than simply adopting the latest tool.

In this episode of The CFO Show, Rajat Bahri, CFO of Icertis, joins host Melissa Howatson to explore how enterprise finance teams can harness AI to drive transformation.

With experience leading finance at global organizations, Rajat shares insights on how CFOs can balance innovation with governance, turn AI into actionable insights and lead change across complex data and system landscapes.

He also delves into how trust, data accuracy and integration are shaping the next chapter of enterprise finance, and why CFOs must lead from the top to unlock AI’s full potential.

Discussed in This Episode:

• How enterprise finance can leverage AI for smarter, faster decision-making
• The difference between AI adoption in startups and large organizations
• Overcoming legacy systems and data fragmentation challenges
• Building trust, accuracy and responsible AI practices
• How CFOs can upskill teams and set the tone from the top

For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.