Opinion: Page 2

The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders


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    Permission granted by Billtrust
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    Human connection is still CFOs’ greatest asset

    Finance chiefs must find the “delicate balance between leveraging the power of digitization and fostering personal connections,” Bob Purcell writes.

    Bob Purcell • Dec. 18, 2023
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    Adobe Stock / Gorodenkoff

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    How AI is raising the bar for CFO budget planning

    AI can analyze vast amounts of financial data to predict trends, model budget scenarios, and deliver insights, writes Falconi’s Bernardo Miranda.

    Bernardo Miranda • Dec. 12, 2023
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    ipopba via Getty Images
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    Leveraging AI to step up your CFO game in 2024

    While the world is dreaming of big problems AI might solve, business leaders should look to use the technology to address specific company pain points, writes Vic.ai’s Anand Desai.

    Anand Desai • Nov. 20, 2023
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    Lemon_tm via Getty Images
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    Why CFOs must remove barriers to growth in a ‘deadweight’ economy

    What sets apart leading efficient-growth companies is the way they remove barriers or “growth anchors” that impede action, Gartner’s Dennis Gannon writes.

    Dennis Gannon • Nov. 10, 2023
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    Ezra Acayan via Getty Images
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    What businesses can learn from the F-35B fighter jet failure

    When planning complex projects, it’s important to focus on their core purposes without adding nonessential features, project management expert Dr. Te Wu writes.

    Dr. Te Wu • Oct. 26, 2023
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    DNY59 via Getty Images
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    Out of the shadows: Shining a light on AI use within your organization

    If your policies don’t cover AI use by employees who aren’t aware they’re using it, or are using it outside official channels, it’s a good idea to create a policy to cover this growing shadow AI use. 

    Myriah Jaworski, Melissa Ventrone and Eric Rouseau • Oct. 24, 2023
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    Leveraging AI in your monthly close process

    Savvy accounting leaders who see the writing on the wall are focused on bringing cutting-edge technologies into their teams’ daily tasks, including the monthly close, writes Horváth’s Tony Klimas.

    Tony Klimas • Oct. 10, 2023
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    hakule via Getty Images
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    Forget FOBO: use AI or lose your FP&A job

    Financial, planning and analytics professionals need to adapt to AI — or risk being replaced by someone else who does embrace it, FP&HEY Co-founder Drew Murphy writes. 

    Drew Murphy • Sept. 19, 2023
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    Why AP automation is a smart investment for CFOs

    When it comes to managing thousands of invoices, artificial intelligence and automation can run a much tighter ship than humans, asserts Medius executive Branden Jenkins.

    Branden Jenkins • Sept. 12, 2023
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    gorodenkoff via Getty Images
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    Cyberattackers have upped their game. Have a recovery plan ready.

    With a good plan, data can be quickly restored after a ransomware attack, bringing systems back online without the need for a hefty payment to a cybercriminal, writes Object First’s Anthony Cusimano.

    Anthony Cusimano • Aug. 28, 2023
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    How CFOs can trade ‘Dr. No’ role for stickier customers

    Advances in AI can help executives balance the tension between cost efficiencies and satisfied customers, AlixPartners’ Saurabh Singh and Jason McDannold assert.

    Saurabh Singh and Jason McDannold • Aug. 24, 2023
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    igorr1 via Getty Images
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    Mixing whiskey and blockchain: A CFO’s perspective

    Blockchain is helping Metacask to modernize the sale and ownership of whiskey casks, highlighting the technology’s business potential, writes CFO Andrew Kennard.

    Andrew Kennard • Aug. 14, 2023
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    Getty Images via Getty Images
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    It’s time for family-owned firms to put private equity on the table

    Well-publicized cases of bad behavior have fueled certain biases against private equity. But family-owned businesses shouldn’t ignore the financial lifeline that PE can offer, Bob Goldsmith argues.

    Bob Goldsmith • July 31, 2023
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    How CFOs and businesses can get (or stay) ahead of rising rates

    The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise the benchmark rate again this week. Finance executives must adjust their strategies, PwC’s Wes Bricker asserts.

    Wes Bricker • July 25, 2023
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    How predictive analytics can curb just-in-time inventory pitfalls

    CFOs can use predictive analytics to avoid panic buying, anchor price bias and overpaying suppliers, Edmund Zagorin, an executive with the procurement platform Arkestro, writes.

    Edmund Zagorin • July 11, 2023
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    Andrzej Rostek via Getty Images
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    CFOs shouldn’t let high rates hold them back

    A capital project that automates a business can yield a positive discounted investment return, Bill Fink asserts. When rates do come down, CFOs can refinance the debt.

    Bill Fink • July 5, 2023
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    B2B must embrace digital payments

    “B2B organizations have been slow to adapt to the changing demands and expectations of Gen Z,” writes a payments company vice president. “This is a huge mistake, and it can cost them dearly in the long run.”

    Justin Main • June 23, 2023
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    Page Chichester via Getty Images
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    Building resilience, funding sources critical to riding out a storm

    The more efficiently you run your operations, the longer your company’s cash cushion will last. Industry-specific tools can help, Luke Voiles writes.

    Luke Voiles • June 9, 2023
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    sesame via Getty Images
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    Accounts payable shouldn’t be a cost center

    CFOs are under growing pressure to drive efficiencies at zero cost. Leveraging intelligent automation to process invoices can help, Steven Cronin writes.

    Steven Cronin • May 26, 2023
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    Tero Vesalainen via Getty Images
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    Why CFOs must beef up their CX playbooks

    The B2B market is facing a new generation of decision makers who are accustomed to speedy digital customer experiences, according to Billtrust CFO Bob Purcell. 

    Bob Purcell • May 19, 2023
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    bunhill via Getty Images
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    It’s time for holistic emissions accounting

    A fulsome and holistic accounting of a company's operational emissions and other sustainability risks helps businesses find new pathways and opportunities for value creation, Donavan Hornsby writes.

    Donavan Hornsby • April 26, 2023
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Why CFOs eyeing IPOs must prep now

    While many companies have put public listing plans on pause, CFOs would be wise to get ready now for when the IPO window reopens, Nick Theos writes. 

    Nick Theos • April 14, 2023
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    Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
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    CFOs need public/private funding mix to bridge ESG financing gaps

    Finance leaders need access to multiple types of capital to finance their companies’ environmental, social, and governance goals, Ana Carolina Oliveira writes. 

    Ana Carolina Oliveira • April 13, 2023
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    Why CFOs must take inventory reins

    The people responsible for bloated inventory levels don’t all sit in factories and warehouses, Ernst & Young’s Peter Kingma writes. 

    Peter Kingma • April 7, 2023
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    David Odisho via Getty Images
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    Six steps CFOs communicating layoffs should take

    Layoffs are painful. Finance chiefs need to prepare in order to avoid missteps and ensure their approach to staff cuts is as empathetic and transparent as possible.

    Cassandra M. Bailey • Feb. 23, 2023