The Diary of a CFO

The Diary of a CFO

di Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA
AmministrazioneCarriere
Stagione 2

Moving From Big 4 Auditor to Controller to CFO, with Andrea Hecht

Andrea Hecht, EVP & CFO at CSAA Insurance Group, walks through the real shifts at each step of her career — from auditor at Big 4 accounting firm, EY, to Controller, and ultimately CFO. She explains how the focus moves from technical detail to culture, strategy, and leadership. We cover: Why the first move from public accounting to industry didn’t work, and why the second one did. How interviews and expectations change as you move up. What makes the Controller → CFO leap so challenging. How to get Accounting and FP&A working as one team. The habits that keep her sharp while leading finance at a 4,000-person organization. It's an insightful roadmap for anyone asking what actually changes when you leave public accounting and aim for the CFO seat. Get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/ Whether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance. It’s completely free, and you will get personalized results instantly.
S2 · E9
10 set 2025
40:30

Accounting vs FP&A: Which Path Gets You to CFO Faster?

Controller vs FP&A : which path gives you a better shot at the CFO seat? Wassia Kamon has done both. In this solo episode, she reveals why neither route guarantees success on its own and what truly sets future CFOs apart. Drawing on her first year as a CFO, Wassia introduces her Executive Readiness Framework and explains how to develop the executive substance, influence, and presence boards and CEOs look for. Whether you're in the weeds of the close or building forecasts, this is the episode that will change how you think about your next move. Resources mentioned: The Free CFO Readiness AssessmentWhether becoming a CFO is your goal or not, this assessment highlights the competencies that matter most at the VP level and above, in finance.Get your CFO score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/ Learning Hub for Aspiring CFOsTo learn more about how to become a CFO, visit: https://thediaryofacfo.com/resources
S2 · E8
4 set 2025
21:56

Sheryl Shaw on Scaling Finance Teams and Embracing Technology

This week on The Diary of a CFO, host Wassia Kamon is joined by Sheryl Shaw, Senior Manager at Bridgepoint Consulting and a former CFO with three decades of experience leading finance teams through transformation. Sheryl shares her remarkable journey, from starting as an accounting clerk in the 1980s to becoming a CFO 3 times, and now a trusted consultant for companies implementing NetSuite. She opens up about the lessons learned through chaos, the role of technology in finance, and how to build teams that are ready for change. In this episode, you’ll learn: What it really takes to scale a finance team that embraces innovation How Sheryl built a treasury function from scratch, without formal training The difference between operational and fundraising CFOs Her go-to strategies for managing change and gaining team buy-in The mindset shift needed to lead in today’s tech-driven finance world Special thanks to FISPAN for sponsoring this episode. FISPAN is a leading fintech company that seamlessly integrates banks with their clients’ enterprise resource planning (ERP) and accounting systems. For more information, head to www.fispan.com.
S2 · E7
29 lug 2025
32:24

Inside FP&A: Christian Wattig’s Guide to Smarter Forecasting and Strategic Impact

Christian Wattig is the program director of Wharton’s FP&A Certificate and the founder of InsideFP&A. In this episode, he shares his path from Procter & Gamble to becoming a leader in finance education, along with the pivotal lessons he learned along the way. You’ll learn: Why forecasting accuracy remains a major challenge for finance teams How to apply multiple forecasting methods for better results What separates great financial models from the rest How AI is reshaping FP&A work beyond just automation The habits and mindset shifts needed to move from analyst to strategic business partner This conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to sharpen their FP&A skills and drive real impact in their organization.
S2 · E6
23 lug 2025
34:31

The Role of Treasury in M&A and Business Strategy, with , AVP of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co, Summa Simmons

In this episode, Summa Simmons, Associate VP of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co., shares what most people get wrong about treasury and why it's a strategic powerhouse. She explains how treasury helps companies manage cash, risk, and financial readiness during major business decisions like mergers and divestitures. Summa also opens up about her own journey from accounting to treasury, and what it means to be a true business partner across teams. You’ll learn: How treasury supports M&A and long-term business strategy Why relationship-building is key to finance leadership The mindset shift from accounting to strategic thinking Career lessons on ownership, feedback, and staying curious
S2 · E5
16 lug 2025
43:09

Why Culture Is Your Biggest Cybersecurity Risk, with Dutch Schwartz

Most companies think cybersecurity is about firewalls and IT policies. But the real risk often starts with culture. In this episode, Dutch Schwartz, VP of Cloud Services at SideChannel and former security leader at AWS and Raytheon, shares why companies with poor culture are three times more likely to face a breach. We talk about how leadership, disengaged employees, and outdated mindsets quietly open the door to cyber threats. You'll also hear: The $25 million AI voice scam that could have been prevented How to build a culture of security that actually sticks What CFOs need to understand about working with CISOs Why cybersecurity is no longer just a tech problem This conversation is a must-listen for finance and business leaders navigating today's digital risks.
S2 · E4
9 lug 2025
44:29

How the Best Finance Leaders Operate, Plan, and Forecast, with Christina Ross

Christina Ross, serial CFO turned CEO of Cube, explains why spreadsheets aren’t the problem and what finance leaders should focus on instead. She shares multiple frameworks for moving from manual chaos to strategic clarity. This episode is packed with insights on real-time planning, clean data, and leading high-impact finance teams. In this episode, we cover: The four layers of strategic finance How to plan faster and forecast smarter Partnering across departments for better data Leading with speed, structure, and strategic intent
S2 · E3
3 lug 2025
44:26

The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO, with Dr. Tamer Alsayed

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon speaks with Dr. Tamer Alsayed, CFO at the Future Investment Initiative and author of The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO. With over two decades of experience across industries and regions, Dr. Tamer offers a clear-eyed view of what today’s finance leaders need to succeed. The discussion covers: How the CFO role has evolved beyond reporting and compliance What it means to think and lead strategically in finance Lessons from working on IPOs, M&A deals, and international startups Why transparency matters more than polish in investor relations The impact of mentorship, curiosity, and AI on future finance teams This episode is for anyone who wants to grow as a finance leader and make a meaningful impact in their organization. Special thanks to Bill for sponsoring this episode. Visit https://www.bill.com/guides to download a free toolkit on leading through uncertain times.
S2 · E2
25 giu 2025
35:54

The #1 Mistake Keeping Controllers from Becoming CFOs

Welcome to Season 2 of The Diary of a CFO. In this kickoff solo episode, Wassia Kamon shares behind-the-scenes highlights from Season 1, why some careers stall at the executive door, and what actually opens it. You’ll hear: The real reason technical skills alone won’t get you promoted The 3-digit P.I.N. code to executive leadership What separates great CFOs from the rest Why work-life harmony beats balance What’s new in Season 2? 🎥 Full-video episodes on YouTube 🗞 A brand-new Substack called Off the Record Join the conversation at: https://wassiakamon.substack.com/
S2 · E1
19 giu 2025
28:08
Stagione 1

What I Wish Finance Professionals Knew Sooner, with Syed Nadeem

In this episode, Syed Nadeem shares the lessons he wishes more finance professionals learned early on. He talks about why certifications alone won’t get you promoted, and why your mindset, human skills, and personal brand matter just as much as your technical skills. Syed also shares how losing his job became a turning point. He built a global brand and started helping others grow in their careers. From business partnering to leadership, this episode is full of insights that can help you stay relevant and move forward, no matter where you are in your finance journey. Today’s episode is brought to you by BILL, a leading financial operations platform for small and midsize businesses. I’m also hosting a free webinar on June 24th, 2025 at 1pm ET. Click here to learn more.
S1 · E32
11 giu 2025
34:02
4 di 8