Strategic CFO is a four-part series that answers the “why” and “direction” our companies take and our role in thinking about this big picture to infuse into our everyday lives. Strategic CFO – Strategic Financial Communications Financial professionals are expected to do more than report numbers-they must explain them in ways others understand and trust. This session focuses on improving financial communication by addressing financial literacy gaps, simplifying complex accounting concepts, and building compelling narratives around data. Participants will learn how to use stories, visuals, and language effectively to communicate strategy, performance, and risk. Through examples and interactive discussion, this session helps CPAs and CFOs become clearer, more confident communicators in both live and virtual environments. Also, some video clips will be used to add to the learning materials and research. Don't worry, they are pretty entertaining. Strategic CFO – Strategic Cash Management Cash is the lifeblood of every organization, yet many leaders struggle to explain, manage, and plan for it effectively. This session focuses on strategic cash management, capital structure decisions, and financing options available to organizations at different stages of growth. Participants will explore how CFOs balance today's cash needs with long-term strategy, evaluate debt and equity decisions, and communicate cash flow concepts to non-financial stakeholders. The session emphasizes practical frameworks, real-world examples, and modeling approaches that support better cash decisions. A few negotiation videos will be displayed to bring humor and effectiveness to the key points. Strategic CFO – Strategic Risk Management Risk management is no longer a compliance exercise-it is a core strategic responsibility of today's CFO and CPA. This session demystifies Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) by walking through the COSO framework in clear, practical terms. Participants will learn how risk integrates with strategy and performance, how organizations identify and assess risk, and how leaders respond to uncertainty in a disciplined way. Using examples, polling, and case discussions, this session equips financial professionals to communicate risk effectively and help organizations protect and create value. Some funny video clips will be used to focus on the learning material. Strategic CFO – Developing Strategy and the Why Effective CFOs and CPAs play a critical role in shaping and executing organizational strategy. This session focuses on how strategy is developed, why many strategic plans fail, and how finance leaders can help organizations create focus in an increasingly complex and fast-changing environment. Participants will explore competitive advantage, the use of financial and non-financial metrics, and the importance of aligning strategy with mission, culture, and resources. Through discussion and real-world case examples, attendees will gain practical tools to evaluate, measure, and support successful strategies across for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Use of some video reels will add levity to some of the key points.
Learning Objectives
Strategic CFO – Strategic Financial Communications Learn how to communicate effectively Understanding audience demographics and communication styles Strategic CFO – Strategic Cash Management Explore how CFOs balance today's cash needs Evaluate debt and equity decisions Discuss how to communicate cash flow concepts Strategic CFO – Strategic Risk Management Learn how risk integrates with strategy and performance Discuss how leaders respond to uncertainty Strategic CFO – Developing Strategy and the Why Explore competitive advantage Hear about financial and non-financial metrics Discuss the importance of aligning strategy
Major Topics
Strategic CFO – Strategic Financial Communications Financial literacy versus math literacy Common financial terms that confuse non-accountants Simplifying financial language without "dumbing it down" Building narratives and stories around financial data Using visuals and graphics effectively Communicating strategy, risk, and performance together Strategic CFO – Developing Strategy and the Why Understanding capital structure and financing priorities Debt capacity, leverage, and cost of capital considerations Cash flow versus GAAP results Financing options: debt, equity, crowdfunding, and alternative capital Strategic cash policies and liquidity planning Raising cash at different stages of an organization's life cycle Communicating cash flow and financial health to stakeholders Strategic CFO – Strategic Risk Management Overview of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and COSO standards Evolution of COSO and why it matters today Governance, culture, and board oversight of risk Defining risk appetite and linking it to strategy Identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks Risk responses: avoid, reduce, share, and accept Black swan events and managing uncertainty Communicating and reporting risk across the organization Strategic CFO – Strategic Cash Management What strategy really means and who is involved in developing it Common reasons strategic plans fail and how to avoid them Cost leadership, differentiation, and niche strategies Using metrics, KPIs, and the Balanced Scorecard to measure success The role of non-financial drivers in financial performance Benchmarking and competitive analysis Aligning mission, culture, and strategy Case discussions on strategy execution and performance measurement
