CFO Day Sydney

Overview

As the role of the CFO continues to expand, finance leaders face mounting pressure to steer the business through a shifting regulatory landscape — from climate disclosures and digital reporting to deeper scrutiny from the ATO, ASIC and audit committees. Today’s CFO is expected to deliver not just compliance, but strategic clarity, speed and resilience across the entire finance function.

This roundtable brings together CFOs and senior finance leaders to explore how modern finance teams are redesigning their operating models. We’ll unpack how intelligent automation, integrated data platforms and continuous assurance are empowering CFOs to drive more accurate forecasting, faster reporting cycles and stronger executive confidence.

Key Themes:

Leading through regulatory complexity and ESG mandates

Unlocking real-time insight for smarter decision-making

Strengthening stakeholder trust through continuous assurance

Building a connected, agile and future-ready finance function

What we will cover

• Demonstrating ROI By calculating ROI, finance professionals can evaluate the profitability and efficiency of various initiatives, helping organisations prioritise investments that offer the greatest return relative to their costs.
• Environmental, Social & Governance Discuss emerging trends like sustainable finance, ESG considerations, and integrating non-financial metrics into decision-making, shaping the future CFO role.
• Risk Management Delve into using disruptive technologies to streamline operations, improve financial decision-making, and manage risks effectively.
• Finance Business Partnering Explore how CFOs' responsibilities have expanded beyond financial management, focusing on strategic leadership and innovation.
• AI & Finance As AI continues to evolve, its integration into finance promises increased transparency, reduced costs, and more informed financial strategies.
• Team Efficiency Team efficiency in finance is crucial for driving business success by optimising processes, collaboration, and resource allocation within financial teams.

Agenda

• 8:30 am Registration & Welcome Coffee(CFO Day)
• 9:00 am Welcome Address & Introduction(CFO Day)
• 9:05 am Navigating the Tech Frontier: Peer Problems, Performance, Plans and Preparation for Productivity(CFO Day) This keynote explores the intricate dynamics at the intersection of technology and business management, focusing on peer challenges, performance metrics, and the strategic plans of CFOs aimed at enhancing productivity. By examining how CFOs navigate technological advancements and address peer-related issues, the research provides insights into optimising organisational performance and preparing for future tech-driven landscapes.
• 9:30 am Financial Leadership in Volatile Markets: Balancing Short-Term Gains with Long-Term Stability(CFO Day) In today’s volatile markets, financial leadership plays a critical role in navigating uncertainties while achieving a balance between short-term gains and long-term stability. Discussion points: Strategic Alignment in Volatile Markets: Explore the role of data analytics and predictive modelling in anticipating market shifts and optimising financial decision-making. Leadership's Role in Driving Sustainable Growth: Analyse the evolving role of CFOs in driving sustainable business strategies that foster growth while maintaining financial resilience. Integration and Automation for Enhanced Efficiency: Highlight initiatives in automation and technology adoption to enhance data accuracy, consistency, and speed in financial operations.
• 9:55 am Forging an Efficient Finance Function with BPO-Focused Transformation(CFO Day) Maximising finance efficiency requires a strategic overhaul of outdated Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) models. By driving automation and improving resource management, finance teams can boost performance and reduce operational friction. This transformation not only optimises internal processes but also strengthens business partnerships and improves overall service delivery. Discussion points: Rebuilding finance teams to operate at full capacity through smarter BPO strategies. Streamlining processes with automation to reduce queries and improve output. Enhancing finance business partnering by aligning BPO outcomes with strategic goals.
• 10:20 am Morning Tea & Networking(CFO Day)
• 11:00 am Achieving Sustainable Revenue Growth and Enhanced Profitability in a Changing Market Landscape(CFO Day) In today's dynamic market environment, businesses face unprecedented challenges amidst opportunities for growth and innovation. Rohan Liyanage, an expert in lighting solutions, emphasises a return to basics coupled with strategic innovation to drive sustainable revenue growth and profitability. Discussion points: Back to Basics: How can businesses effectively realign their strategies to refocus on core competencies amidst market disruptions and technological advancements? Conversion through Innovation and Sustainability: What are the critical steps businesses should take to integrate sustainability into their value propositions effectively? Enhancing Operational Productivity for Scalable Growth: How can organisations balance productivity improvements with maintaining high-quality standards and customer satisfaction?
• 11:25 am Empowering Finance Teams and Talent for Future Growth(CFO Day) In the dynamic landscape of modern business, nurturing talent and fostering cohesive teams are pivotal to sustained success. Discussion points: Building High-Performing Teams: Strategies for cultivating teams that thrive in evolving environments, leveraging diverse skills and perspectives. Developing Future-Ready Talent: Discussions on empowering talent through skill development, mentorship, and continuous learning initiatives. Navigating Technological Shifts: Insights into adopting new technologies like AI and ERP systems to optimise team performance and drive innovation.
• 11:50 am Leveraging Technology for Business Expansion(CFO Day) This presentation will explore the strategic shift from traditional business models to incorporating advanced technology for expansion. By adopting innovative solutions, businesses can enhance operational efficiency, improve market positioning, and drive growth. The session will highlight key financial and business considerations for leveraging new technologies. Discussion Points: Understanding the financial benefits of integrating technology into traditional business models. Evaluating how AI and data-driven solutions can scale operations and reduce costs. Assessing the market opportunities and competitive advantages of technological innovation.
• 0:15 pm Digital Transformation to Drive Operational Efficiency(CFO Day) This session explores how CFOs can harness digital transformation initiatives to achieve strategic cost reduction in today’s dynamic business environment. It emphasises the integration of digital technologies and innovative strategies to optimise financial processes, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable financial performance. Discussion points: Harnessing Technological Innovations: Leveraging AI, machine learning, and data analytics to transform financial processes, improve efficiency, and foster innovation. Driving Cultural and Organisational Change: Cultivating a culture of digital readiness and agility, and effectively leading teams through the transformation journey to maximise success. Data-Driven Insights: Leveraging advanced analytics and business intelligence to gain actionable insights for informed decision-making and cost optimisation.
• 0:40 pm Lunch Break & Peer Connect + Executive Roundtables(CFO Day)
• 1:55 pm Peer-led Roundtable Discussions(CFO Day) Instead of a designated expert leading the discussion, participate in sharing your insights, experiences, and perspectives with your peers. These discussions are often structured to ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute, and they can be highly effective for generating new ideas, problem-solving, and building connections within a professional or academic community. Discussion Topics: A - Demonstrating ROI B - Environmental, Social & Governance C - Risk Management D - Finance Business Partnering E - Quantum Computing & AI F - Team Efficiency
• 2:40 pm The Three Pillars of Finance Business Partnering: Strategy, Technology and Sustainability(CFO Day) This session dives into the evolving role of finance business partnering and its three core pillars: strategy, technology, and sustainability. We’ll explore how CFOs can leverage these areas to align finance with business goals, enhance decision-making, and create long-term value. Key insights will be shared on fostering cross-functional integration and driving sustainable growth. Discussion points: Driving cross-functional collaboration to achieve strategic business outcomes. Leveraging technology to enhance financial insights and decision-making. Aligning finance with sustainability goals to unlock new growth opportunities.
• 3:05 pm Quantum Computing: Harnessing the Power of Quantum Mechanics(CFO Day) This session explores the transformative potential of quantum computing by delving into its fundamental principles. It highlights the global surge in investment and initiatives driving advancements in quantum computing technologies, shaping a future where quantum supremacy and quantum advantage become tangible realities. Discussion points: Understanding Quantum Computing: Why is it so powerful? Global Investment and Initiatives: How much has been invested in quantum technologies from private and national funds? How much are the big companies, like Google, Microsoft and IBM, investing? The promise of Quantum Technologies: Computation, simulation, sensing and communications. Where to invest: Red and green flags to look out for.
• 3:30 pm Closing Remarks(CFO Day)
• 3:35 pm End of Day Drinks(CFO Day)

Speakers

• Craig Baty · VP & Head of Research, Factor
• Madeline Palmer · Editor In Chief, Factor
• Brindha Pillay · CFO, DHL Supply Chain Australia and New Zealand
• Rohan Liyanage · CFO, Signify
• Tariq Mushtaq · Group Financial Controller, GFG Alliance
• Tochau Nguyen · CFO, Buildsafe
• Jenny Woodward · CFO, Australian Institute of Architects
• Daniel Chew · Head of Finance Systems, UNSW As a Head of Finance Systems previously at UTS & now at UNSW, Dan has been involved in digital and finance transformation, automation, and project delivery with a passion in leveraging emerging technology, design thinking, process improvement and team delivery for Customer solutions. Additionally, he brings a unique perspective from his background combining Consulting, Financial services & the Resources sector, with a superpower in connecting people and building partnerships that benefit all parties, that include industry, vendors, start-ups, academia & student interns to bring a multi-disciplinary perspective to crafting business solutions
• Yenny Dewi · Global DSA Strategy Lead, Sanofi
• Christina Giarmatzi · Senior Lecturer in Quantum Physics, Macquarie University
• Ali Mehfooz · Group Financial Controller, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
• Kate Wadwell · Director BPO Review, BlueScope

Partners

• eftsure Eftsure is a leader in fraud detection and payment protection. Our pioneering fraudtech solution brings financial controls into the digital age and helps organisations of all sizes mitigate the risk of incorrectly processing (EFT) payments, whether as a result of cybercrime, fraud or human error. Eftsure’s unique approach allows its customers to cross-reference payment information in real-time, immediately prior to processing them, against an ever-expanding network of over 2.5 million Australian organisations. In a world in which scammers are actively adopting new fraud tactics, such as social engineering, phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks, Eftsure helps supports organisations to remain secure. With Eftsure, organisations acquire peace of mind knowing that EFT payments are being directed to the intended recipient and that they’re avoiding the growing risk of human error and digital fraud.
• Profectus Group Profectus Group, based in Australia, specialises in auditing and recovering supplier overcharges and unclaimed rebates for notable ASX-listed companies. Our expertise lies in the detailed identification (by line item) and recovery of supplier overcharges, as well as unclaimed rebates and allowances for our clients.
• Enable Enable is a cloud-based rebate management platform that simplifies and automates the rebate process. Rebate management is rapidly becoming a driving force of many of today’s top supply chains, however, the majority of organisations using rebates are managing this function using spreadsheets or inadequate ERP systems. This approach is not only a burden on accounting staff, but can also lead to missed deal earnings, poor cash flow, strained partner relationships, and financial compliance violations. Often overlooked, B2B rebates on their own could separate a profitable quarter from an unprofitable one. Enable helps you create value from rebates and transform potential risks into opportunities. With Enable, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, service providers and buying groups can collaborate seamlessly, streamlining the rebate process and enhancing transparency, while building long-term trusted trading relationships.
• Factor Leading market research in APAC.

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