CFO Sit-Down - May 2023
The Crown Towers, Sydney
Hosted by Factor
- 150 attendees
- 99845 hours
Overview
The economic and geopolitical uncertainties continue to impact businesses –with a raft of challenges impacting CFOs and heads of finance from a strategic perspective. Finance teams must also apply appropriate accounting in an uncertain economic environment while strengthening organisational resilience, innovation and adaptability.
What we will cover
- Navigating an uncertain economic landscape Navigate economic uncertainty, financial challenges, and business revival. Investing in ESG and sustainability.
- Accelerating transformation through business agility Leverage people, processes and technology to fast-track your transformation journey.
- Tackling the post-pandemic challenges for CFOs Identify new opportunities after disruption, health and safety challenges, and down-turns.
- Tackling the inflationary pressures and interest rate hikes Adapt to inflationary pressures, price hikes, and changes in consumer confidence.
- Addressing the cyber-threat risks for finance Map the global threats to financial systems, and identify the risks involving malicious actors across jurisdictions.
Agenda
- Registration and welcome coffee(CFO Sit-Down)
- Welcome address & introduction by Sit-Down(CFO Sit-Down)
- Maintaining your Competitive Edge: Driving Efficiency and Effectiveness in your Month-End(CFO Sit-Down) Delivering reliable financial statements with clear visibility and maintaining the integrity of the underlying data is critical for gaining detailed insight into the month-end process. Many organisations may find it challenging to prioritise month-end close tasks. However, automation and standardisation, together with financial transformation, can help the Office of Finance operate at optimal efficiency and effectiveness. This can help reduce risks, save costs and become more effective, all of which will help deliver accurate data for reporting.
- Creating value through Digital Transformation – Is Finance changing for good?(CFO Sit-Down) Join this session as we get together with Santiago Spada who will take us through his journey on Finance Digital Transformation. Moving from number crunchers to true business partners Assessing the role of data analytics in creating a ‘commercial’ mindset in Finance Developing passion in our teams to deliver beyond compliance
- Transformation on your terms while maximising profitability or growth(CFO Sit-Down) Organisations are now forced to choose between profitability and growth due to rising economic uncertainty. Redistributing IT budgets in order to lower TCO and fund innovation is one of the challenges that the majority of CFOs are currently facing. In this fireside chat, we discuss the strategies and techniques used by leaders to get past these obstacles and maximise growth, accomplish transformation, and achieve profitability in uncertain times. Discussion/talking points: ROI-based modelling and decisions when considering possible Digital Transformation roadmaps ERP upgrades and strategies driving by the vendors – is it the right path or are you(as the CFO) making the right choices? Role of RSI as a unified services partner Activities, decisions to drive and fund innovation
- Networking break and morning tea(CFO Sit-Down)
- Top opportunities for CFOs in an evolving world(CFO Sit-Down) The role of the CFO is constantly evolving, and finance teams are increasingly expected to do more with less. To create moments that make businesses run better, CFOs need to look for innovative solutions to empower their teams to achieve as much as they can, and as quickly as they can. Join Jonathan Beeby, Managing Director of SAP Concur ANZ, to learn how CFOs can turn challenges into opportunities such as: Investing in digital solutions to streamline finance operations Driving sustainability that’s good for business and the planet Using data and insights to make informed decisions to maintain business resilience Attracting and retaining the right talent
- Keynote: What it takes to be a winning CFO(CFO Sit-Down)
- Selecting the right FP&A tool for your organisation(CFO Sit-Down) This session will cover the key considerations when selecting an appropriate technology for your Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) tool. We’ll take you through an in-depth evaluation of the capabilities of FP&A technology, both functional and non-functional, and how to manage the success of your selection process and implementation.
- Peer Connect(CFO Sit-Down)
- Networking Lunch & Executive Roundtable(CFO Sit-Down) Calibrating for a crisis: Why trusted data is more important than ever.
- How a Financial Close Solution can help achieve your F&A priorities(CFO Sit-Down) This session will focus on the direct and indirect benefits of implementing a Financial Close Solution and how it is relevant no matter your finance and accounting priorities. We will explore what a Financial Close Solution is, the value that is realised by teams and organisations that adopt it and explore leading practice on deployment and optimisation.
- Tackling the post-pandemic challenges for CFOs(CFO Sit-Down) The finance title is more than just simple financial duties. CFOs say their role has evolved, and the world of finance and accounting is moving at a much faster pace. CFOs are tackling business demands, workforce planning, and downturns. The panel offers candid insights into how CFOs are managing their changing roles. ·Delivering on the mantra of business transformation ·Managing disparate systems and data to support business · Attracting and retaining the best talent in a competitive marketplace
- Mapping the strategic role of the CFO: resetting the dial(CFO Sit-Down) Delivering leadership in a changing business environment Being an agent for change: challenges and opportunities Engaging stakeholders in your journey
- How to build curious and resilient teams to drive innovation(CFO Sit-Down) For leaders, helping teams develop mindsets of curiosity and innovation is critical for success. Fostering these traits gives finance teams the mental space to solve problems and identify novel ways to grow the business. · Delivering the people and process improvement action plan ·Embracing change and driving innovation across the finance teams ·Nurturing an opening information-sharing environment ·Supporting mindsets help teams thrive in a challenging environment Encouraging an environment of curiosity and innovation
- Navigating a challenging economy in 2023 and beyond(CFO Sit-Down) Navigating a challenging economy in 2023 and beyond Traditional finance departments were perceived as ‘bean counters’ primarily concerned with spreadsheets and numbers. Increasingly, finance leaders are essential partners to the CEO, providing input to support future business strategy. · Developing the CFO role into something that is central to the organisation · Mapping innovation, efficiency and future strategy · Becoming involved in long-term strategy and management decisions SunRice is one of the largest rice food companies in the world and one of Australia's leading branded food exporters. The brand is supported by 2200 employees, spanning 50 countries, 30 brands, and 11 business groups.
- End of day and Closing Remarks by Sit-Down(CFO Sit-Down)
- Networking drinks(CFO Sit-Down)
Speakers
Karina Kouroutzoglou · CFO, Advanced Buildings and Restorations Karina oversees the accounting, business support, financial planning and analysis, treasury, internal audit, compliance, and tax functions at Advanced Buildings. She is trained in Six Sigma and leads operational excellence initiatives within the finance team. Karina holds an ANZ Chartered Accounting qualification and a Master of Applied Finance from Melbourne University. She has over 15 years of experience in ASX listed and US multinational companies ranging from $100M to $600M turnover. She started her career at Deloitte.
Rohan Liyanage · CFO, Signify ( Philips Lighting ) Rohan Liyanage is the Chief Financial Officer for Signify (formally Philips Lighting) for the Pacific region. Signify is the leading lighting company in the world, with a strong sustainability focus, achieving carbon neutral status already in 2020. Rohan started his career in Chartered Practice, in London. Then he moved to Amsterdam to join Royal Philips global HQ in Group Finance. Later he moved to business segments holding number of senior commercial roles.Jon Blackburn · CFO, Sydney Opera House Jon joined in the role of Chief Financial Officer in November 2017 and was appointed Executive Director Corporate Services in September 2018. He is responsible for the finance, technology, legal, and enterprise risk and program management teams delivering corporate services across the Opera House. Jon has over 30 years global experience in the financial, property and professional services sectors. After starting his career at Price Waterhouse he moved into financial services with senior roles a
Kumail Zaidi · Head of Finance, Foxtel Group Kumail is a professional with 14+ years’ of experience in Commercial Finance, Business Partnering, Strategic Planning, FPA, M&A, and Due diligence areas. He has worked across Corporates and the Big 4. His areas of expertise include Commercial Finance, Revenue optimisation, Strategy Planning and Development, and Financial Planning and Budgeting.
Devlin Bell · Chief Financial Officer, Department of Premier and Cabinet Devlin’s expertise incorporates Business Strategy, Strategic Planning, and Executive Management. He was also involved in Turnarounds, Transformation, Change Leadership, and Business Process Improvement. He has worked across the public and private sectors, and also gained accreditation in authentic leadership (Harvard Business School). Devlin’s expertise incorporates Business Strategy, Strategic Planning, and Executive Management. He was also involved in Turnarounds, Transformation, Change Leade
Jenny Woodward · Chief Financial Officer, Douglas Partners Jenny is an accomplished finance professional with a career spanning over 25 years working in diverse organisational environments including MNC’s, SME’s, NFP’s and ASX-Listed entities across a broad range of industries including Services, Pharmaceuticals, FMCG, Construction and Infrastructure. Jenny specialises in driving business transformations and re-engaging finance teams. Her focus is on effective change management through strong communication and planning, mentoring and developing talent,Rachel Westbrook · CFO, Sunrice Rachel is a Senior Finance leader with 20+ years of experience across the finance functions of several global organisations, predominantly within FMCG. She is known for leveraging her commercial acumen whilst partnering and influencing key stakeholders to deliver superior results and decision making.
Santiago Spada · CFO, Pirelli Tyres Australia Santiago is a highly energetic and results driven Finance Executive, obsessed with process improvement and innovation. With a clear appetite for challenges, he has a proven ability to successfully develop and mentor Finance teams from diverse backgrounds and transform them into true business partners, supporting and contributing to the business growth agenda. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a preference for fast-paced environments, he has a natural ability to adapt to a constantly disruptiv
Michelle Robinson · Director Sourcing, Transport for NSW Michelle leads the sourcing function at Transport for NSW. Previously, she worked at icare NSW as the head of procurement strategy and policy. She also spent 11 years at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. She specialises in developing and monitoring complex procurement and governance frameworks. This is to streamline procurement capabilities across the NSW Government and streamline service delivery. She provides expertise in developing, governing, and executing tailored procuremen
Alex Kathestides · CFO, Motor Traders’ Association of NSW Alex’s experience spans the CFO and COO functions. He is a senior financial and operational executive with broad experience managing finance and operations in large multinational and ASX listed companies. His key strengths include clear communication skills, an inclusive management style, employee engagement, proven negotiating skills, and creative problem-solving ability.
Wayne Windell · Group CFO, GTC Legal Group Wayne is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) with a post graduate diploma in Taxation Law (H.Dip.Tax). He is an experienced CFO, CEO and Senior Finance Executive with significant experience in the professional services and property industries. In addition to my experience as a Board-level CEO, I have also held numerous senior finance and audit roles globally.
Willem Boshoff · Executive Director, Corporate Performance Management, Tridant Willem Boshoff is an Executive Director of Tridant and leads the Performance Management practice, focussed on improving FP&A and S&OP. Willem has combined his passion for technology and interest in finance, recognising the need for organisations to respond faster, particularly in recent times, to help them do more with less, ensuring that the solution set for senior finance stakeholders addresses optimisation in their monthly finance cycle.
Sudhir Kumar · GVP - Global Oracle Support, Rimini Street Mr. Kumar serves as GVP, Global Oracle Support. In this role, he is responsible for the delivery of global application and technology support services for Oracle systems. Mr. Kumar is a skilled executive leader with 33 years of experience in the development, implementation, and management of large in-house business systems, including implementation and support of Oracle E-Business Suite and Oracle Fusion Middleware, as well as Oracle Database administration.
Bob Boyne · Business Solution Lead - Financial Close Solutions, Tridant Bob Boyne is the Business Solution Lead for Tridant’s Financial Close Solutions practice. Bob is a Chartered Accountant with Masters in Professional Accounting. His professional career consists of experience in the big 4 working both in external audit and finance transformation consulting for Deloitte both in Canada/Australia. For the last six years of his career, he has focused on helping organisations evaluate, implement, and optimise solutions for the office of finance.
Jonathan Beeby · Managing Director, SAP Concur Jonathan Beeby is the Managing Director of SAP Concur, and has been with the company since 2014. Jonathan works with organisations across Australia and New Zealand on new ways to use automation to achieve greater cost and operational efficiency gains, and to help businesses digitally transform and adapt to an evolving landscape. Outside of work Jonathan spent a year as a helicopter pilot and instructor and is currently learning Portuguese.
Doug Gibson · Managing Partner, Invictus Partners Doug is a 29+ year international IT veteran, having worked with organisations like SAP, Oracle and IBM across A/NZ, Asia Pacific & Africa to drive their software business. Over the last 8 years Doug and his team have been working with clients across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and North America in reviewing and optimising their IT environments, assisting clients with software audit defence, cost optimisation and digital transformation advisory.
Michael Galanos · Business Development Manager, eftsure During his five years in auditing at global accounting powerhouse, EY working in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications division (TMT), Michael noticed that many of his clients’ payment controls were inadequate in facing an increasingly digital threat landscape. Manual process and policy solutions left Michael wanting. As colleagues and clients were mentioning an emerging solution, Eftsure, he was somewhat familiar with the business at the time Eftsure approached him in late 2021.
Tony Traub · Business Development, eftsure
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.
- SAP Concur SAP® Concur® is the world’s leading brand for integrated travel, expense, and invoice management solutions, driven by a pursuit to simplify and automate these everyday processes. The highly-rated SAP Concur mobile app guides employees through business trips, charges are directly populated into expense reports, and invoice approvals are automated. By integrating near real-time data and using AI to analyse transactions, businesses can see what they’re spending and avoid possible blind spots in the budget. SAP Concur solutions help eliminate yesterday’s manual tasks, make today’s work easier, and support businesses to run at their best. Learn more at concur.com.au
- Trintech At Trintech, we pride ourselves on providing enterprise-class financial solutions for the Record to Report process to organizations committed to transforming their financial process to best in class levels of efficiency and effectiveness. We understand the deadlines, dynamics and challenges of managing the Record to Report process.
- Rimini Street
- Enable
- Tridant www.tridant.com.au
- BlackLine
- Workday Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance, HR, and planning. Founded in 2005, Workday delivers financial management, human capital management, and analytics applications designed for the world’s largest companies, educational institutions, and government agencies. Organizations ranging from medium-sized businesses to Fortune 50 enterprises have selected Workday.
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