CFO of the Future: The trusted guide for CFOs to lead with IMPACT and create VALUE

By Alena Bennett

The Rate of Change for CFOs isn't Slowing Down

Over the last 20 years the remit of the CFO has transformed from that of a scorekeeper/cost controller to one of a value creator. Coupled with the continued volatility of the context organisations now operate in (think Global Financial Crisis (GFC), COVID-19 pandemic, technolo

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hambone Publishing
• Release date: Sep 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9780645274417

Book preview

What are CFOs saying about this book?

It is so refreshing to receive advice that is both credible and relevant. Alena clearly understands the challenges and rewards of being a CFO and the increasing demands in a world of pandemics and digital disruption. She combines this knowledge with a genuine desire to coach and assist current and aspiring CFO’s and an authentic and engaging communication style.

Luke Austin, ITC Sector CFO (IBM, Lenovo, Huawei) and Deputy CEO - Huawei Australia

"The CFO of the Future is a must have for the modern CFO who wants to contribute to the success of any organisation they serve.

Every finance professional at some stage of their career harbours ambitions to become a CFO. The paths to get there may vary – and increasingly of late, the requirements of the position do too. As you will learn from reading this book – the characteristics of the modern CFO are no longer just about the numbers.

Alena has a remarkable ability to turn individual held beliefs, experiences and values into a strong sense of purpose about who you are and what you stand for as a professional, and how to articulate these as your point of difference going forward. Working with Alena is an empowered growth experience that unlocked numerous strategies to define my path to long term fulfilment and success.

I highly recommend CFOs make time for this book"

Daniel Brandon, Chief Financial Officer, West HQ

Alena has written, what I believe to be, an accurate reflection of the evolving role of the CFO in business. The challenges we all face in a world with no ‘off button’, dealing with an unpredictable future and operating a business in an environment of shocks" has meant that CEOs and Boards are relying more heavily on CFOs than ever before.

Alena’s 4 Quadrants of Leadership framework serves to remind us, as CFOs, how important it is to stay grounded, remain focused on the basic elements of Controllership while at the same time having the agility to driving business performance and Commercial and Strategic value.

This book will not only be useful for current CFOs but will also be useful to finance professionals who are aspiring to be CFOs in the future. I recommend this book to anyone with CFO aspirations and more importantly CFOs who never stop learning in that continued drive towards self-improvement and personal development. This book will help you, your team and your organisation achieve your goals. Alena, you are a genius and congratulations on a great piece of work."

Michael Meyer, Group CFO – URC Oceania (Snack Brands Australia and Griffins Foods New Zealand)

Alena has worked with me and 2 of my finance leadership teams. In both instances, she’s enabled us to have more honest and higher quality conversations which have helped us achieve our business performance goals faster than we could have done alone. She has deep empathy and expertise in the finance leadership space and coupled with her ability to adapt and respond quickly to changing corporate contexts (which happened on both occasions), makes her a great partner to our business.

Adrian Gratwicke, Chief Financial Officer, InvoCare

This is the ultimate playbook for CFOs who know that leading finance teams is a delicate balance of head and heart, technical and non-technical, high-performance and hygiene. Pragmatic, empathic and with a coaching approach, Alena helps you think and act differently so you can be the finance leader you’ve always wanted to be.

Julia van Graas, co-founder Spiique, Leadership & transformation specialist, Chartered Accountant and former interim CFO

2020/21 has been a year of transformation in so many ways. For me, it is also marks the year that I crossed paths with an amazing human being, who has assisted with an important transformation of my own – finding the power in my purpose. I am proud to say that I hold the privilege of being the first person, in the first cohort of Alena’s CFO Boardroom Program. Alena’s guiding principles included in this book, delivered with her genuine empathy has allowed me to elevate my leadership and personal journey. It is a must read for every CFO who wants to unlock the true potential that lies within.

Renata Garnero (CA, MBA), CFO Aster Group

"This is a must-have little read that sits at hand in the tool kit for any CFO – whether you’re experienced or aspiring! The down to earth style of Alena’s writing makes this book practical and usable. Whether it’s refining and building those critical skills or using the chapters as a refresher for content that’s entrenched somewhere in the brain, you’ll find it invaluable.

Alena has a deep Finance background, combined with a unique flair for really ‘knowing’ people and understanding what makes us tick. Because of this, she is highly qualified to share her knowledge with us and assist in identifying which of the 12 essential skills we can leverage at any point in time to maximise our success.

Thank you, Alena for putting your invaluable thoughts into an easy place of reference! I love your empathetic and outcome-driven approach and look forward to continuing to work with you in future, with this little gem in my back pocket!"

Heidi Duncan, APAC Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer, Unispace

"Alena helped me realise that as CFOs we reach our greatest potential when we emerge from the day-to-day operations and surround ourselves with people that can challenge our ‘status-quo’ and become trusted advisers to point out our blind spots.

This book is not just a ‘story’ narrative, but a real toolbox. The ‘four quadrants’ is an excellent compass that guides us to the endless additional resources to leverage from, to ensure we are well equipped for the various challenges and circumstances we will face in this never-ending journey as finance leaders.

This book leaves us inspired and empowered on what is possible for us and our future. So let’s buckle up and enjoy the journey, leveraging from this amazing toolbox!

Santiago Spada CA, Chief Financial Officer, Pirelli Tyres Australia

Working with Alena gives me the perfect combination of an experienced mentor, who has her fingers on the pulse in all things finance and leadership, and a knowledgeable friend, who holds a safe space to provide personalised attention to my challenges.

Carol Qiu, Finance Director in Thrive PR + Communications. CPA. Master of Accounting

Today’s CFO requires more than just the technical skills to perform their role. They need leadership skills in areas such as change management, strategy, team leadership as well. Alena’s book is an easy-to-read, yet comprehensive guide for current and aspiring CFOs who want to succeed in the current world with expanded complexity.

Working with Alena has been a great experience. She is positive and a great listener. She has assisted me in achieving my goals within a short period of time.

Joey Lin CA CFA ACMA, Head of Finance at Lake Maintenance

I have had the privilege of working with Alena over the past eighteen months and experiencing her contagious enthusiasm and passion for helping finance professionals find their purpose, grow, and develop in their career. Alena challenges the traditional concepts of what it means to be a finance leader, putting people first, and recognising the importance high performing teams in the value and growth of businesses. Her empathetic leadership and coaching style challenges you in a way that ensures you stay results focused, whilst developing and growing your ability to lead with purpose and impact in a way where people come first. Being privileged to work with Alena, I am excited that her short and sharp book which focus on what matters, contain ideas that are immediately implementable in a practical way, bring her passion and thought leadership to many more.

Catherine Patterson, Global Finance Manager, Carlyle Kingswood Global

Through simple questions, Alena has an amazing ability to diagnose what to focus on to make a positive impact......there are some nuggets in this book that will undoubtedly help aspiring and current CFOs be the heart of their organisation

David Gunn, Executive General Manager, Risk Xero

"Being a CFO requires constant shifting between strategic thinking, team management, governance and managing day to day challenges.

In leading through the various challenges a CFO faces, Alena has frequently provided me invaluable and unique insights and observations.

These insights have helped overcome a variety of challenging situations and led to me thriving in senior Finance and CFO roles. Having all of Alena’s insights captured in one place will make this book a frequent reference guide that I’m confident will help any CFO navigate through challenges and maximise opportunities."

Nigel Essex – General Manager, Finance and Business Systems, Metro Trains Sydney

CFO of the Future

title

Published by Alena Bennett

First published in 2021 in Australia

Copyright © Alena Bennett

www.alenabennett.com.au

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review). No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission.

All inquiries should be made to the author.

Typeset, printed and bound in Australia by BookPOD

ISBN: 978-0-6452744-0-0 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-0-6452744-1-7 (ebook)

To my parents - who have shown me that

being in-service comes from the heart.

Acknowledgements

10 years ago I could never have imagined that I’d be partnering with CFOs and finance leaders teaching them skills to help them elevate their performance and lead lives of significance. But this is what I’ve learned about the beauty of having the right skills and knowing how to use them in diverse contexts - they are the ones that set you up now and in the future.

I have been asked why I focused on finance professionals and CFOs in my business and ‘why would