The Financial Executive Podcast

In this deep-dive conversation, Isaac Heller (CEO, Trullion) and Shlomo Agishtein (Director of AI, Trullion) share how AI is reshaping the future of finance and accounting. From their origin stories to the development of Trulli, Trullion's domain-specific AI, they break down what AI agents can really do, and what's just hype. You'll learn: * How Trullion evolved AI specifically for accounting workflows * What separates Trulli from generic large language models * Real-world use cases of AI agents in daily financial operations * The future of AI in audit, compliance, and reporting * Why accountants will lead, not lose, in an AI-driven industry This episode offers finance professionals a clear-eyed look at what AI means for your role today and where it's heading next.

Matt Waters unpacks the key insights from the 2025 Lease Accounting Outlook report, offering expert predictions on the future of compliance, technology, and regulatory change. Listen to Matt's podcast The Lease Report (https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-lease-alert-podcast-sponsored-by-costar-real/id1766312631). Special Guest: Matt Waters.

In this episode, we're diving into the fast-changing world of global ESG reporting and regulation. FERF's Managing Director of research, Dillon Papenfuss, sits down with Kevin O'Connell, PwC Sustainability Assurance Services Leader, to break down the latest EU sustainability proposals—including the two-year delay to CSRD reporting—and what it all means for U.S. companies with overseas operations. From long-term strategic planning and technological transformation to data-driven insights and AI integration, this discussion provides finance leaders with practical steps to navigate the complexities of global ESG requirements and achieve business success. Additional PwC resources: Sustainability News Brief (https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/esg/sustainability-news-brief.html?utm_source=FEI&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Promotion) The CFO's sustainability playbook for driving growth (https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/esg/library/cfo-playbook.html?utm_source=FEI&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Promotion) Don't wait for the Omnibus proposals approval to start preparing for CSDDD (https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/esg/library/omnibus-csddd.html?utm_source=FEI&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Sponsored) European Commission publishes ‘Omnibus' proposals (https://viewpoint.pwc.com/dt/us/en/pwc/in_briefs/2025/2025-in-brief/int-european-commission-publishes-omnibus-proposals.html?utm_source=FEI&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsored) ⁠PwC's Sustainability reporting guide (Register for free access) (https://viewpoint.pwc.com/user/gated-content.html?territory=us&locale=en_us&referrer=%7Bf547052b5ae59e8483ea96e199ab0b881028146d5de03846011d1ac7d67b3cb5dc31e4e59264721439bd6d9a49f9cf8c1d434bbf98c1d0a97dc46e66e094bff4a0bd574d459e5162dfbda6fca694601e8dd0fd3aa61810c36e4c53fdf0243eadd4deb9101401b61ae819e49ca9552c51b5b59f9a0bf2454bfae0c1f75830d9387307b96beef416eb60eb53cbe472c2f2%7D&isPremium=true&accessType=premium&isInternalOnly=false) Special Guest: Kevin O'Connell.

This episode explores key considerations for AI-related SEC disclosures, including how companies can avoid regulatory pitfalls, tailor risk disclosures to their specific AI applications, and enhance board oversight of AI adoption. Special Guests: Ryan Adams and Scott Lesmes.

Discover why finance professionals have been disappointed by generative AI in the past, how they are leveraging unstructured data today, why this landscape is shifting, and how to capitalize on a new paradigm. Special Guest: Kris Bennatti.

Over the past several years, the debate around the 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure has centered on the need to streamline the accounting talent pipeline. But behind that discussion lies a broader, more ideological narrative—one that has been building over the past two decades—about the role of occupational licensing in general, and the CPA license in particular. In this episode of the FEI Weekly Podcast, we speak with Dr. Edward Timmons, Associate Professor of Economics and Founding Director of the Knee Regulatory Research Center at West Virginia University. As you'll hear, Dr. Timmons offers a unique perspective on the CPA licensure debate and breaks down the costs, consequences, and possible alternatives to the 150-hour rule—along with what reforms could mean for the future of accounting talent. Special Guest: Dr. Edward Timmons.

With trade and tariffs top of mind for many corporations, we thought it was the perfect time to get insight from a professional who's spent more than two decades in the field. In this episode of the FEI Weekly Podcast, we speak with James Daly, the outgoing CEO of Allianz Trade Americas, a leader in trade credit insurance. Daly, who is retiring after a 22-year tenure with the company, shares the key lessons he's learned in the global trade arena—and how financial leaders can prepare for the uncertainty ahead. Special Guest: James Daly.

Ayan Adam. We talk about Microsoft's role in integrating AI into finance and supply chain management, particularly through its Copilot tool. To learn more about impact of AI on financial and accounting governance and on workforce dynamics, register for FEI's virtual conference AI in Finance and Accounting 2025: Managing Governance, Adapting the Workforce (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Events/Conferences/AI-Managing-Data-and-Driving-Analysis-Conference.aspx). Special Guest: Ayan Adam.

In part one of our conversation with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield, we explored the fast-changing crypto regulatory landscape. Now, in part two of this FEI Weekly Podcast series, we turn to crypto payments—a growing focus for businesses as customers demand alternatives to cash and ACH. With stablecoins, CBDCs, and blockchain-based payments gaining traction, what should CFOs and finance teams consider? Dr. Morsfield breaks down key challenges, from accounting and tax implications to risk management and compliance. Subscribe to FEI Weekly (https://financial-executives-international.read.axioshq.com/signup/industry-news-and-insights-mttj) Become an FEI member (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Special Guest: Suzanne Morsfield.

Despite their volatility and recent price decline, it's hard to ignore the role of cryptocurrencies in today's financial landscape. More importantly, it's almost impossible to overlook them given the current administration's focus on establishing a more favorable regulatory, accounting, and market framework—allowing institutional players to enter the sector with confidence. In this two-part series of the Financial Executive Podcast, we speak with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield, Global Head of Accounting Solutions at Lukka—a financial software and data services provider specializing in the cryptocurrency and digital asset ecosystem—as well as the Head of Policy at Crypto UK. In this first part of the discussion, we explore the rapid regulatory changes shaping the crypto space and their implications for financial executives tasked with assessing its potential role on their companies' balance sheets. Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Subscribe to FEI Weekly (https://financial-executives-international.read.axioshq.com/signup/industry-news-and-insights-mttj) Special Guest: Suzanne Morsfield.

ICONS: Women of Note 2025 (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Events/Conferences/ICONS-Women-of-Note-2025.aspx) speaker Dr. Sarah Skidmore shares insights on the key differences between leadership and management, the importance of intentional time management, and how finance professionals can develop their leadership voice beyond operational oversight. Special Guest: Dr. Sarah Skidmore.

With ongoing changes in Washington, D.C.—including shifts in staffing and resources at some of the largest government agencies—financial executives are particularly focused on the future of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). However, unlike other agencies, the new administration has yet to reveal any plans for change. Still, we can take stock of where the PCAOB has been, particularly in terms of audit enforcement actions. Late last month, Cornerstone Research—a consulting firm specializing in economic and financial analysis for complex legal and regulatory matters—released its report on PCAOB enforcement activity in 2024, showing the highest level of enforcement since 2017. In this episode of the podcast, we speak with Cornerstone's Jean-Philippe Poissant and Russell Molter about the report and whether past enforcement trends truly reflect a new regulatory and political reality. Cornerstone's report (https://www.cornerstone.com/insights/press-releases/pcaob-enforcement-activity-2024-highest-level-since-2017/) Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Subscribe to the FEI Weekly newsletter (https://financial-executives-international.read.axioshq.com/signup/industry-news-and-insights-mttj) Special Guests: Jean-Philippe Poissant and Russell Molter.

As FEI prepares for its annual ICONS: Women of Note conference next month, the podcast revisits one of its most popular episodes featuring Moody's Caroline Sullivan, who discusses how networking took her career to the next level. Join ICONS: Women of Note 2025 (Hybrid Event). (https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2025?homepage-banner) Special Guest: Caroline Sullivan.

After a four-year hiatus, this report returns to offer a comprehensive overview of the evolving priorities, challenges, and strategies shaping the global and U.S. finance and accounting landscape for 2025.. This year's survey data offers a rare opportunity for comparative analysis, linking the last pandemic-era survey conducted at the beginning of 2021 with the realities of today's post-inflationary and geopolitically complex environment. This comparison sheds light on the significant trends and challenges that financial leaders now face. Get this year's survey (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2025/2025-Financial-Executives-Priorities-Report.aspx) Special Guests: Anthony Reggiannini, Chris Brown, and Julie Girard.

In this episode of the new year, we have Christina Ho, a board member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Board member Ho brings a wealth of experience from her journey across public and private sectors, academia, and even technology consulting. She shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities in auditing as we head into 2025. From navigating new regulations and technological innovations to addressing talent shortages in the accounting profession, Board member Ho offers a fresh perspective on balancing regulation with practicality and fostering trust in our markets. Special Guest: Christina Ho.

Donna Teran-Krouse the crucial role that collaboration and community play in driving effective ESG initiatives. To learn more, download the "FEI Engage Career Pathway: ESG Controller" report at https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2024/FEI-Engage-Career-Pathway-ESG-Controller.aspx. Special Guest: Donna Teran-Krouse.

To learn more, download the "FEI Engage Career Pathway: ESG Controller" report at https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2024/FEI-Engage-Career-Pathway-ESG-Controller.aspx. Special Guest: Mark Spinner.

Sustainability professionals Scott Song of CBRE and Theshan Goble of S&P Global join the FEI Weekly podcast to discuss the evolving ESG controller role, collaborative challenges within the enterprise and the journey toward value-driven sustainability reporting amid regulatory and political shifts. Get the FEI Engage report (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research/Publications/2024/FEI-Engage-Career-Pathway-ESG-Controller.aspx) on the ESG Controllership role. Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Special Guests: Scott Song and Theshan Goble.

What directors want and management needs to offer in 2025 with BDO's Amy Rojik Always at the top of mind of all financial executives is to understand what the board of directors are thinking and how to put those thoughts and priorities into action. A new survey of directors conducted by BDO reveals that those priorities run the gamut from governance around AI to filling the management bench with the best and the brightest. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Amy Rojik of BDO about their new Board Survey and how one the the most important stakeholder groups in corporate America is planning for 2025. BDO Board Survey (https://insights.bdo.com/2024-BDO-Board-Survey.html) Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Special Guest: Amy Rojik.

Just as US-based multinationals are moving on from the US Securities and Exchange Commission's decision around carbon disclosures with at least some measure of certainty, they will now need to turn to Europe and its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The CSDDD is a proposed European Union (EU) regulation aimed at environmental and human rights issues. The directive obligates large EU companies, as well as non-EU companies operating in the EU, to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for adverse environmental and human rights impacts throughout their supply chains. In this episode of the podcast week speak with Toon Dictus and associate with the law firm Latham & Watkins in London about the directive and how it could impact U.S companies operating in the EU. Become a FEI Member (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx). Special Guest: Toon Dictus.

The port strike that was successfully avoided, for now, has reminded US companies just how fragile the global supply chain can be. And years after the global pandemic and growing geopolitical tensions, the ways companies source and ship critical goods and material has been changed forever. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Mary Rollman, US Supply Chain Leader at KPMG LLP, about how the threatened US port strike was just one of many risks that has everyone rethinking the future of the global supply chain. Read the new KPMG report The Proximity Premium (https://kpmg.com/us/en/articles/2024/strategically-reshaping-supply-chains-in-the-americas.html) Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Special Guest: Mary Rollman.

Over the past year the private credit market has gained a strong foothold in borrowing, muscling banks out of the syndicated and traditional C&I loan market and even spiriting corporates out of issuing bonds. Borrower benefits for these fund-driven debt deals are numerous, including faster execution and tailored terms. But while private debt deals aren't new, their rapid takeover of corporate borrowing brings up a host of risk and long-tail issues for debtors and regulators. In this episode of the FEI Weekly podcast we speak with Jared Ellias, of Harvard Law school, who discusses his research into private credit and what it means for corporate debt issues now and in the future. Learn about becoming and FEI member. (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Special Guest: Jared Ellias.

Financial Executives International was founded nearly a century ago as a community of like-minded professionals focused on developing the role of the financial controller. Today, the profession is going through another accelerated transformation with the development of the ESG controller role that requires new skills and metrics to match against stakeholder demands that are rapidly changing. The Financial Education and Research Foundation, or FERF, is kicking off a series of conversations with ESG controllers and other thought leaders in the ESG finance space, focusing on how these leaders are adapting to the challenge. These conversations, along with a survey and other interviews, will ultimately result in a new research study on ESG controllers by FERF. In this first conversation I spoke with MasterCard's, ESG controller Tarynn Zenk. Tarynn leads the team responsible for reporting integrity over MasterCard's ESG disclosures and KPIs that measure progress towards the organization's ESG goals. Special Guest: Tarynn Zenk.

The role of artificial intelligence in finance is just starting to be understood and, more importantly, how it mixes with other tools like predictive analytics and robotic process automation to build a solid forecast. In this sponsored episode of FEI Weekly we talk with Justin Croft VP, Cross Solutions Architecture at QueBit, about the promise and practicality of AI in financial planning and analysis. Special Guest: Justin Croft.

If there's been a consistent theme of disruption in an era of disruption over the past decade it's the US relationship in China. Shutdowns, trade battles and now real threats of force are being ratcheted up on both sides. For financial executives tasked with managing supply chains and forecasting overseas markets, the threat of global conflict puts everything on the balance sheet in doubt. But there is a broader historical context for today's China worries that can help put the current conflicts in context and lay out a path to forecasting the future. In this episode of the FEI Weekly podcast we speak with Dale Copeland, Professor of international relations at the University of Virginia and author of “A World Safe for Commerce”, a new book that reveals how trade and commerce has defined America's foreign policy – and often its military actions – and how contemporary challenges with Russia and China can be thought about in that lens. Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Copeland's "A World Safe for Commerce (https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691172552/a-world-safe-for-commerce)" Special Guest: Dale Copeland.

CFO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) talks achievement and passion. Special Guest: Amber Kinney.

Julie Bell Lindsay, CEO at the Center for Audit Quality, talks about embracing your mistakes instead of hiding them, adapting to change both personally and professionally, and being honest about what we know and don't know. Special Guest: Julie Bell Lindsay.

Geof Brown, Illinois CPA Society's president and CEO, discusses the latest CPA Pipeline Report, which investigates why more accounting majors and young professionals are skipping over becoming CPAs. Special Guest: Geoffrey Brown.

ServiceNow's Danielle Fontaine talks about how to advance your career by recognizing your worth. Special Guest: Danielle Fontaine.

Nasdaq's Michelle Daly explores the power of having a strong network, before you need it. Special Guest: Michelle Daly.

"Show Her the Money" explores the new acceleration of female founded funds looking to level the playing field.

As an annual celebration of environmental protection, Earth Day means a lot of things to a lot of people. But in the world of finance and accounting, it's an opportunity to take stock on the progress the industry has made in building sustainability metrics over the past year as well as the implementation and policy challenges facing companies in the next twelve months. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Mike Wallace, Chief Decarbonization Officer at Persefoni about the opportunities and risks the ESG movement faces and how financial executives should navigate those issues until Earth Day 2025. Episode links: Persefoni (https://www.persefoni.com/) FERF, Persefoni Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Climate Reporting (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Site-Wide/Files/2024/Research/FERF_ClimateReporting-2.aspx) Special Guest: Mike Wallace.

Catherine Hoovel, Corporate VP and CAO at McDonald's Corporation shares how important flexible and empowering sponsors are in our careers. Special Guest: Catherine Hoovel.

Over the past quarter century NetSuite has become ubiquitous in enterprise software, especially for small and medium sized businesses building their finance operations on its cloud-based platform. But software never stops evolving, and new technologies like artificial intelligence are creating more questions than answers when it comes to the next 25 years. In this week's episode we sat down with NetSuite Founder and Executive Vice President Evan Goldberg about the lessons he's learned about managing change and how embracing the small business mindset has kept his company competitive. Special Guest: Evan Goldberg.

Nicole Thorne Jenkins, John A. Griffin Dean of the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, talks about navigating transitions and the importance of updating your goals as your career advances. Special Guest: Nicole Thorne Jenkins.

With the announcement of the US Securities and Exchange Commission's final rule on carbon disclosure, financial executives and markets have finally gotten something the continuity craves: certainty. But with a lot of the post rule discourse built around the SEC's limiting of ESG disclosure, especially around Scope 3, there is some anticipation that the ESG talent bubble in finance and accounting will begin to burst. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Catherine Harris, director of US sustainable business at executive recruiter Acre Resources, about the prospects for ESG finance and accounting specialists post the SEC rule and how the line between sustainability and traditional financial reporting may be merging. Special Guest: Catherine Harris.

A replay from FEI's ICONS: Women of Note 2024 event. Special Guest: Caroline Sullivan.

With the recent decision by the US Securities and Exchange Commission around carbon disclosure, it's important to look at the larger narrative of applying traditional financial valuation methods to natural systems. That's where natural capital accounting comes in. At its heart, natural capital accounting is a series of practices – including carbon disclosure– where environmental resources are measured against economic activity. It's not anything new, per se, but natural capital accounting is becoming part of the larger dialogue about government and private market policy. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Professor Nicholas Z. Muller, Lester and Judith Lave Professor of Economics, Engineering, and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Muller's work focuses on the interaction of environment and economic policy including the use of natural capital accounting. Special Guest: Nicholas Z. Muller.

PwC's Kathryn Kaminsky makes an argument for getting your CPA, discusses the value of travel, her work-life-choices, and more. Special Guest: Kathryn Kaminsky.

With new technologies coming online, it seems almost daily, finance and accounting leaders have been perpetually frustrated by tech's return on investment and their impact on seemingly intractable issues of financial errors. But a new report issued (https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-02-21-gartner-survey-shows-that-a-third-of-accountants-make-several-error-per-weeo-due-to-capacity-constraints) by research and consulting firm Gartner says there may be a path for financial leaders to successfully adopt and implement new technologie by focusing internally on the concept of technology acceptance. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Gartner's Mallory Barg Bulman about increasing technology acceptance and creating peer-driven “change champions.” Special Guest: Mallory Barg Bulman.

Andrew Davies, global head of regulatory affairs at ComplyAdvantage is a veteran of the financial crime risk management world. We discuss everything from the biggest fraud and AML trends to the role of AI. Special Guest: Andrew Davies.

Anyone that has worked on an IPO knows the amount of preparation, diligence and detail needed for a successful move into the public markets. But a combination of economic headwinds and a spac induced hangover have meant the pipeline cut to a slow drip. 2024 is looking more promising, and that means financial executives tasked with preparing for the transition have already begun planning the work do be done. In this episode of the FEI Weekly podcast we speak with Oracle NetSuite's Ranga Bodla and Sam Levy to discuss the outlook for IPOs in 2024 and the tools financial executives will need to be prepared. Special Guests: Ranga Bodla and Sam Levy.

Whatever the industry thinks of as a possible solution to the declining number of accounting students and professionals, there is near unanimous agreement on the dire consequences of the problem. Declining financial reporting quality and increased stress on the existing workforce are just two aspects of the fallout. In this episode of the podcast we speak with Dr. Rebecca Hann, Dean's Professor of Accounting and the KPMG Term Professor at the University of Maryland's Robert Smith School of Business about her new research on the crisis in the accounting pipeline and how problems, like poor internal controls and accounting accuracy may worsen over time. Special Guest: Rebecca Hann.

CFO of Twisted X Jeff Jones explains how "miscommunication resolution" can help you level up (personally and professionally).

Executive & Board Coach Aimee Long explains what we get wrong about emotional intelligence and the steps we can take on our leadership journeys to improve trustworthiness.

Special Guest: Holly Grennan.

In this final session from the FEI Engage Job Search Bootcamp, Human Resource Consultant Lauren Gainer shares how to break down a job offer and how to negotiate to get the best package possible. Special Guest: Lauren Gainer.

Maureen Wilner, the founder and CEO of The Wilner Group. In this excerpt from the FEI Engage Job search bootcamp, Maureen shares her best tips for interviewing to put you in the best position for landing the job offer. Special Guest: Maureen Wilner.

Trust us, you're probably making at least one of these LinkedIn profile and resume mistakes. From the FEI Engage Job Search Bootcamp, listen to recruiting expert Alyssa Gelabrd explain how to improve your resume and online presence. Special Guest: Alyssa Gelbard.

We all know that AI will forever change the finance and accounting landscape, but how quickly is it happening and what are the actual benefits? In this episode, we speak with Thomas McKenzie, KPMG audit, US and global CTO about the speed of AI adoption and the critical areas where preparers need to catch up. Special Guest: Thomas Mackenzie.

As the US settles into its traditional Thanksgiving holiday meal, it should be remembered that a majority of the globe remains in a constant state of food insecurity. According to the USDA, a combination of the lingering effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and risks associated with the ongoing Russian military invasion of Ukraine are fueling the problems. But developed nations are not immune, with the UK experiencing its crisis as food prices are rising and trade agreements with overseas partners failing. In this episode we speak with Dr. Lisa Jack, Professor of Accounting in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth. Dr. Jack is one of the few accounting researchers to examine the agri-food industry and the effects of accounting and performance measurement practices on the industry, and on society more widely. Join FEI (https://www.financialexecutives.org/Become-a-Member.aspx) Special Guest: Lisa Jack.