Podcasts about Corporate finance

Ever wondered what it really takes to break into investment banking, private equity, or consulting — especially if you didn't come from a target school or finance major? Meet Mohit Shrivastav, one of our featured mentors at WSO Academy, who shares how students can build the right skills, find mentorship, and position themselves for top-tier finance roles — no matter their background. From practical recruiting advice to insights from his own experience guiding students through interviews and technical prep, this episode will help you understand the mindset, structure, and support that actually get results. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Who Is Mohit Shrivastav? 01:20 – How Mohit Got Started in Finance 03:00 – Early Struggles & Lessons From Breaking In 05:10 – What Inspired Him to Mentor Students 07:25 – The Role of Mentorship in High-Finance Recruiting 09:30 – Common Mistakes Students Make During Recruiting 12:00 – How to Build a Strong Resume Without Experience 14:45 – How to Prepare for Technical Interviews 17:20 – Why Networking Matters More Than You Think 20:10 – How WSO Academy's Structure Keeps Students Accountable 23:00 – Real Stories: Students Landing Investment Banking Offers 25:40 – The Transformation: From Uncertainty to Confidence 28:15 – Key Skills Every Student Should Build Before Recruiting 30:00 – Mohit's Advice for International and Non-Target Students 32:00 – The Mindset Behind Long-Term Career Growth 34:00 – Final Thoughts & Message to Future Students

FinPod: Corporate Bankruptcy Strategy - Reorganization vs. LiquidationWhen a major corporation files for bankruptcy, it's not always the end, it's often a high-stakes financial strategy for survival. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we unpack the mechanics of corporate failure, differentiating between total liquidation and strategic rebirth, and detailing the skills finance teams use under immense pressure.The Two Doors of Corporate FailureA distressed company faces two distinct legal paths in the U.S., each with a polar opposite outcome:Chapter 7: Liquidation The company ceases all operations immediately. A trustee sells off all assets to pay creditors, and the business is gone forever. Stockholders are typically wiped out.Chapter 11: Reorganization A court-supervised process designed to allow the business to survive. It provides a massive shield, halting creditor lawsuits and allowing management time to perform radical surgery on the balance sheet.The Mechanics of Rebirth (Chapter 11)Chapter 11 demands core financial maneuvers that would be impossible in a normal environment:Debt-for-Equity Swap: The core strategic twist. Debt owed to bondholders is often converted into equity. The company's most risk-averse creditors suddenly become the new owners, fundamentally changing the company's DNA and strategy.DIP Financing: Debtor in Possession financing provides the company's lifeblood. This new debt is given super-priority status by the court, meaning it jumps ahead of all pre-existing creditors for repayment, keeping the lights on during restructuring.Surgical Restructuring: The court grants the power to break expensive, long-term contracts, such as unsustainable legacy store leases, supply deals, or labor contracts, allowing the company to shed structural costs and emerge healthier.Case Studies: Successes vs. Terminal FailuresWe examine the difference between collapse and rebirth through real-world examples:Reorganization Successes: General Motors (GM) and Delta Airlines used Chapter 11 to eliminate unprofitable brands, restructure billions in debt, and shed massive legacy obligations. Marvel Entertainment used restructuring to regain control of its IP.Terminal Failures: Lehman Brothers' debt hole was too deep. Toys R Us was suffocated by debt, leaving zero capital for crucial e-commerce investment, leading to liquidation.The Finance War Room: Skills Under PressureFor finance teams, Chapter 11 is the ultimate test of operational resilience:The 13-Week Cash Flow Model: This is the absolute backbone of the entire reorganization. It's treated like a legal document, forecasting every dollar in and out week-by-week. Missing the forecast can trigger immediate liquidation.Cash Flow Triage: Teams monitor liquidity hourly, prioritizing payments to payroll and critical vendors ahead of old creditors and making required payments on the DIP financing.Strategic Question: The process is designed to create a healthier, less indebted company, but does making bondholders the new majority owners inadvertently stifle the company's long-term appetite for innovation?

CFI Member Spotlight: From Local Accounting to Global Finance with MarlonMarlon's journey is a powerful testament to the value of self-directed learning and global ambition. Initially an accidental accounting major in the Philippines, Marlon transformed his career through strategic skill development, transitioning from specialized roles in cost and accounting to advanced analytical roles, such as FP&A.In this episode of Member Spotlight on FinPod, Marlon shares his candid experience navigating career pivots, the challenges of working fully remote across extreme time zones, and his ultimate goal of pursuing an international finance role in Europe.This episode covers:The Accidental Accountant: Marlon's funny story of how a scholarship requirement, not ambition, led him to finance—and how he found his passion through professional experience.The Power of Self-Learning: How ChatGPT recommended CFI, leading him to pursue the FMVA® and BIDA certifications to build high-demand analytical skills like Financial Modeling.Mastering the Remote Challenge: Candid insights into the reality of a fully remote night shift role for a US company, including adjusting to time zone differences, cultural communication, and managing the lack of in-person interaction.The Skills Compound Effect: Marlon shares his advice for new professionals: avoid comparing your journey to others, focus on building skills one step at a time, and never stop investing in your education.Global Ambition: His motivation for pursuing an MBA and the BIDA certification: building a competitive profile for his ultimate goal of migrating to Sweden or Denmark for an international finance role.

FinPod: The Hidden Power of Stock Indices: S&P 500, Dow, & Corporate StrategyEveryone sees the headlines ("The S&P 500 is up"), but few understand the mechanics behind these indices and how they actively shape the global flow of trillions of dollars. Indices are not just scoreboards; they are the architecture of modern capital flow.In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we get under the hood of the S&P 500, the Dow Jones, and the NASDAQ to reveal how index inclusion dictates corporate strategy, CEO pay, and a company's fundamental access to capital.This episode covers:The Architecture of Major IndicesWe break down the fundamental rules of construction that determine where trillions of dollars are invested:S&P 500: Chosen by a committee based on meticulous criteria: large market cap, strong liquidity, stable earnings (positive in the last four quarters), and, crucially, a high public float (shares available for public trading). Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA): The symbolic relic, a small, subjectively chosen, and historically price-weighted index where share price (not market cap) dictates influence. Its changes are profound cultural signals (e.g., GE's removal). NASDAQ Composite: The tech engine is a market-cap-weighted index where size truly matters, meaning giants like Apple and Nvidia drive performance.The Inclusion Effect: Billions in MotionWhen a company is added to a major index, it triggers a mandatory wave of passive capital, instantly reshaping its financial profile:Mandatory Demand: Index funds managing trillions are forced to buy the stock, regardless of valuation, creating an instant stock price surge (Tesla's chaotic 2020 entry). Structural Benefits: Inclusion boosts liquidity, provides huge prestige, and, most powerfully, results in a lower cost of capital for future growth and expansion. Historical Markers: Index removals are devastating public demotions, signaling fading relevance and structural distress (GE's removal after 110 years, Exxon Mobil being replaced by Salesforce).Strategy & CEO PayThe influence of indices extends directly into the C-suite, dictating day-to-day strategic focus:Executive Compensation: CEO and CFO bonuses are often tied to metrics like Total Shareholder Return (TSR) relative to the S&P 500, making index performance the benchmark for their paycheck. Gearing for Inclusion: Companies actively clean up their balance sheets, reduce leverage, and manage share structure (to increase public float) to please the index gatekeepers—a massive strategic finance initiative. IR's Crucial Role: Inclusion expands a company's visibility, forcing finance and investor relations (IR) teams to adopt a higher level of transparency and consistent messaging for a much broader, more demanding shareholder base.

.In dieser Folge des Karriere Insider Podcasts spricht David Döbele mit Timo Peter, der im Small-Cap M&A tätig ist und Einblicke in den Arbeitsalltag abseits der großen Investmentbanken gibt. Timo berichtet von seinem Karriereweg, den Besonderheiten im Small-Cap-Bereich und wie sich Aufgaben, Verantwortung und Arbeitsweise von klassischen Investment-Banking-Rollen unterscheiden. Außerdem geht es um Themen wie Arbeitszeiten, Workload, Gehaltsspannen und welche Fähigkeiten junge Talente mitbringen sollten, um im M&A – unabhängig von der Dealgröße – erfolgreich zu sein.LinkedIn Timo Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timo-peter/Karriereseite Göttingen Corporate Finance: https://goettingen-cf.com/job_advertisement/investment_banking_analyst.htmlMein SPIEGEL-Bestseller-Buch: https://nach-ganz-oben.de/?htrafficsource=organic&hcategory=yt_organic&el=SmallCapMABeraterüberGehaltundArbeitszeitenimInvestmentBankingKarriereInsider261125Unsere Website: https://pumpkincareers.com/jetzt-hier-bewerben/?htrafficsource=organic&hcategory=yt_organic&el=SmallCapMABeraterüberGehaltundArbeitszeitenimInvestmentBankingKarriereInsider261125_____________________________________________Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro / Vorschau00:00:53 - Vorstellung & Karriereweg00:17:37 - Was bedeutet eigentlich Small- und Mid-Cap im M&A?00:20:50 - Wie häufig gibt es im M&A Leute mit technischem Background?00:24:11 - Execution & Sourcing: Ab wann wird man im M&A eingebunden?00:28:50 - Was versteht man im M&A unter Sourcing?00:30:57 - Ab wann macht es Sinn, eine eigene M&A-Beratung zu gründen?00:33:05 - Unterschied zwischen Small-/Mid-Cap und Large-Cap00:36:23 - Einstieg für angehende Gründer: Große Bank oder kleinere Boutique?00:41:54 - Warum Timo nicht ins Private Equity gewechselt ist00:44:09 - Sourcing & Execution: Aufgabenverteilung bei Göttingen Corporate Finance00:48:23 - Was braucht man, um im Sourcing wirklich erfolgreich zu sein?00:59:16 - Wie fair sind M&A-Prozesse wirklich?01:06:28 - Wie viel verdient man an einem Deal? Typische Fee-Strukturen im M&A01:12:18 - Sell-Side, Buy-Side oder Kapitalerhöhungen01:20:07 - Learnings & Tipps – Was man wirklich braucht, um erfolgreich zu sein01:25:15 - Welche Bewerber überzeugen bei Göttingen Corporate Finance?01:27:30 - Entwicklung von KI im M&A01:31:11 - Was Göttingen Corporate Finance im Vergleich zu anderen Beratungen attraktiv macht01:34:12 - Outro_____________________________________________Weitere hilfreiche YouTube-Videos:Der Karriere Insider Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@KarriereInsiderPodcastINVESTMENT BANKER WERDEN (Guide): https://youtu.be/smtlWs5WPUM?si=nLG14-z-VNx0bk0fUNTERNEHMENSBERATER WERDEN (Guide): https://youtu.be/jLK24iLsGPM?si=5DlTJvVKLf1FhpnUDie besten Unis für den Bachelor: https://youtu.be/n-YSo8ss0KsDie besten Unis für den Master: https://youtu.be/fdKknPZzO4wALLE JOBS NACH DEM BWL-STUDIUM: https://youtu.be/D1Ssf6uAQlYALLE FINANCE JOBS nach dem BWL-Studium: https://youtu.be/6kD05whSvEU_____________________________________________Wenn du dich für den Berufseinstieg in Investment Banking, Unternehmensberatung oder Private Equity interessierst, haben wir hier einige nützliche Links für dich zusammengefasst:Target-Uni-Report: https://pumpkincareers.com/target-uni-report?htrafficsource=organic&hcategory=yt_organic&el=SmallCapMABeraterüberGehaltundArbeitszeitenimInvestmentBankingKarriereInsider261125Investment Banking Analyst Report: https://pumpkincareers.com/investment-banking-analyst-report?htrafficsource=organic&hcategory=yt_organic&el=SmallCapMABeraterüberGehaltundArbeitszeitenimInvestmentBankingKarriereInsider261125Consulting Einsteiger Report: https://pumpkincareers.com/consulting-report?htrafficsource=organic&hcategory=yt_organic&el=SmallCapMABeraterüberGehaltund

FinPod: Interest Rate Swaps Masterclass: Modeling SOFR & The End of LIBORThe Interest Rate Swap (IRS) market, the biggest derivative contract in the world, has undergone a massive overhaul. LIBOR is gone, and the way plain vanilla swaps are traded has changed dramatically.Join us to discuss the new Interest Rate Swap course, which fully reflects these 2025 market realities and provides the up-to-date, essential knowledge you need.This episode covers:The LIBOR Revolution: Why the global benchmark was discontinued and how the industry pivoted to new Alternative Reference Rates (ARRs) like SOFR, Sonya, and ESTR.OTC vs. Exchange-Traded: The fundamental shift in how swaps are traded, moving from private Over-the-Counter (OTC) negotiation to regulated Swap Execution Facilities (SEFs), introducing daily margin calls and mark-to-market.Hands-On Modeling: You will learn to bootstrap forward rate curves to determine implied forward and zero rates, and model the valuation of a swap's fixed and floating legs.Real-World Application: We walk through modeling a real-life SOFR swap using actual market data examples (Refinitiv screens), giving you practical, up-to-date skills.Master the most critical product in the derivatives market and ensure your knowledge is current with the post-LIBOR financial landscape.

Are you looking for an alternative to a career path at a big firm? Does founding your own start-up seem too risky? There is a radical third path open to you: You can buy a small business and run it as CEO. Purchasing a small company offers significant financial rewards--as well as personal and professional fulfillment. Leading a firm means you can be your own boss, put your executive skills to work, fashion a company environment that meets your own needs, and profit directly from your success. But finding the right business to buy and closing the deal isn't always easy. In the HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company (Harvard Business Review Press, 2017), Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff help you: Determine if this path is right for you Raise capital for your acquisition Find and evaluate the right prospects Avoid the pitfalls that could derail your search Understand why a "dull" business might be the best investment Negotiate a potential deal with the seller Avoid deals that fall through at the last minute Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges. Listen to the Think Big, Buy Small podcast. Richard S. Ruback is the Willard Prescott Smith Professor of Corporate Finance at Harvard Business School. Royce Yudkoff is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School. Yudkoff cofounded and served for over 20 years as Managing Partner of ABRY Partners, a leading private equity investment firm. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Are you looking for an alternative to a career path at a big firm? Does founding your own start-up seem too risky? There is a radical third path open to you: You can buy a small business and run it as CEO. Purchasing a small company offers significant financial rewards--as well as personal and professional fulfillment. Leading a firm means you can be your own boss, put your executive skills to work, fashion a company environment that meets your own needs, and profit directly from your success. But finding the right business to buy and closing the deal isn't always easy. In the HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company (Harvard Business Review Press, 2017), Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff help you: Determine if this path is right for you Raise capital for your acquisition Find and evaluate the right prospects Avoid the pitfalls that could derail your search Understand why a "dull" business might be the best investment Negotiate a potential deal with the seller Avoid deals that fall through at the last minute Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges. Listen to the Think Big, Buy Small podcast. Richard S. Ruback is the Willard Prescott Smith Professor of Corporate Finance at Harvard Business School. Royce Yudkoff is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School. Yudkoff cofounded and served for over 20 years as Managing Partner of ABRY Partners, a leading private equity investment firm. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

Are you looking for an alternative to a career path at a big firm? Does founding your own start-up seem too risky? There is a radical third path open to you: You can buy a small business and run it as CEO. Purchasing a small company offers significant financial rewards--as well as personal and professional fulfillment. Leading a firm means you can be your own boss, put your executive skills to work, fashion a company environment that meets your own needs, and profit directly from your success. But finding the right business to buy and closing the deal isn't always easy. In the HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company (Harvard Business Review Press, 2017), Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff help you: Determine if this path is right for you Raise capital for your acquisition Find and evaluate the right prospects Avoid the pitfalls that could derail your search Understand why a "dull" business might be the best investment Negotiate a potential deal with the seller Avoid deals that fall through at the last minute Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges. Listen to the Think Big, Buy Small podcast. Richard S. Ruback is the Willard Prescott Smith Professor of Corporate Finance at Harvard Business School. Royce Yudkoff is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School. Yudkoff cofounded and served for over 20 years as Managing Partner of ABRY Partners, a leading private equity investment firm. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you looking for an alternative to a career path at a big firm? Does founding your own start-up seem too risky? There is a radical third path open to you: You can buy a small business and run it as CEO. Purchasing a small company offers significant financial rewards--as well as personal and professional fulfillment. Leading a firm means you can be your own boss, put your executive skills to work, fashion a company environment that meets your own needs, and profit directly from your success. But finding the right business to buy and closing the deal isn't always easy. In the HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company (Harvard Business Review Press, 2017), Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff help you: Determine if this path is right for you Raise capital for your acquisition Find and evaluate the right prospects Avoid the pitfalls that could derail your search Understand why a "dull" business might be the best investment Negotiate a potential deal with the seller Avoid deals that fall through at the last minute Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges. Listen to the Think Big, Buy Small podcast. Richard S. Ruback is the Willard Prescott Smith Professor of Corporate Finance at Harvard Business School. Royce Yudkoff is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School. Yudkoff cofounded and served for over 20 years as Managing Partner of ABRY Partners, a leading private equity investment firm. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/finance

Are you looking for an alternative to a career path at a big firm? Does founding your own start-up seem too risky? There is a radical third path open to you: You can buy a small business and run it as CEO. Purchasing a small company offers significant financial rewards--as well as personal and professional fulfillment. Leading a firm means you can be your own boss, put your executive skills to work, fashion a company environment that meets your own needs, and profit directly from your success. But finding the right business to buy and closing the deal isn't always easy. In the HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company (Harvard Business Review Press, 2017), Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff help you: Determine if this path is right for you Raise capital for your acquisition Find and evaluate the right prospects Avoid the pitfalls that could derail your search Understand why a "dull" business might be the best investment Negotiate a potential deal with the seller Avoid deals that fall through at the last minute Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges. Listen to the Think Big, Buy Small podcast. Richard S. Ruback is the Willard Prescott Smith Professor of Corporate Finance at Harvard Business School. Royce Yudkoff is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School. Yudkoff cofounded and served for over 20 years as Managing Partner of ABRY Partners, a leading private equity investment firm. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day

FinPod: Subscription Economics: Mastering LTV, Churn, and Recurring RevenueThe Subscription Economy has fundamentally reshaped corporate finance, moving the focus from one-time sales to long-term customer relationships. For professionals in FP&A, IR, and Corporate Strategy, understanding this shift is critical for forecasting and valuation.In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we break down the unique financial mechanics of recurring revenue, examine key metrics, and explore how the most successful companies manage this model.The Core Shift: Value & Metrics: The subscription model swaps short-term cash hits for long-term predictability, which investors reward with higher valuation multiples.The Critical Ratio (LTV:CAC): We break down the relationship between Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) and Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). Learn why the benchmark is LTV ≥ 3x CAC and the pitfalls of inflating LTV with non-recurring revenue.The Accounting Challenge: We explain revenue recognition (ASC 606/IFRS 15) and the concept of Deferred Revenue. Cash is received upfront, but revenue is recognized over time, which can make financial statements appear less profitable during high-growth periods.The Cautionary Tale: Analysis of MoviePass reveals the danger of fundamentally broken unit economics, where the cost to serve the customer (CoGS) was higher than the subscription fee, accelerating the path to bankruptcy.Strategic Playbooks & Success Stories: Successful companies master the mechanics of growth and retention, managing complex P&Ls and investor expectations:The Content Giant (Netflix): The challenge of balancing liquidity and leverage while managing billions in content amortization to drive retention and reduce churn (even a half-percent increase means millions in lost ARR).The SaaS Pioneer (Salesforce): Leveraging deferred revenue as an interest-free loan and obsessively tracking Net Revenue Retention (NRR), measuring if existing customers increase their spending over time.The Strategic Pivot (Adobe): The painful but successful transition from a lumpy license model to the predictable Creative Cloud subscription, which required transparent communication to manage market expectations.The Hybrid Model (Peloton, Amazon Prime): Understanding that the high-cost hardware sale is primarily a customer acquisition channel for the much more valuable, low-cost recurring content stream.The Modern Finance Mandate: Mastering the subscription model requires blending traditional corporate rigor with data science:Cohort Analysis: Shifting forecasting models to track groups of customers based on sign-up time, revealing granular insights into renewal rates, upgrades, and churn patterns.Proactive Scenario Modeling: Forward-looking planning (FP&A) must run rigorous sensitivity analyses, modeling the impact if CAC jumps 15% or if churn spikes, to prepare leadership for potential volatility.Communication is Strategy: Clearly articulating metrics like NRR and the path for LTV expansion to maintain premium public market valuations.

Greetings, and welcome back to the podcast. This episode, we are joined by  Mr. Steve Loukas -  CEO of Obsidian Energy - a TSX listed energy company with a market cap of approximately $600 million, and partner at FrontFour Capital Group - a value-based investment management firm. Stephen Loukas was appointed Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Obsidian Energy Ltd. effective December 5, 2019 and elected to the Board of Directors following the 2018 Annual and Special Meeting. Mr. Loukas has vast experience in corporate transactions, capital markets and leadership. He is a partner, managing member, and portfolio manager at FrontFour Capital Group LLC, a value-based investment management firm. Mr. Loukas held roles including Director at Credit Suisse Securities where he was a Portfolio Manager and Head of Investment Research of the Multi-Product Event Proprietary Trading Group, and at Pirate Capital where he was a senior investment analyst. Mr. Loukas has also worked within the Corporate Finance & Distribution Group of Scotia Capital where he focused on the structuring and syndication of leveraged loans and high yield debt. Mr. Loukas started his career at restructuring firm Zolfo Cooper where he assisted corporate clients in the development and implementation of operational and financial restructuring plans. Mr. Loukas  is a trustee of Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust, and received a B.A. in Finance and Accounting from New York University.Among other things we learned about Waterfloods, 14% Oil Recovery & Return of Capital in 2026.Enjoy.Thank you to our sponsors.Without their support this episode would not be possible:Connate Water SolutionsATB Capital MarketsEPACAstro Oilfield Rentals Platinum EndeavorsTreeline Well ServicesSupport the show

Why do profitable giants like Apple and Amazon report billions in earnings yet often pay surprisingly low effective tax rates (ETR)? On this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we pull back the curtain on corporate tax strategy, focusing on legal optimization and the strategic levers finance teams use to manage this massive cash outflow. Listen in to learn how taxes are not just a cost, but a manageable and critical strategic function.The Corporate Tax Playbook: 5 Key LeversFinance teams at multinationals use a sophisticated toolkit to legally minimize their ETR, often utilizing government-built policy incentives:Tax Deductions and Credits: Maximizing credits for R&D investment and strategically using accelerated depreciation to generate short-term cash flow benefits.Transfer Pricing: The controversial method of setting internal prices for goods and intellectual property (IP) traded between subsidiaries. The goal is to allocate more profit to low-tax jurisdictions while adhering to the arm's length standard.Holding Structures: Parking high-value assets (like core IP/patents) in subsidiaries based in low-tax jurisdictions (e.g., Ireland, Luxembourg) to have associated royalties taxed at a lower rate.Deferred Tax Assets: Booking tax benefits now that relate to future profits or past losses, providing financial flexibility.Corporate Inversions: The ultimate move of changing a company's legal home to a lower-tax country (largely curtailed by 2017 US regulations).Real-World Pitfalls and Regulatory ChallengesOptimization is a tightrope walk. We examine where legal planning clashes with public opinion and regulatory pressure:Apple and the EC: A stark example of a legal structure being challenged retroactively as illegal state aid by the European Commission, forcing the company to pay back billions.Starbucks in the UK: Faced massive reputational risk and boycotts because of paying almost no corporation tax, despite generating high sales, by using large transfer pricing royalty payments to a Dutch subsidiary.Pfizer and Policy Risk: The company's multi-billion-dollar inversion strategy was instantly killed by a sudden US Treasury change in administrative rules, demonstrating how policy shifts can wreck financial models.Amazon's Strategy: A focus on maximizing R&D deductions and using geographical allocation to book operating costs in high-tax countries while recognizing profit in lower-tax jurisdictions.The Modern Tax Mandate for FinanceThe focus has shifted from mere compliance to strategic resilience. The modern tax mandate requires a global, proactive approach:Align Tax with Business Strategy: The tax structure must support real business activity and have economic substance; structures built purely for tax avoidance are major red flags.Focus on Cash Taxes: Finance must rigorously forecast cash taxes paid out the door, not just the accounting tax expense, as cash flow impacts liquidity and valuation.Rigorous Documentation: Meticulous records and data are the best defense against audits for complex intercompany policies like transfer pricing.Monitor Global Trends (BEPS): Understanding the OECD's BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) initiative and the push for a 15% global minimum corporate tax rate is essential, as it fundamentally undermines traditional low-tax strategies.

If you're a company operating globally, foreign exchange (FX) risk is a significant threat that can instantly erode profits and derail strategic forecasts. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on Finpod, we unpack how corporate treasury teams manage this constant volatility, moving beyond simple definitions to explore the strategic calculus of hedging.We examine three dimensions of FX risk and how a structured hedging toolkit, utilizing forwards, options, and natural hedges, is applied by global firms such as Unilever and Caterpillar to ensure financial stability.The Three Dimensions of FX RiskFinance professionals categorize FX risk into three types, each requiring a different management response:Transaction Risk: The most common risk, tied to immediate cash flows. The currency rate changes between invoicing and receiving payment (e.g., selling in Euros, collecting fewer Dollars later).Translation Risk: A non-cash risk that arises when a parent company consolidates foreign subsidiary financial statements, affecting the reported value of assets/liabilities on the balance sheet.Economic Risk: The long-term structural impact on a company's fundamental competitiveness (e.g., manufacturing costs becoming structurally higher due to a sustained currency strengthening).The Corporate Hedging ToolkitTreasury teams use a combination of financial derivatives and operational strategies to manage these exposures:Forward Contract: Locks in an exchange rate for a future date, providing certainty. Trade-Off: Inflexibility; you miss out on any favorable rate movements.FX Option: Gives the right (not the obligation) to transact at a strike price. Trade-Off: Costly Premium paid upfront for the flexibility.Currency Swap: Exchanging principal and/or interest payments over a set period. Trade-Off: Complexity and long duration.Natural Hedge: Operational strategy to match inflows and outflows in the same currency. Requires C-suite level strategic change (e.g., local sourcing) but avoids derivative costs.Strategic Insights and Lessons Learned:Discipline is Crucial: The cautionary tale of Volkswagen's billion-euro FX losses highlights the danger of crossing the line from risk protection into speculation.Mastering the Policy: Companies like Unilever and Caterpillar use a disciplined, integrated strategy: focusing on natural hedges where possible, and using layered financial hedging (e.g., simple forwards for 6-12 months out) for stability, not profit.The Hedging Framework: Finance teams do not hedge 100% of exposure. The decision to hedge is based on a three-factor funnel: Materiality (is the exposure big enough to matter?), Predictability (how certain is the cash flow?), and Correlation (do existing natural hedges offset the risk?).Constant Currency Disclosure: FP&A teams provide constant currency results to investors, stripping out FX noise to ensure the market understands the core operational health of the business.

Excel is the universal language of finance and the critical foundation that new technologies, including AI, build upon. But how do you go from simply "knowing" Excel to thinking fluently in it, maximizing your efficiency and impact?In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we introduce the Excel Skills for Professionals Specialization, a new learning journey designed to make you an Excel master.This specialization combines five practical, hands-on courses that are highly relevant for any professional. Whether you work in finance, accounting, or data analytics.This episode covers:Why Excel is More Important Than Ever: Tim Vipond explains why, even in the age of AI, Excel remains the ultimate "blank canvas" for analysts to brainstorm, structure logic, generate insights, and create value.Who This Specialization is For: Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced professional looking to abandon the mouse and improve efficiency, this journey takes you from ground zero to advanced dashboards.Practical, Mission-Driven Learning: Duncan McKeen details CFI's unique approach: learning skills in the context of a larger goal (like building a cohesive dashboard), ensuring every formula and function learned is immediately relevant to your job.The Learning Sequence: We walk you through the five courses that build your skills step-by-step: from interface and fundamental formulas, through cleaning messy data and advanced visualization techniques.The Confidence Boost: Mastering Excel through practice is the fastest way to career growth. Discover how this specialization can transform a stressed analyst into a confident value creator who can efficiently turn around complex analyses in minutes.

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Your company is launching its own corporate venture capital (CVC) fund. Suddenly, traditional financial models don't apply. Corporate Venture Capital is a unique, high-variance asset class that demands a new strategic mindset from finance professionals.In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we unpack Corporate Venture Capital (CVC), exploring its dual motive (strategic innovation vs. financial return) and revealing the practical frameworks needed to manage this hybrid investment effectively.This episode covers:CVC: Buying Optionality: Why large companies use CVC as a lightweight alternative to M&A or internal R&D, acting as an early option on future acquisitions and managing innovation risk.Defining Success: How major CVC arms (like Salesforce Ventures, Amazon Alexa Fund, and Intel Capital) track value using strategic KPIs (e.g., Partnership ARR Uplift, Azure Adoption) that go beyond standard IRR.The Strategic Playbooks: Analysis of different CVC models: the Ecosystem Expansion approach, the Innovation Hedge strategy (de-risking R&D), and the pure Portfolio Focus.The CVC Financial Toolkit: We detail six essential frameworks for corporate finance teams, including building flexible return models (budgeting for high write-off rates), managing complex capital structures (convertible notes), and implementing governance for high-risk assets.The Translator Role: How finance professionals must bridge the gap between innovation teams and traditional financial rigor, articulating why a high-risk bet makes sense for both the strategic story and the balance sheet.

On this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we are thrilled to host Alexandra McLaren, a Manager at EY Parthenon specializing in M&A transaction diligence and business valuations. Alex's background is truly unique, combining a rare dual qualification as a Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Stellenbosch, alongside her CFI FMVA® and FPWM™ certifications.Alex shares her journey from academic trainee and outsourced CFO to advising on complex transactions at a top global firm.This episode covers:The Dual Degree Advantage: Alex explains why combining Accounting and Law (LLB) gives her a unique perspective on finance, training her to question assumptions and build sound arguments—skills vital for due diligence.Life as an Outsourced CFO: Insights into the rewards and challenges of working with early-stage startups, helping entrepreneurs build financial rigor and accounting processes from the ground up.From Startup to Strategy: How her hands-on experience with fast-moving small clients prepared her for the high-stakes, highly structured world of EY Parthenon and made her comfortable joining client meetings with high-level executives.The Dream Job: Alex details her unexpected move into Transaction Diligence and Valuation, describing the day-to-day life of analyzing income statements, balance sheets, and building the assumptions that inform final valuations.The Value of Continuous Learning: Why Alex pursues additional education like the FMVA® and FPWM™, finding they are essential not just for technical knowledge, but for presenting analysis in a clear, understandable, and efficient way (Excel shortcuts included!).Alex's story is a compelling example of how a varied educational background and a commitment to professional development can pave the way to a dream career in high finance.

Our Global Our Middle & Back Office Salary Report 2025 is now available for purchase. Published by HC Group's Talent Intelligence team. the report covers salary benchmarks for Risk, Legal & Compliance, Corporate Finance (includes STF/Treasury), Finance & Accounting,Technology& Human Resources positions across all commodity trading hubs. The report, created using proprietary data, is designed for HR leaders and company officers to calibrate salaries in this competitive market as we head into business planning for 2026. For more information, visit https://www.hcgroup.global/energy-trading-report or email intelligence@hcgroup.global

After several years of slowed activity, mergers and acquisitions picked up in the first half of 2025, as disciplined dealmakers reentered the market despite continued uncertainty. In this episode, three McKinsey M&A experts share their recent analysis of global dealmaking, explore the continued outperformance of programmatic acquirers, and weigh in on what the rest of the year’s transactions might look like once the data are finalized. Jake Henry is a senior partner in our Chicago office and the global co-leader of our M&A Practice. He serves clients on M&A strategy, integration, separations, due diligence, and JVs and alliances. Patrick McCurdy is a partner in our Boston office and a leader of our M&A Strategy and Due Diligence work. He serves clients across industries, advising clients on how to leverage M&A as a differentiated capability. Luke Carter is an associate partner in our New York office and co-leads our M&A capability building work, as well as our annual M&A capability survey and our corresponding research into the habits of programmatic acquirers. Rich in resilience: Dealmakers deliver strong first-half results in M&A The seven habits of programmatic acquirers Time to revisit your M&A strategy M&A Annual Report: Is the wave finally arriving? Gen AI: Opportunities in M&A The portfolio management imperative and its M&A implications McKinsey Insights on Strategy & Corporate Finance McKinsey Insights on M&A McKinsey Strategy & Corporate Finance on LinkedInSupport the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

FinPod: The Billion Dollar Question: How Corporations Pay for Massive Acquisitions (M&A Financing)When a Fortune 100 company buys another for tens of billions, how does the finance team actually structure the payment? It's the central strategic decision that determines a company's risk, flexibility, and future.In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we break down the complex toolkit used for mega M&A Financing, providing a shortcut to understanding the mechanics behind the biggest headlines.This episode covers:The Basic Building Blocks: The core trade-offs of the three main payment methods: Cash (certainty vs. drained reserves), Stock (saves cash vs. dilution), and Debt (amplifies returns vs. increased leverage).The Advanced Toolkit: Specialized financing methods, including Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs), Bridge Financing for speed, and Syndicated Loans for distributing massive risk across multiple banks (as seen in the Microsoft/Activision deal).Strategy in Action: We analyze the tailored financing mix of major deals: Microsoft's cash and debt strategy to avoid dilution, Disney's stock/cash balance to protect its credit rating, and Amazon's all-cash approach for speed with Whole Foods.The Critical Checkpoints: The toughest challenge, modeling reality. We discuss how analysts value deals using DCF, stress-test synergies, and what happens when optimism fails (Kraft Heinz).The Resilience Framework: Five key strategic questions every CFO must ask to engineer a capital structure that is robust, aligning the financing's term and structure with the assets being acquired.

Join Prateek Sodhi, Co-Founder & CEO of Finofo, in conversation with Gary Fowler, as they explore how AI is transforming corporate finance — from accounts payable (AP) automation to intelligent treasury management. Discover how Finofo is reimagining how finance teams operate globally by streamlining workflows, reducing friction, and enabling smarter decision-making with AI-driven insights.Insights You'll Learn:✅ The role of AI in corporate finance and the evolution of financial operations✅ How automation is reshaping accounts payable and treasury management✅ Scaling a B2B fintech from concept to millions in venture funding✅ Lessons from moving from VC investing to startup building✅ How AI enhances accuracy, speed, and control in financial decision-making✅ The future of AI-driven CFO tools and global finance optimizationWhy This Matters:* Corporate finance is at a tipping point — AI is eliminating manual bottlenecks and redefining how global teams operate.* Finofo's innovations are setting a new standard for speed, precision, and intelligence in financial workflows.* Prateek's unique lens as both a former investor and founder reveals how to build scalable fintech solutions that solve real-world pain points.Expert Background:• Co-Founder & CEO of Finofo – building the future of finance automation for global enterprises• Former institutional VC investor, now fintech entrepreneur• Raised over $5M in venture funding• Scaling one of Canada's fastest-growing B2B fintechs• Passionate about AI, financial technology, and intelligent systems that empower finance leaders

Not every financial story starts with a bull market — but that's exactly where Sarah Rogers, SVP of Corporate Finance for MGM Resorts International, found her footing. From Wall Street to the Las Vegas Strip, Sarah now helps steer one of the world's largest hospitality companies through billion-dollar deals, market shifts, and global expansion. In our conversation, Sarah opened up about:

FinPod: Communication & Presentation Skills for Finance | Why Soft Skills are Your Career AcceleratorTechnical skills are essential, but if you can't communicate your financial insights clearly and confidently, they have zero impact. This new course, Communication and Presentation Skills for Finance Professionals, is designed to bridge that gap.Join us as we discuss why these "soft skills" are actually your biggest career accelerator in finance, often setting the most successful professionals apart from their peers.This episode covers:Why This Course Was Built: We reveal why strong communication skills, not just technical aptitude, are critical for building trust, improving client relationships, and accelerating your career trajectory (often faster than technical skills alone).What You Will Gain: Learn the power of active listening, how to identify your communication style (passive, aggressive, or assertive), and gain practical tips to adapt your approach to be more effective.The Investment Banking Lesson: Hear why the most successful Managing Directors are not just technical experts, but are highly likable and effective communicators who build strong relationships with clients and teams.Unique Course Features: Get a preview of the course format, including diagnostic exercises to identify your style, real-world video examples of strong and poor communication, and step-by-step frameworks for structuring impactful presentations.Stop sitting at your desk waiting for your work to speak for itself. This course provides you with the tools to communicate with confidence and clarity, enabling you to make the impact you want in your career.

Financial ratios are the essential shorthand analysts use to distill massive financial statements into actionable insights. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we go beyond academic definitions to explore how ratios reveal a company's true story, measuring performance, efficiency, and existential risk.We examine four pillars of analysis and use contrasting examples, such as Apple vs. Dell, Walmart, Netflix, and the catastrophic failure of Enron, to illustrate how to identify red flags and assess the quality of a business.This episode covers:The Four Pillars of Analysis: Liquidity, Profitability, Leverage, and Efficiency, and why they are the strategic dials that CEOs and CFOs constantly turn.Liquidity Secrets: Why a low current ratio is a sign of strength for an efficient company like Walmart (operating on negative working capital), but a red flag for almost everyone else.The Profitability Contrast: Why Apple competes on premium margin while Dell competes on volume, and how different strategies play out in Operating Margin and Return on Assets (ROA).The Misleading Metrics: Why the P/E ratio is often overrated and why Return on Equity (ROE) can be misleading, masking high risk—and how the DuPont Framework is essential for determining the quality of that return.Leverage & Strategy: The high-risk, high-reward strategy of Netflix using high debt to fund content growth (strategic leverage) versus the structural leverage profile of Dell.The Enron Lesson: The ultimate warning. How the cash flow statement and leverage ratios exposed the fraud, proving that a beautiful income statement means nothing if the underlying cash flow is telling a darker story.

The CFO’s challenge has long been one of translating data into a story that the CEO and their management team can use to set strategy and make other decisions. As generative AI advances, the way that CFOs fulfil this role is changing, as guest and Nestlé CFO Anna Manz describes in this episode. Michael Birshan, a senior partner who leads our firm in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Israel, and host Sean Brown, speak with Manz about how she uses AI now and plans to in the future, the impact of geopolitics on Nestlé's operations, and the CFO’s role in integrating the executive team in strategic decision-making and resource allocation. Related insights Toward the long term: CFO perspectives on the future of finance Connecting strategy, finance, and personal development: A conversation with Marjorie Lao What an AI-powered finance function of the future looks like Generative AI in finance: Finding the way to faster, deeper insights How finance skills are evolving in the era of artificial intelligence McKinsey Insights on the CFO role McKinsey Insights on Strategy & Corporate Finance McKinsey Strategy & Corporate Finance on LinkedInSupport the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

If you're in corporate finance, you need to understand the true influence of Hedge Funds. They are not just market speculators; they are powerful, concentrated stakeholders whose specific demands can change a company's financial destiny overnight, forcing massive share buybacks, debt reduction, or strategic divestitures.In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we cut through the Hollywood stereotypes to analyze the actual mechanics of Activist Hedge Funds, what they demand, and how your finance team should strategically respond.This episode covers:The Mechanics of Activism: We break down the differences between traditional funds and activist funds, explaining how concentrated capital and strategic long/short bets give them immense power over public companies.Myth Busting: We dispel common misconceptions, showing how effective activists often push for deep, long-term foundational changes (like operational turnarounds) and act as catalysts for value creation.Three Levers of Influence: How activists deploy power: 1) Influencing Valuation by announcing their position, 2) Shaping Corporate Strategy through board nominations and proxy battles, and 3) Driving M&A Activity and divestitures.Real-World Case Studies: Analysis of classic activist campaigns, including Carl Icahn's push for massive buybacks at Apple, Elliott Management's operational critique of AT&T, and Bill Ackman's leadership change at Canadian Pacific Railway.The Strategic Response Framework: Practical steps for finance teams to prepare: Proactively modeling activist scenarios (buybacks, spinoffs), continuously stress-testing capital allocation, and strengthening communication to remove an activist's ammunition.

Ever see a company announce a massive, one-time cash payout and wonder what's really going on? These "special dividends" are more than just financial fireworks; they're a critical signal from management about a company's health, discipline, and future growth prospects.In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we cut through the noise to explain what these bombshell payments really mean for investors. Using real-world examples from Microsoft, Costco, and more, we unpack the reasons behind a special dividend and teach you how to analyze whether it's a sign of undeniable strength or a potential red flag.In this video, you will learn: The crucial difference between a regular dividend and a special dividend. The 4 main reasons a company issues a special dividend are to distribute excess cash and to take advantage of tax benefits. How to determine if a payout signals financial discipline or a lack of growth opportunities. Real-world case studies: Microsoft's demonstration of strength, Costco's relentless discipline, and ViacomCBS's debt-funded warning signs. How analysts factor these one-off events into valuation models (DCF) and credit ratings.

Ramp cofounder and CEO Eric Glyman joins Leadership Next to discuss how the fintech upstart has scaled from launch to $1 billion in annualized revenue in just a few years—while reshaping the incentives of the corporate card industry. Glyman explains Ramp's mission to help companies spend less, how AI is automating millions of hours of financial work, and why urgency and speed are core to Ramp's culture.

Live from Sibos, TMI's Eleanor Hill speaks with Kevin Flood (FIS) about the next wave of payments innovation and what it really means for corporate treasurers. Our guest discusses how banks and providers are enhancing the corporate payments experience and balancing innovation with treasurers' core priorities around speed, accuracy, and reconciliation. Kevin also explores the rise of Payments-as-a-Service and why modernising infrastructure will be key to meeting regulatory deadlines and enabling the next generation of instant payments.

Discover How AI Tools Are Revolutionizing Personal & Corporate Finance in 2025!In this episode of More Knowledge, More Wealth, CEO, and Founder Gabriel Shahin breaks down how to use AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, and others to help you save money, eliminate debt, and make smarter decisions during benefits season.Whether you're a beginner or a finance professional, you'll learn how to use AI in finance to build a custom budget, reduce unnecessary expenses, analyze your benefits, and even negotiate bills. Perfect for:• Finance professionals & accountants• Corporate finance teams• Anyone looking to use AI for budgeting or debt payoff• Those exploring new AI tools that provide real, tangible financial value• Discover best AI toolsWhat You'll Learn:10+ ways to use AI for finance in 2025How ChatGPT for finance professionals can save hoursHow to use AI tools for business decisions and benefit electionsThe AI tools that will make you rich in 2025 (if you use them right)

When a Fortune 100 company needs billions, the choice between issuing corporate bonds and securing a bank loan is a critical strategic dilemma. It's not just about the lowest interest rate; it's about control, public scrutiny, risk, and scale.In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we provide a strategic map for corporate finance professionals, dissecting the trade-offs, mechanics, and real-world scenarios that drive this foundational funding decision.This episode covers:The Three Paths to Debt: We break down the mechanisms of Traditional Bank Loans (speed, flexibility, but strict covenants), Syndicated Loans (group effort for big-ticket financing), and Corporate Bonds (massive scale, public scrutiny, long tenor).The Gatekeepers: The fundamental role of Credit Ratings (Moody's, S&P) in dictating the price of capital, separating safe Investment Grade issuers from riskier High Yield ("junk") bonds.Strategy in Action: Analysis of how Apple used domestic bonds for tax-efficient share buybacks and how Tesla tapped the high-yield market to fuel its massive early-stage growth when conservative banks were cautious.Crisis Response: Why companies like Delta Airlines and Ford rely on fast, flexible bank loans (revolving credit, syndicated facilities) when public bond markets seize up during a crisis (e.g., COVID-19).The Debt Amplifier: We discuss how debt magnifies outcomes—accelerating growth when fundamentals are strong, but accelerating collapse when WCM is weak (e.g., Toys R Us).The Resilience Framework: Five crucial questions to guide your decision-making, ensuring the structure of your financing (term, covenants, access) is robust enough to withst

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss our CFI Job Board, a curated resource designed to connect you directly with top finance roles. We discuss why this feature is the "natural endpoint" of your learning journey and reveals the best resources to land your dream job.This episode covers:The CFI Job Board: Learn why our new, curated job board, partnered with major engines like Indeed, only shows you finance roles relevant to the FMVA, CMSA, and BIDA programs.Reverse Engineering Your Path: A powerful strategy for learners: find an ideal job posting on the board, see the required skills, and then use the CFI catalog to build that exact expertise.Hidden Career Resources: A reminder of CFI's vast ecosystem, including the Careers in Finance podcast series and the Career Map in the learning platform.Community & Feedback: The crucial role of the CFI community for networking and asking professionals about their roles, and how your feedback will shape future career tools.Whether you're looking for your first finance job or aiming for a promotion, this episode is your guide to maximizing the career resources available at CFI.

Cinderella CEO On Air Podcast Host Cary Broussard interviews Charlotte Gustavsson about her experiences, opportunities, and challenges of serving on boards of directors and the benefits of those who find women board members. Their conversation touches briefly on the difference between Sweden and United States efforts to see more women serving on boards –Cary and Charlotte met through a networking organization called Liberty Ventures.Cary and Charlotte discuss the huge benefits of having diverse boards, backed up by lots of research. The key is to bring different people together with different perspectives, on top of the key skills needed to lead the strategic work of a company. But leading a diverse board is no walk in the park - a chairman that can read the room and let board members contribute properly is the key to success.Lack of women, lack of diversified boards in general run a higher risk of missing out on new business opportunities and identification of trends, according to Charlotte. The board mandates are so much more complex in these turbulent times, so board leaders need to factor in geopolitics, extreme weather, secure supply chains, new trends, new generations with new values - all factors that support the need for diverse board members.Charlotte began her career in Corporate Finance & M&A before moving into media, where she got her first opportunity as a CEO at 31 years of age.  Charlotte grew Viasat1 (part of Modern Times Group) to become one of Ghana's top TV stations, securing Premier League rights and launching multiple local productions. Cary and Charlotte also discuss her career in professional sports. Charlotte served as CEO of two (2) top-tier Swedish ice hockey clubs (in SHL), MoDo Hockey and Karlskrona Hockeyklubb. Charlotte was subjected to some public scrutiny during her years in professional sports, and shares lessons learned in her conversation with Cary. Cary jokes that Charlotte reminds her of the character Rebecca Welton, (played by actress Hannah Waddington), the owner of AFC Richmond, on  Apple TV's  Ted Lasso – delving into how hockey and sports can be the foundation for a successful board service role!Experienced in Corporate Governance & Board Leadership, Charlotte discusses her management of the Styrelseakademien Stockholm, a leading members club for board professionals.  Charlotte is a Certified European Director (ecoDa) and Nordic Governance expert, public speaker and advisor on Corporate Leadership and Board Dynamics. For more background on Charlotte, go to her website: https://www.globalheartleaders.comFor background on Cary Broussard and her book, From Cinderella to CEO, go to: https://www.cinderellaceo.com

In this second episode of our two-part series on navigating the four seasons of successful CEO leadership, Carolyn Dewar and Kurt Strovink, two of the authors of the upcoming book A CEO For All Seasons, share insights drawn from top-performing CEOs on how to navigate the middle two stages of CEO leadership—starting strong as a new CEO and staying ahead—to maintain long-term effectiveness while at the top. Carolyn Dewar, a coauthor of the New York Times bestselling CEO Excellence, is a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and founded and co-leads the firm’s global CEO excellence client service line. She is a frequent keynote speaker on leadership and transformation. Kurt Strovink, a coauthor of the national bestseller The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Lead from the Inside Out, is a senior partner at McKinsey & Company. Kurt leads the firm’s global CEO services practice and is also a member of McKinsey’s Board of Directors. Related insights A CEO for All Season: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership Sending it forward: Successfully transitioning out of the CEO role Staying ahead: How the best CEOs continually improve performance Stepping up: Becoming a high-potential CEO candidate Starting strong: Making your CEO transition a catalyst for renewal The inner game of women CEOs The CEO’s essential checklist: Questions every chief executive should be able to answer Leadership lessons from the world’s best CEOs Serving a greater purpose: CEO Excellence revisited Building leaders from the ground up The art of 21st-century leadership: From succession planning to building a leadership factory CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets that Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest McKinsey Insights on Strategy & Corporate Finance McKinsey Strategy & Corporate Finance on LinkedIn Support the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Ever wonder how a profitable company can suddenly face bankruptcy? The answer lies in Working Capital Management (WCM). In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we delve beyond profit margins to examine the daily cash battle that determines a company's survival and growth.We unpack the paradox of being "paper rich, cash poor" and reveal how WCM masters, such as Apple and Walmart, have turned liquidity into a competitive weapon, while others have learned the hard way that neglecting cash flow can destroy value.This episode covers:The WCM Paradox: Understanding the critical difference between long-term profit and short-term liquidity, and how a broken Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) can lead to failure.Strategic Mastery: How companies achieve strategic negative working capital by using market leverage to get cash from customers instantly while stretching payments to suppliers (effectively an interest-free loan from the supply chain).Lessons from Failure: The stark warning from Kraft Heinz, where a WCM breakdown—bloated inventory and slow receivables—led directly to a painful dividend cut, showing WCM discipline is not optional.The Finance Playbook: Five core strategies every professional must champion to weaponize WCM, including tightening Accounts Receivable terms, centralizing cash with Treasury Management, and using AI for demand forecasting.Critical Ratios: The importance of stress testing your short-term resilience and knowing key ratios that signal liquidity risk long before the crisis hits.

Ready to take a deep dive and learn how to generate personal tax-free cash flow from your corporation? Enroll in our FREE masterclass here and book a call hereAre you letting too much of your business's hard-earned cash sit idle when it could be working for you in multiple ways?As a business owner, you know the importance of having liquidity—an emergency or opportunity fund you can access instantly. But parking that money in a savings account or GIC often feels wasteful, especially when inflation eats away at its value. The challenge is balancing peace of mind with real growth. That's where the idea of a “wealth reservoir” comes in: a structured way to protect cash, keep it liquid, and still put it to work building long-term wealth.In this episode, you'll discover:How a whole life insurance policy can serve as a corporate wealth reservoir, giving you both liquidity and steady growth.Practical strategies for deciding how much to contribute and how to scale as your retained earnings grow.The emotional and financial considerations for starting small—and why most successful business owners eventually build multiple reservoirs.Press play now to learn how to transform idle corporate cash into a powerful engine for security, opportunity, and long-term wealth.Discover which phase of wealth creation you are in. Take our quick assessment and you'll receive a custom wealth-building pathway that matches your phase and learn our CRA compliant tax optimized strategies. Take that assessment here.Canadian Wealth Secrets Show Notes Page:Consider reaching out to Kyle…taking a salary with a goal of stuffing RRSPs;…investing inside your corporation without a passive income tax minimization strategy;…letting a large sum of liquid assets sit in low interest earning savings accounts;…investing corporate dollars into GICs, dividend stocks/funds, or other investments attracting corporate passive income taxes at greater than 50%; or,…wondering whether your current corporate wealth management strategy is optimal for your specific situation.Building a strong Canadian wealth plan starts with a clear financial vision setting process and the right mix of financial buckets to support both corporate finance and personal finance goals. By using a wealth reservoir—a strategy that leverages insurance policies to keep retained earnings liquid while still growing—you can create an emergency fund and opportunity fund that optimize cash flow. For the Canadian entrepreneur finance journey, this ties directly into corporate wealth planning, corporation investment strategies, and personal vReady to connect? Text us your comment including your phone number for a response!Canadian Wealth Secrets is an informative podcast that digs into the intricacies of building a robust portfolio, maximizing dividend returns, the nuances of real estate investment, and the complexities of business finance, while offering expert advice on wealth management, navigating capital gains tax, and understanding the role of financial institutions in personal finance.

In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we showcase the incredible journey of Iuliia Tuseeva, an Equity Analyst at the BEAM Fund and a student at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Vancouver, BC.Iuliia shares how her passion for mathematics and economics first sparked her interest in finance, leading her to successfully navigate a major international move alone and quickly build a competitive career foundation.This episode covers:From Olympiads to Investing: How Iuliia's early passion for math and economics competitions quickly translated into real-world trading and investment analysis.The Power of Adversity: Why moving alone to Canada at a young age was her biggest struggle and how that experience built the mental maturity and independence essential for success in finance.SFU Case Competitions: How she used global case competitions (like an M&A challenge) and student associations to gain practical skills far beyond the classroom.Life in Private Equity: Insights from her internship at Alpine Vista's Capital, including the challenge of performing deep industry research in niche sectors (and how to find hidden data).The Value of Community: Her experience in the RBC Women in Investment Management Mentorship Program and why learning how to network and build genuine relationships is crucial for career growth.The BEAM Fund Experience: How her role as an Equity Analyst in a student-led, multi-million dollar fund provides hands-on, high-level experience in equity research, portfolio management, and investment strategy.Iuliia's intentional approach to skill-stacking (including multiple CFI certifications) provides a compelling roadmap for any aspiring finance professional.

In the high-stakes world of corporate leadership, becoming a Fortune 500 CEO is an Everest-like ascent, with only the savviest succeeding across every stage of the journey. Carolyn Dewar, Vik Malhotra, and Kurt Strovink, authors of the upcoming book A CEO For All Seasons, join Sean to share insights from top-performing CEOs on navigating the first and fourth stages of CEO leadership – preparing for the role and fortifying a legacy, in the first of two episodes based on the new book. Carolyn Dewar, a coauthor of the New York Times bestselling CEO Excellence, is a senior partner at McKinsey and founded and co-leads the firm’s global CEO excellence client service line. She is a frequent keynote speaker on leadership and transformation. Vikram (Vik) Malhotra, a coauthor of CEO Excellence, is a senior partner at McKinsey where he has worked since 1986. He has served on McKinsey’s Board of Directors and as McKinsey’s Managing Partner of the Americas. Kurt Strovink is a senior partner at McKinsey and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He also leads McKinsey’s global CEO services practice and coauthored the national bestseller The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Lead from the Inside Out. Related insights A CEO for All Seasons: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership Sending it forward: Successfully transitioning out of the CEO role Staying ahead: How the best CEOs continually improve performance Stepping up: Becoming a high-potential CEO candidate Starting strong: Making your CEO transition a catalyst for renewal The inner game of women CEOs The CEO’s essential checklist: Questions every chief executive should be able to answer Leadership lessons from the world’s best CEOs Serving a greater purpose: CEO Excellence revisited Building leaders from the ground up The art of 21st-century leadership: From succession planning to building a leadership factory CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets that Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest McKinsey Insights on Strategy & Corporate Finance McKinsey Strategy & Corporate Finance on LinkedIn Support the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Ever wondered why companies like Airbnb, Spotify, and WeWork chose such different paths to the public markets? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we break down the three main ways companies go public: the traditional IPO, the disruptive Direct Listing, and the volatile SPAC.We'll unpack the mechanics, the trade-offs, and the key factors that drive a company's leadership to choose one door over the others.This episode covers:The IPO: The classic route for raising billions in capital, but we reveal the hidden costs and why it led to Airbnb's "money left on the table" problem.The Direct Listing: The cheaper, faster, and more transparent alternative. We explore why it was the perfect fit for companies like Spotify and Slack who wanted liquidity, not capital.The SPAC: The "wild west" of going public. We explain its appeal for speed and why it's a high-risk gamble that ultimately couldn't save WeWork's flawed business model.By the end of this episode, you'll be able to quickly analyze any public offering and understand the strategic choices behind it.

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we're introducing the CFI AI Tutor, a powerful learning assistant designed to provide instant, contextual help to every learner.Join Meeyeon as she sits down with Sebastian Taylor and Stephen Moerane to dive into the core features of this innovative tool.This episode covers:Why AI Tutor? The motivation behind building a 24/7 support tool is to provide instant answers, complementing CFI's in-depth video courses.Smarter Than ChatGPT: Learn what makes the CFI AI Tutor a hyper-specialized tool that provides contextualized answers based on the specific lesson you're watching, your career, and your industry.Impact on Your Learning: We discuss how the AI Tutor can help you practice concepts, clarify questions, and ultimately improve your performance in end-of-course assessments and certifications.Real-World Learner Feedback: Hear from our Community Manager, Stephen, on how learners are already using the AI Tutor to link complex concepts and get support on their journey.Whether you're working on a course exercise or simply want to test your understanding, the CFI AI Tutor is there to help you every step of the way.

Your company's balance sheet looks clean, but what financial secrets might be hiding just off the books? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we explore the hidden world of off-balance sheet financing. This practice isn't always bad. Sometimes it's a smart strategic move, but it can also be a dangerous way to obscure a company's true financial health.We'll teach you how to spot the risks and understand the crucial difference between legitimate and deceptive practices.This episode covers:Common Forms of Off-Balance Sheet Financing: From historical operating leases (used by companies like Starbucks and Delta) to modern-day Joint Ventures (JVs) and Special Purpose Entities (SPEs).Intent vs. Abuse: We analyze textbook examples of abuse, like Enron's catastrophic use of SPEs to hide billions in debt, and contrast it with legitimate strategic uses that are transparently disclosed.The Case of GE: We examine how even technically legitimate but overly complex structures can erode investor confidence and become a major problem.Practical Detective Work: Learn the top three things to look for in a company's financials to spot hidden risks. We show you why you must read the footnotes and how to adjust your own analysis to get a realistic picture of a company's leverage.This is a must-watch for anyone who wants to see the full financial story beyond the main balance sheet.

The current climate of geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty can complicate the strategy process and can make the idea of waiting for calmer times look attractive. But as our guests today point out, waiting out the storm is not an option. Instead, organizations need to make bold strategic moves rooted in a thorough understanding of how they create value and the market conditions they face. In this episode, Sean is joined by Matt Watters, who is a leader in our Geopolitics, Government, and Strategy and Corporate Finance Practices and a partner in our New Jersey office. Matt’s work focuses on growth and innovation in industries with evolving global dynamics, including defense, space, semiconductors, high tech, and cybersecurity. Ezra Greenberg also joins the podcast and is a partner in our Connecticut office, where he advises executives and investors across multiple sectors on how macro forces and global trends impact critical strategy and investment decisions under uncertainty. Related insights In a moment of tariffs, can the world find balance and trust to thrive? How American business can prosper in the new geopolitical era Restricted: How export controls are reshaping markets Tariffs on the move? A guide for CEOs for 2025 and beyond A proactive approach to navigating geopolitics is essential to thrive Strategy beyond the hockey stick: People, probabilities, and big moves beat the odds Building geopolitical resilience: A conversation with Michèle Flournoy Taking a proactive approach to geopolitics McKinsey Insights on Strategy & Corporate Finance McKinsey Strategy & Corporate Finance on LinkedInSupport the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Not every career starts with the corner office — Mike Neubecker shares with #NoVacancyNews his story from hourly front desk clerk at MGM Grand back in 1993 to President & COO of MGM Grand, New York-New York, and Excalibur. That's three of the most iconic #MGMResorts properties on the Las Vegas Strip! In our conversation, Mike shared insights on:

Ready to take a deep dive and learn how to generate personal tax-free cash flow from your corporation? Enroll in our FREE masterclass here and book a call hereIs leverage always the golden key to building wealth—or can it sometimes hold you back?Many entrepreneurs believe that using corporate or personal leverage is the ultimate strategy for unlocking cash flow and accelerating growth. But what happens when shifting debt from one pocket to another doesn't actually improve your position? In this episode, we explore Omar's story—an accomplished entrepreneur with multiple businesses, smart tax planning, and a well-structured financial system—who discovered that leverage wasn't the answer he expected. If you've ever wondered whether you're missing out by not tapping into leverage, this conversation may shift your perspective.You'll discover:Why using corporate-owned life insurance for leverage can backfire if the timing isn't right.The crucial difference between leverage that creates growth and leverage that simply shuffles debt.How to evaluate which assets are truly best to borrow against—so you protect cash flow without triggering unnecessary tax or fees.Press play now to learn when leverage can propel you forward—and when it's wiser to keep that ace up your sleeve.Discover which phase of wealth creation you are in. Take our quick assessment and you'll receive a custom wealth-building pathway that matches your phase and learn our CRA compliant tax optimized strategies. Take that assessment here.Canadian Wealth Secrets Show Notes Page:Consider reaching out to Kyle…taking a salary with a goal of stuffing RRSPs;…investing inside your corporation without a passive income tax minimization strategy;…letting a large sum of liquid assets sit in low interest earning savings accounts;…investing corporate dollars into GICs, dividend stocks/funds, or other investments attracting corporate passive income taxes at greater than 50%; or,…wondering whether your current corporate wealth management strategy is optimal for your specific situation.Canadian entrepreneurs seeking financial freedom know that building long-term wealth in Canada requires more than just hard work—it takes a clear financial strategy. From tax-efficient investing and RRSP optimization to balancing salary vs dividends Canada, corporate wealth planning, and personal vs corporate tax planning, every decision impacts your path to financial independence. Leveraging permanent insurance, real estate investing Canada, and capital gains strategy can unlock new financial buckets while supporting debt manaReady to connect? Text us your comment including your phone number for a response!Canadian Wealth Secrets is an informative podcast that digs into the intricacies of building a robust portfolio, maximizing dividend returns, the nuances of real estate investment, and the complexities of business finance, while offering expert advice on wealth management, navigating capital gains tax, and understanding the role of financial institutions in personal finance.

From Wells Fargo to McKinsey: A Career Journey in Finance with Shubham MittalIn this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Shubham Mittal, a Financial Analyst at McKinsey & Company, to explore his diverse and inspiring career journey. From his beginnings at Indian Oil Corp and Wells Fargo to his current role at a top-tier consulting firm, Shubham shares the lessons he learned on the path to success.Join us as we unpack how he navigated a career in finance and learn his top insights on building a resilient and adaptable professional life.This episode covers:The Value of Internships: How varied experiences at companies like JP Morgan, Dell Technologies, and Siemens shaped his skills and prepared him for a full-time career.The MBA Advantage: The three key motivations behind his decision to pursue an MBA, including the power of networking and building a holistic business perspective.Life at McKinsey: A look into his day-to-day as a financial analyst, the "make your own McKinsey" culture, and how he focuses on managing operational expenses (OPEX).Top 3 Skills: Shubham's advice on the most important skills for aspiring finance professionals: continuous learning, networking, and the courage to fail.Learning from Rejection: His powerful story of a 12-hour interview with JP Morgan that taught him a crucial lesson in resilience that led to a better opportunity.Whether you're just starting your career or looking for inspiration to grow, Shubham's story offers valuable insights for every aspiring professional.Want to hear more from Shubham? Check out his podcast, "The Prudent Finance," for more insights on the world of finance

Have you ever wondered why some companies thrive while others, with seemingly great products, collapse? The answer often lies in an unseen force: corporate governance. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we go beyond compliance checklists to explore how the delicate balance between a company's board, executives, and shareholders is the true engine of its financial health or its ultimate demise.We'll use compelling real-world case studies to show you what happens when governance fails (and when it works spectacularly well). This episode is a must-watch for any finance professional looking to understand the forces that truly drive a company's financial success.This episode covers:What is Corporate Governance? We demystify this critical framework, explaining its role as the "operating system" for a company's financial decision-making, from risk management to capital allocation.When Governance Fails: We analyze the devastating consequences of governance failures at Enron, Theranos, and WeWork, revealing how a lack of transparency, expertise, and oversight can destroy billions in value.When Governance Works: We look at inspiring examples of good governance in action, showing how companies like Unilever and Microsoft used a strong framework to foster resilience, innovation, and long-term value creation.Your Role in Governance: We provide five actionable best practices for finance professionals to become central players in strengthening their company's financial integrity and strategic clarity.This is a comprehensive guide to understanding the invisible hand that guides a company's financial future.

Not many CEOs start their careers bartending at 18 — but that's exactly how Bill Hornbuckle, CEO of MGM Resorts International, got his start. In this incredible #NoVacancyNews conversation, Bill shares how he went from bussing tables at the Jockey Club to leading one of the biggest names in hospitality. We talked about: •    

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