Financial Leadership Best Practices Virtual Conference: Intelligent Technology for Business Strategy & Effective Decision-Making
Overview
From AI and ESG, to corporate financial planning, busy financial leaders must adapt to today's rapidly evolving business world. Whether you want to streamline and optimize processes or gain a greater understanding of the new dynamics and inter-relationship of planning, reporting, and using analytics, it helps to understand the latest technologies and most successful business strategies. In this leading edge virtual conference, you will learn how to:
DAY ONE AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
• Lead finance teams in making meaningful progress in cost optimization
• Utilize Generative AI tools to move beyond efficiency and achieve higher value and long term benefits
• Take advantage of shared services and outsourcing
• Improve upon working capital and treasury management
DAY TWO AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
• Develop strategic goals, strategies and plans that lead to successful business objectives
• Effectively use financial planning and analysis to support critical business decisions
• Understand the increasing roles of AI and automation
• Increase the accuracy of forecasting to greatly improve decision making
Agenda
DAY ONE AGENDA
Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45 – 9:00 AM
Top Priorities for CFOs & Finance Leaders
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Many finance leaders continue to face significant external headwinds, including global economic uncertainty, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. This has driven the need for finance organizations to transform to become more agile and resilient to enable risk mitigation and support business performance. This session will include discussion on identifying the top priorities for CFOs and finance leaders, utilizing Generative AI, and how finance teams are progressing in cost optimization.
Break
10:00 – 10:05 AM
AI for Finance
10:05 – 11:20 AM
Finance professionals are now being challenged to reimagine their work for an AI-powered future. Substantial value lies in the intersection of data, artificial intelligence, and intelligent automation, rather than applying them in isolation. This session will provide an up-to-date outline of AI and its applications in Finance and Accounting.
Break
11:20 – 11:25 AM
Working Capital & Treasury Management
11:25 AM – 12:25 PM
This session will explore recent strategies that companies are using to manage their cash and treasury operations. Participants will be brought up-to-speed on the latest methods for maximizing returns in a turbulent economic market, via a discussion of:
• Primary treasury functions
• Visibility and cash forecast
• Business analytics
• Timely and accurate information
Lunch
12:25 – 1:10 PM
A New Era of Cybersecurity Accountability
1:10 – 2:10 PM
Since the threats posed by cyberattacks continue to evolve, companies must remain vigilant and make sure that their cybersecurity and ransomware defense remains updated, capable, and efficient. This session will focus on:
• The CFO-CISO partnership and collaboration
• Evolving regulatory requirements
• Compliance risks
• New SEC cyber regulations and financial reporting requirements
• SEC inquiries
• Risk governance
Break
2:10 – 2:15 PM
Finance Leadership in Sustainability
2:15 – 3:15 PM
Today’s CFO and finance functions can’t ignore the topic of sustainability. Too many relevant stakeholders want measurable progress and accurate reporting, In fact, the CFO function and all finance professionals have a significant opportunity to lead their organizations to greater success in this area. This session will cover:
• The state of sustainability programs and reporting
• Regulatory review
• Treasury and FP&A considerations
• ESG controllership
• Internal control considerations and assurance
• Sustainability governance
Break
3:15 – 3:20 PM
The Latest in Finance Business Process Outsourcing/Insourcing
3:20 – 4:35 PM
Selecting the right Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Partner is critical, as is identifying the right areas for transition. This session will provide an overview of various aspects related to Finance and Accounting BPOs—from the key benefits and risks, to the range of options available. We will also look at the key aspects of the Global Business Services Model (GBS) journey, including key terminology and approaches.
Closing Remarks
4:35 – 4:45 PM
DAY TWO AGENDA
Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45 – 9:00 AM
Integrated Business Planning
9:00 – 10:00 AM
We will discuss the core foundational elements of Integrated Business Planning (IBP). We will also talk about why companies are moving to this methodology and some of the key impacts and outputs. Additionally, we will touch upon some of the challenges for companies as they implement IBP. Specifically, we will address how it is helping them to manage their risks and navigate their profitability in this complex environment.
Break
10:00 – 10:05 AM
AI in Business Forecasting
10:05 – 11:05 AM
Finance departments are being challenged to reimagine finance for an AI-powered future. Integrating AI into forecasting has become essential for companies to process and analyze vast amounts of data as they prepare for the future. This session will cover important areas of interest such as:
• Top priorities of finance leaders
• Data and manual processes
• Finance becoming a data-centric function
• Evolution of roles and cultural changes
• Making effective GenAI use cases
Break
11:05 – 11:10 AM
FP&A is Everyone's Business
11:10 AM – 12:10 PM
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) has become important across all levels and departments of an organization. This is now ultimately leading towards more shared responsibility, cross-functional collaboration, transparency, and accountability. In this session we will discuss:
• Creating a data-driven culture
• The benefits of financial insight
• Common challenges and how to overcome them
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Forecast accuracy
• Strategic alignment
• Empowering employees
Lunch
12:10 – 12:55 PM
Corporate Planning & Budgeting at IBM
12:55 – 2:25 PM
IBM’s Assistant Controller, Andrés Jalfen, joins us to discuss how IBM goes about creating their planning and budgeting strategies. In this session, we will discuss the ways in which IBM continues to reshape how businesses operate and remain committed towards long-term growth. He will also cover:
• IBM’s business and financial model
• Revenue accelerators to enable sustainable growth
• Planning cycles
• Adoption of AI
• The finance transformation journey
• Consulting market analysis
Break
2:25 – 2:30 PM
Financial Statement Analysis & the Role of AI
2:30 – 4:00 PM
The role of artificial intelligence in financial statement analysis is rapidly growing as AI technologies become more advanced. By leveraging AI, companies, analysts, and investors can enhance their decision-making process and improve accuracy. This session provides an in-depth look at how AI is transforming financial statement analysis and will also include:
• Automating data processing and analysis
• Enhanced financial forecasting and projections
• Identifying financial risks and anomalies
• Automating financial ratio calculations and KPIs
• Improving financial decision-making
• Enhancing auditing and internal controls
Break
4:00 – 4:05 PM
Pricing Strategies Masterclass: Aligning Finance, Value & Competitive Advantage
4:05 – 5:05 PM
This unique session is designed to equip business leaders and financial professionals with a strategic understanding of pricing. We will discuss how proper pricing knowledge can drive profitability, communicate value, and reinforce competitive positioning. We will also go over:
• Different types of pricing strategies
• Aligning pricing with financial goals
• Understanding and communicating value
• Competitor-based pricing considerations
• Psychological pricing tactics
Closing Remarks
5:05 – 5:15 PM
Conference Ends
5:15 PM
Speakers
Ali Ashiqali, Director, Business Performance Improvement, Protiviti
Kerry Buchar, Managing Director, Protiviti
Tim Bulman, Managing Director, Protiviti
Neal Eisenberg, Director, Protiviti
Nicholas Folan, Manager, Technology Consulting, EY
Joe Freeman, Senior Manager, AI & Data Consulting EY
Robert Hirth, Consultant, Protiviti
Andrés Jalfen, Assistant Controller, Strategy & Budgets, IBM
Lauren A. Klosterhoff, Director of Self-Study Operations, CPE Inc.
Phil Owusu, Founder & CEO, Finance Powerhouse, LLC
Brian Richman, Senior Manager, Business Performance Improvement, Protiviti
Charles G. Soranno, Managing Director, Protiviti
David Taylor, Managing Director, Protiviti
Andrea Vardaro Thomas, Managing Director, Protiviti
Chris Wright, Managing Director, Protiviti