What CFOs should fix before scaling AI in finance

What CFOs should fix before scaling AI in finance

Many finance organizations are exploring how to scale AI, but readiness remains uneven across teams and processes. In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Mike Whitmire, CEO and co-founder of FloQast, about what CFOs need to get right before scaling AI in finance. Drawing on his experience working with thousands of finance teams and building FloQast's accounting workflow platform, Mike explains why visibility into workflows, structured processes and reliable data remain essential for effective AI adoption. The conversation also highlights how AI adoption varies widely across finance functions, with different levels of maturity requiring tailored approaches based on scale, complexity and growth plans. Mike also discusses the importance of governance, audit readiness and operating discipline, outlining how CFOs can align people, process and technology to scale AI in a structured way and deliver measurable value. Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance [https://www.ey.com/betterfinance]. Key takeaways: * Challenge assumptions about AI by focusing on what finance teams need to trust and adopt it, not what technology promises. * Tailor AI approaches to the scale, complexity and maturity of the finance function, rather than applying a single model. * Redefine the role of finance teams, with greater emphasis on judgement, review and providing confidence in outputs. © 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited

How real-time liquidity can help treasury unlock capital and drive value

Treasury is entering a new phase of responsibility, one defined by continuous action rather than periodic oversight. In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson speaks with Stephen Randall, Global Head of Liquidity Management Services at Citigroup, about how treasury is adapting to an always-on, real-time global economy and becoming more central to enterprise value creation. Stephen shares insights from Citi's research and client experience on what differentiates high-performing treasury functions, highlighting the importance of strong fundamentals, high-quality data, automation and programmable, rules-based cash management. He explains how always-on treasury models help CFOs and treasurers respond faster to disruption, reduce operational risk and make more informed balance sheet decisions. Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance [https://www.ey.com/betterfinance]. Key takeaways: * Understand why forecasting accuracy alone is no longer sufficient to support confident finance decision making. * Recognize how treasury can enable confidence through real‑time liquidity, visibility and control. * Explore how leading organizations are redesigning treasury operating models for an always‑on environment. * Identify the role of real‑time liquidity and automation in reducing reliance on manual intervention. * Understand how treasury's evolving role can support resilience, agility, unlock capital and support enterprise value creation. © 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited

Why CFOs should recognize the hidden specialists who quietly drive success

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, host Myles Corson is joined by Jack McCullough, President of the CFO Leadership Council, to explore how CFOs can uncover and support hidden talent within their organizations to thrive in an AI-driven world. They discuss the concept of indispensable specialists — those individuals who may not hold senior titles or be highly visible but possess unique skills that drive significant value and impact. Jack shares insights on why recognizing these key contributors are important for CFOs navigating rapid technological change and organizational complexity. The conversation highlights how AI is transforming finance roles but cannot replace the nuanced judgment, trust and crisis management that these specialists provide. Jack and Myles also explore practical strategies for CFOs to identify, nurture and reward these talents, including embracing dual career paths that allow experts to deepen their skills without necessarily moving into management roles. Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance [https://www.ey.com/betterfinance]. Key takeaways: * Identify the specialists who deliver outsized value in your finance teams. * Recognize the importance of unique skills that AI cannot replace. * Implement strategies to nurture and retain indispensable talent. * Assess whether current career paths support both technical experts and leaders. © 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited

How CFOs can drive profitable growth through finance and customer focus

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, Myles Corson speaks with David Homonoff, CFO at Feast & Fettle, about what it takes to lead finance in a fast-growing business where culture and customer experience are deeply intertwined. David shares how Feast & Fettle's success stems from a simple yet powerful idea: make decisions through the lens of the customer. He explains why treating the customer as the North Star shapes nearly every decision, from pricing and expansion to how the organization thinks about retention, profitability and long-term value. Rather than chasing growth at any cost, the conversation explores how finance leaders can use their operating model to make thoughtful trade-offs as complexity increases. The episode offers an inside look at the modern CFO mindset. David reflects on why strong fundamentals are essential, but not sufficient, and why some of the most important work happens outside the spreadsheet. He talks candidly about testing new ideas, learning from experience and willingness to adjust course when something no longer makes sense. Throughout the conversation, David highlights the importance of building teams that take ownership, stay curious about technology and are prepared to navigate uncertainty, illustrating how today's CFOs are evolving from financial stewards into true business leaders. Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance [https://www.ey.com/betterfinance]. Key takeaways: * Understand how strong finance fundamentals and operational discipline create the foundation for sustainable, profitable growth. * Discover why treating the customer as the North Star can help CFOs balance expansion, pricing and investment decisions without compromising quality or culture. * Learn how embracing innovation, including AI, while leading with integrity can enable finance leaders to navigate complexity and create long‑term value. © 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited

How CFOs can navigate industrial policy and the energy transition

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, Brian Tomlinson, Managing Director, ESG, Financial Accounting Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLP, speaks with Jan Rosenow, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the University of Oxford, about how the global energy transition is reshaping the economic landscape for businesses. The discussion explores the growing role of industrial policy in decarbonization and how different regions are using incentives such as tax credits and subsidies to influence where clean energy technologies are developed and deployed. As economies shift from fossil fuel dependence toward electrification, companies face new considerations around energy costs, supply chain exposure and policy uncertainty. Jan shares practical insights on how organizations can approach the transition, highlighting the importance of improving efficiency first and making step-by-step investments that make financial sense. The conversation also examines how quickly markets can change and why companies that delay adaptation may face competitive risk. Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance [https://www.ey.com/betterfinance]. Key takeaways: * Understand how industrial policy and targeted incentives can influence investment decisions and competitive positioning. * Discover how shifting from fossil fuels to electrification can change cost structures, supply chain exposure and energy risk. * Learn how a phased, efficiency-first approach can help organizations navigate the transition while maintaining financial discipline. © 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited