The CFO Alliance

Members of The CFO Alliance gathered this week in #Denver and #Chicago to discuss-debate-dissect 2025 budgeting & planning tactics. Take a read of some key takeaways and advice from our head of learning & development, Benjamin Lehrer. #budgeting #planning #2025 #cfos #finance

Our goal at each Roundtable is for everyone to walk away with at least one anecdote to make everyone who participates a better, more informed leader. Join a CFO Alliance roundtable near you: https://lnkd.in/eQZjVcWD

The CFO Alliance members were again asked to comment on a recent news article responding to the recent Fed cuts. 3 CFOs gauge rate cut’s impact The Fed’s rate cut has handed floating-rate debt borrowers an immediate tailwind but CFOs are still grappling with new strategies that the move could elevate. Read full article - link in the comments below.

Looking forward to gathering with members of The CFO Alliance for Q3 2024 Roundtables - Budgeting and Planning Readiness - in #Denver and #Chicago. Make sure to attend it them on October 8 and October 9. #cfos #peertopeer #2025budgeting #2025planning

A big thank you to everyone who joined us this week at the Q3 CFO Alliance Roundtables in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.! 🙌 We had some incredible discussions around Budgeting and Planning Readiness for 2025, and I wanted to share a few key takeaways that emerged from these sessions. We kicked off with the "duck analogy": As CFOs, we need to be calm on the surface, but paddle like hell beneath the surface to manage the budgeting process. It’s all about keeping that balance between visible composure and behind-the-scenes effort. We appreciate the inputs from our partners, First Water Finance, Planful, Oracle NetSuite, Rho, AssuredPartners, Homestead Smart Health Plans and AchieveNEXT Here are a few other highlights: 1. Zero-Based Budgeting vs. Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down – Different approaches, but the key is understanding what works best for your organization’s needs. Scenario Analysis – When analyzing multiple scenarios, focus on identifying and understanding your key drivers. But do we need to budget for every single scenario? 2. Payroll & Guardrails – When payroll becomes a major budget component, it’s critical to set clear guardrails for each function to keep costs in check. "Uncommunicated expectations are premeditated resentment." – A reminder that clear communication across the organization is essential for accountability and success. 3. Tough Questions for Growth – As CFOs, we need to ask: What has or will change to achieve the growth our CEOs are aiming for in the budget? Detailed Assumptions – Ownership and detail in your assumptions are key. Every stakeholder should have a say, and more importantly, understand their role. 4. Why the Same Struggles? – Many CFOs voiced frustration over revisiting the same budgeting challenges year after year. It's time to find solutions that truly stick. 5. Communication & Accountability – Getting people within your organization involved in the process is crucial, but even more important is making them accountable for their numbers. These roundtables were full of actionable insights to improve our budgeting processes for 2025. Let's keep the conversation going, stay calm on the surface, and tackle the tough questions together! Contact us at www.cfoalliance.com Do you feel like a duck? #CFOAlliance #Budgeting2025 #PlanningExcellence #FinanceLeadership

We at The CFO Alliance are proud to partner with Rho, the business banking platform designed to make finance frictionless for scaling teams. Our members can apply to Rho in minutes to take advantage of their enterprise-grade spend management and AP automation with no monthly, wire, or ACH fees and 24/7 customer support. Want to learn more about our partnership and what it means for our CFO members and their finance teams? Watch the video below and read the full blog post in the comments! https://lnkd.in/euV_m6jS *Rho is a fintech company, not a bank. Checking and card services are provided by Webster Bank, N.A., member FDIC; savings account services are provided by American Deposit Management, LLC, and its partner banks.

Grounded in Reality! This is how one CFO Alliance member suggested we should start the 2025 Budgeting and Planning process. Key Takeaways from Today’s CFO Alliance Q3 Roundtable in Orange County, CA facilitated by Nick Araco JR: The budgeting and planning process is much more than just numbers—it's about crafting the right narrative and building strong relationships. Here are some key insights that emerged from today’s discussion: Documentation is Key – Keeping a detailed record of everything ensures clarity and alignment as the budget evolves. Own the Narrative – CFOs must take charge of the narrative-building process, working with constituents to create a story that supports and aligns with business goals. Own Version Control – Managing multiple versions of a budget can get messy. Make sure you control the flow and have a clear system in place. Track Changes—When dealing with different iterations, a change log is essential to understanding what changed, when, and why. Discuss Risks and Opportunities – Openly discuss potential risks and opportunities with your team and constituents to ensure you're all on the same page. CFO & CRO Relationship – One of the most critical relationships to nurture is between the CFO and CRO. Strengthen this partnership to ensure alignment on both financial and growth strategies. If you were in the room, what was your biggest takeaway? If not, how are you handling these in your own budgeting process? Thank you to our partners, First Water Finance, Planful, and NetSuite, who contributed to this morning's discussion. #CFOAlliance #FinanceLeadership #Budgeting #Planning #Q3Roundtable