Financial Management (FM) magazine

Hosted by AICPA & CIMA

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180

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

The Financial Management (FM) magazine podcast series features conversations with executives and thought leaders in management accounting. We discuss topics including governance, risk management, performance management, technology, corporate strategy, and leadership. Interviews are conducted by FM editors and contributors.

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60 recent

August 19, 202623 min

Irreplaceable attributes in an AI world — Q&A with the CIMA president

CIMA president Alfred Ramosedi , FCMA, CGMA, detailed the competencies that finance professionals need to navigate AI and how to transform "suffering" into growth and opportunity. Ramosedi, also the co-chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the CEO of Bayport Financial Services, joined the FM podcast to discuss the skills management accountants should prioritise, the core values and lessons that shaped him as a leader, and how different generations can work together to progress the finance function. In the conversation, Ramosedi emphasised the importance of "suffering properly" and what he means by that. He also discussed future-proofing his company's business model during a time of disruption and why AI is changing the role of finance — not replacing finance professionals. "Don't suffer and then you get through the suffering and there's nothing positive that you can show for it," Ramosedi said. "If you suffer, suffer properly, and learn from it and do something." What you'll learn from this episode: § Three emerging trends management accountants need to prepare for. Why finance professionals can't "jump to AI" without first learning technical skills. The value of reverse mentoring as emerging technologies take hold. Ramosedi's recounting of a "humble" upbringing and his motto related to personal responsibility. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic that helped Ramosedi transform disruption into opportunity. Why AI will not replace people.

August 5, 20268 min

FM August: Agent behaviour, AI and early careers, business jargon

In this podcast episode, FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises the content in the August digital edition of the magazine. Rowe details an article that discusses the history of business jargon, when it should be used, and when it should be avoided. He also shares details about several articles related to artificial intelligence, including one on how AI is changing early career paths for finance professionals. He also shares details on a technical article with the headline " Why Time Matters in Carbon Accounting". Rowe closes with a summary of leadership columns and an explanation of how members can access the current edition and the library of past editions . What you'll learn from this episode: Highlights of an article about business jargon, including a mention of where some terms originated. Details of the August edition's leadership columns, including the debut column of the new CIMA president, Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA. A mention of a practical article for finance professionals with the headline "What It Takes for a CFO to Lead Operations and Tech". Rowe's reminders on how members can access the digital edition.

July 29, 202618 min

5 steps for making better decisions under pressure

Leadership and mental health speaker Andrew Pain returns to the FM podcast to discuss his ENGAGE UK & Europe session, outline his five-point framework for enhanced decision-making, and share more common biases that distort critical thinking. Pain also explains the importance of clarifying information instead of relying on gut instincts to form conclusions. ENGAGE is 13–14 October in London. Registration is open until 9 October. What you'll learn from this episode: Why immediacy pushes us into gut-based reasoning. Five questions to consider before making a decision. Two types of distorted thinking that can make professionals irrational. Why psychological safety is a crucial workplace dynamic. The benefits and limitations of consulting AI in decision-making.

July 15, 202619 min

Leadership traits that help finance teams thrive

Leadership coach and mentor Sue Milne, FCMA, CGMA, describes key strategic and interpersonal skills that can help finance professionals keep pace with evolving business expectations, along with key questions that can help them grow as leaders. Milne also shares essential attributes for managing finance teams today, how leaders can maintain awareness of potential blind spots, and what core values contribute to inspirational leadership. What you'll learn from this episode: What inspired Milne's career transition. How to build better relationships with stakeholders. Key skills professionals can hone to manage blind spots. What transformational leadership is and how to make it work. Key components for becoming your own kind of leader.

July 1, 202619 min

'Own your results': Building accountability as a CFO

Eric R. Alexander, CPA, president of advisory service company Six Arrows Consulting, discusses the lessons he's learned throughout his career in finance and what being a finance leader means for him, and other insights from his upcoming book, Stewardship Leadership for Stinkin' Accountants: Serving as the CFO . He shares key strategies for developing as a stewardship leader, including how he holds himself accountable, how he views his role as a trusted adviser for organisations, and the steps he has taken to improve in the relational and people aspects of the finance function. "I've been most effective in my work when I've functioned as a steward, meaning I understood things had been entrusted to me to be responsible for," he said. "I was accountable to people, and fundamentally, it was not all about me." What you'll learn from this episode: Why Alexander says the CFO role is not about you as a finance leader. Key elements of stewardship leadership. How to hold yourself accountable as a finance professional. Why getting into the finer details can complicate decision-making. What it means to own your results. Tips for enhancing people and soft skills.

June 17, 20268 min

June FM: AI presentations, anti-fraud culture, Rise2040

In this podcast episode, FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises the content in the June edition of the magazine. Rowe details an article on using artificial intelligence tools to bolster presentations and introduces a new, recurring column on global advocacy. He also highlights several other articles in the edition. FM' s June edition is now available (member login required). Also, access the library of past editions . What you'll learn from this episode: Highlights of an article about what AI tools can do to improve business presentations. Details of a new, recurring column on global advocacy, which for this edition includes a focus on advocacy's role in building and sustaining public trust. The key points of an article about the AICPA and CIMA's Rise2040 initiative. Rowe's summary of an article offering advice — for women in particular — on being a strong self-advocate and one on building an anti-fraud culture.

June 10, 202620 min

People power keeps productivity growing with AI

Irena Teneva, an associate technical director at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, joins the FM podcast to share insights gathered from a new AICPA and CIMA report, Future Ready Finance: Productivity at the Human-Technology Crossroads . Teneva illustrates the types of tasks experiencing clear efficiency gains from artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, where finance leaders are more cautious about implementation, and steps those leaders are taking to expand how tools can be used. Teneva also highlights why productivity still hinges on finance talent, priority areas for skills development, and how finance leaders are collaborating across business functions. What you'll learn from this episode: Process and people priorities for finance leaders in 2026. Where AI implementation is leading to time savings for companies. Some steps leaders are taking to optimise and expand AI use. Why productivity is still a "people game". How finance leaders are approaching cross-business collaboration. Three key steps to improving efficiency, according to leaders.

May 27, 202615 min

Pitch perfect: Team sport helps finance students stand out

Claire DuRose, lead manager–UK Student Recruitment for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and Vince Mayne, CEO of England Touch rugby, joined the FM podcast to explain the benefits of participating in team sport for students, specifically how team sport can grow skills and increase employability for finance graduates. They discuss the ways team sport can prepare management accounting students for challenging environments at work, build deeper professional relationships, and help them through the interview process. DuRose and Mayne also highlight what participating in team sport can give young professionals that academic and other extracurricular frameworks can't. What you'll learn from this episode: The project goals for CIMA's collaboration with England Touch rugby. The soft skills that touch rugby can help finance students build. "Super skills" that can help students prepare for interviews and work. The value of team sport in building deeper bonds in the workplace. How participation in team sport can grow leaders' perspectives.

May 13, 202611 min

Future of finance: An evolving, people-driven transformation

The latest Future of Finance research from the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants reveals several key focus areas for finance and business leaders. Rebecca McCaffry , FCMA, CGMA, the Association's associate technical director, joined the FM podcast to discuss survey results, highlighting leaders' top transformation strategies, barriers facing organisations looking to upskill talent, and notable areas of progress in finance teams since a previous survey on the topic six years earlier. McCaffry also explains the interplay between people and process and one key preference that signals a "significant shift away" from organisations' workforce strategies in 2019. What you'll learn from this episode: Finance and business leaders' top priorities for transformation. Consistencies and shifts in focus from 2019 to 2025. The interplay between process and people priorities. Skills gap challenges and what risks they pose for organisations. Two points of progress since 2019. One key strategic area gaining traction and investment.

April 21, 202618 min

Reframing retirement: A 4-part formula for relevance after work

Anthony Boateng, FCMA, CGMA, Npontu Technologies' chair, explores why retirement planning is about much more than saving money and illustrates the nonfinancial ways that professionals can invest in themselves to prepare for and maintain a sustainable and fulfilling retirement. Boateng introduces his model for retirement planning, including four main areas he considers essential for growth and relevance into retirement years. He also suggests several strategies for optimising networking and building deeper relationships, and he explains why a sharp mind matters the closer we get to retirement. "At 50 and beyond ... you are no longer just working for today," Boateng said. "You are building the intellectual foundation for the next 20, 30, or 40 years." What you'll learn from this episode: Why preparing for retirement is about more than saving money. One critical question for reframing our approach to retirement planning. Four pillars that can help steer a fulfilling, purposeful retirement. The interplay between relationships and wellbeing. Three approaches for authentic, meaningful networking. Why intellectual growth matters more as we age.