FinFactor: Expert Insights for the CFO

Hosted by Blaine Bertsch

Business Entrepreneurship

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Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Tune in to FinFactor as we dive into the evolving role of today’s CFO. Each episode features experienced finance leaders and industry experts who share practical insights on emerging technology, financial strategy, and the future of the Office of the CFO. Hosted by Blaine Bertsch, we explore the evolving responsibilities of finance leaders—from adopting automation and AI to navigating today’s complex financial environment and leading digital transformation initiatives. Guests share firsthand experiences from the front lines of ERP implementations, strategic planning, data management, and financial operations. Whether you're a CFO in a mid-market company or a fractional CFO, FinFactor offers practical insights, lessons learned, and emerging trends to help you lead with clarity and confidence in today’s dynamic business environment. FinFactor is Produced by Dryrun: Forecasting Software for the Office of the CFO Learn more at https://dryrun.com

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40 recent

July 23, 2026Episode 4034 min

The Psychology of Corporate Scams: Building a Strategic Human Firewall in the Office of the CFO

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with security analyst and bestselling author Robert Siciliano to unpack the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven scams, wire fraud, and corporate deception. While technology continues to advance, the human element remains a company's most expensive liability. Robert breaks down the psychological traps bad actors exploit—including the "Human Blind Spot" and the cycle of paranoia, denial, and fatalism—and explains why traditional compliance phishing tests fail to protect your bottom line. Discover how finance leaders can move beyond check-the-box training to cultivate genuine security appreciation, empower employees through personal digital safety, and transform their workforce into a strategic human firewall against financial crime. Connect with Robert Siciliano: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsiciliano Visit Robert’s website: https://protectnowllc.com/ Dryrun empowers the office of the CFO to leave manual spreadsheets behind and model complex cash flow scenarios with speed, clarity, and boardroom-ready control at https://dryrun.com. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oMA5pD7Pj34 #Cybersecurity #CFO #CorporateFraud #RiskManagement #FinancialLeadership #CashFlow #FinFactor #BusinessSecurity

June 24, 2026Episode 3928 min

How Sales Data is Lying to You: The CFO’s Guide to Retail Traffic Analytics

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with Mark Ryski, founder of Headcount and author of Store Traffic is a Gift, to break down why point-of-sale (POS) data alone cannot give the office of the CFO the full picture of retail performance. They explore how tracking physical store traffic and hourly conversion rates provides critical financial context, revealing the real truth behind underperforming stores, smart labor resource allocation, and targeted marketing spend. Mark shares real-world practitioner insights on how finance leaders can bridge the gap between e-commerce level analytics and brick-and-mortar reality to stop leaving precious revenue on the table. Learn about HeadCount at headcount.com Connect with Mark at linkedin.com/in/mark-ryski-8826601 For finance teams buried in spreadsheets trying to deliver accurate forecasts to management, Dryrun provides fast, customizable cash flow modeling and scenario planning with total clarity and control. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BerX7L5eXCM #CFO #RetailAnalytics #FinancialForecasting #RetailTraffic #LaborPlanning #CashFlow Management #FinanceLeaders #BusinessIntelligence

May 20, 202622 min

Laurent Marcelis "Beyond the P&L: Why CFOs Must Own Non-Financial Risk Reporting"

The CFO role is undergoing a significant transformation as non-financial risk reporting moves from a regulatory "tick-box" exercise to a core driver of enterprise value. In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with Laurent Marcelis, CFO of Enhesa, to discuss why the finance function is the natural home for non-financial risk intelligence. As global regulations like the CSRD hit major corporations, Laurent explains how unmanaged non-financial risks, such as environmental, health, and safety exposures, can quietly erode company valuation—particularly during M&A due diligence and post-M&A integration. This conversation offers a forward-thinking look at how CFOs can use non-financial data to move beyond simple compliance and create a strategic advantage in a fragmented global market. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p6o85g0iehc Dryrun is a powerful modeling tool that helps CFOs move beyond manual spreadsheets to gain clarity and control over cash flow and complex financial scenarios. Visit dryrun.com to learn more. Learn about Enhesa at enhesa.com #CFO #FinanceLeadership #CSRD #SustainabilityReporting #RiskManagement #EHS #CorporateGovernance #FinFactor #BusinessStrategy #M&A

April 23, 2026Episode 3734 min

M&A Crime Scenes: Why 70% of Deals Fail and How CFOs Can Fix It

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with 35-year CPA and M&A expert Holli Moeini to uncover the "crime scenes" that destroy deal value for mid-market companies. While many CEOs focus solely on revenue, Holli explains why the office of the CFO must look deeper into operational details, human judgment, and the "romance" between the P&L and the balance sheet to secure a successful exit. Blaine and Holli discuss why 70-80% of businesses fail to sell and how proactive cash flow forecasting, GAAP-compliant records, and strategic "add-backs" can bridge the gap between a standard multiple and a premium valuation. Whether you are on the buy-side or preparing for an eventual sale, this conversation provides a roadmap for navigating working capital hurdles, managing earnouts, and building a finance function that commands trust during due diligence. Dryrun is a powerful forecasting tool that helps CFOs eliminate manual spreadsheets and model complex cash flow scenarios with total clarity and control at dryrun.com. #CFO #MergersAndAcquisitions #CashFlow #FinanceLeadership #BusinessValuation #MandA #DryRun #FinFactor #InvestmentBanking #PrivateEquity

April 2, 2026Episode 3643 min

Humanoid Robotics & the CFO: Preparing for the $8/Hour Workforce

The office of the CFO is standing at the precipice of a "Great Transition." As AI and humanoid robotics evolve at light speed, the traditional metrics for capital allocation are being rewritten. In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with David Kilzer of Strategic Transformation Advisors to discuss why CFOs must look beyond short-term ROI and start preparing for a world of industrial-ready robotics. David shares his "Humanoid Readiness Quotient" framework, explaining how businesses can avoid the trap of depreciating "dead-end" assets and instead build a flexible backplane for the future. From the "3 Ds" of automation—Dirty, Dangerous, and Drudgery—to the projected $8/hour liquidated labor cost, this conversation is a roadmap for finance leaders who want to maintain a competitive edge without jeopardizing current operations. Key topics discussed: Why "lagging" or "leaping too fast" into AI both carry significant risks. The emergence of humanoid robots in companies like Hyundai and BMW. How to "sandbox" AI implementations to protect the core business from "hallucinations." Redefining capital allocation: Why a 2-year payback is the new gold standard. The future of autonomous logistics and the impact of the "virtuous cycle" on technology costs. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RSVFFRiBisw Dryrun provides finance leaders with a sophisticated, agile platform for predictive cash flow modeling and multi-scenario planning to replace the limitations of traditional spreadsheets. https://dryrun.com #CFO #FinanceTransformation #HumanoidRobotics #AIinBusiness #CashFlowForecasting #FinFactor #AutomationStrategy #CapitalAllocation #FutureOfWork

February 18, 2026Episode 3525 min

Fractional IT Leadership: Cut Tech Waste, Avoid Vendor Lock-In, Rescue Stalled ERP Projects

If you’re a CFO in a growing mid-market business, the real cost of “good enough” IT shows up fast: redundant software (shadow IT), unmanaged vendor renewals, expensive surprises, and tech projects that drift into scope creep and blown budgets. In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Jared Leuschen of Blue Tree Technology Group to unpack what happens when organizations make big tech decisions without enough outside expertise—and how fractional IT leadership can bring clarity, control, and confidence without the full-time executive price tag. You’ll learn practical frameworks CFOs can use to build the business case for fractional IT leadership, tighten procurement to prevent vendor lock-in, and create a repeatable methodology for evaluating vendors—from requirements gathering and stakeholder alignment to shortlisting, negotiation, and accountability. Jared also shares the warning signs that a project is going sideways (lack of project management visibility, weak budget tracking, disengaged sponsors, unclear “why”), plus what to do before an ERP implementation becomes a costly write-off. Want better control over your cash flow while you make high-stakes decisions like these? Visit Dryrun.com to leave spreadsheets behind and forecast cash flow with clarity—then model scenarios with confidence. Connect with Jared at linkedin.com/in/jared-leuschen-b20195b Learn about Blue Tree Technology Group at bluetreetg.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/607zEgwEKe4 #CashFlowForecasting #CFO #ERPImplementation #ITStrategy #DigitalTransformation

February 3, 2026Episode 3430 min

Abhijit Verekar on Why Most AI Pilots Fail: A Candid Look at Tech, Data, & ERP Reality

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Abhijit Verekar, founder of Avero Advisors, to unpack one of the biggest misconceptions in today’s tech landscape: that public agencies and large organizations can simply “buy AI” and transform overnight. AV breaks down why so many AI pilots fail, how legacy ERPs, siloed data, outdated infrastructure, and missing guardrails derail even the best intentions, and why the real work isn’t flashy—it’s foundational. Together they explore how organizations can modernize responsibly, where spreadsheets actually outperform legacy green-screen systems, why vaporware is back, and how to design AI pilots that solve real problems without creating new ones. If you’re a CFO or agency leader trying to make sense of AI amid tightening budgets, policy constraints, and messy data, this episode gives you the clarity and roadmap you need. Visit Dryrun.com to modernize your cash flow forecasting and leave spreadsheets behind. #AIstrategy #GovernmentTechnology #PublicSectorInnovation #ERPmodernization #CFOInsights Connect with Abhijit at linkedin.com/in/verekar Learn about Avero Advisors at averoadvisors.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Lmx0X3Kwyx0

January 21, 2026Episode 3329 min

How Modern ERPs Fix Manufacturing Chaos: COGS, Tariffs, Excel Failures & AI Transformation

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Jim Harris of Western Computer to uncover the biggest operational and financial challenges facing manufacturers and importers today—especially those still relying on outdated ERPs and massive, error-prone spreadsheets. Jim breaks down why inaccurate COGS, tariff miscalculations, batch-level blind spots, and legacy processes quietly destroy margins, and how a properly implemented ERP can completely transform visibility and control. They also dive into change management, the realities of ERP timelines, why Excel is the “shared enemy” of scalable finance teams, and how AI is rapidly reinventing supply chain and financial operations. If your business is feeling the pressure of volatility, rising costs, or outdated systems, this is your roadmap to modernization. Visit Dryrun.com to level up your cash flow forecasting and leave spreadsheets behind. #manufacturingERP #COGSmanagement #MicrosoftBusinessCentral #AIforManufacturing #CFOinsights Connect with Jim at linkedin.com/in/jharris775 Learn about Western Computer at westerncomputer.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_K6DY95ATks

January 6, 2026Episode 3221 min

The Hidden 25%: How CFOs Can Reclaim Massive Savings in Employer Healthcare Costs

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Donovan Pyle of Health Compass Consulting to expose one of the largest hidden opportunities on the corporate P&L—wasted healthcare spend. Donovan explains how up to 25% of employer healthcare costs are pure waste, why most CFOs never see it, and how to uncover where the money is disappearing. They break down the structural problems in the insurance and brokerage industries, the blind spots that keep organizations overpaying, and the steps CFOs can take to diagnose waste, get unbiased advice, and reclaim lost profits. Donovan also shares insights from his new book " Fixing Healthcare" , outlining a practical roadmap for transforming healthcare from a runaway cost center into a strategic advantage. #CFOInsights #HealthcareCosts #BusinessStrategy #EmployeeBenefits #CostReduction Unlock clarity and control in your financial forecasting—visit Dryrun.com. Connect with Donovan at linkedin.com/in/donovanpyle Read his book “Fixing Healthcare: How Executives Can Save Their People, Their Business, and the Economy” at donovanpyle.com Learn about Health Compass Consulting at healthcompassconsulting.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mKQ0cHndG6E

December 16, 2025Episode 3132 min

Behind the Scenes of CEO–CFO Alignment, How Strong Finance Partnerships Drive Growth: Dusty Gulleson

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with CEO Dusty Gulleson of eResources to unpack what truly makes the relationship between the CEO and the finance team work. Dusty shares firsthand insights from decades of leading and growing companies—covering everything from daily cashflow discipline to managing multi-entity operations, navigating acquisitions, evaluating quality of earnings, integrating teams, and aligning culture during major transitions. They explore why cashflow visibility matters more than the P&L, how communication builds trust between leadership and finance, and how CEOs and CFOs can collaborate to drive expansion, strategy, and long-term stability. If you’re a finance leader, CEO, or operator looking to strengthen executive-to-finance alignment, this conversation is packed with practical, real-world wisdom. #CFOInsights #CashflowForecasting #BusinessGrowthStrategy #CEOTips #FinancialLeadership Ready to bring clarity, accuracy, and speed to your cashflow forecasting? Visit Dryrun.com. Connect with Dusty at linkedin.com/in/dustygulleson Learn about eResources at eresources.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vghFJOdnsEI