FinFactor: Expert Insights for the CFO

Hosted by Blaine Bertsch

Business Entrepreneurship

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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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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44 recent

October 20, 2026Episode 4431 min

The Inventory Paradox: Unlocking Trapped Working Capital and Eliminating Stockouts

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch is joined by inventory and supply chain optimization expert Danny Breiner to unpack "the inventory paradox"—a high-stakes scenario where millions in working capital are tied up on the shelf, yet the business still suffers from frequent stockouts, manufacturing bottlenecks, and missed sales. Blaine and Danny break down the hidden operational friction across raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods, offering strategic advice specifically for executive financial leadership. Discover how CFOs can liquidate slow-moving and obsolete (SLOB) inventory, adjust parameters for real-world supplier lead times, establish meaningful turn benchmarks, and drive Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) alignment to maximize working capital efficiency. Connect with Danny Breiner: linkedin.com/in/danny-breiner-0816ab Learn about Decibel Consulting at decibelconsulting.co Dryrun (dryrun.com) helps the office of the CFO replace complex spreadsheets with automated cash flow forecasting and high-clarity financial scenario modeling. #CFO #CashFlow #WorkingCapital #InventoryOptimization #SupplyChain #CorporateFinance #FinFactor #FinancialModeling

October 6, 2026Episode 4329 min

How AI Is Transforming M&A Due Diligence: Opportunities, Security, and Pitfalls

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch chats with Steve Gallucci of Long River Advisors to explore how artificial intelligence is actively reshaping M&A due diligence. From accelerating virtual data room reviews and automating contract extraction to target sourcing and workflow management, AI is driving unprecedented deal efficiencies. However, integrating AI into sensitive transaction environments introduces complex challenges, including hallucinated findings, strict data privacy concerns, and system-to-system security risks. Blaine and Steve break down practical strategies for finance leaders balancing speed and control during dealmaking. They discuss how to effectively verify AI-generated insights, establish tight governance over corporate data, manage culture clashes across merging tech stacks, and maintain necessary human oversight during high-stakes acquisitions. Connect with Steve: linkedin.com/in/steve-gallucci2 Learn about Long River Advisors: longriveradvisors.com Dryrun helps the office of the CFO leave manual spreadsheets behind to model complex cash flow scenarios with clarity and precision at dryrun.com. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Lf7SdXKoHSA #CFO #MergersAndAcquisitions #DueDiligence #CorporateFinance #AIinFinance #Fintech #CashFlow #FinFactor #FinanceLeadership

September 22, 2026Episode 4227 min

Hidden Dangers in M&A: How CFOs Secure Value After the Deal Closes

Most mergers don't fail on paper—they fail during execution. In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with David Fubini, Harvard Business School faculty member and 35-year McKinsey veteran, to uncover the hidden traps that derail corporate transactions after the deal is signed. David shares crucial insights on why traditional financial due diligence falls short, how CFOs must look beyond spreadsheets to evaluate operational and cultural alignment, and why separating integration work from core business operations is essential. Whether you are establishing synergy targets, managing organizational change, or leading your finance team through a multi-entity transition, this discussion provides C-level leaders with a practical playbook for long-term deal success. Connect with David: linkedin . com/in/david-fubini-b0009bb Find David’s Book “Post-Merger Integration: Building the Mindset, Skills, and Discipline Needed for Deal Success” at your favorite book store. Dryrun empowers the office of the CFO to leave spreadsheets behind and model complex, multi-entity cash flow scenarios with speed and precision at dryrun . com. #CFO #MergersAndAcquisitions #PostMergerIntegration #CorporateFinance #FinanceLeadership #FinFactor #CashFlowForecasting #Dryrun

September 9, 2026Episode 4143 min

De-Risking Technology Strategy: How CFOs Can Leverage Battle-Tested Experts

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch speaks with Keith Daser, Founder and CEO of Deliver Digital, about how CFOs can navigate critical technology decisions without falling prey to traditional consulting traps. Together, they explore the rapid rise of fractional tech leadership, the hidden risks of vendor kickbacks, and how to eliminate SaaS bloat while managing AI-driven disruption. Keith shares why battle-tested, in-the-trenches experience beats rigid agency playbooks, offering actionable advice on how finance leaders can pace technological change to protect capital and drive maximum organizational ROI. Connect with Keith Daser: linkedin.com/in/keithdaser Visit Deliver Digital: deliverdigital.ca Dryrun empowers the office of the CFO to eliminate spreadsheet risk and gain total clarity and control over cash flow forecasting and complex scenario modeling at dryrun.com. #CFO #FinanceLeadership #TechStrategy #FractionalLeadership #CashFlowForecasting #FinFactor #DigitalTransformation

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