CFO Shenanigans 

The moment I realized our financial reporting was not doing its job, it was not in a tense board meeting. It was in a quiet corridor after a quarterly review, when a senior manager stopped me and asked, “Are we actually doing well, or should I be worried?” On paper, we had a clean set of statements and a solid deck. In reality, a smart leader who had just sat through an hour of financials still could not tell whether we were winning or losing. That is what a lack of clear and

One of the most common questions I hear is, “Do we really need to follow GAAP?” It’s a fair question, especially from small or mid-sized business owners focused on growth, hiring, and day-to-day operations. Accounting standards don’t always feel urgent when you're deep in the trenches. But the truth is, GAAP compliance does more than satisfy regulatory curiosity. It brings structure, transparency, and credibility to your financials, qualities that matter just as much for smal

As a CFO, I’ve seen firsthand how strong accounting controls and timely reporting can either anchor or unmoor a business. When done right, these processes are like the silent engine room of an organization, rarely in the spotlight but absolutely critical to staying afloat and moving forward. When neglected, even the most promising company can find itself scrambling to explain errors, correct misstatements, or worse, respond to compliance issues. At a time when financial misre

If you’ve ever tried driving through fog without headlights, you’ve had a taste of what it’s like to make business decisions without accurate forecasting. In my years in the financial field, I’ve learned that even the most well-intentioned strategy can veer off course without the guidance of reliable data. Forecasting isn’t about getting it 100% right. It’s about reducing uncertainty so leaders can steer with confidence, not guesswork. According to PwC’s Global Finance Benchm

We imagine working until 65 or so, cashing in our retirement savings, maybe taking that long-delayed trip to Tuscany or the Rockies. But life has a funny way of interrupting our carefully penciled timelines. Whether it's a medical issue, a layoff, or a family obligation, retirement doesn't always wait for us to be ready. And when it comes early, unplanned, and underfunded, the consequences can be steep. As a CFO who’s spent decades analyzing financials, advising executives, a

A financial audit is like a dentist appointment: you know it’s necessary, but you’d still rather be doing almost anything else. Fortunately, with the right preparation and a calm mindset, an audit doesn’t have to be painful. In fact, it can be an opportunity to tighten your financial processes and show off the solid systems you’ve put in place. The key is to approach it early and stay ahead of the curve instead of reacting under pressure. Start with good recordkeeping. It sou