FinOps and Beyond: The Hybrid Role of a CFO-COO with Charlie Hunt

The CFO Playbook

What if you could transform your finance operations by integrating technology and automation into every aspect of your business strategy?

In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by fractional CFO-COO Charlie Hunt to explore how FinOps are reshaping the landscape of finance by shifting from isolated departments to integrated roles, with finance leaders becoming strategic partners to CEOs.

Starting out in retail banking during the 2008 financial crash to now working with a portfolio of companies as a fractional CFO-COO, Charlie is an advocate for the hybridisation of the roles, emphasising trust and collaboration with CEOs as a paramount feature.

FinOps, as a philosophy, merges financial and operational efficiencies, streamlining processes like reporting and cash flow management, ultimately boosting business performance. For modern businesses, this dual understanding is pivotal, especially in fast changing economic conditions, integrating financial insights with broader operational strategies can be a catalyst for growth and transformation.

From her experience of working in construction and manufacturing, Charlie explains that despite some initial resistance, traditional sectors are now embracing transformation through the adoption of technology. Integrating tools such as automated reporting and cloud accounting software are significantly enhancing efficiency.

Hear about the evolving nature of software, the imperative for finance teams to stay current with technological advancements, and the critical traits of curiosity and adaptability for today's finance leaders.

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