In this episode of Reshaping Finance, we dive into the expanding role of today’s CFO – a role being reshaped by AI, organisational complexity, and the growing expectation to create value far beyond the balance sheet.

Kelly Lorenz, Associate Director of Business Growth & Engagement at AICPA & CIMA, sits down with Madeline Ling, CFO of The Granite Group, to explore what it really takes to lead through “the squeeze” facing modern finance leaders.

Madeline shares why the mounting pressure from boards, CEOs, and teams can actually be a catalyst for greater influence, and how CFOs can turn disruption into opportunity. They discuss the mindset shift required to move from number‑reporting to value‑shaping, the rising importance of self‑investment, and why carving out time for your own development is now a strategic necessity.

The conversation also highlights the power of peer‑to‑peer learning through the Future of Finance Summit, where finance leaders collaborate on practical approaches to AI adoption, capability building, and redefining value creation across the enterprise.

Whether you’re navigating AI, leading transformation, or simply trying to stay ahead of what’s next, this episode offers a candid look at how CFOs can own the squeeze, and lead their organisations with confidence in a rapidly changing world.

CONNECT Madeline on LinkedIn Kelly on LinkedIn

OTHER RESOURCES • Transformative Skills Pack: Creative mindset – Report • Partnering with AI: A Strategic Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Excellence – Report • Debut podcast episode: AI’s impact on private equity – Blog • Big data and AI: Challenges and opportunities in finance – The Reshaping Finance podcast – Blog • AI for private equity and financial services industry – Podcast • Big data and AI technologies: Fundamentals and Applications – Podcast • Leveraging Non-Financial Data for Long-Term Value – Podcast • Non-financial data drives long-term value: The Reshaping Finance podcast – Blog • Agile Finance: Mastering adaptive budgeting and planning – Podcast • Future-ready with adaptive budgeting: The Reshaping Finance podcast – Blog • Future-proof Finance: Partnering in a Shifting World – Podcast • Co-creating solutions through business partnering – Blog • Future of Finance 2.0: Re-defining finance for a sustainable world – Report • 4 shifts redefining how finance creates sustainable value – Article • Our contemporary issues in Management Accounting – Page • Riding the Waves of Transformation – Article

Find out more about the Future of Finance.

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This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here.