Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA, began his one-year term as CIMA president and AICPA & CIMA chair in June, and he joined the FM podcast for an interview in late July, discussing what he sees as three key opportunities for the accounting and finance profession.

In the episode, Bittlestone reviews his focus areas, explains the value of a technology background when leading technology initiatives, and details how seizing opportunity as it relates to today’s workforce can help to future-proof the profession.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· Why he agrees that the profession faces challenges, which he views as opportunities.

· The area of accountants’ work that, according to Bittlestone, has understandable “pushback”.

· Three takeaways from Bittlestone on the ESG course offered in partnership with Oxford University.

· Why Bittlestone considers it important to focus on the profession’s future generations and accountants already in the profession.

· His thoughts on the retirement of AICPA & CIMA CEO Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA.

Paul Thambar, FCMA, CGMA, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting at Monash University in Australia, explains the obstacles CFOs face when transitioning to a business partner role and where organisations are setting ambiguous and conflicting expectations for finance leaders.

A recent AICPA & CIMA report on the role of the CFO was informed by Thambar’s research.

Thambar also discusses the challenges and opportunities for CFOs grappling with digitilisation and how aspiring CFOs can adopt a “progressive” approach to career development. Thambar also was a guest on a 2019 FM podcast episode.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

§ Why CFOs sometimes struggle to transition into a business partner role.

§ Some ways organisations are setting ambiguous and conflicting expectations.

§ How relationship building can help CFOs grow in their roles.

§ The importance of understanding digitilisation at “two levels”.

§ What it means to be a “progressive” CFO.

This episode features Oliver Rowe, the editor-in-chief of FM, detailing the contents of the August digital edition of the magazine.

Rowe highlights several articles, including the first column by CIMA President Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA. He also discusses articles on digital transformation, based on a previous FM podcast episode with author David Rogers; working with images in Excel; and dealing with meeting anxiety.

Rowe explains how members can access the most recent edition of the online magazine as well as the issue library.

Previous podcast episodes focusing on 2024 digital editions:

n February

n April

n June

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· Details on an article about digital transformation — and why many of the steps in such a transformation don’t include technology.

· Highlights of an Excel article by Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA.

· Advice on preparing for and overcoming anxiety about meetings.

· Options for accessing current and past digital editions.