CFO Series: Driving Efficiency

Overview

Highlights

“It’s the little things that matter.” We are so busy that we sometimes fail to do the fundamental duties as well as we should. How can we get more out of every audit, reduce the pressure, and streamline the process? What lessons can we learn from diabolical and brazen fraud activities? We need to re-examine our internal controls so they will be effective today and will scale to remain effective in the future. Even the Statement of Cash Flows can be made much more effective. These ‘little things’ can and do have an outsized impact. Review today’s best practices and learn from the mistakes made by others to become more efficient.

Module 1: Audit Survival Toolkit: Tactics to Reduce Stress and Get Through Audits with Confidence

If the word “audit” makes your team groan - you are not alone. Whether it is an internal review, a regulatory exam, or a full-blown financial audit, most finance and accounting teams face scrutiny from multiple directions. Learn how to understand what auditors are really looking for, how to align your goals with theirs, and what you can do to make the audit process smoother, less stressful, and more productive. Explore what to expect during each phase of the audit - planning, fieldwork, and reporting - and walk away with practical strategies to improve your communication, documentation, and overall preparedness. Whether you are supporting an external audit, prepping for compliance testing, or working with internal auditors, learn how to help your team respond with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Learn how to streamline the audit process – so it is easier for you and for the auditors - which saves time and money.

Module 2: Internal Controls That Matter: Protection with Simple, Smart, and Scalable Practices

Internal controls don’t have to be complicated - but they must be effective and intentional. In many organizations, especially small to mid-sized ones, internal controls are informal or incomplete, exposing teams to unnecessary risk. This discussion helps finance and accounting professionals understand what internal controls really are, why they matter, and how to build systems that actually work - without overwhelming your people or processes. Discuss how to design, implement, and monitor core controls - across financial reporting, operations, and compliance - using real-world examples that scale to fit your organization. Whether you're starting from scratch or tightening what’s already there, learn how to put the right checks and balances in place to protect your resources, your people, and your reputation.

Module 3: Cash Flow Clarity: Effectively Communicate Cash Flows to Drive Better Decisions

The cash flow statement is one of the most confusing financial reports - yet it has the potential to deliver the essential keys to understand business performance. After all, cash is still both king and queen! Explore how to present, interpret, and communicate cash flows effectively to help CEOs, boards, and decision-makers drive smarter results. By using the Sources and Uses format, professionals can make the statement more intuitive and actionable. Learn how to simplify cash flow information and focus discussions on what matters most: how cash is generated and deployed. Explore how to confidently present this powerful financial statement to non-financial leaders.

Module 4: Amazingly Crazy Fraud Cases - Fraud So Wild It Shouldn’t Be Real

Some fraud cases are so unbelievable, they sound like Hollywood scripts, but they are all real - and we can learn a lot from them. In this fast-paced, story-driven discussion, review some outrageous fraud cases - from forged financials and luxury lifestyles to deepfakes and fake companies that fooled the smartest people in the room. Hear the stories, spot the red flags, and walk away with practical takeaways to help strengthen your professional skepticism, identify fraud warning signs, and build a better fraud prevention mindset.

Prerequisites

Participants should have at least six months of industry or public experience and a thorough knowledge of financial accounting principles and practices. Management experience is helpful.

Designed For

Financial leaders, regardless of title, who are, or aspire to be, chief financial officers. Discussions will be geared towards those working in medium-sized organizations.

Objectives

• Distinguishing between internal, external, and compliance audits
• Identifying audit objectives and how to support them during engagements
• How to prepare effectively for the planning and fieldwork phases
• Improve communication with auditors and reduce common audit friction
• Respond confidently and constructively to audit findings
• Defining the role and purpose of internal controls in financial and operational settings.
• Identify five (5) core components of a strong control framework.
• Evaluate risks in smaller organizations and how to design right-sized controls.
• How to implement internal controls using practical, scalable steps.
• Monitoring internal control effectiveness and how to adjust them.
• Understand how and why most cash flow statements are misunderstood. 
• Discuss alternative methods to make our users understand cash flow.
• Identify common red flags and warning signs of financial fraud
• How do fraudsters exploit culture, controls, and assumptions?
• Analyze how internal controls failed in real-world examples?
• Strengthen professional skepticism through case-based reflection
• Apply lessons learned to improve fraud awareness in your organization

Notice

Note: This course is a live virtual replay.