Carried interest is one of the most misunderstood compensation terms in finance, but it plays a central role in how private equity firms get paid for profitable investments. This guide to carried interest explains how it works, when it’s paid, and why it’s a key part of aligning the incentives for both private equity managers…
What is Cash Runway? Cash runway is the number of months a company can continue operating before it runs out of cash, assuming current spending levels stay the same. Startup businesses often use this metric to measure the rate at which the startup is spending its equity capital raised from investors. How to Calculate Cash…
What happens when a company starts slipping, has declining margins, mounting debt, or cash flow concerns? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we take a closer look at how businesses bounce back from financial distress and the critical role corporate finance teams play in making that happen. From early warning signs to…
What Does It Take To Go From Audit Associate to CFO of a PE-Backed Startup? In this episode of Careers in Finance, host Meeyeon reconnects with longtime friend and finance leader Sharron Xiao to explore the career choices, transitions, and leadership lessons that shaped her journey from the Big Four to the C-suite. This is…
The terms “cash” and “liquidity” are often used interchangeably even in some business meetings, investor calls, and financial communications. Treating these two distinct terms as the same thing can lead to costly misunderstandings. This article breaks down cash vs. liquidity to explain the differences, show where each appears in financial statements, and how to use…
Why do so many profitable companies fail? It’s not because they’re losing money — it’s because they run out of cash. That disconnect is why cash management should be a top priority for finance teams. In this post, we’ll explore four real-world case studies in cash flow, two success stories and two cautionary tales, and…
May 21, 2025 – New York, NY – Corporate Finance Institute® (CFI) and Macabacus, two of the most trusted platforms for finance professionals worldwide, today announced the appointments of Tim Vipond as CEO of CFI and Charlie Schilling as CEO of Macabacus. These leadership additions reflect a strategic commitment to accelerating the companies’ significant growth…
Discover how companies like Tesla, Apple, and Amazon strategically use corporate tax planning to drive profitability, fund innovation, and stay competitive. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we break down how world-leading finance teams turn tax incentives into strategic levers, from sustainability credits and R&D tax breaks to international tax optimization. Learn…
Why Structure is Critical for Effective Presentations We’ve all sat through presentations that left us confused about the main point or unsure what actions to take. In finance, where decisions involve significant resources, poorly structured presentations can delay important decisions or lead to missed opportunities. A well-structured presentation guides your audience through complex financial information…
Why Effective Communication is Critical in Finance “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” That famous line, delivered by a character in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, sums up the communication breakdowns that occur in workplaces every day. The consequences often result in delayed decisions, unnecessary rework, and even damaged professional relationships. In…
