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…
In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have evolved from a corporate buzzword to a financial imperative. ESG now directly influences valuation, capital costs, risk exposure, and investor sentiment, making it a critical factor for finance professionals. We’ll break down: How ESG affects capital allocation and…
Jorge Marques joined CFI back when it was just a WeWork dream, and now he’s a portfolio manager at North Growth Management. In this episode, Jorge shares his path from studying math and economics and ultimately landing in capital markets. You’ll hear about the skills that helped him succeed, how he navigated the CFA and…
What are SaaS KPIs? Ever wondered why some SaaS companies skyrocket to unicorn status while others struggle to stay afloat? The difference often comes down to how they monitor and act on key performance indicators (KPIs). SaaS businesses present distinct financial patterns that require specialized KPIs that reflect the unique nature of subscription models, including:…
