The Top 21 Podcasts the CFO’s Office Needs to know in 2023

Roughly 5.4 million professionals work within the CFO’s office  in US companies alone (US Bureau of Labor statistics). Once seen as occupying backroom functions, a raft of podcasts have sprung up spotlighting strategy and leadership of the finance function in companies. These podcasts are tailored to uncovering the hidden workings and strategy of bookkeepers, accountants, treasury, controllers, Financial planning and Analysis managers, Investor Relations experts, M&A integration specialists, and of course, the CFO themselves: the finance chief ultimately pulling the finance strings (or spreadsheets). 

The following podcasts produce some of the most entertaining, agenda-setting and actionable free learning available for anyone within the finance function.

To come up with this list, we used nominations from leaders within the CFO’s offices at top companies. This is combined with independent reporting. We prioritized podcasts which have shown staying power (many run into hundreds of episodes) and which have a track record of providing consistent value.

Top 4 CFO Podcasts in 2023

Let’s start with the podcasts most prized by busy chief financial officers (CFO) giving them the secret insights and strategy to forge ahead in their career.

The CFO provides overall oversight of the financial actions of a company and the following 4 podcasts reflect the challenges to their role in 2023 through inspiring CFO interviews, insight, inspiration, validation and benchmarks for CFO strategy-building.

1. CFO Thought Leader

Host Jack Sweeney has served up nearly 900 episodes of CFO Thought Leader

CFO Thought Leader is the granddaddy of CFO podcasts. With a back catalog of 900 interviews with CFOs recorded over three years CFO Thought Leader recounts CFO career high and low points from its multitude of CFOs across sectors. Interviewees range  from the biggest brands (Harmit Singh, CFO, Levi Strauss & Co for instance) to  lesser known companies including small restaurant chains and ecommerce companies. 

Host Jack Sweeney is an early adopter of the podcast format. In each episode Sweeney grills a CFO in on their career journey. He pulls out a list of questions which include categorizing the “main business KPIs that you look at when you have your first coffee in the morning” to most inspiring books that have guided your strategic leadership. The highlight question is when CFOs describe “a time in their career when they experienced a “finance strategic moment”— defined as a strategic insight that later empowered them to drive change within the organization. Findings from the show’s annual listener survey ranks this question top for delivering listener value.

2. CFO Weekly

CFO Weekly Host Megan Weis CPA, Host of CFO Weekly

With nearly 110 episodes under their corporate belts, CFO Weekly, comes from outsourcing provider Personiv. Hosted by Megan Weis VP and General Manager at Personiv, the  podcast won Gold for “Best Business Podcast” in the Stevie awards first year. Guests have ranged from Ken Wentworth, Fractional CFO at Mr. Biz Solutions (the CFO’s path to  cutting costs) to Drew Hamer, Chief Financial Officer at Velodyne Lidar, giving the lowdown on special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs).

3. GrowCFO Show

Kevin Appleby hosts GrowCFO

GrowCFO is an extension of the educational platform of the same name, an organization mentoring CFOs to successes. Host Kevin Appleby uses the podcast to “help the next generation of finance leaders develop into dynamic and influential CFOs”. The show is thematic, covering debates around CFO competency assessment, organizing the look and feel of your finance function, and mentoring opportunities available for CFOs. In one episode, Dan Well, GrowCFO’s founder and CEO, and former KPMG partner, provides a blow by blow account of what you need to do in your first 100 days as finance chief. In another, fellow GrowCFO mentor, Susana Serrano-Davey delves into the impact of successful storytelling for CFOs.

4. Inside the Strategy Room (McKinsey & Company)

      From the world’s most famous consultancy, Inside the Strategy Room, has a CFO track which is analytical and panel-based tackling some of the hot button issues facing CFOs. In one episode, McKinsey strategy and Corporate Finance communications director Sean Brown talks with three of McKinsey’s corporate-finance experts about the top imperatives for CFOs during a time of crisis. Another must-listen sees a episode roundtable discussion on how companies can elevate their cash-management capabilities.

      Top 3 Treasury Podcasts

      In the finance team, Treasury represents the management of money and financial risks and ensuring the business has the cash needed to manage day-to-day business obligations while developing long term financial strategy and policies. This provides a fertile mine of great guests for these top treasury podcasts. 

      1. Treasury Career Corner

      Treasury Career Corner is hosted by Mike Richards. Richards is founder of Treasury Recruitment Com, (which hires for treasury roles) stockpiling Richards with access to guests able to open up about treasury challenges. The podcast boasts over 98k downloads coming off interviews with more than 200 Treasury professionals. For a flavor listen to Tanja Holden, Group Treasurer at UK ecommerce giant, Ocado Group, chatting about the crucial role of relationship-building in treasury. Or Joel Campbell, Chief Financial Officer of TreviPay, on the best ladder-climb from Treasury to CFO. 

      2. Treasurycast

      Eleanor Hill is also editor of Treasury Management International

      Treasurycast from Treasury Management International  is hosted by Eleanor Hill who also edits the news site Treasury Management International (TMI), renowned globally for its sharp editorial focus and breadth of opinion. Hill has secured a mouthwatering line up of treasury talent including Matthew Davies, Head of Global Transaction Services EMEA, Bank of America and hosted case studies such as how UK grocer Ocado’s treasury function strengthened treasury and payment controls. In another episode  Tarek Elyafi managing director of Cash Management at bank Standard Chartered provides a timely and insightful interview on how treasury can respond to inflation.

      3. Treasury Talent

      Simon Lynch’s lively podcast from Australia aims to “bring the brilliant stories about people’s careers that we hear all the time to life so that others in the community can be better for the experience.”

      Lynch, a manager at executive search and selection specialist Treasury Talent. He interviews treasurers at household names such as car giant Nissan and insurance company Liberty Mutual Insurance. These interviews feature alongside smaller companies and their treasury challenges.

      Top 3 Bookkeeping Podcasts in 2023

      The untapped power of bookkeepers is a lively niche. These 3 standouts celebrate the vital finance pros who are there to make sure you have accurate and timely records of business transactions.

      1. The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

      Some 333 episodes have been hosted  by Michael Palmer who admins one of the largest bookkeeping communities, The Successful Bookkeeper, boasting dedicated 6.1k followers. In one episode, Sharon Francisco, an Australian bookkeeping business coach speaks  about why bookkeepers need to “overcome barriers and limited beliefs” by getting hands-on with the aspects of business that have previously scared them. Or in another pod, Mark Wickersham a value pricing expert discusses  how an entrepreneurial mindset will shift bookkeeper’s perspectives.

        2. Your Bookkeeping Matters

        Lisa Turner help female-led businesses flourish through bespoke bookkeeping services and provides insights to a successful bookkeeping career. Describing herself as your “resident small business cheerleader & number cruncher” her favorite episodes include an analysis of what a business activity statement is, and how she personally increased her profits and what other bookkeepers can learn from her experience.

          3. I Love Bookkeeping

          Ben Robinson of I Love Bookkeeping

          Host: Ben Robinson

          Website: https://ilovebookkeeping.com/

          I Love Bookkeeping is a global community of Bookkeeping Professionals “for people who don’t want to get lumped in with accountants” says Ben Robinson in one episode. Reporting comes from locations such as the digital bookkeepers association. We all “bleed bookkeeping and want to grow and prosper our businesses” and the show delivers on this promise.

          Top 7 General accounting podcasts

          Onto the accounting function within the CFO’s Office. However these podcasts provide ample learnings for anyone in the CFO’s team. This list keep finance professionals generally in touch with the latest developments in accounting vital to business success.

          1. Cloud Accounting

          Oliver Blake host of Cloud Accounting and creator of Earmark app for finance professionals to secure CPE Credits during podcast downtime
          • Hosts: Blake Oliver and David Leary
          • Website: https://www.cloudaccountingpodcast.com/
              • CPE Credit per episode

              Blake Oliver, CPA and David Leary host top 50 Business News show, Cloud Accounting designed to keep SMB accountants clued up on trends “to make their practice relevant” . Recent guests include Patrick White, CEO and co-founder of Bitwave (the what, why, and how of crypto accounting). Brandishing it’s tech credentials, another episode reports from the floor of the Sage Transform conference.  Host Blake Oliver   is also the creator of Earmark CPE, an app that offers NASBA-approved continue professional education (CPE) for listening to your favorite accounting and tax podcasts. Other hit CFO office podcasts offering CPE credits through Earmark are FP&A Today and Oh My Fraud (see below).

              Co-host of Cloud Accounting David Leary has over 22 years of QuickBooks experience providing an added technological element to the show.

              2. Oh My Fraud

              Greg Kyte host of Oh My Fraud
              • Hosts: Greg Kyte and Caleb Newquist
              • Website: https://ohmyfraud.com/
              • CPE Credit per episode

              Agatha Christie meets actuals in Oh My Fraud. CPA and comedian Greg Kyte and  Caleb Newquist post mortem accounting fraud cases in the series. Beyond spreadsheet sleuthing the value lies in giving us the skills “to watch out for to keep your clients, your firm, and even yourself safe.” In one episode, the duo retell the most audacious scams to ever hit Hollywood detailing how actor Zach Horowitz fooled investors into giving him over $650m.

              3. M&A Science

              Kison Patel, Founder and CEO of Dealroom

              M&A Science explores the intricate world of M&A , peeling behind the corporate onion, and finding out what actually happened during an M&A. Fans of the podcast include corporate development professionals, FP&A leaders, private equity, investment bankers, and consultants. Produced by DealRoom, a project management software for complex financial transactions, it is hosted by their founder and CEO Kison Patel. In a December 2022 episode Cara Bibbiani, Senior Director, Corporate Development, M&A Integration at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, discusses how to perform better M&A Integration. In another great show, Hannah Elsakr, VP, M&A Integration at Adobe discusses end-to-end M&A (“If you want to be a successful practitioner, you have to understand the end-to-end process. You can’t just be great at deal mechanics or negotiations” Elsakr advises).

                4. Count Me In (Institute of Management Accounting)

                Count Me In Host Adam Larson

                Courtesy of the educational division of the Institute of Management Accountant (IMA) educational division, Count Me In provides answers to those niggling accountancy questions which come up frequently in the day job. They are answered by experts in the field in each episode who have tackled revisiting budgeting to cash flow management. With a global network of more than 125,000 members the podcast has a ready-made audience.

                5. AFP Conversations (Association for Finance Professionals)

                At the Association for Finance Professionals AFP Conversations is hosted by leading personalities at the AFP. The eclectic show provides insights on trends including corporate treasury, blockchain, fintech, cybersecurity, payments, risk, FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, leadership, and career development. Guests range from aces in treasury (including John Clarke, Assistant Treasurer for Google) to panel discussions such as viewpoints on Managing Current Liquidity Structures).

                6. Accounting Best Practices with Steve Bragg

                Steve Bragg hosts the 5m+ downloaded Accounting Best Practices

                With more than 5 million downloads (yes we double checked that’s right) the Accounting Best Practices podcast is a compendium of discussions about accounting management, best practices, controls, throughput accounting, and GAAP for the accountant, controller, or CFO in your business. Learn about accounting technology, controls, closing the books, financing, payroll (and there is a spinoff book as well). Most episodes are just 7 to 10 minutes long with insights ranging from pass-through-funds, inter company eliminations to checking for accounting mistakes. Host Steve Bragg has been hosting since 2006, so the podcast has a vast library with nearly 340 episodes. One review on Apple Podcasts says: “I have listened to every single episode and whether the topic directly related to my career or not, the information has always been valuable.”

                  7. Accounting Today

                  Daniel Hood Editor in Chief of Accounting Today and podcast host

                    Accounting Today blends news and accounting with in-depth discussions on some of the hottest topics in accounting and changemakers. It is hosted by Daniel Hood has been editor-in-chief of Accounting Today since 2011. He is no stranger to the mood music and insights accountants most care about. Some of the highlights include the most effective, innovative ways to boost employee engagement and lower high levels of turnover within the accounting function. To the chief economist of RSM US, Joe Brusuelas probing the prospects for recession, and what accountants should be paying attention. Or a discussion with Sarah Acton, CMO of Bill about how accountants need to think about their brand in the 21st century.

                    The Top 4 Financial Planning and Analysis Podcasts

                    FP&A analysts are essential in the CFO’s office. These business strategists advise senior management and business executives on the most effective ways to utilize financial resources to increase profitability. An FP&A analyst also proactively identifies operational and financial risks by carefully analyzing a business’s finances and carrying out scenario analysis. FP&A skills required in corporate roles are constantly adapting.

                    These podcasts hone in on this previously untapped team within the CFO’s Office.

                    1. FP&A Today

                    Paul Barnhurst, Host of FP&A Today is also known as The FP&A Guy to his tens of thousands of followers
                    • Hosts: Paul Barnhurst
                    • Website: https://www.datarails.com/podcasts/
                    • CPE Credit per episode

                    It is fair to say FP&A Today has taken off with a bang. The top show for FP&A has surpassed 50,000 downloads in its first 32 episodes, providing a front row seat into previously secret FP&A processes. The frank and often funny interviews encompass financial planning and analysis leaders at companies such as Walmart, Cotopaxi, Netflix, and The Economist about their opportunities, challenges and career advice. But the show is also never afraid to get out of its comfort zone with some powerful episodes. FP&A Today has interviewed FP&A professionals about burnout and mental health around budgeting and forecasting, Gen Z FP&A interns increasingly furious at boomer manual work, and panel discussions about improving FP&A storytelling . Some of the reviews for the show include the following: “Great real world insights and CPE credit at the same time is one of the many great reasons to listen to FP&A Today” and “What I love most about this show is its reach – I can listen to people all over the world to better understand their finance experience, and almost always end up with a takeaway that can improve my work. Love what you guys have built in such a short time” says Chris Reilly a world-leading financial modeler.

                    Hosted by Paul Barnhurst, known to his tens of thousands of LinkedIn followers as the FP&A Guy, the show is produced by leading FP&A solution, Datarails. Bonus: The Show provides CPE Credit per episode by answering a few simple questions on the content just listened to over at the Earmark app.

                      2. Finance Master 

                      Anders Liu-Lindberg

                      From the world of one of the most entertaining and consistent FP&A influencers, Anders Liu-Lindberg, FinanceMaster is a podcast based on a weekly live LinkedIn Audio event that takes a slightly different approach to the podcast format. Anyone can be a guest on Finance Master or as Anders puts it “simply raise your hand and come on stage”. If there’s a specific topic you’d like Anders to cover in this podcast, simply message him on his Linkedin. Early episodes have covered topics including data analytics and it’s role in FP&A and business partnering.

                        3. The Financial Modeling Podcast

                        Matthew Bernath, based in South Africa, has been a financial modeler for 15 years. Such was his thirst to learn best practices in the field, he set up a podcast, The Financial Modelling Podcast. Nearly 100 episodes and 100,000 followers later The Financial Modelling Podcast  is  now  ranked as one of the  top finance podcasts. Customer reviews on Apple podcasts say: “A financial model can be extremely daunting for a first timer, and this podcast does a fantastic job at both presenting crucial elements in today’s financial models, and also discussing trends and interesting ways different industries use these tools. The podcast looks at how financial models impact companies and deals, how they are used to understand complex transactions and their role in the global economy.” The show is rated as one of the top finance podcasts of 2020 by the Corporate Finance Institute and Financial Edge, and winner of the Financial Modeling Resource Award 2021.

                        4. Storytelling with Data

                        Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, Podcast host and author of Storytelling With Data
                        • Host: Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic and team
                        • Podcast website https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/podcast

                        Why don’t we use triangles in charts more often? Can design considerations come before we have the data? Do we take data visualization too seriously? Just some of the questions to geek out on with Storytelling with Data. FP&A leaders in the know say they love the insights on presenting the finance story provided by the show.

                        The show builds on the experience of Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic and her team who, over the course of a decade, have delivered interactive learning sessions highly sought after by data-minded individuals. Capturing some of the episodes, in one, Cole shares a number of data visualization and communication questions that could be answered simply with the word, “Don’t!” (Breaking axes and presenting boxplots to providing unsolicited feedback to a colleague). Cole is also a founder & CEO of storytelling with data and author of best-selling books Storytelling with data: let’s practice! and Storytelling with data: a data visualization guide for business professionals, which has been translated into a dozen languages and is used as a textbook by more than 100 universities.

                            That’s a wrap. In short, there has long been an issue that finance is unknown and shrouded in secrecy or worse still not taking sufficient credit for its powerful role in business and the wider economy. These listens allow us to see the full  power of the CFO’s office recounted with world class interviewees that know how to tell a good story and provide actionable advice.

                            The CFO’s Office has never sounded so good!