Financial Management (FM) magazine

Published on Global Ethics Day, this episode of the FM podcast is the continuation of an occasional series focused on ethics and called Beyond the Code. That means taking a detailed look at part of the CIMA Code of Ethics.

Xose Lumor, manager–Advocacy and Professional Ethics, speaks with Fraser Simpson, a strategy and governance leader, on why ethics should be embedded in decision-making rather than treated as a compliance exercise. The conversation explores how leaders can navigate uncertainty, balance competing priorities, and make better decisions in complex organisations without sacrificing trust or accountability.

For more information, visit the CIMA Code of Ethics home page.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why ethical considerations belong at the centre of business strategy.
• How leaders can make sound decisions when faced with uncertainty and competing demands.
• The role governance plays in improving decision-making across an organisation.
• How to build trust while navigating difficult strategic choices.
• Practical ways to embed ethics into day-to-day leadership decisions.

FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe rejoins the podcast to discuss the content in the October edition of the magazine.

Rowe shares the key points of the cover article on making the shift from budgeting based on input to budgeting for impact. He also discusses an article that offers advice on how to deal with artificial intelligence systems that have been "fed" prompt injections.

The column by CIMA president Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, is also summarised. Ramosedi discussed "irreplaceable" attributes for finance professionals in a recent episode of the FM podcast.

The episode with Rowe ends with an explanation of how members can access the current edition and the library of past editions. Visiting the FM homepage is one place to start.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• A summary of the cover article by Samuel Maimbo, FCMA, CGMA.
• The key points made by Liam Bastick, FCMA, CGMA, in an article about AI hijacking.
• A leadership column's focus on trust.
• Highlights of an article about dealing with high stress and who professionals can lean on when experiencing such stress.
• How members can access the October edition and the library of previous editions.

Arif Ahmed, ACMA, CGMA, Ph.D., author of Quantum Finance: The CFO's Survival Kit for an Uncertain World, joined the FM podcast to discuss the relationship between quantum theory and corporate finance.

Ahmed explains why financial models are hindered by mindset, strategies for rethinking financial modelling and risk management in an increasingly interconnected era, and how finance professionals can use technology to emulate quantum principles in financial models.

"If I may use a quantum thought process, things move in small bits, but overall, once they speed up, when they start moving other things, it can create a huge wave on the shoreline," Ahmed said. "The stimulus may not necessarily be very big, but because of one stimulus, because of the interconnection, somewhere else there's another stimulus that comes around. And if those waves join together, they may also offset each other, or they may also join hands together. And when they join hands together, that can be massive."

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why Ahmed believes quantum principles are relevant to finance professionals today.
• Some reasons that traditional financial models can fall short in today's market.
• Why uncertainty is not a problem that models and leaders can eliminate.
• Considerations for preparing for unexpected business outcomes.
• Why technology will not replace finance professionals' role in this unpredictable era.

Devya Athwal, founder of Athwal Resourcing & Coaching, is scheduled to present two sessions at ENGAGE UK & Europe, 13–14 October in London. Athwal returned to the FM podcast to discuss the mindset shifts that help finance professionals become more resilient and adaptable in the face of uncertainty, why professionals don't need a leadership title to be strategic, and tips for improving task prioritisation when demand exceeds capacity.

"I think there's a myth that strategic thinking is only for the CEO and the top board," Athwal said. "You don't have to wait for that title to be strategic. You can start by asking better questions, stay curious, and really have the courage just to step into whatever you want to do."

Athwal spoke about how accountants can "dance with the fear" in a 2024 episode.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• What changed Athwal's relationship with fear.
• Five small steps that strengthen resilience and adaptability.
• Why being overly analytical can make it harder to navigate uncertainty.
• What skills can help finance professionals advance their careers.
• Techniques for improving task prioritisation — including a simple, two-letter word.

CIMA president Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, detailed the competencies that finance professionals need to navigate AI and how to transform "suffering" into growth and opportunity.

Ramosedi, also the co-chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the CEO of Bayport Financial Services, joined the FM podcast to discuss the skills management accountants should prioritise, the core values and lessons that shaped him as a leader, and how different generations can work together to progress the finance function.

In the conversation, Ramosedi emphasised the importance of "suffering properly" and what he means by that. He also discussed future-proofing his company's business model during a time of disruption and why AI is changing the role of finance — not replacing finance professionals.

"Don't suffer and then you get through the suffering and there's nothing positive that you can show for it," Ramosedi said. "If you suffer, suffer properly, and learn from it and do something."

What you'll learn from this episode:

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• Three emerging trends management accountants need to prepare for.
• Why finance professionals can't "jump to AI" without first learning technical skills.
• The value of reverse mentoring as emerging technologies take hold.
• Ramosedi's recounting of a "humble" upbringing and his motto related to personal responsibility.
• Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic that helped Ramosedi transform disruption into opportunity.
• Why AI will not replace people.

In this podcast episode, FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises the content in the August digital edition of the magazine.

Rowe details an article that discusses the history of business jargon, when it should be used, and when it should be avoided. He also shares details about several articles related to artificial intelligence, including one on how AI is changing early career paths for finance professionals.

He also shares details on a technical article with the headline "Why Time Matters in Carbon Accounting".

Rowe closes with a summary of leadership columns and an explanation of how members can access the current edition and the library of past editions.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Highlights of an article about business jargon, including a mention of where some terms originated.
• Details of the August edition's leadership columns, including the debut column of the new CIMA president, Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA.
• A mention of a practical article for finance professionals with the headline "What It Takes for a CFO to Lead Operations and Tech".
• Rowe's reminders on how members can access the digital edition.

Leadership and mental health speaker Andrew Pain returns to the FM podcast to discuss his ENGAGE UK & Europe session, outline his five-point framework for enhanced decision-making, and share more common biases that distort critical thinking.

Pain also explains the importance of clarifying information instead of relying on gut instincts to form conclusions.

ENGAGE is 13–14 October in London. Registration is open until 9 October.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why immediacy pushes us into gut-based reasoning.
• Five questions to consider before making a decision.
• Two types of distorted thinking that can make professionals irrational.
• Why psychological safety is a crucial workplace dynamic.
• The benefits and limitations of consulting AI in decision-making.

Leadership coach and mentor Sue Milne, FCMA, CGMA, describes key strategic and interpersonal skills that can help finance professionals keep pace with evolving business expectations, along with key questions that can help them grow as leaders.

Milne also shares essential attributes for managing finance teams today, how leaders can maintain awareness of potential blind spots, and what core values contribute to inspirational leadership.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• What inspired Milne's career transition.
• How to build better relationships with stakeholders.
• Key skills professionals can hone to manage blind spots.
• What transformational leadership is and how to make it work.
• Key components for becoming your own kind of leader.

Eric R. Alexander, CPA, president of advisory service company Six Arrows Consulting, discusses the lessons he's learned throughout his career in finance and what being a finance leader means for him, and other insights from his upcoming book, Stewardship Leadership for Stinkin' Accountants: Serving as the CFO.

He shares key strategies for developing as a stewardship leader, including how he holds himself accountable, how he views his role as a trusted adviser for organisations, and the steps he has taken to improve in the relational and people aspects of the finance function.

"I've been most effective in my work when I've functioned as a steward, meaning I understood things had been entrusted to me to be responsible for," he said. "I was accountable to people, and fundamentally, it was not all about me."

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why Alexander says the CFO role is not about you as a finance leader.
• Key elements of stewardship leadership.
• How to hold yourself accountable as a finance professional.
• Why getting into the finer details can complicate decision-making.
• What it means to own your results.
• Tips for enhancing people and soft skills.

In this podcast episode, FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises the content in the June edition of the magazine.

Rowe details an article on using artificial intelligence tools to bolster presentations and introduces a new, recurring column on global advocacy. He also highlights several other articles in the edition.

FM's June edition is now available (member login required). Also, access the library of past editions.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Highlights of an article about what AI tools can do to improve business presentations.
• Details of a new, recurring column on global advocacy, which for this edition includes a focus on advocacy's role in building and sustaining public trust.
• The key points of an article about the AICPA and CIMA's Rise2040 initiative.
• Rowe's summary of an article offering advice — for women in particular — on being a strong self-advocate and one on building an anti-fraud culture.

Irena Teneva, an associate technical director at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, joins the FM podcast to share insights gathered from a new AICPA and CIMA report, Future Ready Finance: Productivity at the Human-Technology Crossroads.

Teneva illustrates the types of tasks experiencing clear efficiency gains from artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, where finance leaders are more cautious about implementation, and steps those leaders are taking to expand how tools can be used.

Teneva also highlights why productivity still hinges on finance talent, priority areas for skills development, and how finance leaders are collaborating across business functions.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Process and people priorities for finance leaders in 2026.
• Where AI implementation is leading to time savings for companies.
• Some steps leaders are taking to optimise and expand AI use.
• Why productivity is still a "people game".
• How finance leaders are approaching cross-business collaboration.
• Three key steps to improving efficiency, according to leaders.

Claire DuRose, lead manager–UK Student Recruitment for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and Vince Mayne, CEO of England Touch rugby, joined the FM podcast to explain the benefits of participating in team sport for students, specifically how team sport can grow skills and increase employability for finance graduates.

They discuss the ways team sport can prepare management accounting students for challenging environments at work, build deeper professional relationships, and help them through the interview process.

DuRose and Mayne also highlight what participating in team sport can give young professionals that academic and other extracurricular frameworks can't.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• The project goals for CIMA's collaboration with England Touch rugby.
• The soft skills that touch rugby can help finance students build.
• "Super skills" that can help students prepare for interviews and work.
• The value of team sport in building deeper bonds in the workplace.
• How participation in team sport can grow leaders' perspectives.

The latest Future of Finance research from the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants reveals several key focus areas for finance and business leaders.

Rebecca McCaffry, FCMA, CGMA, the Association's associate technical director, joined the FM podcast to discuss survey results, highlighting leaders' top transformation strategies, barriers facing organisations looking to upskill talent, and notable areas of progress in finance teams since a previous survey on the topic six years earlier.

McCaffry also explains the interplay between people and process and one key preference that signals a "significant shift away" from organisations' workforce strategies in 2019.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Finance and business leaders' top priorities for transformation.
• Consistencies and shifts in focus from 2019 to 2025.
• The interplay between process and people priorities.
• Skills gap challenges and what risks they pose for organisations.
• Two points of progress since 2019.
• One key strategic area gaining traction and investment.

Anthony Boateng, FCMA, CGMA, Npontu Technologies' chair, explores why retirement planning is about much more than saving money and illustrates the nonfinancial ways that professionals can invest in themselves to prepare for and maintain a sustainable and fulfilling retirement.

Boateng introduces his model for retirement planning, including four main areas he considers essential for growth and relevance into retirement years.

He also suggests several strategies for optimising networking and building deeper relationships, and he explains why a sharp mind matters the closer we get to retirement.

"At 50 and beyond ... you are no longer just working for today," Boateng said. "You are building the intellectual foundation for the next 20, 30, or 40 years."

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why preparing for retirement is about more than saving money.
• One critical question for reframing our approach to retirement planning.
• Four pillars that can help steer a fulfilling, purposeful retirement.
• The interplay between relationships and wellbeing.
• Three approaches for authentic, meaningful networking.
• Why intellectual growth matters more as we age.

FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe details the content in the April digital edition of FM. He begins with an article on setting up an AI governance policy and another on the mistakes companies make related to AI policies.

This episode also summarises articles on how to use salary benchmarking sites and other resources to determine what you're worth and on ensuring a board's capability meets the organisation's business needs.

The conversation closes with an explanation of how members can access the April digital edition as well as the issue library.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Details on two articles related to AI policies.
• A preview of a CIMA member's article on taking a strategic look at a board's makeup to suit business needs.
• Other highlighted topics from the April digital edition.
• How CGMA professionals can access digital editions of FM.

Leadership coach and diversity, equity, and inclusion professional Sophie Turner returns to the FM podcast to explain the intricacies of imposter syndrome, ways it can manifest itself at work, and the internal and external systems that can help professionals manage self-doubt.

Turner shares individual and cultural strategies that professionals and leaders can adopt to combat negative self-talk, broaden perspectives, and lean into a people-centric approach that emphasises learning and development.

"As managers, it's really important we embrace the learning curve and support our colleagues to do that because actually what can happen is, when we make a mistake, that feeds into our imposter syndrome," Turner said.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• One tip for reframing how we see ourselves.
• Five types of imposter syndrome.
• Societal and familial factors rooted in imposter syndrome.
• Techniques for improving the feedback process.
• How leaders can help shift the focus from mistakes to learning opportunities.
• Daily rituals for improving our mindset and self-concept.

Leena Dattani, FCMA, CGMA, discusses how limiting beliefs affected her professional growth, the small steps she takes to overcome them, and the realisation that changed her idea of what it means to be a leader.

"I had a vision that in order to be a great leader, you have to be loud," Dattani said. "I think because I felt that that needed to be the case, I was almost imitating what I thought a leader should be rather than being myself."

Dattani also discusses how one organisation achieved the buy-in to improve gender equity, some ways women can start to back themselves professionally, and what International Women's Day means to her.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Small steps for overcoming poor self-confidence.
• The importance of building a supportive network.
• One realisation that helped Dattani become her own leader.
• How one organisation created a business case for gender equity.
• One trick for challenging limiting beliefs.
• What International Women's Day means for Dattani.

This episode of the FM podcast is the continuation of an occasional series on the show called Beyond the Code.

That means taking a detailed look at part of the CIMA Code of Ethics.

Xose Lumor, manager–Advocacy and Professional Ethics, discusses legal challenges finance and accounting professionals can face when using social media with Jenny Higgins, a legal director for London firm Kingsley Napley.

Related resources for this conversation include:

• The CIMA Code of Ethics home page
• Kingsley Napley's regulatory-focused Linkedin page

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why it can be beneficial but not foolproof to keep separate personal and professional social media accounts.
• How supposedly "private" online activity can have an effect on a finance professional's reputation and the profession.
• What regulators consider when deciding whether online comments bring a profession into disrepute.
• Why social media posts can carry serious consequences — including disciplinary action — for professionals.
• Why Higgins said a discussion about social media and its potential is not all "doom and gloom".

In this podcast episode, FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises the content in the February digital edition of FM. He begins with an article on use cases for finance teams using AI and automation to improve efficiency, from predicting late customer payments to accelerating complex data transformation projects.

This episode also previews articles on practical guidance for strengthening your LinkedIn presence, responding to a rival organisation's recruiting pitch, and understanding more about the fractional CFO model.

The conversation closes with an explanation of how members can access the February digital edition as well as the issue library.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Details on the article about how finance teams can apply AI and automation.
• A short sound clip from Mohit Sharma, ACMA, CGMA, one of the experts quoted in the article on AI and automation use cases.
• A preview of the article on strengthening your LinkedIn presence.
• Other highlighted topics from the February digital edition.
• How CGMA professionals can access digital editions of FM.

Workplace culture and human resources consultant Natalie Lewis explains why an organisation's culture can make or break the long-term business strategy.

"[You] can have the best strategy in the world. You could have a solid five-year plan, and everything looks bulletproof on paper. The numbers all add up, and everything is solid." Lewis said. "But if the culture of your team doesn't support that strategy, then it'll never get delivered."

Lewis explains how to ensure that employees are a good culture fit and offers strategies to better communicate company expectations to employees.

Lewis also sets out some of the expectations that can make middle manager's roles more challenging, what it means to be a self-aware leader, and simple steps for improving feedback processes.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Traits that separate high-performing teams from poor-performing ones.
• A fast-track route for culture-fit hiring.
• Why leaders need to build an intentional culture early.
• Some ways that psychological safety can be destroyed at work.
• Expectations that can make managers' roles more challenging.
• Tips for becoming a better communicator.