Whether you’re part of a finance team, aspiring to the C-suite, or just looking to get budgets approved faster, this podcast is for you. I’m Wassia Kamon and I’m excited to take you with me on my journey as a newly appointed CFO as I share hidden challenges, unspoken rules, and lessons I’ve learned along the way. In each edition, I’ll share my reflections on various leadership topics, along with wisdom from other business leaders, to help you lead any organization with confidence. - If you would like to suggest topics I should cover, send me a DM on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon/ or email me at Ask@thediaryofacfo.com - If you would like to work with me 1:1 or invite me to speak at your next team event, visit my website: https://www.wassiakamon.com/ Cheers! Wassia ---------------------------------------- My formal bio: Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA is a dynamic executive and advisory board member known for making finance approachable and building bridges across business functions. She is the CFO of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, a Georgia leading Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and has spent the past 15 years working across the manufacturing, technology, pharmaceutical, and nonprofit sectors in various accounting and FP&A leadership roles. Wassia is passionate about helping people develop three essential skills that businesses need and AI cannot replace: strategic influence, decision-making under pressure, and confident leadership through change. She was invited as Guest Faculty to the Wharton Online FP&A Certificate program and delivered a session ”Navigating Change and Uncertainty with Confidence.” Recognized twice as a 40 Under 40 honoree by CPA Practice Advisor, Wassia is a keynote speaker and a leading finance content creator on LinkedIn. Her insights on professional development and leadership have been featured in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Accounting Today, and Strategic Finance Magazine. Wassia actively contributes to the accounting profession as a member of the AICPA Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee and the Future of Finance Leadership Advisory Group. She also serves as a board member and treasurer for HOPE, Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting low-income single parents in pursuing higher education.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Making bold moves is what defines Brenda Hodo-Iddris. With over 20 years of experience spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Brenda has mastered the art of adaptability and strategic influence. In this episode, she shares:
- How she carved out a niche as a "fixer" in nonprofit finance and operations.
- The importance of building trust and relationships across all levels of an organization.
- Why stepping beyond financials is key to becoming a strategic influencer.
Brenda’s advice isn’t just for CFOs—it’s for anyone navigating leadership challenges, balancing strategy with execution, or aspiring to make a bigger impact.
Connect with Brenda on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-hodo-iddris-mba-3860888/
About the host > https://www.wassiakamon.com/about-wassia-kamon
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Becoming a CFO is an exciting milestone, but those first 90 days can be a whirlwind of learning, decisions, and adjustments. In this episode of Diary of a CFO, I reflect on my journey through my first three months in the role—what I got right, what I wish I had done differently, and the lessons that will stay with me for a lifetime.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The key advice from my mentor and executive coach that set me up for success before day one.
- How to build meaningful relationships with your team and peers in the first 90 days.
- Practical tips for improving team collaboration and driving impact early on.
- Strategies for managing time and avoiding burnout as a new leader.
If you’re aiming for a CFO role or leading a team, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at my first 90 days in the seat.
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
In this episode of Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Matt Ziegler, CFO of GovExec, to unpack what it really takes to hit the ground running in a new CFO role.
Matt shares his experience moving from FP&A to CFO, managing multiple functions, and finding his footing in a company with complex business models.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How to structure your first 90 days as CFO for maximum impact
- The skills to shift from FP&A to a broader CFO role
- Effective onboarding techniques and why pre-planning matters
- The importance of aligning on simplicity and scalability in finance
- Tips for building trust and setting clear expectations with your team
From balancing leadership with technical know-how to navigating the first 90 days, this episode is packed with insights for finance professionals stepping up to senior roles.
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzieglerfinance/
About the host > https://www.wassiakamon.com/about-wassia-kamon
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
In this episode, Elaine Benfield, a seasoned marketing leader, shares her insights on how to bridge the gap between marketing and finance. We dive into the importance of aligning metrics, building collaborative relationships, and leveraging storytelling to drive business growth.
Whether you're in finance, marketing, or leadership, this conversation offers valuable strategies to break down silos and work more effectively across departments.Here's what you'll learn:
- How to align marketing and finance metrics for shared success
- The power of storytelling in making financial data impactful and engaging
- Tips for marketing leaders to better collaborate with finance teams on budgeting
- The importance of transparent communication in creating effective partnerships
- Why strong vendor relationships are crucial for business growth
Tune in to discover how marketing and finance can work together to achieve bigger and better results!
Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainebenfield/
About the host > https://www.wassiakamon.com/about-wassia-kamon
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Welcome to the final part of What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO. In this episode, I explore why being able to say no is a critical skill for any CFO and leader. Here's what you'll learn:
- Why saying yes too often can damage your focus and leadership credibility
- How overcommitting can hurt your personal brand and mental health
- The importance of setting boundaries to protect your team
- How the CFO sets the tone for risk management across the company
- Navigating difficult conversations with CEOs while staying true to your role
- Why developing "career insurance" through personal growth and networking is essential
Saying no isn’t just a defensive move—it’s an opportunity to lead with clarity, protect your priorities, and inspire trust. In this final part of the series, I’ll show you how mastering the art of saying no can elevate your leadership, empower your team, and help you make smarter, more strategic decisions. Let's dive in!
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
In Part 2 of the "What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO" series, we dive into one of the biggest surprises for new CFOs:
Most of your time will be spent speaking with people outside the finance department.
Learn why understanding their priorities will help you simplify complex financial data into clear, actionable insights.
Plus:
- The importance of connecting with people across the organization
- How to adapt your communication style for non-finance audiences
- Tips for presenting financials to investors, board members, and other external stakeholders
- Why building a personal board of directors can help you see things from different angles
- Tips for working outside your comfort zone to thrive in leadership
This episode is a must-listen for finance and accounting leaders aiming to enhance their communication and influence outside of finance.
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
This episode kicks off the series 'What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO.' We explore why CFOs are never hired to maintain the status quo and how to prepare for the challenge. Learn how to quickly build trust, understand the business beyond the numbers, and step into strategic decision-making.
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Monday Sep 16, 2024
In this introduction to 'The Diary of a CFO,' I share a glimpse into my journey as a finance and accounting executive. You'll learn why I'm launching this podcast and what's coming up as we dive into the realities of reaching and thriving in the C-suite.