FinFactor: Expert Insights for the CFO

Tune in to FinFactor as we dive into the evolving role of today’s CFO. Each episode features experienced finance leaders and industry experts who share practical insights on emerging technology, financial strategy, and the future of the Office of the CFO. Hosted by Blaine Bertsch, we explore the evolving responsibilities of finance leaders—from adopting automation and AI to navigating today’s complex financial environment and leading digital transformation initiatives. Guests share firsthand experiences from the front lines of ERP implementations, strategic planning, data management, and financial operations. Whether you're a CFO in a mid-market company or a fractional CFO, FinFactor offers practical insights, lessons learned, and emerging trends to help you lead with clarity and confidence in today’s dynamic business environment. FinFactor is Produced by Dryrun: Forecasting Software for the Office of the CFO

FinFactor: Expert Insights for the CFO is a business podcast hosted by Blaine Bertsch, with 42 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Blaine Bertsch hosts FinFactor: Expert Insights for the CFO, a business show with 42 episodes published.

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  Episode #42

  Hidden Dangers in M&A: How CFOs Secure Value After the Deal Closes

  Sep 22, 202627 minS1

  Most mergers don't fail on paper—they fail during execution. In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with David Fubini, Harvard Business School faculty member and 35-year McKinsey veteran, to uncover the hidden traps that derail corporate transactions after the deal is signed. David shares crucial insights on why traditional financial due diligence falls short, how CFOs must look beyond spreadsheets to evaluate operational and cultural alignment, and why separating integration work from core business operations is essential. Whether you are establishing synergy targets, managing organizational change, or leading your finance team through a multi-entity transition, this discussion provides C-level leaders with a practical playbook for long-term deal success. Connect with David: linkedin . com/in/david-fubini-b0009bb Find David’s Book “Post-Merger Integration: Building the Mindset, Skills, and Discipline Needed for Deal Success” at your favorite book store. Dryrun empowers the office of the CFO to leave spreadsheets behind and model complex, multi-entity cash flow scenarios with speed and precision at dryrun . com. #CFO #MergersAndAcquisitions #PostMergerIntegration #CorporateFinance #FinanceLeadership #FinFactor #CashFlowForecasting #Dryrun

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  Episode #40

  The Psychology of Corporate Scams: Building a Strategic Human Firewall in the Office of the CFO

  Jul 23, 202634 minS1

  In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with security analyst and bestselling author Robert Siciliano to unpack the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven scams, wire fraud, and corporate deception. While technology continues to advance, the human element remains a company's most expensive liability. Robert breaks down the psychological traps bad actors exploit—including the "Human Blind Spot" and the cycle of paranoia, denial, and fatalism—and explains why traditional compliance phishing tests fail to protect your bottom line. Discover how finance leaders can move beyond check-the-box training to cultivate genuine security appreciation, empower employees through personal digital safety, and transform their workforce into a strategic human firewall against financial crime. Connect with Robert Siciliano: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsiciliano Visit Robert’s website: https://protectnowllc.com/ Dryrun empowers the office of the CFO to leave manual spreadsheets behind and model complex cash flow scenarios with speed, clarity, and boardroom-ready control at https://dryrun.com. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oMA5pD7Pj34 #Cybersecurity #CFO #CorporateFraud #RiskManagement #FinancialLeadership #CashFlow #FinFactor #BusinessSecurity

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  Episode #39

  How Sales Data is Lying to You: The CFO’s Guide to Retail Traffic Analytics

  Jun 24, 202629 minS1

  In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with Mark Ryski, founder of Headcount and author of Store Traffic is a Gift, to break down why point-of-sale (POS) data alone cannot give the office of the CFO the full picture of retail performance. They explore how tracking physical store traffic and hourly conversion rates provides critical financial context, revealing the real truth behind underperforming stores, smart labor resource allocation, and targeted marketing spend. Mark shares real-world practitioner insights on how finance leaders can bridge the gap between e-commerce level analytics and brick-and-mortar reality to stop leaving precious revenue on the table. Learn about HeadCount at headcount.com Connect with Mark at linkedin.com/in/mark-ryski-8826601 For finance teams buried in spreadsheets trying to deliver accurate forecasts to management, Dryrun provides fast, customizable cash flow modeling and scenario planning with total clarity and control. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BerX7L5eXCM #CFO #RetailAnalytics #FinancialForecasting #RetailTraffic #LaborPlanning #CashFlow Management #FinanceLeaders #BusinessIntelligence

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  FinFactor: Expert Insights for the CFO

  Laurent Marcelis "Beyond the P&L: Why CFOs Must Own Non-Financial Risk Reporting"

  May 20, 202622 minS0

  <p>The CFO role is undergoing a significant transformation as non-financial risk reporting moves from a regulatory "tick-box" exercise to a core driver of enterprise value. </p><p><br/></p><p>In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with Laurent Marcelis, CFO of Enhesa, to discuss why the finance function is the natural home for non-financial risk intelligence. As global regulations like the CSRD hit major corporations, Laurent explains how unmanaged non-financial risks, such as environmental, health, and safety exposures, can quietly erode company valuation—particularly during M&A due diligence and post-M&A integration. </p><p><br/>...

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  Episode #37

  M&A Crime Scenes: Why 70% of Deals Fail and How CFOs Can Fix It

  Apr 23, 202635 minS2

  <p>In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with 35-year CPA and M&A expert Holli Moeini to uncover the "crime scenes" that destroy deal value for mid-market companies. While many CEOs focus solely on revenue, Holli explains why the office of the CFO must look deeper into operational details, human judgment, and the "romance" between the P&L and the balance sheet to secure a successful exit.</p><p><br/>Blaine and Holli discuss why 70-80% of businesses fail to sell and how proactive cash flow forecasting, GAAP-compliant records, and strategic "add-backs" can bridge the gap...

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