Leveraging Tech in Finance Flashcards
Define ‘digital mindset’.
The ability to see how digital technology can transform an organization
What is one dimension of the digital mindset?
Providing vision yet empowering others
What does ‘architecting choices’ refer to in the context of a digital mindset?
Guiding employees towards beneficial outcomes while empowering them
What is a key challenge when adopting disruptive technologies?
Sustaining ongoing operations and profitability
What is the balance required in the digital mindset regarding data and intuition?
Relying on data yet trusting your intuition
True or False: Emerging technologies should always be embraced without skepticism.
False
What defines change adept organizations?
View change as an opportunity
What is a characteristic of a flexible structure in organizations?
Easily adopt new technologies and adapt processes
What does a growth mindset in employees entail?
Willingness to continuously learn new skills
What potential transformation can a digital mindset have on the finance function?
Changing focus from operational efficiency to strategic goals
What is digital costing?
Costing that accommodates the differences in structure and behavior of digital assets
How is the traditional structure of the finance function changing in the digital age?
From a triangular to a diamond shape
What is the automation paradox in finance?
Loss of skills due to automation increasing reliance on automated processes
What role does the finance function play as a strategic partner?
Assisting in financial and commercial evaluation to improve business performance
What visual shape represents the evolving finance function?
Diamond shape
What are two key elements of the role of financial strategic partners?
- Communicating insight on how to add value
- Business partnering to support another business function
What skills are required for effective strategic partnering in finance?
- Generating useful insights
- Communication skills
Fill in the blank: Value in a business context encompasses all things that ensure the success of the business in the _______.
[long-run]
What does the term ‘value’ include beyond monetary aspects?
- Brand reputation
- Employee satisfaction
- Customer happiness
What is a strategic partner likened to in the text?
A boxing sparring partner
What does the finance function analyze to support decision-making?
Financial information
What is the outcome of a finance function acting as a business partner?
Influencing decisions made across the organization
What shift has occurred in the finance function’s focus due to automation?
From increasing efficiency to strategic partnering
What is a key communication skill required for financial professionals acting as strategic partners?
Communicate effectively with stakeholders outside of the finance function
This includes avoiding financial jargon and ensuring information is understandable.
What is essential for a strategic partner to influence decision-making and business strategy?
A broader range of knowledge than held by traditional financial professionals
This includes understanding how different areas of the organization operate.
What analytical skill is increasingly important for strategic partners due to technological advances?
The ability to analyze trends and identify anomalies using large data sets
Examples include analyzing buying patterns before hurricanes.
True or False: Successful strategic partners are seen as leaders within an organization.
True
What confidence-related skill must financial strategic partners possess?
Act with confidence and be persuasive
They must challenge management and influence decision-making.
What is commercial acumen?
The ability to make good judgements and quick decisions regarding commercial and financial issues
This includes evaluating options and implementing decisions.
How does the finance function create value through strategic partnership?
By analyzing how value is created and communicating insights to different areas of the organization
This supports efforts to maximize value creation.
What role does the CFO play in strategic leadership?
Transitioning from navigator to co-pilot of the organization
This involves formulating strategies alongside the CEO.
List three skills required for effective strategic leadership by a CFO.
- Communication skills
- Ability to build relationships
- Leadership skills
What is a key responsibility of a CFO in relation to technology?
Manage the investment in technology and understand its value and cost
This includes leveraging emerging technologies.
Fill in the blank: The integration of technology into business processes increases demand for _______.
financial advice and support
What is the impact of technology on traditional finance roles?
It poses a threat to some jobs while creating new opportunities
Examples include the automation of data entry tasks.
What are digital centres of excellence (DCoE)?
Shared service centres focusing on achieving business objectives through expertise and technology
They include specialists from various areas analyzing data for insights.
What is business partnering?
The development of a successful and long-lasting strategic relationship between groups in business
This can include both internal partnerships and external collaborations.
What significant deal did Nestlé sign in 2018?
A $7.1bn deal to sell Starbucks branded coffee in locations other than Starbucks’ cafes
This deal created a long-term relationship benefiting both companies.
What is one role of the finance function in an organization?
To be a business partner to various departments by providing financial advice and support
This support helps departments make informed decisions.
How has the traditional view of the finance function changed?
It is becoming increasingly embedded in different departments rather than being treated as a separate entity
Management accountants are now often found within departments instead of a central accounts department.
What is one way business partnering of the finance function can be achieved?
Through individuals working within another department to provide guidance
For example, a management accountant in a marketing department.
What is another method of business partnering besides individuals?
Through multi-disciplinary teams that work on projects together
An example includes accountants working alongside architects and builders on a building project.
What is a mixture of both methods in business partnering?
Having a combination of traditional-type departments and multi-disciplinary teams
This allows for finance personnel to be embedded in both structures.
What shift is occurring in the focus of the finance function?
From reporting on historical performance to planning and decision-making
This shift enhances the role of the CFO in leadership.
What role does technology play in the changing focus of the finance function?
It enables automation of repetitive processes, allowing finance professionals to focus on planning
Real-time financial information also aids future-oriented decision-making.
What traditional roles must the CFO still manage?
Financial reporting, management accounting, and treasury management
These roles remain essential even as the focus shifts to strategic leadership.
What is the role of the CFO in relation to the CEO?
To work closely with the CEO to set strategies for improving future performance
This collaboration is key to implementing organizational changes.
What era is referred to as the digital age in relation to finance?
An era where computing technology is integrated into all aspects of modern life
This integration transforms basic finance activities within the finance function.
Fill in the blank: The finance function is being transformed by the widespread use of _______.
[computing technology]
What is the primary goal of business partnering within an organization?
To enhance collaboration and support decision-making across departments
This can improve overall organizational performance.
What are the five basic activities of the finance function referred to as?
The five As
The five As are Assembling information, Analysing for insights, Advising to influence, Applying for impact, and Acumen.
What do the four stages between information and impact begin with?
The letter I
The stages are Information, Insight, Influence, and Impact.
What is the difference between data and information?
Data is unprocessed raw facts; information is processed and organized data.
What is the first basic activity of the finance function?
Assembling information
What does the finance function analyze to find useful insights?
Information
What is the purpose of the finance function advising stakeholders?
To influence decision-making processes
What does applying for impact involve in the finance function?
Implementing decisions to guide the actions of the organization.
What is meant by ‘Acumen’ in the context of the finance function?
The ability to help the organization make better future decisions.
How is the traditional finance function visually represented?
As a triangle
In the traditional finance function, what does the broad base of the triangle represent?
The greatest number of staff in the lowest management level.
What are the three broad categories of management levels in the finance function?
- Enabling
- Shaping
- Narrating
What is a shared service center (SSC) in finance?
A central department providing finance services that were previously in multiple parts of the organization.
What has driven the segregation of financial operational processes into SSCs?
Desire to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
What shape is the finance function expected to take in the digital age?
Diamond shape
At Level 4 of the digital age finance function, what tasks are performed?
- Assembling data
- Cleaning data
- Providing limited insight
What role do specialists at Level 3 of the finance function fulfill?
Generating further insights in their areas of specialism.
What does partnering for value involve at Level 2 of the finance function?
Influencing and shaping how the organization creates value.
What are the responsibilities of finance professionals at Level 1?
Leading the finance team and formulating strategies.
What is the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) characterized by?
Convergence of technologies that blur the lines between physical, digital, and biological systems.