CFO Talk - Reimagining the new CFO Skillset with Tariq Munir Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of our CFO Talk - Reimagining the new CFO Skillset with Tariq Munir, Managing Partner of Finspyr and author of the book, “Reimagine Finance,” In this episode, Tariq and host Steve Rosvold, Chief Learning Officer at CFO University, look beyond the numbers to explore the cutting edge of modern finance leadership in the digital age.
Together, they unpack where CFOs are underestimating digital risk, especially in the era of AI and data analytics, and why responsible digital leadership is more important than ever. Tariq introduces the innovative concept of the M-shaped career—an approach that encourages finance professionals to broaden their experience across multiple disciplines to stay relevant and agile in a fast-evolving business landscape.
If you’re aspiring to the CFO role, you’ll hear invaluable advice about critical thinking, building a digital mindset, and becoming a true business leader—skills that go far beyond traditional finance. Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek into Tariq’s new book and practical tips for navigating the future of finance.
Ready to rethink what it means to be a CFO? Tune in for a thoughtful, inspiring conversation that will help you lead, learn, and grow in an era defined by change.
Quotable Quotes:
On Getting Broad Experience
“We need to become flexible and courageous as well to move to different roles and try on new things that might mean we will not follow that typical trajectory of growth that we want to see.”
“If CFOs immerse themselves in influencing digital strategy and the digital transformation or their organization, they will develop a lot of the broader experience and skills we are talking about.”
“The broader experience has a lot of implications to education, has a lot of implications to what companies need to do for their employees with regards to training and development. And then the question is one of loyalty. Are companies willing to invest in giving employees those opportunities or will the opportunities come through multiple jobs via multiple employers?”
On the CFOs Future Role
“The CFO suite touches all the different departments in an organization, preparing CFOs to lead not only digital transformations, but business transformations as well. “
On Being the Steward of Ethics
“Just because we have data, does not mean we own the data or we have right to use that data.”
On How to Lead in the Digital Era
“You must build a minimum level of digital literacy, a minimum level of digital mindset where you are able to understand what the different technologies are, how they solve different business problems.”
“CFOs aren’t just the numbers people anymore. They’re asked to do strategy, they’re asked to get involved in the supply chain, they’re getting involved in much more. They’re what I call the top line areas like pricing. They’re being asked to involve themselves in areas beyond expense control and the balance sheet, now it’s about revenue generation too.”
Advice to CFOs
“Tariq’s advice for aspiring finance leaders? Build that digital mindset. Make it work for you on problem solving. Work on your problem-solving muscles and put people first. It’s just invaluable.”
A Final Question
“Digital is going to be everywhere. It is already everywhere. How does finance become the navigator and catalyst of the business growth using technology?
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