Financial Leadership Summit

Financial Leadership Summit Sessions

• Stewardship (Session 1 of 6)

  Session Description: Stewardship is a cornerstone of effective leadership, particularly for finance professionals. This session explores what stewardship means in a finance context, how it aligns with key responsibilities, and practical ways professionals can exercise stewardship to strengthen trust, accountability, and long‑term value. 

  Course Objectives: 

  • Identify and describe the key elements of stewardship and their relevance to professional roles. 
  • Evaluate practical applications of stewardship through guided reflection and group discussion. 

  Major Topics: 

  • Defining stewardship and identifying its key components. 
  • Understanding how trust underpins and strengthens effective stewardship. 
  • Examining the finance professional’s role and how stewardship is practiced across technical, ethical, and leadership responsibilities. 

  Field of Study: Personal Development – Non-technical 

  Prerequisites: (Recommended) some experience as a practicing CPA or in a finance leadership role” is appropriate and not a prerequisite 

  Level of Knowledge: Intermediate 

  Advanced Preparations: None 

• Leadership (Session 2 of 6)

  Session Description: Effective leadership is built on a set of essential and disciplined practices. This session examines the core components of leadership and how they are applied consistently in real‑world professional settings. Participants will explore how leaders provide direction, execute plans, communicate effectively, exercise influence, and maintain accountability across different organizational environments. 

  Course Objectives: 

  • Identify and describe key disciplines essential to effective leadership. 
  • Explain the role of effective communication in leadership effectiveness. 
  • Analyze how influence operates within leadership and its impact on individuals and organizations. 
  • Evaluate practical leadership behaviors through guided reflection and discussion. 

  Major Topics: 

  • Core leadership disciplines, including direction, execution, and accountability 
  • Establishing direction and aligning teams around shared goals 
  • Execution strategies for moving teams toward intended outcomes 
  • as a leadership tool for measuring progress and results 
  • Communication as a critical leadership practice Influence in leadership, including positive and negative impacts 
  • Leadership responsibilities across different organizational levels and types of organizations 

  Field of Study: Personal Development – Non-technical 

  Prerequisites: (Recommended) some experience as a practicing CPA or in a finance leadership role” is appropriate and not a prerequisite 

  Level of Knowledge: Intermediate 

  Advanced Preparations: None 

• Relationship With the CEO (Session 3 of 6)

  Session Description:  For finance professionals, an effective working relationship with the Chief Executive Officer is critical to organizational success. This session features an interview and moderated Q&A with a financial institution CEO who previously served as CFO.  Participants will gain insight into the CEO–CFO relationship, including expectations, communication practices, and factors that contribute to a productive and trusted partnership. 

  Course Objectives: 

  • Describe key expectations and responsibilities within the CEO–CFO relationship from both executive perspectives. 
  • Identify practices that contribute to a healthy, effective, and collaborative working relationship with the CEO. 
  • Evaluate common challenges and opportunities in the CEO–CFO relationship through real‑world examples and discussion. 

  Major Topics: 

  • Overview of the CEO–CFO relationship in practice 
  • Executive expectations, roles, and responsibilities 
  • Communication, trust, and alignment between the CEO and CFO 
  • Common challenges and best practices for strengthening the relationship 
  • Insights from executive experience across both CFO and CEO roles 

  Field of Study: Personal Development – Non-technical 

  Prerequisites: (Recommended) some experience as a practicing CPA or in a finance leadership role” is appropriate and not a prerequisite 

  Level of Knowledge: Intermediate 

  Advanced Preparations: None

• Accountability (Session 4 or 6)

  Session Description:  Accountability is a critical component of both effective leadership and sound stewardship, particularly for finance professionals. This session examines the meaning and dimensions of accountability, common challenges associated with implementing it, and practical strategies for making accountability constructive and results‑oriented. Participants will explore how accountability supports performance, trust, and organizational effectiveness. 

  Course Objectives: 

  • Define accountability and identify its key elements. 
  • Explain the different dimensions of accountability, including vertical, horizontal, and personal accountability. 
  • Evaluate practical approaches to implementing effective accountability through guided reflection and discussion. 

  Major Topics: 

  • Definitions of accountability and interpretation of key nuances 
  • Core elements of effective accountability 
  • Vertical, horizontal, and personal accountability frameworks 
  • Challenges associated with horizontal accountability and professional responses for finance professionals 
  • Calibrating accountability and feedback mechanisms appropriately 
  • Best practices for delivering effective performance feedback 

  Field of Study: Personal Development – Non-technical 

  Prerequisites: (Recommended) some experience as a practicing CPA or in a finance leadership role” is appropriate and not a prerequisite 

  Level of Knowledge: Intermediate 

  Advanced Preparations: None  

• Information for Decision Making (Session 5 of 6)

  Session Description: One of the most critical responsibilities of finance professionals is providing decision makers with relevant, reliable, and timely information. This session examines the information needs of various decision makers, the characteristics of high‑quality financial information, and practical approaches to presenting information that supports effective decision making. Participants will engage in discussion and reflection on how finance professionals can add value through clear, meaningful reporting and analysis. 

  Course Objectives: 

  • Identify the information needs of different categories of decision makers. 
  • Describe the key characteristics of high‑quality financial information used in decision making. 
  • Differentiate between data, information, and insights in a management reporting context. 
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of financial information used to support decision making through peer discussion. 

  Major Topics: 

  • Categories of organizational decision makers and their information requirements 
  • Characteristics of high‑quality financial information 
  • Distinctions between data, information, and actionable insights 
  • Principles of effective financial and management reporting 
  • Practical approaches for improving the usefulness and clarity of information provided to decision makers 

  Field of Study: Personal Development – Non-technical 

  Prerequisites: (Recommended) some experience as a practicing CPA or in a finance leadership role” is appropriate and not a prerequisite 

  Level of Knowledge: Intermediate 

  Advanced Preparations: None  

• Professional Growth for Yourself and Your Team (Session 6 of 6)

  Session Description: Ongoing professional growth is essential for effective leadership and long‑term organizational success. This session examines the importance of continuous development for leaders and explores practical approaches for fostering growth in both individual leaders and their teams. Participants will consider mindsets, practices, and resources that support sustained professional and leadership development through reflection and peer discussion. 

  Course Objectives: 

  • Explain the importance of continuous professional growth for leaders. 
  • Identify practices, mindsets, and resources that support leadership and professional development. 
  • Evaluate practical strategies for encouraging growth within their teams through peer discussion. 

  Major Topics: 

  • The importance of continuous growth for leaders and organizations 
  • Resources and practices that support professional and leadership development 
  • Developing and sustaining a continual growth mindset 
  • Practical approaches for supporting growth and development within teams 

  Field of Study: Personal Development – Non-technical 

  Prerequisites: (Recommended) some experience as a practicing CPA or in a finance leadership role” is appropriate and not a prerequisite 

  Level of Knowledge: Intermediate 

  Advanced Preparations: None