{"id":20907,"date":"2025-02-26T11:24:47","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T11:24:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=20907"},"modified":"2025-03-19T14:28:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T14:28:36","slug":"real-world-advice-financial-services-cfo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/real-world-advice-financial-services-cfo\/","title":{"rendered":"The first 90 days: Real-world advice from a financial services CFO"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/people-leadership\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">People &amp; Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe first 90 days: Real-world advice from a financial services CFO\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-8 col-lg-4 entry-header__image\">\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"entry-header__thumbnail js-hero-section\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1214\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0546-1214x810.jpg\" class=\"entry-header__thumbnail-image\" alt=\"Working on business priorities\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0546-1214x810.jpg 1214w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0546-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0546-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0546.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1214px) 100vw, 1214px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-02-26T11:24:47+00:00\">26 February, 2025<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"The first 90 days: Real-world advice from a financial services CFO\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/real-world-advice-financial-services-cfo\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/yassirmalik\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Yassir-Malik.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"yassir-malik-profile-picture\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Yassir Malik<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For new CFOs in financial services, the first 90 days set the foundation for long-term success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what does that foundation really look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.haversinefunding.com\/team\/jeffrey-whaley\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jeff Whaley, CFO at Haversine Funding<\/a>, shares candid insights from his journey transitioning into his first CFO role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-start-with-the-fundamentals-even-if-it-feels-basic\" data-level=\"2\">Start with the fundamentals, even if it feels basic<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-build-credibility-through-action\" data-level=\"2\">Build credibility through action<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-create-a-tech-foundation-for-growth\" data-level=\"2\">Create a tech foundation for growth<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-balance-innovation-and-risk\" data-level=\"2\">Balance innovation and risk<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-practical-advice-for-new-cfos\" data-level=\"2\">Practical advice for new CFOs<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#h-master-the-basics-first\" data-level=\"3\">Master the basics first<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-think-long-term\" data-level=\"3\">Think long term<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-build-strong-leadership-relationships\" data-level=\"3\">Build strong leadership relationships<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-focus-on-value-creation\" data-level=\"3\">Focus on value creation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-stay-humble\" data-level=\"3\">Stay humble<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-bigger-picture\" data-level=\"2\">The bigger picture<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-start-with-the-fundamentals-even-if-it-feels-basic\"><strong>Start with the fundamentals, even if it feels basic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coming from nine years at Goldman Sachs in private credit and private equity, Jeff had deep industry expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet his approach focused on mastering the basics before tackling advanced initiatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jeff says, \u201cA lot of people who come into CFO positions think basic accounting is beneath them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;But especially in small to medium-sized organisations, you don\u2019t have that luxury. There are no unimportant tasks because organisations run lean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-build-credibility-through-action\"><strong>Build credibility through action<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first 90 days are all about establishing trust and demonstrating competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jeff\u2019s approach focused on three key areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understanding core processes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Building rapport with team members<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delivering consistently on basic financial functions<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou listen a lot more than you talk,\u201d Jeff explains. \u201cYou need to understand what\u2019s important to all stakeholders and what your service level agreements are with other groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Then focus on getting really, really good at those core functions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-create-a-tech-foundation-for-growth\"><strong>Create a tech foundation for growth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Jeff arrived, Haversine\u2019s financial infrastructure needed modernisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His team focused on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Streamlining the general ledger and chart of accounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implementing dimensional reporting capabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating efficient data structures for future scaling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Automating manual processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEverything was done with an eye toward scalability,\u201d notes Jeff. \u201cWe asked ourselves: We\u2019re doing okay with 30 loans, but what would we need to do with the same headcount to handle 300? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;How do we handle 10 times more investors? All of our data and automation initiatives have to be done with an eye towards scalability.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-balance-innovation-and-risk\"><strong>Balance innovation and risk<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While embracing automation, Jeff takes a measured approach to emerging technologies such as AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He says, \u201cThere\u2019s AI and there\u2019s automation\u2014I view those as two different capabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Automation is generally more suited to repetitive tasks not requiring significant analysis and it\u2019s incredibly important to us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;AI is a different as it requires a lot of upfront work be crystal clear about what you want it to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Right now, its most valuable application is extracting data from unstructured documents\u2014but even then, accuracy is critical, and it still requires a lot of oversight.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-practical-advice-for-new-cfos\"><strong>Practical advice for new CFOs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those stepping into their first financial services CFO role, Jeff offers these insights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-master-the-basics-first\"><strong>Master the basics first<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou can\u2019t speak authoritatively about higher-level analytics if you don\u2019t understand the mechanics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-think-long-term\"><strong>Think long term<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s not easy to dedicate resources to efficiency projects that won\u2019t pay off for six to nine months, but you have to incorporate it into your day-to-day work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-build-strong-leadership-relationships\"><strong>Build strong leadership relationships<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m fortunate to work with executives who see finance as a value-added function, not just a requirement. That mindset enables strategic growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-focus-on-value-creation\"><strong>Focus on value creation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOnce you get past the basics of accounting, focus on making finance not just a have-to-have, but an area that creates real value.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-stay-humble\"><strong>Stay humble<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn those first 90 days, you can\u2019t take anything for granted. Everything\u2019s important when you\u2019re starting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-bigger-picture\"><strong>The bigger picture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Financial services CFOs face unique challenges\u2014from complex entity structures to investor reporting requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Success requires balancing immediate operational needs with long-term strategic vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn financial services, the CFO and COO roles often blur,\u201d Jeff notes. \u201cThere\u2019s more overlap than in a typical manufacturing company, for example. You need to understand both the financial and operational aspects deeply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Regardless, what always matters is data. The finance function must consistently work to provide decision-makers with the best and most timely data possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more insights from Jeff, you can tune into Haversine\u2019s regular podcast <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@InFocuswithHaversine\/videos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>In Focus with Haversine<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Master your data superpower: Turn financial data into real-time insights<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a CFO in a growing financial firm, outdated systems can hold you back. This e-book explores how you can optimise financial management with advanced software.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/intacct\/resources\/ebooks\/the-cfos-path-to-life-beyond-xero\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tid=\"cta-id-21241\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Learn more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1214\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/Woman-accountant-advising-client-1214x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Woman accountant advising client\" loading=\"lazy\" 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related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-32306 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-business-support tag-cloud tag-data-analytics tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-productivity tag-reporting business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business industry-financial-services industry-professional-services card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-29T12:32:05+01:00\">29 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">1 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/is-your-finance-system-holding-back-business-growth\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tIs your finance system holding back business growth?\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tLonger close cycles. More spreadsheet workarounds. Reporting that takes longer every quarter, not less. These are the signs a finance system has stopped supporting growth and started limiting it. \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-32304 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-strategy-legal-operations tag-business-costs tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-business-support tag-data-analytics tag-digital-transformation tag-midsized-business tag-reporting tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-financial-services industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/from-scorekeeper-to-strategist-how-the-cfo-role-is-evolving\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-4-header-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-4-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-4-header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-4-header-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-29T12:19:55+01:00\">29 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">5 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tFrom scorekeeper to strategist: How the CFO role is evolving\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-32298 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-business-support tag-cloud tag-data-analytics tag-digital-transformation tag-finance tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-reporting tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-financial-services industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/group-consolidation-why-it-takes-so-long-and-how-to-fix-it\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-2-header-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-2-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-2-header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-2-header-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-29T12:00:40+01:00\">29 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tGroup consolidation: Why it takes so long and how to fix it\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-32289 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-create-business-plan tag-data-analytics tag-finance tag-financial-education tag-performance-management tag-productivity tag-reporting tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-financial-services industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-build-a-cfo-dashboard-that-actually-drives-decisions\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-3-header-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-3-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-3-header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-3-header-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-29T11:49:51+01:00\">29 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow to build a CFO dashboard that actually drives decisions\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-15795 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accountant-accounting tag-accountant-automation tag-brexit-business tag-business-finances business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-account-reconciliation\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1325244864-1-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"man in office\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1325244864-1-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1325244864-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1325244864-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-02T15:28:18+01:00\">2 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tAccount reconciliation: What it is and best practices\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jeff Whaley, CFO at Haversine Funding, shares candid insights from his journey transitioning into his first CFO role.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1774,"featured_media":19950,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_sage_video":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"10","sage_membership_post_content_type":"article","sage_membership_post_featured_video_id":"","sage_membership_post_video_type":"trailer","sage_membership_post_featured_video_duration":"","post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[135,243],"business_type":[3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[68,71],"imagine_tag":[96],"coauthors":[355],"class_list":["post-20907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-leadership","tag-business-finances","tag-money-diaries","business_type-medium-sized-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Yassir 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