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Food for Thought: A CFO Dinner Serving up Finance’s Future

by Lisa Rundlet Gordon, Omeed Veiseh

February 11, 2025,,,

  • omeed

Last week over dinner in New York, we gathered with some of the city's most forward-thinking CFOs and executives to discuss where finance is heading.

Between courses, four major themes emerged. Here's what we learned.

Using AI to Preserve Knowledge Legacies

We had insightful conversations about using artificial intelligence (AI) for knowledge preservation. Finance executives are actively pushing their departments to harness AI for documenting complex operational procedures - everything from month-end closes to audit preparations. It's not just about creating manuals; it's about capturing the nuanced decision-making processes that typically live in people's heads.

When a senior accountant follows a specific sequence for revenue recognition or handles an unusual reconciliation, they're now using AI tools to document these steps in detail. This means institutional knowledge doesn't have to disappear when people move on. New team members and step-ups can get up to speed faster with access to this AI-enhanced repository of knowledge. But, it doesn't stop there. AI adoption goes beyond knowledge preservation. CFOs are encouraging AI adoption on their finance teams for things like presentations, idea generation, process improvement,and more, to polish off original work product or bring an idea to the next level.

finance ai

Automating Accounts Payable

Finance executives are constantly hunting for efficiency gains, but we commiserated over how challenging it can be to automate accounts payable (AP). While the dream of fully automated AP remains elusive, some folks sang praises to an AP automation app called Ramp.

Their platform's AI tackles the most time-consuming parts of AP making what used to be a 10-step process from invoice to payment just three steps. The platform's intelligent routing keeps approvals moving, while built-in controls like two-way and three-way matching can catch billing errors before they become problems. It's not perfect automation, but it's transforming a traditionally painful process into something remarkably manageable.

Fear of Failure and Prepping Team Members for Career Growth

Another theme that resonated across the table was this “fear of failure” people see within their teams. Their team members are afraid of making mistakes. Future finance leaders need to develop judgment through practice, even if it means making occasional mistakes.

Pattern recognition in decision-making only comes from actually making decisions – you can't build that muscle from the sidelines. They're actively encouraging their teams to trust their instincts, make reasoned calls, and learn from the outcomes. The consensus was that a wrong decision often teaches more valuable lessons than perpetual hesitation.

team of finance execs vp svp team build

CFO Career Trajectories: More Movement Ahead

Many operators at the table acknowledged they're in the midst of hold periods, but they're quietly beginning to survey the landscape for their next move. There's a palpable sense of anticipation - while the current market faces a shortage of top-tier CFO talent, the next 12-24 months could bring a significant wave of experienced finance leaders to the market. The general sentiment was one of strategic patience: these leaders are focused on executing in their current roles while thoughtfully positioning themselves for future opportunities.

What struck us most was the pragmatism in the room. These leaders aren't chasing automation for automation's sake – they're looking for real solutions to persistent problems. They want solutions that actually deliver on their promises, not just another shiny tech toy to add to the pile. Looking around that table, we couldn't help but think: this is where finance is heading. Not in grand, sweeping revolutions, but in smart, incremental steps toward better, more efficient operations for the finance world.

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Bespoke Partners Named in Top 10 of the “Top 49 Retained Executive Search” 2-Years Running by C-Suite CV Secure.

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Authored by:

  • Partner

    Lisa Rundlet Gordon is a Partner in the Finance Practice with Bespoke Partners.

    Lisa brings more than 13 years of experience in global executive search, with a focus on industries such as life sciences and technology. Most recently, Lisa was a key member of the Financial Officers Practice at Heidrick & Struggles, where she spent nearly a decade developing and leading substantial client relationships for private equity-owned and publicly traded companies. Her depth of experience and insight into financial leadership make her a significant asset for Bespoke’s clients as they seek transformative talent.

    Previously, Lisa served as a manager at another global search firm, focusing on accounting and finance searches within asset management. Her clients included notable firms such as Apollo, KKR, Guggenheim Investments, and Alliance Bernstein.

    Lisa began her career in public accounting as an audit associate at KPMG in the New York metro practice, where she developed her foundational expertise in finance and accounting.

    A New Jersey native, Lisa resides there with her husband and two sons. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Bucknell University and is recognized for her dedication to client service and mentorship throughout her career.

  • omeed
    Vice President

    Omeed joined Bespoke Partners in 2024 as a Vice President within the Financial Officer practice. Prior to Bespoke, Omeed spent 7 years with another leading retained executive search firm, completing over 100 searches, specifically focusing on CFO placements within private equity backed environments. Omeed has worked with notable firms such as Vista, Carlyle, AEA, Warburg Pincus and many more.

    Academically, Omeed received his MBA in International Studies from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. During this time he lived, studied and worked in China, India and the USA. Prior to his MBA, Omeed attended Grand Valley State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Economics.

    When Omeed is not working, you can find him training for a marathon, scouring Resy for impossible tables to get in NYC, or checking out every watch store in the city.

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