The Agent CFO Podcast
Real Conversations with Finance Leaders
Join Ashok Manthena, AI Finance Expert, as he hosts conversations with CFOs and finance leaders on AI transformation, automation, and modern finance operations. Unfiltered insights, practical advice, and the future of finance.
Latest Episodes
Deep conversations with finance leaders who are transforming their organizations with AI and automation
Why ROI Broke Finance Transformation: Return on Change & the Value Diamond
with Ilana Esterrich & Vin Messina
Ilana Esterrich and Vin Messina discuss how ROI misleads finance transformations, introducing Return on Change (ROC) and the value diamond framework. Practical insights on discovery, AI, and evolving finance leadership.
AI Transformation in Finance: Collections, Automation & the ROI Question
with Adam Swoverland, VP of Finance at US Auto Force
VP of Finance Adam Swoverland discusses AI transformation, collections management, IT collaboration, and building effective AI agents. Practical insights on ROI, automation, and competitive advantage in modern finance.
From Semiconductors to AI Finance: ERP, Automation & the Future of Finance
with Dave Sackett, VP of Finance at Persimmon Technologies
The most dangerous phrase in finance is "We've always done it this way." Dave Sackett shares insights on ERP modernization, AI in finance, semiconductor industry challenges, and why smart CFOs invest in people before technology.
Why CFOs Want Budgets People Believe In
with Jason Yocum, VP of Finance & Fractional CFO
From Gap Inc to fractional CFO work - Jason shares insights on retail finance, why budgeting is outdated, AI in procure-to-pay automation, rolling forecasts, and the importance of people skills in finance leadership.
The Modern CFO: Navigating AI, Data, and the Future of Finance
with Caitlin Haberberger, CFO & Finance Leader
Explore the evolving CFO role, AI adoption in finance, strategic leadership, and how modern finance leaders are transforming their organizations through data-driven decision making and innovative thinking.
Next Episode: Who's On Deck?
New Finance Leader to be Announced
We're bringing you another deep conversation with a finance leader transforming their organization. Subscribe now to get notified when the next episode drops.
Hosted by Ashok Manthena
AI Finance Expert & Founder of ChatFin
Ashok Manthena is a seasoned Finance & AI expert who has worked across global enterprises including Google and Gap, advising finance organizations on responsible and effective AI adoption within the Office of the CFO. His work focuses on practical, finance-grade AI aligned with internal controls, auditability, and real operating constraints—not experimentation for its own sake.
Finance leadership teams value Ashok not just for his technical understanding of AI, but for his ability to translate AI into practical, finance-ready decisions, making him a trusted voice for executive discussions, offsites, and strategic sessions.
What You'll Learn
Real insights from finance leaders on the challenges and opportunities shaping modern finance operations
AI's Real Impact on Finance
How AI adoption is incremental, not disruptive. Learn where AI helps (reconciliation, document processing, reporting) and where human judgment still matters most.
Why Annual Budgets Are Breaking Down
Discover why rolling forecasts and cash visibility are replacing traditional annual budgets, and the red flags that signal deeper planning problems.
ERP Modernization Reality
The most expensive assumption CFOs make about ERPs, why legacy systems can survive AI, and whether AI should live inside or outside your ERP.
People Before Technology
Why investing in people's growth still matters more than tools, and how influence and communication define modern finance leadership.
Tool Sprawl & Point Solutions
Why most finance teams use 10-15 tools (ERP, planning, AP, reporting) and why standalone solutions are losing ground to flexible AI layers.
Document Processing Opportunities
How AI-based extraction can reduce invoice and contract processing time by 60–80%, and the real data problems finance teams face (merged cells, handwriting).
The Evolving CFO Role
How VPs of Finance and CFOs have evolved from reporting-focused positions into cross-functional leadership roles connecting operations, strategy, and execution.
Process Transformation That Works
Small, focused process fixes succeed more often than large transformation programs. Learn which processes are overdue for change and why speed beats perfection.
Industry-Specific Insights
From retail finance (inventory, supply chain, working capital) to semiconductor finance (AI chip demand, hypergrowth challenges), get context that matters.
Who Should Listen
The Agent CFO Podcast is built for finance professionals navigating the shift to AI-powered operations
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