Disrupting Finance: Delivering next level strategic, digital and operational transformation
Australiaโ€™s No. 1 Event for Finance Leaders! Celebrating 13 years!

16 - 18 September, 2024 | Sydney, Australia

Conference Day One: Tuesday, 14th November 2023

Morning Session

8:15 am - 8:50 am Registration and Morning Coffee

9:00 am - 9:10 am Conference Day 1 Opening and Chair Remarks

9:10 am - 9:40 am FUTURE OF FINANCE TRANSFORMATION PANEL Holistic finance transformation: How finance executives can succeed in leveraging digital innovation to transform the mission and purpose of the finance function

The promises are clear. Streamlined processes. Reduced human error. Less time spend on mundane, transactional activity and more time spent on higher value activity โ€“ driven by greater insights and enhanced decision-making tools.

But how do we get there? In this next panel discussion, we ask four Finance Transformation Executives how the finance function can seize the opportunities inherent in digital transformation. How are they bringing their teams and the technology together to re-define the value contribution that finance can make to the wider business?

Core focus areas to include:

ยท      Making the case for transformation

ยท      Preparing for finance digitalization 

ยท      Financeโ€™s value proposition

ยท      Business-partnering in practice

9:40 am - 10:10 am KEYNOTE CASE STUDY: The Changing Face of Finance Business Partnering โ€“ Supporting business through turbulent times.

ยท      Strengthening Business Partnerships: Learn how to foster strong collaborations and effective communication between various business units and stakeholders, enabling seamless coordination for mutual success.

ยท      Detailed understanding of business drivers: A deep understanding of the business and key drivers is critical to support the business in volatile times. Understand the importance of business drivers for key stakeholders.

ยท      Maintain a measured approach during times of change: Provide the business with the vital and relevant data for making strategic and effective choices and present the possible outcomes in a clear and concise manner.

 

By looking back over his time at PayPal Marco will give insights into his way of business partnering and how it has changed over the years. Participants will gain actionable insights to elevate their business partnering skills.

10:10 am - 10:30 am Future of Finance Connections

Say hello to new and old friends as we get set for an interactive and immersive Future of Finance Summit!

10:30 am - 11:00 am CASE STUDY: Transforming Finance: From Support function to Value Co-Creator

In this session, we will explore how finance can transform itself from a traditional support function into a value co-creator and commercial leader. In our disruptive world where innovation is key, fostering that in a large business is not always easy. We will discuss how Woolworths incubated a successful start-up that reinvented the way customers shop, and how Finance reinvented itself to help startups thrive in a corporate ecosystem without losing its entrepreneurial spirit. 

11:00 am - 11:30 am Morning Break

Enjoy a coffee and morning snack with a side of lively Future of Finance conversations with your peers!

Solve your Finance Transformation Challenge with the input, advice, perspective and experience of your peers!

During this part of the event, attendees attend their pre-selected interactive discussions. Delegates can select 3 x interactive discussion groups, each lasting 30 minutes. Discussion groups are hosted by experts and kept intimate to allow all attendees the opportunity to discuss your most pressing questions in an informal yet constructive approach to problem solving.

INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION GROUP SESSION

IDG A: Mastering Spend Management for Organisational Resiliency and Growth

11:30 am - 1:10 pm IDG A: Mastering Spend Management for Organisational Resiliency and Growth

IDG B: Bringing data-driven innovation to finance.

11:30 am - 1:10 pm IDG B: Bringing data-driven innovation to finance.

IDG C: Evolving the role of the finance function to confront current and future challenges

11:30 am - 1:10 pm IDG C: Evolving the role of the finance function to confront current and future challenges

IDG D: Developing the next generation of CFO and Finance talent management

11:30 am - 1:10 pm IDG D: Developing the next generation of CFO and Finance talent management
Ashwini Shankar - Chief Financial Officer, NAATI
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Ashwini Shankar

Chief Financial Officer
NAATI


1:10 pm - 2:10 pm Lunch Break

Enjoy lunch with a side of lively Future of Finance conversation with your peers!

2:10 pm - 2:40 pm CASE STUDY: Future proofing finance function through digital transformation and cloud based

Ashwini Shankar - Chief Financial Officer, NAATI

This session delves into the strategic utilisation of digital technology to ensure the finance function's long-term resilience. With the rapidly changing business landscape, it has become imperative for finance professionals to embrace digital transformation as a means of future-proofing their operations. By harnessing the power of innovative digital tools and implementing cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, finance teams can streamline processes, enhance data accuracy, and gain real-time insights into financial performance. This session will emphasise the potential of digital transformation to optimise financial decision-making, increase operational efficiency, and provide crucial strategic support to the entire organisation.

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Ashwini Shankar

Chief Financial Officer
NAATI

2:40 pm - 3:10 pm HOW TO GUIDE: Business Partnering and the Finance Function

Key points covered in this session include:

ยท      Understanding the Role of Finance Business Partners: Gain insights into the evolving role of finance professionals as strategic advisors and business partners within their organizations.

ยท      Building Strong Cross-Functional Relationships: Learn how to establish and nurture collaborative relationships with non-financial stakeholders to enhance communication and decision-making processes.

ยท      Leveraging Data and Insights: Explore ways to utilize financial data and analytics to provide valuable insights, drive innovation, and support data-driven decision-making across various departments.

3:10 pm - 3:30 pm Future of Finance Transformation Demonstration Drive

Future of Finance is all about making that critical connections that will help you transform, accelerate and revolutionise your finance department. During this session, you will get the chance to hear from solution providers during a short showcase of their innovative solutions that can form part and benefit your vision.

3:30 pm - 3:50 pm Afternoon Break

Enjoy a coffee and morning snack with a side of lively Future of Finance conversations with your peers!

3:50 pm - 4:20 pm CASE STUDY: Harnessing People, Process, and Technology: Compare Club's Journey from Traditional Record Keeping to Trusted Strategic Advisor

In this session, hear a three-year expedition, on how Compare Club underwent a profound transformation from traditional record keeping to becoming a trusted strategic advisor. This session delves into the challenges encountered, the innovative solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes achieved during this exciting pursuit of excellence. Learn how Finance helped Compare Club effectively scale from a medium-sized company to a large enterprise, all while harnessing the power of people, refining essential processes, and leveraging cutting-edge technology. 

4:20 pm - 4:40 pm PANEL DISCUSSION: Maximising Efficiency and Value: The Strategic Outsourcing of Finance Functions

In today's competitive business landscape, organisations are increasingly exploring strategic options to optimise their finance functions. This session will delve into the benefits, challenges, and best practices of outsourcing finance functions, highlighting its potential to streamline processes, drive cost savings, and enhance operational agility. Discover how outsourcing can enable organisations to focus on core business activities while gaining access to specialised expertise, scalable solutions, and advanced technologies. Explore real-world case studies and engage in interactive discussions to gain insights into selecting the right outsourcing partner, establishing effective governance frameworks, and embracing emerging trends that shape the future of finance function outsourcing.

4:40 pm - 5:10 pm PANEL DISCUSSION: Key strategies to deliver growth and sustainable value in the high-inflation, high-cost environment

Brett Walker-Davies - Director of Finance, Brisbane Grammar

In this session, we will delve into the challenges posed by an environment characterised by high inflation and escalating costs and explore effective strategies to navigate these hurdles successfully. Learn from industry experts as they share valuable insights on innovative approaches to managing costs, optimising operations, and identifying growth opportunities. Discover how companies can adapt their business models, leverage technology, and foster a culture of innovation to achieve sustainable growth and deliver long-term value even in the face of challenging economic conditions.

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Brett Walker-Davies

Director of Finance
Brisbane Grammar

5:10 pm - 5:15 pm Conference Day One Wrap Up

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm Future of Finance Drinks Reception