Technology is transforming how finance teams add value to their organizations. These episodes explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation are enabling predictive modelling, streamlining processes, and empowering finance teams to focus on strategy and growth—underpinned by effective cybersecurity measures.
Other topics in our Accounting for the Future podcast:
In this milestone 50th episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson and Rob Philpotts, a Partner in BDO’s Cybersecurity practice, explore how cyber threats have evolved into a strategic business priority for organizations of all sizes and offer actionable advice for CFOs and finance leaders.
They also cover the impact of geopolitical activities on cybersecurity, real-world examples illustrating how cyber incidents can disrupt operations, and why even small and medium businesses must be vigilant. This episode highlights why integrating cybersecurity into business planning—beyond just budgeting—is essential, as the ‘speed of cyber’ demands that leadership teams take true ownership.
Guest Information:
Rob Philpotts Partner, Cybersecurity
Rob is a partner in the BDO Toronto office, bringing over 22 years of hands-on cybersecurity experience. As a seasoned leader and expert planner, he employs a risk-aware, strategic approach to secure various industries—including retail, critical infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, transportation, and asset management—across both on-premises and cloud environments.
His experience in intelligence and cybersecurity spans high-profile roles with large retail organizations, global consulting firms, NATO, United States Cyber Command, the National Security Agency, and the Canadian Armed Forces, including an operational tour in Afghanistan.
From enhancing audits to streamlining processes and predicting financial outcomes, AI is here to empower the finance function. In this episode, host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by David McKellar, a Partner and key leader in BDO’s Innovation & Change team and Senior Leadership Team, to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the accounting and finance function. Together, they explore how AI, including generative AI, can benefit financial statement auditors. The episode also touches on the potential applications of AI for CFOs, discussing its role in pattern recognition, prediction, and transparency. Addressing governance, the episode emphasizes the importance of data quality, security, transparency, and addressing potential biases in AI algorithms.
Guest information:
David McKellar, BDO Canada, Partner and Labs Activation Leader
David McKellar is a key leader within the Innovation & Change practice and a member of BDO's Senior Leadership Team. David is also responsible for the Business Applications Service Line, leading a team of over 150 professionals focused on industry tailored CRM, ERP, HRM, and FP&A solutions.
David has over 22 years of experience advising clients in the strategy, implementation, and optimization of innovative technology-based solutions. A natural relationship, David helps clients achieve their objectives by aligning the right emerging technologies to meet their business strategies and growth objectives.
David has provided consulting advisory services to clients, ranging from SMB to Enterprise, across a number of industries including as Financial Services, Public Sector, Oil & Gas, and Mining.
Prior to joining BDO, David has long been a key contributor in growing the technology community at large in Canada, in both new client advocates and the professionals that serve them.
Based in Calgary, David spends his down time enjoying quality time with family in the mountains skiing, hiking, and golfing.
Learn how technology, particularly AI and data-driven solutions, is revolutionizing the audit profession, leading to enhanced productivity. Host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Paul Vetrone, Innovation and Change Director at BDO Canada, and Youssef Hounat, VP of Product at DataSnipper. Together they discuss the integration of innovative technologies in auditing, emphasizing the shift towards more efficient and higher-quality audits.
Guest information:
Paul Vetrone, CPA, CA, Director, Innovation & Change
Paul Vetrone is the Innovation & Change Director for BDO Canada. He is responsible for driving innovation and digital transformation within the accounting practice, working closely with dedicated specialists and technologists to identify and implement innovation opportunities across the firm. He also leads the firm's initiatives to develop data analytics tools leveraging various AI and machine learning models to better serve BDO's clients.
Youssef Hounat, VP Product, DataSnipper
Youssef is VP of Product at DataSnipper. His impressive portfolio of experience spans almost a decade working at industry-leading organizations such as EY. A qualified Chartered Accountant (CA from ICAS), and with a background of studying accounting and finance while also building digital products, Youssef has combined his two passions to bring the world of auditing and innovation together.
Cloud transformation is changing the way that data is handled today, but what does that mean from an accounting standpoint? To help understand the impact, cost, and many benefits of cloud transformation, host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO Partner, and co-host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and leader of accounting advisory services are joined by Feng Liu, Head of Cloud Engineering, BDO Lixar (now BDO Digital). BDO Digital helps clients with a variety of needs including digital transformation support, big data analysis, AI tools to help profitability, business applications, and cyber security. Together they discuss tactics for executing a successful cloud transformation that doesn't include any surprises.
Guest information
Feng Lui, Head of Cloud Engineering
With more than 30 years of experience, Feng brings a passion for cloud and solution engineering across software development, DevOps, and infrastructure operation. In addition, he has extensive experience in both the financial and public sectors and can comfortably work with large matrix organizations such as banks or government departments.
Before joining BDO Canada, Feng worked at a global fintech company where he led cloud delivery management and enterprise architecture. He also held a leadership role at a former Microsoft partner consulting company where he built AppDev/Cloud/BI/Mobile/ALM practices, successfully delivered significant client projects, and established an offshore delivery team in Sri Lanka.
Host Anne-Marie Henson sits down with Paul Dostaler, BDO’s Partner and National Manufacturing and Distribution Leader, to unpack how manufacturers can move beyond pilots and start scaling AI effectively. They explore the current pace of AI adoption in Canada, the roadblocks many businesses face, and what’s needed to realize long-term ROI. The episode features data from Momentum: BDO's Manufacturing and Distribution Leadership Report.
To explore more findings, vist the report page.
In this episode, host Anne-Marie Henson explores the growing realm of cybersecurity threats with guest Sacha Blasiak-Priestley, BDO's National Leader of Cloud Security. They discuss some of the biggest cybersecurity breaches this year, including Christies, London Drugs, and AT&T. The conversation uncovers the lasting operational and reputational impacts of cyber attacks, AI's intricate role in cybersecurity, and the importance of having a robust, frequently tested incident response plan.
Guest Information:
Sacha Blasiak-Priestley, CISSP Global Leader, Cloud SecuritySacha is the Director of Cloud Security for BDO's cybersecurity team. She is an accomplished cyber leader with 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and values building solid teams across all security domains. Her expertise includes cloud security, security operations, and offensive security.
AI holds immense transformative potential for revenue optimization. Yet, governance, ethical considerations, and continuous monitoring cannot be undermined for responsible and effective AI implementation. Guest Achille Ettorre, Advisory Board Member at Queen's University, TedX presenter, and Faculty Member and Executive Consultant at the International Institute for Analytics, joins our conversation on the importance of AI governance, its impact, and ways to mitigate bias.
Guest Information:
Achille Ettorre
Achille sits on the advisory board for the Master of Management Analytics and Master of Management of Artificial Intelligence at the Smith School of Business at Queen's University. He has over 15 years of experience in building and leading analytics programs, creating infrastructure and leveraging data insights for global organizations. Currently, he serves as a faculty member and executive consultant at the International Institute for Analytics, the authority on analytics, maturity and best practices. He also presented at TEDx, his presentation titled How AI can build the life you want has over a hundred thousand views on YouTube. And his mission is to elevate the industry and transform organizations with data-driven solutions.
Despite the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 were extremely busy years in the active capital markets with a host of companies going public and successful funds raised. So far, 2022 has presented a slowdown in the public markets, but what does that mean for early-stage companies that are looking to raise money now? In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and Accounting Advisory Services Leader, sits down with Jeffrey Stanger, President of ITB Solutions, Inc. Jeffrey shares his insights into what it takes to raise money in today's tough market.
Guest information
Jeffrey Stanger, President, ITB Solutions Incorporated
ITB Solutions Incorporated is a Toronto based management consulting firm that is focused specifically on the capital markets ecosystem. Their focus, for the past 18 years as Going Public Management Consultants, is on creating and managing the going public plan and deal team with C-level management for a successful listing.
The President, Jeffrey Stanger, has worked in the capital markets for 28 years, with 16 of them in listings development positions for two recognized Canadian stock exchanges.
Over the past year, increasing interest rates, high inflation, and the threat of recession continue to affect the ability to raise funds. In today's episode, host Anne-Marie Henson, Partner, Eastern Canada & SMB Leader at BDO, is joined by Mary Mathews, Partner in BDO's Accounting Advisory Group. Together, they discuss key points of raising funds including the importance of data transactions and forecasting information prepared prior to talking to investors. They then turn to the 2022 Accounting for the Future conversation between Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and Accounting Advisory Services Leader and Jeffrey Stanger, President of ITB Solutions, Inc. for their still-relevant insights into what it takes to raise money in today's tough market.
Guest Information:
Mary Mathews, BDO Canada, Accounting Advisory Partner
Mary Mathews is a Partner in the Accounting Advisory practice and National Accounting Standards Group. She provides IFRS and US GAAP accounting advice to clients in technology, infrastructure, cannabis, and manufacturing, as well as financial institutions in Canada, the US, and the UK.
Jeffrey Stanger, President, ITB Solutions Incorporated
ITB Solutions Incorporated is a Toronto based management consulting firm that is focused specifically on the capital markets ecosystem. Their focus, for the past 18 years as Going Public Management Consultants, is on creating and managing the going public plan and deal team with C-level management for a successful listing.
With unprecedented supply chain shortages, exorbitant shipping costs, and scrutiny over sustainability, companies are questioning whether importing is best to ensure their company's long-term growth and viability. In today's episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO partner, is joined by BDO Canada's Director of Operational Improvement, Charlie Reid, for a conversation about the risks and benefits of altering a reshoring strategy. Together they discuss the risks and benefits of utilizing various importing strategies when accounting for the optimal impact on a company's future.
Guest information
Charlie Reid, Director of Operational Improvement, BDO Canada
Cryptocurrency is a hot topic in today's world, but what if the crypto apocalypse is here? On today's Accounting for the Future episode, host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO Partner, is joined by Mary Mathews, BDO Accounting Advisory Group Partner, and Michael Crolla, BDO Assurance and Accounting Partner. They discuss developments in cryptocurrencies over recent months, specifically with the FTX scandal and how lessons learned can be applied to managing crypto volatility for the future.
Disclaimer
The investigation into Bankman-Fried and other members of FTX, and Alameda is ongoing. The discussion here is based on information made public as of March 15, 2023.
Guest information
Michael Crolla, Assurance and Accounting Partner, BDO Canada
Michael is a Partner in the Assurance and Accounting department of BDO's Toronto office, and a key member of BDO's Technology and Life Sciences and Public Company Groups. He has extensive experience providing business advice to entrepreneurs and public companies. Michael utilizes his industry expertise and applies a client-facing approach to assist clients for their business and operational needs. He is actively involved in providing advice and guidance to technology, telecommunications, and consumer business companies.
Michael has a strong background in going public transactions, complex revenue recognition, business combinations, foreign consolidation, debt/equity arrangements, and tax issues.
Mary Mathews, BDO Canada, Accounting Advisory Partner
Mary Mathews is a Partner in the Accounting Advisory practice and National Accounting Standards Group. She provides IFRS and US GAAP accounting advice to clients in technology, infrastructure, cannabis, and manufacturing, as well as financial institutions in Canada, the US, and the UK.
With her dual role in Accounting Advisory and the National Accounting Standards Group, Mary has significant experience advising clients on complex accounting topics, both during transactions and implementation projects, driven by changes in accounting standards. She also leads pre- and post-deal reporting engagements such as the preparation of financial statements, GAAP conversions, and post-deal integration.