First Water

Relational Finance partners accelerating aspirational businesses toward their goals

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

CFO loneliness is a major issue. Most prevalent for SMBs, as the CFO lacks FP&A and corporate development support. Check out our blog with a message of hope and a word of caution for those considering a CFO addition #cfo #ceo #finance #accounting https://t.co/arFszR08Bx

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

The role of the CFO is not just analytics and accounting, but using the tools at hand to be an accretive partner to the rest of the organization. Skills may get you a seat at the table, but your eyes and a wide lens add value beyond your own department!

https://t.co/hPKUwGtBow

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Always enjoy exec Q&A from those switching roles. Overlap with critical differences sparking dialogue about which foundation is better. Answer: they're all good if you can adapt and evolve!

#cfo #ceo #finance #leadership

https://t.co/2Ookp0bHAT

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Liquidity is king, but only large companies have dedicated Treasury functions and personnel. The solution for SMBs? Invest in forecasting. The first step to optimization is not getting caught by surprise. Growth can be more dangerous than distress.

#cash

https://t.co/y7y1oFPymm

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

The best part of finance is storytelling - using data and projection tools to support the build up of the narrative, and connect the future vision to tangible financial outcomes. Get the team and stakeholders on board, then prove it out.

#finance #data

https://t.co/cp8nruA59D

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Heard of being "zero-based"? The zero-based organization (ZBO) is a new concept born from zero-based budgeting (ZBB). Many are not familiar with ZBB, don't have the internal resources, or haven't embraced the value prop. Don't get left behind!

#finance

https://t.co/U1cN0BxCx6

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Actively seeking a new bank or considering a change? This article is for you!

#finance #bank #banking #ceo #cfo #entrepreneur #lending #debt #financing

https://t.co/hI02vaipv3

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

decision rights + information flow = alignment + accountability

know who makes the call. give that person/team the information it needs. know what success looks like. take responsibility.

#data #management #leadership #business #growth

https://t.co/QtTjs7DJRs

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Non-GAAP metrics are not evil. They can offer insight into the outlook that GAAP accounting cannot. That said, there is definitely abuse and you shouldn't ignore the accounting results in favor of relying only on management-constructed numbers!

#finance

https://t.co/s7s4WQLSea

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Check out these principles underlying FP&A. At its core, FP&A is about the connection of business decisions and performance visibility to financial needs/outcomes. Master this feedback loop, and business strategy and finance make beautiful music.

#fpanda

https://t.co/je71bShi7G

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Check out this savvy presentation by Jim Chanos on Non-GAAP metrics. I agree that stock-based compensation should not be added back to EBITDA (will employees stay without it?). Extra chuckles for the 'Greatest "Adjusted" Hits' slide.

#accounting #finance

https://t.co/8VJgA8hbUS

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

The saying "always be ready to transact" is not about thinking about transactions. It's a way to run your business. Good processes and forward looking capabilities give you a head start on opportunities while proactively mitigating risk!

#finance #deals

https://t.co/yUaUupCPdA

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Personality profiling is gaining in popularity. Multiple companies we work withuse it in the recruiting and hiring process for every single role. Optimal attitudes toward risk, fear, and communication dynamics vary widely across departments and roles!

https://t.co/ov3OA3IAvW

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

67% of finance leaders feel the need to adapt training and hiring in order for finance organizations to effectively support innovation. Getting team members into other areas of the organization is a requirement. Invest in those people skills, people!

https://t.co/B8JPx2AgxF

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Interesting commentary on balancing a relationship and a career. The concept of the "end of parallel living" is important - diving into that inflection point can make all the difference.

#business #love https://t.co/IeJuKzqJF9

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

The hatches need some battening. Even if the froth subsides, there will be opportunities for those who take steps now to make sure they can successfully manage multiple outcomes. Embedding scenario analysis into 2020 planning is a necessity!

#planning

https://t.co/GDarzky0QF

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Every hire is an investment with an expected ROI. However, this will never transfer over into accounting for people as assets due to manipulation. Just like all those underfunded pensions assuming a rate of return.

#humancapital #business #accounting https://t.co/GjfPsZSnYH

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Every business can be data driven, but it comes from the top down. A culture of data discipline is fostered through transparency - collectively setting trackable goals, reviewing results, and iterating together.

#data #businessgrowth #finance #kpi

https://t.co/TxlW7HwHpz

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

M&A in the current environment is about confidence in downside mitigation. Valuation and transaction structure will be defined by what downside looks like, minimizing the risk of losing control of the asset is thus more important than "buy low" #ceo #cfo

https://t.co/u8pZAhJocM

[First Water @FirstWaterAdv]

Managing the data structure and roadmap of the organization is quickly becoming its own corporate function. Historically lumped into "IT", data is being used more and more by all functions to create more proactive and accountable cultures.

#data #business https://t.co/oBK1U5abDW