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Courses/Accounting & Tax/Technology for Accountants

AI-Ready Leader: Skills Every CFO & Controller Must Build

Transform your role from data compiler to strategic partner by mastering the practical frameworks needed to lead a high-value, AI-driven finance team.

Created bySteven Taylor
4.9
(314 reviews)
BeginnerUpdated Dec 19, 2025
AI-Ready Leader: Skills Every CFO & Controller Must Build

What You'll Learn

check_circleTransition from data prep to strategic AI insights.
check_circleAutomate variance analysis and rolling forecasts.
check_circleEnhance fraud detection with AI anomaly monitoring.
check_circleEstablish governance for safe AI implementation.
check_circleRedefine finance team roles for an AI-augmented era.

About This Course

The finance function is evolving faster than ever. AI is no longer a future trend—it’s embedded in forecasting, reporting, compliance, treasury operations, and performance management. For CFOs, controllers, and senior accountants, this creates a new leadership mandate: build technical fluency, master data-driven decision-making, and guide teams through a landscape where automation and human judgment must work in sync.

This session cuts through the hype and focuses on practical skills. You’ll learn which competencies matter most for the next generation of finance leaders, how to upskill teams, and what workflows, tools, and AI capabilities you can adopt immediately. Designed for CFOs, controllers, and ambitious finance professionals, this webinar offers a roadmap for becoming an AI-first leader—without needing to become a data scientist.

Key topics and learning outcomes include:

  • Technical Fluency for Leaders: Learn to ask intelligent questions about training data, model drift, and confidence thresholds without needing to become a data scientist.
  • The "Trust but Verify" Framework: Master the art of balancing AI automation with human oversight, establishing clear protocols for low, medium, and high-risk decisions.
  • Transforming Core Functions: Discover how AI impacts forecasting, budget variance analysis, and management reporting, allowing for rolling forecasts and narrative generation that drive decision-making.
  • Anomaly Detection and Risk Management: Understand how AI moves risk monitoring from retrospective audit sampling to real-time analysis of 100% of transactions.
  • Building an AI-Ready Culture: Strategies for upskilling finance teams, redefining roles using the RACI model, and managing resistance to change.
  • Governance and Ethics: Establishing internal policies, data protection standards, and ethical guardrails to prevent bias and ensure accountability.
  • Implementation Roadmaps: How to design and execute successful pilot programs, measure ROI, and scale from small wins to full organizational transformation.

Whether you are looking to reduce the monthly close cycle, automate tedious reconciliations, or simply understand how to speak the language of AI, this course offers the insights required to lead with confidence. Join us to discover how to harness the power of AI to drive growth, strengthen governance, and position yourself as a forward-thinking leader in the finance function.

Your Instructor

Steven Taylor
Steven Taylor

CFO & Board Director

menu_book4 courses
star325 reviews

Steven Taylor is an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) based in Australia, with over 18 years of leadership across aged care, healthcare, FMCG, manufacturing, mining, technology, infrastructure, and not-for-profit sectors. Known for his hands-on approach to financial strategy and operational excellence, Steven has built a reputation for helping organisations drive profitability, strengthen governance, and achieve sustainable growth. Steven holds an MBA and is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Financial Modelling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA). His work focuses on translating complex financial concepts into practical, easy-to-apply strategies for executives, boards, and managers. Passionate about mentoring future leaders, Steven brings real-world insights into his writing, blending financial expertise with a clear, straightforward writing style. His books and guides are designed to be practical tools that deliver immediate value for professionals navigating today's fast-changing business landscape.

Credit Information

Do these courses count toward my professional development requirements?

This portal is provided as a training and development resource for City of Markham employees. Every course is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, is quantifiable in hours, and is verifiable — you receive a documented certificate of completion for every course you finish, stored on LearnFormula indefinitely.

If you hold a professional designation (for example in engineering, accounting, human resources, or law), courses may be counted as professionally relevant, verifiable learning activities toward your continuing professional development. Individual practitioners are responsible for confirming that an activity meets the requirements of their professional body. For questions about the City of Markham's training and development policies, please speak with your people leader or Human Resources.

What Students Are Saying

4.9
Student's Choice
314 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 327+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 29 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.