#278 The Skills Missing When You Step Into a CFO Role, Ian Goodkind, Chief Financial Officer, Smarsh

Episode notes

.entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } Stepping into a first CFO role is rarely a smooth promotion from finance manager to “bigger calculator.” In this GrowCFO episode, host Kevin Appleby speaks with Ian Goodkind , Chief Financial Officer at Smarsh , about the often‑overlooked capabilities that determine whether a new CFO becomes a true strategic leader or struggles with imposter syndrome. The conversation underscores how the modern CFO role has shifted from pure financial stewardship to that of strategic, tech‑savvy, trusted advisor at the center of complex, AI‑driven and heavily regulated businesses. Against the backdrop of Smarsh, a profitable, AI‑native leader in communications data compliance and intelligence, Goodkind explains how today’s CFO must understand macro forces, regulation, and technology while also managing non‑finance functions such as IT and operations.