Leading Global Finance Teams and Operations
Chapters
Key Takeaways
- Scaling finance requires trust, not control – Leading global finance teams across multiple countries requires more than tools and processes — it requires trust, clarity, and empowerment. Swarn emphasizes that mindset alignment is the foundation of high-performing distributed teams.
- Cash + Process + Technology = Transformation – Technology transformation came from unifying fragmented systems, automating the invoice lifecycle, and building a single source of truth for data.
- The 3 I’s of ERP reveal major gaps – Even with strong systems like SAP, Oracle, and NetSuite, ERPs struggle with Integration, Intelligence, and Insight. They lack seamless data flow and predictive capability — creating opportunities for AI-driven layers on top.
- AI is a multiplier, not a threat – Swarn believes AI accelerates research, improves decision-making, and frees time for strategic work. For finance leaders, the real shift is learning to use AI as an enabler — not fearing it as a replacement.
- Modern CFOs must think beyond accounting – Tomorrow’s leaders must combine commercial acumen, technology adoption, and storytelling. His advice: stay curious, embrace transformation, and focus on creating value instead of just reporting numbers.
Speakers
Guest Speaker
Swarn Kamal
VP Finance at Akraya Inc.
Hosted By
Amartya Singh
CEO & Cofounder, FinFloh
Episode Transcript
Amartya (Intro): From E&Y and Deloitte to leading finance teams across the US, Canada, the Philippines, and India — Swarn’s journey is truly remarkable.
Swarn: My journey has been more of an evolution than a straight line — every role shaped how I lead today.
Amartya: You’ve scaled finance in global firms, driven M&A, optimized margins, and built teams across time zones — that’s a powerful mix of experience.
Swarn: Finance is no longer just about accuracy and compliance — it’s about value creation.
Amartya: The environment you described during post-COVID scaling shows how resilience and innovation go hand in hand.
Swarn: We achieved transformation by aligning process, cash, and technology together — not by blaming people.
Amartya: Managing teams across four geographies isn’t easy — collaboration and trust become the real foundation.
Swarn: Once you start leading a team, it’s not about managing geography — it’s about managing mindsets.
Amartya: I love your weekly Friday sync ritual — that cadence builds alignment and shared ownership.
Swarn: Empowerment means allowing people to make decisions without waiting for someone senior to approve.
Swarn: Clarity, empowerment, and understanding impact — that’s the culture we are building.
Amartya: Your 3 I’s of ERP — Integration, Intelligence, Insight — summarize the real gaps in enterprise systems perfectly.
Swarn: ERP systems still struggle with seamless integration and predictive insight — and that’s where AI comes in.
Amartya: Exactly — when systems connect and data flows cleanly, teams move faster and decisions improve.
Swarn: AI is not a threat — it’s a strength. It saves time, accelerates research, and enables smarter decisions.
Amartya: As finance teams adopt AI, the CFO role shifts from reporting the past to shaping the future.
Swarn: Think beyond accounting — the modern CFO is strategist, technologist, and storyteller.
Swarn: Stay curious — change is constant, and learning is the real competitive advantage.
Swarn: Financial leadership is no longer about control — it’s about contribution.
Amartya (Closing): That’s the mindset that will define the next generation of finance leaders — curiosity, collaboration, and courage to transform.
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