Going private: Why companies are exiting capital markets and who’s buying them
Accounting for the Future
In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by , to unpack what's fueling the rise in companies going private. They discuss how current market conditions, including interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, and undervalued assets, are influencing M&A activity in 2025. The conversation also covers why private equity is eyeing public markets, what makes a company an attractive target, and the ongoing valuation gap between buyers and sellers. What you’ll hear in this episode: [1:38] Market comparisons between 2022 and 2025, and what they mean for...
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Unlocking value in the finance function
Accounting for the Future
In today’s evolving market, finance leaders are moving beyond traditional back-office functions to become strategic leaders and value creators. Anne-Marie sits down with Jesus Ballesteros and Charlotte Zhen of BDO’s value creation team, to explore how the modern CFO is transforming into a chief value creation officer—aligning finance, operations, and strategy while leading digital transformation to boost efficiency and long-term growth. What you’ll hear in this episode [4:07] The role of historical and current market fluctuations when analyzing and creating effective margin...
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Scaling AI in the manufacturing industry
Accounting for the Future
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. . What you’ll hear in this episode: [1:33] AI overview: Rate of adoption and key trends. [5:08] Challenges in AI adoption. [9:30] Considerations...
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The evolving impact of women in leadership roles
Accounting for the Future
Host Anne-Marie Henson welcomes two of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada: Shilpa Mishra, Managing Director and National Leader of Capital Advisory at BDO, and Alyssa Barry, co-founder of irlabs and President at Alliance Advisors. They discuss navigating male-dominated industries, the power of authenticity and allyship, and how economic uncertainty impacts their roles. The conversation explores strategies for success, the future of women in leadership, and the importance of mentorship in driving gender equality. What you’ll hear in this episode: [1:54] Career paths of...
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Navigating political uncertainty: Cash flow forecasting and scenario planning for Canadian businesses
Accounting for the Future
In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson, Eastern Canada Markets Leader, sits down with Daniel Ma, Partner, Valuations & Modeling, to discuss the challenges of navigating political uncertainty following recent tariff announcements by the Trump administration. They explore the potential impact on Canadian businesses and share proactive strategies for managing risk through scenario planning and financial modeling—essential tools for anticipating unexpected economic or political shifts, from global pandemics to trade policy changes. What you’ll hear in...
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The importance of standard setting - Part 2
Accounting for the Future
In part two of this two-part mini-series, host Anne-Marie Henson welcomes back Armand Capisciolto, Chair of Canada’s Accounting Standards Board, BDO alumnus, and former host of the Accounting for the Future podcast. In this episode, they delve into the significant changes that have occurred among different standards, the importance of optionality in standard setting, as well as the impacts of cryptocurrency and ESG on the current standards. . This episode also explores [1:52] Guidance and actionable steps for navigating various compliance standards applicable to...
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The importance of standard setting - Part 1
Accounting for the Future
Host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Armand Capisciolto, chair of Canada's Accounting Standards Board, BDO alumni, and former host of the Accounting for the Future podcast. They discuss the importance of accounting standards, the process of setting them, and Canada's influence on international standards. The episode also highlights how standards improve financial information and the role of stakeholders in the process. For more on accounting standard setting, subscribe to Armand’s LinkedIn newsletter: This episode is part 1 of 2. What you’ll hear in this episode: [2:29] The...
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Cybersecurity on the rise
Accounting for the Future
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. What you’ll hear in this episode: [1:27] The trends of emerging cybersecurity threats. [3:07]...
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Enhancing productivity: Data-driven solutions for audits
Accounting for the Future
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. What you’ll hear in this episode: [1:42] An introduction to DataSnipper as an intelligent audit platform. [3:20] What do audit firms look for when it comes...
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What should business leaders expect from their auditors? LIVE in Oakville
Accounting for the Future
Auditors can provide value beyond the numbers through practical solutions and advice on governance and regulatory changes. In a special live episode, guest host Mary Mathews is joined by Anthony Marinelli, Assurance-East Leader and Chair of BDO Canada’s Board, in a discussion on how the role and expectations of auditors have evolved and how business leaders should select auditors. They also discuss the impact of ESG and how technology and AI are transforming audit practices. What you’ll hear in this episode: [1:56] How audit has evolved over the years. [5:35] What business leaders...
info_outlineFrom 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.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
[2:30] Understanding artificial intelligence (AI) vs. generative AI and the difference between the two.
[6:00] AI in financial statement and auditing.
[11:27] AI's impact on the finance function and CFOs.
[18:30] Governance considerations for AI adoption.
[26:30] AI and the society: The importance of education and embracing AI.
[27:35] Optimism about the positive impact of AI and democratization of knowledge.
Mentioned:
Quotes:
"I think a lot of us understand that in some way, AI and how businesses will be using it in the future, is completely accepted."
"AI is not going to replace people's jobs; it's going to replace the jobs of those that don't embrace it."
" When you're looking for different patterns, instead of a human sorting through different files, no matter how fast they are, there's only so much that you go through. Now, we can actually leverage AI to drive through much more data and still pick up on the trends."
"The more AI gets out there, the better the models get, and the more they get fed, the more they learn.”
“I think we're going to see a level and a layer of regulation that will likely create some opportunity and some challenges from a finance function of just understanding what's there."
"The more AI starts to enable an organization, the more important understanding how biased your data and your algorithms are because you're going to be asked for that"