Leveraging audit data analytics for strategic insight
Accounting for the Future
How can audit teams turn data into a strategic asset? This episode of Accounting for the Future explores the real-world impact of data analytics on the audit profession. Host Anne-Marie Henson welcomes Dominic Chow, Head of Operations, Technology Risk Assurance at BDO Canada, for a candid discussion on how analytics is reshaping audits. They explore how technology is enabling auditors to move beyond traditional compliance, using data to proactively identify risks, uncover opportunities, and deliver more value to organizations. They also discuss the importance of robust data governance, the...
info_outline
Cybersecurity risk management as a strategic business priority
Accounting for the Future
In this milestone 50th episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson and Rob Philpotts, a Partner in BDO’s Cybersecurity practice, explore how cyber threats have evolved into a strategic business priority for organizations of all sizes and offer actionable advice for CFOs and finance leaders. They also cover the impact of geopolitical activities on cybersecurity, real-world examples illustrating how cyber incidents can disrupt operations, and why even small and medium businesses must be vigilant. This episode highlights why integrating cybersecurity into business...
info_outline
Protecting business value: Strategies for sustainability and resilience
Accounting for the Future
As climate volatility and new regulatory pressures escalate, business leaders are increasingly framing complex strategic decisions through the lens of sustainability and resilience. In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson, Partner, National Industry Leader, sits down with Simon Hutton, National Sustainability Leader, to discuss how organizations are integrating sustainability into proactive risk management, navigating growing pressures, and using data to stay transparent. With grounded insights and practical examples, this episode offers CFOs, audit...
info_outline
Rethinking the ROI of organizational learning
Accounting for the Future
Learning and development (L&D)—is it just a cost centre, or is it a performance lever, retention strategy, and competitive advantage for your organization? Join host Anne-Marie Henson on Accounting for the Future as of L&D with Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning and Development Officer at BDO Canada. If people are your greatest asset, this episode is your blueprint for turning learning into a strategic engine for growth. What you’ll hear in this episode: [01:38] Keith’s journey: What sparked a passion for learning [05:34] Reframing L&D: From cost centre to...
info_outline
Breaking barriers: What CFOs need to know about Canada’s interprovincial trade landscape
Accounting for the Future
What do interprovincial trade barriers mean for Canadian businesses and what’s changing? In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson sits down with Jonathan (Jono) Kalles, Vice President of McMillan Vantage and former advisor to the Prime Minister, to unpack the implications of Bill C-5 and how the interprovincial trade landscape is evolving in Canada. From the removal of federal exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement to the complexities of provincial cooperation, they explore the economic, regulatory, and strategic shifts underway. Hear practical...
info_outline
Working with your board
Accounting for the Future
How can you communicate effectively with your board and turn them into one of your most valuable strategic assets? In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Anthony Marinelli, Board Chair and Partner, Assurance-East Leader at BDO Canada, and Janet Boyle, Independent Board Member at BDO Canada and Senior Vice President at RBC. Together, they unpack how CEOs and senior leaders can foster trust, transparency, and strategic alignment with their boards. Tune in to hear practical advice on the role and value of independent board members, leveraging your...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineIn this milestone 50th episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson and Rob Philpotts, a Partner in BDO’s Cybersecurity practice, explore how cyber threats have evolved into a strategic business priority for organizations of all sizes and offer actionable advice for CFOs and finance leaders.
They also cover the impact of geopolitical activities on cybersecurity, real-world examples illustrating how cyber incidents can disrupt operations, and why even small and medium businesses must be vigilant. This episode highlights why integrating cybersecurity into business planning—beyond just budgeting—is essential, as the ‘speed of cyber’ demands that leadership teams take true ownership.
#cybersecurity #BusinessResilience #CyberAttack
What you’ll hear in this episode:
00:00 – Introducing Rob Philpotts, Partner, Cybersecurity
01:45 – Cybersecurity and geopolitical tensions
04:13 – Why small and medium-sized businesses must be vigilant
08:19 – Cybersecurity in a shifting global supply chain
10:36 – Integrating cybersecurity in the planning phase
13:01 – Why planning is cheaper than responding
15:05 – Regulatory changes and Bill C-8
17:18 – Business repercussions of cyber incidents
23:14 – Why budget alone doesn’t ensure cyber readiness
26:17 – Three strategies to build cyber defences
30:58 – Why true resilience involves the entire organization
31:52 – Practical advice: Security vendors and independent reviews
36:15 – Closing thoughts
Quotes:
“Now that we are very aware that cybersecurity is part and parcel of geopolitical activities, we definitely have to become more and more aware, and we strive every day to help our clients understand this.”
“Financial risks are immediate and, typically, you see them show up quite quickly in the event of a cybersecurity issue. But the reputational risk is really the long-term potential damage to your supply chain, your customers who might have lost confidence in your ability to secure their data and their information. So those risks definitely should not be underestimated when we're looking at these types of issues.”
“You can't outsource risk. It's not your IT company's risk. It's your risk. It's also your accountability.”
“The organizations that don't just offload this responsibility to the CTO or the CIO, and actually make it the responsibility of everyone, are the ones that I've seen that are really most successful.”
“Planning is cheaper than responding.”
“Now doing that at the speed of light, of course, that’s where your integration has to occur, and looking for those anomalies. Because that’s how fast a cyber attack happens. We call it ‘speed of cyber’—it happens in the snap of a finger.”