# CFO Corner

CFO corner is where today's finance leaders find proven playbooks, frameworks, and peer-tested advice for building and scaling AI-powered finance.

**URL Source:** https://www.brex.com/resources/cfo-corner

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CFO Corner

Playbooks and insights for building the modern finance function.

![Cooks-Playbooks-article](https://brand.brex.com/transform/98aaf3c0-6109-470b-a49f-93037f39dc78/Cooks-Playbooks-article)

The CFO playbook for building a decision ownership system

Former CFO and industry expert Jim Cook and Brex SVP of Finance Erica Dorfman share decision frameworks to help CFOs make better decisions within their organizations.

Resources for the AI-powered finance leader

Expert guidance for navigating change and driving growth.

## Related Articles

### [CFO Roadmap Part 3: 5 key dimensions for evaluating CFOs - Cook's Playbooks](https://www.brex.com/resources/cfo-corner/cooks-playbooks-cfo-roadmap-series-part-3)
**Description:** Former finance exec Jim Cook explains the five dimensions by which we should be measuring modern CFOs and how to weight each by company stage.
**Excerpt:** In the final installment of his CFO Roadmap series, former finance exec Jim Cook explains the modern way to evaluate CFOs.
**Tags:** CFO/finance leader

### [CFO Roadmap Part 2: Finance maturity requirements - Cook's Playbooks](https://www.brex.com/resources/cfo-corner/cooks-playbooks-cfo-roadmap-series-part-2)
**Description:** Industry expert and former CFO Jim Cook explains what the head of finance needs to build at every stage of their journey to CFO.
**Excerpt:** Jim Cook outlines each stage of financial leadership and the different capabilities and behaviors required for each.
**Tags:** CFO/finance leader

### [CFO Roadmap Part 1: From Scorekeeper to Operator to Architect - Cook's Playbooks](https://www.brex.com/resources/cfo-corner/cooks-playbooks-cfo-roadmap-series-part-1)
**Description:** Industry expert and former CFO Jim Cook explains why the CFO's role is finally on the precipice of rapid leadership evolution. 
**Excerpt:** Jim Cook explains why the CFO role is (finally) on the precipice of rapid leadership evolution. 
**Tags:** CFO/finance leader

### [How CFOs can apply First Principles thinking  - Cook's Playbooks](https://www.brex.com/resources/cfo-corner/cooks-playbooks-cfo-first-principles)
**Description:** Industry expert and former CFO Jim Cook explains why First Principles thinking is one of the most powerful tools a modern CFO can wield.
**Excerpt:** Jim Cook explains how CFOs can effectively separate signal from noise using First Principles.
**Tags:** Accounting, CFO/finance leader

### [The best CFOs are cultural architects, not cultural cops - Cook's Playbooks](https://www.brex.com/resources/cfo-corner/cooks-playbooks-cfos-as-cultural-architects)
**Description:** Today's CFOs and COOs aren't just managing money or departmental operations. They're designing the company's cultural operating system. Jim Cook explains.
**Excerpt:** Today's CFOs and COOs aren't just managing money or departmental operations. They're designing the company's cultural operating system.
**Tags:** CFO/finance leader, Expense management

### [Why it’s time to open the books and reimagine the close - Cook's Playbooks](https://www.brex.com/resources/cfo-corner/cooks-playbooks-reimagine-the-accounting-close)
**Description:** Industry expert Jim Cook explains why finance and accounting teams are on the verge of re-architecting the accounting close entirely.
**Excerpt:** See why Jim Cook believes finance and accounting teams are on the verge of re-architecting the accounting close entirely.

**Tags:** Accounting, CFO/finance leader

### [Rise of the AI-first financial OS - Cook's Playbooks](https://www.brex.com/journal/rise-of-the-ai-first-financial-os)
**Description:** Industry expert Jim Cook weighs in on the evolution of finance tech, from digitization to integrated apps to our next frontier: the AI-first financial OS.
**Excerpt:** Industry expert Jim Cook weighs in on the evolution of finance tech, from digitization to integrated apps to the next frontier: the AI-first finance OS.
**Tags:** AI

### [📋 The CFO Imperative](https://www.brex.com/resources/2025-cfo-survey-register)
**Description:** A survey of 500 finance leaders makes it clear: speed is critical for navigating market volatility and growth. See how they’re moving faster in Brex’s report.
**Excerpt:** How are top global CFOs preparing to lead the finance function forward? Our free report details why they're building for speed through AI adoption and resilient, global solutions.
**Tags:** CFO/finance leader, Founder, Startups, Midmarket, Enterprise

### [Accounting flagship](https://www.brex.com/journal/accountant-shortage)
**Description:** There’s a US accountant shortage, but nearly 75% of accounting tasks can be automated. Here’s how to navigate the shortage with accounting automation from Brex.
**Excerpt:** Sure, there are fewer accountants, but nearly 75% of accounting tasks can be automated. Do more with less with Brex accounting automation.
**Tags:** Accounting

### [📋 CFO AI strategy](https://www.brex.com/resources/cfo-guide-ai-strategy-register)
**Description:** AI is changing how finance teams operate, and CFOs are under pressure to get it right — right now. This guide is your ticket to AI success.
**Excerpt:** "What's your AI strategy?" As a CFO, your answer can decide your company's future. This guide offers expert advice for deploying AI (and getting results) faster.
**Tags:** CFO/finance leader, Founder, Startups, Midmarket, Enterprise

### [Ben Growth Governor post](https://www.brex.com/journal/growth-accelerator)
**Description:** Get CFO advice on striking the right balance between governing growth and accelerating it, and between controlling spending and empowering teams.
**Excerpt:** Get CFO advice on striking the right balance between governing growth and accelerating it, and between controlling spending and empowering teams.
**Tags:** Enterprise, CFO/finance leader, Scaling your business

### [Balance financial controls and growth](https://www.brex.com/journal/effective-financial-spend-controls)
**Description:** Looking to improve your spend management with more effective spend controls? Learn how top CFOs are balancing financial spend controls and business growth.
**Excerpt:** Missing growth goals? Learn why your approach to financial spend controls might be the problem — and what to do about it.
**Tags:** Spend management insights, Enterprise, CFO/finance leader, Global spend, AI

### [A survival guide for new CFOs who aren’t CPAs](https://www.brex.com/journal/survival-guide-for-cfos-who-arent-cpas)
**Description:** Today, fewer finance leaders have an accounting background. You can still manage finance and accounting teams without one with these best practices.
**Excerpt:** Tech CFO CJ Gustafson shares best practices for managing finance teams without an accounting background.
**Tags:** Midmarket, Enterprise, Financial discipline and cost savings, Expense management and reimbursements, CFO/finance leader, Accounting

### [📋 Grow CFO or No CFO](https://www.brex.com/resources/go-from-no-cfo-to-grow-cfo-register)
**Description:** Find out which side you’re on and get proven CFO tips for saying yes with confidence and driving business growth.
**Excerpt:** Are you slowing growth or enabling it? Find out where you stand and get proven CFO tips for saying yes with confidence.
**Tags:** Midmarket, Enterprise, CFO/finance leader, Brex Empower, Scaling your business, Financial discipline and cost savings, Business efficiency

### [How Brex helps companies get IPO ready](https://www.brex.com/journal/how-brex-helps-companies-get-ipo-ready)
**Description:** Brex's AI-powered spend platform helps you get IPO ready by improving forecasting accuracy and compliance and reducing manual work.
**Excerpt:** Brex's AI-powered spend platform helps you get IPO ready by improving forecasting accuracy and compliance and reducing manual work.
**Tags:** Startups, CFO/finance leader, Scaling your business, Financial discipline and cost savings

### [Planning advice — 
The lifecycle of SaaS spend](https://www.brex.com/journal/planning-advice-the-lifecycle-of-saas-spend)
**Description:** Every company has its own SaaS journey, but you can better plan and optimize your SaaS spend and productivity when you understand the stage of your company.
**Excerpt:** Bundle? Unbundle? Rebundle? Here’s some practical advice for deciding on how to plan and optimize your company’s SaaS spend.
**Tags:** Midmarket, CFO/finance leader, Business efficiency, Financial discipline and cost savings

### [Budgeting best practices from a CFO's SaaS spend review](https://www.brex.com/journal/cfo-saas-spend-review)
**Description:** Discover four ways that AI can help your business control spend at scale, from expense automations to conversational assistants and beyond.
**Excerpt:** Budgeting SaaS vendor spend per employee isn’t perfect. Consider these approaches for your next planning cycle.
**Tags:** Midmarket, CFO/finance leader, Business efficiency

### [CFOs need an AI strategy](https://www.brex.com/journal/cfos-need-an-ai-strategy)
**Description:** Here are 7 key considerations for CFOs looking to drive immediate impact with AI while continuing to build enduring businesses.
**Excerpt:** Seven key considerations for CFOs looking to drive immediate impact with AI while continuing to build enduring businesses.
**Tags:** Midmarket, Enterprise, Startups, Business efficiency, AI

### [📋 The global CFO’s playbook](https://www.brex.com/resources/the-global-cfos-playbook-registration)
**Description:** Learn the approaches global CFOs are taking to mitigate risk and lead their businesses to financial success internationally.
**Excerpt:** Business operations get more complex as you expand internationally. Discover how today’s global CFOs are preparing to limit surprises, mitigate risks, and lead their businesses to financial success.
**Tags:** Midmarket, Enterprise, CFO/finance leader, Scaling your business, Global spend

### [Building a global financial strategy](https://www.brex.com/journal/building-a-global-financial-strategy)
**Description:** Michael Tannenbaum, Brex CFO and COO, provides a recap of "The New Financial Playbook" in partnership with The Information.
**Excerpt:** Michael Tannenbaum, Brex CFO and COO, provides a recap of "The New Financial Playbook" in partnership with The Information and discusses how Brex can help you build a global financial strategy.
**Tags:** Midmarket, Enterprise, CFO/finance leader, Global spend, Scaling your business

### [A CFO’s checklist for going international](https://www.brex.com/journal/cfo-checklist-for-going-international)
**Description:** Thinking of expanding your business globally? Here are some important business and financial considerations for CFOs looking to go international.
**Excerpt:** Getting people paid, managing expenses, taxes & accounting — there’s a lot to consider before expanding operations in a new country.
**Tags:** Midmarket, Enterprise, CFO/finance leader, Global spend, Scaling your business

### [How CFOs are thinking about software purchases today](https://www.brex.com/journal/how-cfos-are-thinking-about-software-purchases-today)
**Description:** As they do more to control spend, CFOs should be asking these questions before approving a new SaaS tool.
**Excerpt:** As they do more to control spend, CFOs should be asking these questions before approving a new SaaS tool.

### [How CFOs think about travel spend](https://www.brex.com/journal/how-cfos-think-about-travel-spend)
**Description:** Business travel spend is a major pain point for CFOs. Here are some ways to think about policies and budgets to get the visibility and control you need.
**Excerpt:** This tech CFO shares why business travel spend is such a headache and how to think about policies and budgets so you get more visibility and control.  
**Tags:** Midmarket, Enterprise, CFO/finance leader, Travel, Corporate travel management

### [📋 The CFO Playbook](https://www.brex.com/resources/the-cfo-playbook-register)
**Description:** CFOs share their insights on how to navigate changing markets and win in every economic climate.
**Excerpt:** CFOs share their insights on how to navigate changing markets and win in every economic climate.
**Tags:** Midmarket, Enterprise, CFO/finance leader, Spend management insights