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Mastering change...

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Episode 04

Mastering change management with Invoca’s Jessica Peng

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Episode summary

In this episode of Controllers Classified, host Erik Zhou welcomes Jessica Peng, Controller at Invoca, to delve into mastering change management. Jessica got her start in a Big 4 helping companies build the right controls as a part of SOX readiness. This experience being audit side shaped her approach to controllership in many ways, including her willingness to push back on her auditor partners now when they have asks that place undue burden on her team and her desire to always balance efficiency and effectiveness in her controls.
Jessica briefly touches on her team structure and priorities, and then dives deep into a discussion on change management, using a two-year journey to implement a new revenue recognition process and system as her example throughout. In this example she highlights:

  • Why a discovery process is important prior to implementing new tools or systems

  • How to adjust on the fly when you identify new dependencies after the discovery process

  • The best way to engage cross functional partners and executives in change management

  • Considerations for managing a high-performing team through change

Ultimately Jessica’s reflections offer a practical roadmap for organizations undergoing major system changes - you won’t want to miss it.

Show notes

  • Audit side experience [02:08]

  • Transitioning companies to SOX compliance [5:00]

  • How audit side experience shapes approach to controllership [11:26]

  • Jessica’s team structure & priorities [19:19]

  • Change management with new revenue recognition process [23:15]

  • Engaging cross functional partners [31:35]

  • Executive sponsorship during change management [35:30]

  • Managing and growing a team through change [41:30]

  • Controllers are fun too! [45:11]

Guest bio

Jessica Peng
Jessica Peng

Jessica Peng, Controller, Invoca

Jessica Peng is the Controller at Invoca. As an expert in finance, accounting, and business analytics, she has extensive experience supporting operations across Big Four accounting firms and multiple industry sectors. Jessica received her BBA from HKUST and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

“You need executive sponsorship when you’re taking on change management in addition to having people work their day-to-day jobs. The executive team needs to understand that month end close may be a date late as the team works on something else.”

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