THE FINANCE CHIEF INTERVIEW importance behind understanding the new capabilities being built every day:“ The finance team must be in the thick of it. In this new AI world, managing new cost drivers like tokens, new models and compute costs becomes very important for the finance team as we establish guardrails.” C-suite conversations are increasingly looking at types of guardrails as boards are looking to strengthen governance around AI. Risk, an essential component of any business, is placed at the forefront of these conversations. Vijay says:“ Enterprise risk management is another vital area on the CFO agenda. The level of ambiguity is increasing, and when taking big bets on AI, we don’ t have all the answers. It boils down to the company’ s ability to take calculated risks, where the CFO plays a crucial role in managing these combined risks, monitoring them and providing the right guidance.”
Early bird gets the ROI Having been with UST effectively since it was founded, Vijay recalls what the early days were like, and the lessons he carries over today. The mindset needed to adapt from a small business to the enterprise which serves over 30 countries with 30,000 employees today revolves around looking past the numbers.“ Ownership mentality has really shaped my thinking and how I approach problems. It is much easier to make the right decisions when you think like you own the business” he explains.
“ That ownership mentality is invaluable. It helps when making bold investments where results aren’ t immediate – you maintain the long-term mindset that it is the right call for the company’ s future.” Numbers of course, can’ t be forgotten. Data underpins every business, and knowing the ins and outs of forecasting, finance and cash flow is still every bit as essential as adopting an ownership mentality, which Vijay continues to hold to this day. Vijay says:“ From the startup days, the biggest challenge – in finance and for any entrepreneur – is managing cash flow and handling the pressure of making the next payroll.” By honing these skills, a solid foundation is built for a successful career as a CFO.“ That forces you to get sharper across all basic housekeeping activities: billing, collections and accelerating cash flow,” he says. Future CFOs must pay attention to both the business and the numbers, as both are paramount not only to a successful career but a story of growth.“ Numbers only give you a limited perspective.” Vijay concludes.“ You have to connect those numbers to the business to get the whole picture. While numbers tell part of the story, a CFO needs to translate that business context into future actions to guide the CEO, the board and leadership.“ You must stay tuned in to how the pipeline looks, the technology strategy and the talent strategy. Talent strategy is particularly critical for a tech company.”
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