Strategic Financial Leadership: Winston Abeyeratne on Succeeding Down Under

In this episode of the CFO Catalyst Podcast, host Sumith welcomes Winston Abeyeratne, CFO at Conference Group in South Australia. 

Winston shares his immigration journey, starting 12 years ago, and his career transition from audit trainee at KPMG in Sri Lanka to various roles in the finance sector in Australia. He discusses the importance of backing statements with numbers, the challenges of working with high-net-worth individuals, and provides advice for new migrants and aspiring CFOs on building a career in finance. The conversation also delves into the evolving role of CFOs, the impact of AI and machine learning on the finance industry, and the significance of continuous learning and process review. 

Winston offers his insights on earning respect in new roles, mentoring younger professionals, and the benefits of embracing flexibility and creativity in financial leadership 

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Until next week, keep reading, keep listening!

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction: The Power of Numbers
• 0:25 Guest Introduction: Winston Abeyeratne
• 0:44 Winston's Immigration Journey
• 1:22 Early Career in Sri Lanka
• 3:55 Transition to Australia
• 6:21 Career Growth and Challenges
• 11:59 Working with High-Net-Worth Individuals
• 14:32 The Role of a CFO
• 23:54 Adapting to AI and Machine Learning
• 27:21 Advice for Aspiring Accountants
• 30:02 Conclusion and Contact Information