Oracle

Webinar reveals how to stay relevant in finance

Investec’s Marlé van der Walt: Tech and soft skills are critical to future proof yourself.

How CFOs can build resilience and recapture growth

Oracle's Anne Ozzimo shares four strategies CFOs should consider to be resilient.

Webinar to reveal why finance executives must evolve and adapt along with their people

Investec Specialist Bank CFO Marlé van der Walt will share her three-point plan to staying relevant.

Oracle's Steve Cox reveals that Covid-19 has accelerated digital transformation

Steve Cox suggests that organisations will realise their new mission, with the help of technology.

Find out how you can accelerate your digitisation journey in upcoming Oracle webinar

Oracle VP Steve Cox details the impact of digitisation on businesses' survival during Covid-19.

Oracle webinar: Innovation and resilience in the finance services sector

CFOs from different sectors will be sharing their stories of success in innovating on 30 July.

How scenario modeling can help you weather a crisis

Oracle webinar reveals how scenario modeling can help companies achieve success during a crisis.

Oracle recognised again as a leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant

Fourth straight positioning as a leader recognises completeness of vision and ability to execute.

IDC and Oracle Webinar: Three ways to boost Finance's ability to respond to Covid-19

Financial applications should be able to respond to the changing business demands of the new normal.

MTN Group masters financial reporting with Oracle Cloud EPM

MTN's Chris Badenhorst: Standardised reporting is important because you need to trust the numbers.

Agile Finance: Reimagining finance for the new normal

A webcast series brought to you by AICPA & CIMA and Oracle, with insights from McKinsey & Company.

Agile Finance: Reimagining and reforming the business

A webcast series brought to you by AICPA & CIMA and Oracle, with insights from McKinsey & Company.

Oracle marketing director Cathy Stadler says retrospective data is obsolete

Cathy says it's difficult to figure out what clients need because backward-looking data doesn't answer that question anymore. 

Oracle offers free financial planning and scenario modeling tools

The financial planning and scenario modeling tools help customers adapt to changing market conditions.

How to use scenario planning to navigate a crisis

Scenario planning can help visualize the future and assess how to respond to multiple scenarios.

Bridging the gap for remote workers through digital assistants

Digital assistants can support the functions employees may need now while creating efficiencies.

Oracle IDC webinar: Digital transformation is no longer just an option

Oracle's Ronnie Toerien: Organisations are seeking to accelerate their digital transformation.

5 Steps for Business Continuity Amid COVID-19

AICPA's Ash Noah shares his tips to manage the financial disruption Covid-19 has caused.

Organisations are capitalising on emerging technologies to enhance finance

An Oracle whitepaper details the benefits of using cloud-driven innovation to do business.

Oracle webinars show how emerging technology gives organisations a competitive edge

The webinar series examines how market leaders are outpacing change with cloud-driven innovation.

Blockchain: does your business really need one?

Tari Labs' Cayle Sharrock: You have to value what blockchain gives you to justify the cost of running one.

Embracing open in the financial services sector

Organisations are under pressure to become more innovative and adaptable, says Obsidian's Muggie van Staden.

South African Wayne Berson among top 100 people making a difference in accounting

Wayne joins the list with Barry Melancon, Tom Hood, Allan Koltin and President Donald Trump.

Flashback: These leading finance executives won the coveted trophies at the CFO Awards

Six of South Africa's finest finance professionals walked away with awards on the evening of 15 May.

CFOs talk technology and disruption at exclusive CFO dinners

CFOs need to be adaptable, agile and forward-thinking in order to weather the storm and stay relevant.

6 Strategies to help CFOs harness the power of emerging digital technologies

Emma Hitzke and Shagun: How to help your organisation thrive in the digital age of finance.

CFO dinner in Cape Town confirms: If you don't disrupt, you'll be disrupted

The group of CFOs considered how they can support innovation in their organisations.

Finance flash: the TOP-10 articles of week 46, 2019

Want to stay up to date with the latest developments in finance, but short on time? Don't worry. CFO South Africa weekly collects 10 of the most important articles from international media for your convenience.

Inspirational speakers, outstanding networking opportunities at the CFO of the Future Summit

CFOs seized the opportunity to think, learn and most importantly to share experiences with their peers.

Putting the A back in FP&A with Automated instead of Analysis

Oracle's Phumzile Skosana outlines how to move beyond Excel and automate your FP&A process.

Finance professional, embracing AI solutions can free up your time

Oracle's Audrey Mbuyazi: Technology frees finance professionals from mundane tasks, giving them more leave days.

A solution that supports business growth in sector verticals

ERP solutions are designed to boost your business's overall ability to deliver the best product or solution to your market. Oracle NetSuite's cloud-based ERP solution takes your specific industry into account to ensure this is achieved.

Innovation in finance is essential - don't get left behind

BlueBridge One's Jonathan Ryan explains how to foster innovation in your finance team.

Oracle plans to bring Cloud Data Centre to South Africa

Oracle MD Niral Patel announced today that the company's investment in growth in SA remains strong.

Find out how Oracle Netsuite helps manage core business processes at Finance Indaba

Oracle Netsuite is the world's leading provider of cloud-based business management software.

Meet multiple CFO Awards winner André du Plessis, Capitec CFO

Capitec CFO André du Plessis won the Compliance & Governance and Finance & Technology Awards.

As it happened: South Africa's top CFOs honoured at the spectacular 2019 CFO Awards

Six exceptional CFOs walked away with the finance profession's top honours at a gala dinner in Bryanston.

MTN CFO Ralph Mupita named CFO of the Year 2019

The MTN CFO also won the Strategy Execution, High-Performance Team, and Finance Transformation Awards.

Oracle celebrates finance leaders using technology to transform businesses at CFO Awards

Oracle will be sponsoring the Finance and Technology Award at the CFO Awards this year.

Finance flash: the TOP-10 articles of week 16, 2019

Want to keep up to date with the latest developments in finance, but you are short of time? Don't worry. CFO South Africa weekly collects 10 of the most important articles from international media for your convenience.

Special feature: The accountant of the future - goodbye, grunt work

In part 1, experts look at how accountants will focus on relationships rather than numbers.

CFO South Africa innovation dinner reveals just what drives innovation

CFOs gathered in Cape Town to talk innovation with international expert Paul Steenkamp.

SA businesses flock to lend their support to the CFO Awards

Unparalleled networking opportunities, entertainment and industry insights keep CFO Awards sponsors coming back for more.

SAP Concur enables African companies to manage their employee spend

Angelique Montalto explains how SAP Concur projects pay for themselves in five months on average.

Oracle: Anees Mayet

Anees Mayet has been the finance director at Oracle since December 2003.

2018 highlight: AngloGold Ashanti's Christine Ramon named CFO of the Year

At a glittering ceremony in May, Christine came away with a record four CFO Awards.

SAP buys Qualtrics in second biggest SaaS acquisition ever

Days before Qualtics was to hit NASDAQ, SAP acquired the research company for $8 billion.

CFO Summit: Gazing into the future of humans in the workplace

Leading CFOs explore the space that people will occupy in tomorrow's world of work.

CFO Summit partner Oracle supports the "augmented CFO"

Oracle and the CFO Summit focus on "Tomorrow, today". See this in action at Thursday's event.

EY underscores commitment to knowledge sharing with CFO Summit Partnership

EY will be a partner at the CFO Summit - delivering unparalleled learning and networking opportunities.

Oracle calls on CFOs to be change agents

Oracle's Naaliah Gora says that boards and CEOs require CFOs to be more analytical.

Oracle gets "smart" with AI at Finance Indaba 2018

Oracle will explain how to use smart technologies to transform finance at Finance Indaba 2018.

Finance Indaba Africa 2018: ACL Software is the world's leading application for business process assurance

The ACL platform is used by almost every Fortune 500 company.

Oracle joins the lineup of partners at Finance Indaba 2018

This Finance Indaba platinum partner provides integrated cloud applications and platform services.

CFO South Africa partners put their might behind knowledge sharing

Oracle and Ansarada get behind the 8 November CFO Summit "Tomorrow Today".

SA corporates commit to sharing knowledge with accountants

Finance Indaba Africa partners show their commitment to creating outstanding learning and networking platforms.

Biggest blocker to innovation is overspending on "keeping the lights on" - finance leaders

"State of Innovation" survey reveals numerous obstacles CIOs face, despite tangible benefits and ROI from innovation investments.

SA congratulates Christine Ramon on CFO of the Year 2018 recognition

Social media erupted in a warm outpouring of congratulations after the historic election of AngloGold Ashanti's Christine Ramon as CFO of the Year 2018.

Calls for ethical leadership at breathtaking 2018 CFO Awards

Calls for ethical leadership as the first woman CFO takes home the tile of CFO of the Year during the spectacular fifth annual CFO Awards at Johannesburg's Constitution Hill. 

AngloGold Ashanti CFO Christine Ramon named CFO of the Year 2018

Christine Ramon, chief financial officer of gold mining company AngloGold Ashanti, has been named South Africa's CFO of the Year at the 2018 CFO Awards.

Partners flock to sponsor CFO Awards 2018

This year's finance Oscars are backed by new partners PwC, Workday, Nike and Drayton Glendower.

Finance Indaba 2018: how Futuresense partners with CFOs

Futuresense is a silver partner at the 2018 Finance Indaba Africa.

Westcon SA: Andries Coetzee

Andries Coetzee has been the Chief Financial Officer of Westcon SA since 29 January 2016.

Futuresense signs on for Finance Indaba 2018

Futuresense is a niche software-solutions consultancy that works with CFOs, and implements solutions across the full suite of Oracle Hyperion financial software.

Excel4apps signs up for Finance Indaba 2018

Excel4apps has continued evolving its portfolio of user-friendly, Excel-based products for use with SAP and Oracle

EOH signs up for Finance Indaba 2018

Listed in 1998, EOH attributes its 45% compounded annual growth to a culture of remaining prudent, and not just meeting, but exceeding, customer expectations

Machines will augment our jobs, not steal them, argues Oracle's Derek Bose

“The marketplace expects CFOs to be certified accountants but organisations are pulling in CFOs who are able to marry their trade of accounting with the technological capabilities and all the benefits that come with that. CFOs previously used technology to drive standardisation through the organisation to gain control, but are now using it to adapt their organisations to a changing environment and to react more quickly to these changes,” says Derek Bose, Oracle’s senior manager for Southern Africa. Derek believes that technology will augment human capability in future and, he says, the role of the CFO is one of the first in line.

How you can benefit from smart technology in 100 days: Finance Indaba sneak peek 28

The technology and smart financial systems that are available today can deliver tremendous value for your business. Best-of-breed, cloud-based systems enable your team to make the business stronger. Despite these benefits, only a small percentage of medium-sized companies have implemented all the tools that are available to them. Many of us reason that our current legacy systems and processes are not great but are good enough for now. And, to be honest, we dread the idea of a big IT project and the stress that comes with change. How can you clear these obstacles so that you can really benefit from the digital era? During this hands-on Finance Indaba Africa workshop, learn valuable, practical insights on how to successfully implement the best technology. Don't miss out hearing first-hand how EOH's Paco Cervantes transformed the finance function in 100 days.

The founder's spirit: Investec CFO and Yuppiechef co-founder at CFO Summit 5

What is the secret sauce that founders bring to a business? And how can finance help facilitate keeping the spirit alive in a growing company? Those were some of the questions explored by award-winning Investec CFO Nishlan Samujh, Yuppiechef co-founder Paul Galatis and Oracle's Armin Moradi.

Finance Indaba 2017: Futuresense ensures a bright financial future

"Futuresense exists to make complex company finance systems more efficient, reporting simpler and faster, and ultimately make the CFO’s life easier," says Steven Hyslop, Director of Futuresense, a silver partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2017 on 12 and 13 October 2017 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Journey to the core: CFOs deep-dive during exclusive dinner

During an invite-only CFO South Africa dinner at the spectacular Four Seasons hotel in Westcliff, finance leaders swapped notes about outsourcing, building internal capability and identifying the – sometimes shifting – core of the business. Sponsored by global BPO giant WNS, the exclusive gathering provided conversation of extremely high quality, highly effective networking and a high-powered ending, thanks to the inimitable storyteller Rob Caskie.

I am an authentic leader, open to ideas, says Vodacom CFO Till Streichert

It didn’t take Till Streichert long to turn Vodacom’s finance team into a successful intelligence unit that keeps raising the bar globally. It is thus little wonder the German executive was named South Africa’s 2017 CFO of the Year, also walking away with the Strategy Execution and the Finance Transformation Awards. In this exclusive interview, Till tells us about the successful team transformation. “It was a stunning turnaround and an astonishing achievement for the finance team.”

Finance Indaba 2017: EOH products suit any business

"The Finance Indaba is a great opportunity to demonstrate that our product and services offering fits the needs of the all the South African businesses, no matter what their size is," says Paco Cervantes, Oracle Services Business Unit Manager of EOH, a gold partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2017 on 12 and 13 October 2017 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Netwin Systems joins Finance Indaba 2017

Netwin Systems has joined Finance Indaba 2017 as a silver partner and will make its debut at the event at the Sandton Convention Centre in October.

Pieter Bensch new MD and executive VP of Sage Africa and Middle East

Anton van Heerden is leaving his role at Sage Africa and Middle East, to be replaced by Pieter Bensch (pictured), who will be taking over as MD and executive VP of the region.

Futuresense joins Finance Indaba 2017

Futuresense has joined Finance Indaba 2017 as a silver partner and will make its second showing at the event at the Sandton Convention Centre in October.

Operate at the coalface to be a catalyst for change - CFOs at CFO Summit 4

Agility is a word that is bandied about in boardrooms across South Africa, but how does one actually achieve it? How do you step away from your desk as a CFO and really get to grips with the business? Can you find out how the business ticks without abandoning your finance duties?

CFO of the Year Till Streichert shares successful ERP implementation tips

In the space of just a few years, Till Streichert, CFO of Vodacom Group and this year's CFO of the Year, turned Vodacom’s finance team into a flourishing intelligence unit. He is a textbook example of a finance executive who used the first 100 days of his tenure to make a swift and decisive impact on his organisation.

Glorious 2017 CFO Awards: the sky is the limit for financial excellence

Vodacom's CFO Till Streichert was the big winner at the 2017 CFO Awards, taking home the title of CFO of the Year and adding the coveted Strategy Execution and Finance Transformation awards to his collection for good measure. The annual glamorous celebration of excellence in the finance profession was the biggest, best and brightest edition of the event to date, as the crème de la crème of the country's finance leaders gathered at the stunning Summer Place in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.

Vodacom CFO Till Streichert named CFO of the Year 2017

Till Streichert, chief financial officer of mobile communications company Vodacom Group, has been named South Africa's CFO of the Year at the 2017 CFO Awards.

Delighted with growth of CFO Awards - CFO SA MD Graham Fehrsen

With CFO Awards 2017 just eight days away, CFO SA MD Graham Fehrsen has expressed his excitement at the development of the event. The annual 'Oscars for South African CFOs', to be held on 11 May, recognise CFOs of listed companies, large corporations, state-owned entities and government institutions, and awards them for outstanding performance and leadership.

Summit Series gathers momentum

CFO South Africa’s debut season of CFO Summits has been a phenomenal success thus far, with the series attracting interest from leading financial executives eager to gain insights from their peers and opinion leaders.

Cloud power and volatility's opportunity: jam-packed Cape Town CFO Summit

In an ever more volatile world, chief financial officers constantly have to revise their strategies to anticipate changing markets and currencies, particularly when considering large-scale acquisitions.

Excel4apps joins Finance Indaba 2017

Excel solution provider Excel4apps has partnered with Finance Indaba 2017 and will make its second showing at the event at the Sandton Convention Centre in October.

Deloitte celebrates Reporting Accountants award at DealMakers Gala 2017

Professional services firm Deloitte went home with the Reporting Accountants awards by Deal Flow during the 16th annual DealMakers Gala Awards Banquet on 15 February 2017 at the Sandton Convention Centre. A jovial CFO South Africa MD Graham Fehrsen handed the prize to Deloitte's senior manager Aubrey Sebothoma, together with DealMakers director Marylou Greig. KPMG won the Reporting Accounts award by Deal Value, just like last year.

It's time! Finance professionals flock to Finance Indaba Africa - #findaba16

The day that finance professionals have been looking forward to for many months has finally arrived - it is time for Finance Indaba Africa! With two days of learning, inspiration and unparalleled networking, the inaugural event has already established itself as the biggest conference and expo for African finance teams in the world. The numbers are impressive: 13 & 14 October 2016, Sandton Convention Centre, 5000 attendees, 120 sessions with speakers and discussions and 75 exhibitors.

Finance Indaba Afica: Oracle's Dee Houchen reflects on agile finance

Oracle is a platinum partner at the Finance Indaba Africa on 13 and 14 October 2016. Why should you come listen to what they have to say? Read this excellent piece by Dee Houchen and find out!

Finance Indaba programme: Smart Finance, Smart Business - #findaba16

The Finance Indaba Africa 2016 is almost upon us and it is time to start looking at what exactly lies ahead at the Sandton Convention Centre on 13 and 14 October 2016. Every day until the event, we will shine a light on the parts of the amazing programme. Today: Smart Finance, Smart Business a two-day programme about the power of technology.

Disrupt, or be disrupted - CFOs discuss digital transformation

“By show of hands, how many people in the room have begun a digital transformation project in the last 12 months?” CFO South Africa MD Graham Fehrsen asked the crowd during his welcoming at the first Johannesburg breakfast event hosted by CFO South Africa on 15 September 2016. Virtually every attendant raised their hands. “So everybody is here to discover why it is not working or how to improve the ROI,” he joked to appreciative chuckles.

Technology & Strategy: Oracle's Sarah George pre-empts CFO breakfast

The strategic evolution is a a development path built on choices about what is best for the business in the long term rather than on immediate changes that may be detrimental further down the line. In this Expert Insight, Sarah George, ERP & EPM Business Development and Product Strategy, Oracle South Africa, explores the speed of business transformation and the role that agile technologies play.

Christine Ramon special guest at Digital Transformation CFO Breakfast, 15 September 2016

Clever implementation of modern technology can bring massive benefits to companies and is often the difference between bust or boom. During CFO South Africa’s annual Digital Transformation Breakfast on 15 September 2016 (7h00) we tap into the incredible experience of CFOs Christine Ramon (AngloGold Ashanti) and Wayne Koonin (Omnia) to explore the risks and opportunities a tech savvy finance team can create.

Finance Indaba 2016: Use the insight of Oracle

"We help simplify the IT environment so that our customers can free up money, time, and resources to invest in innovation," says Kholiwe Makhohliso, Technology and Country Leader of Oracle South Africa, a platinum partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Meet Christine Ramon (AngloGold Ashanti), winner of the Finance & Technology Award at the CFO Awards 2016

“Just being recognised as CFOs is great, along with the fact that we are making an impact in the business community. I would like to thank CFO South Africa and the sponsors for this event," said Christine Ramon, CFO of AngloGold Ashanti, on receiving this year’s Finance and Technology Award at the CFO Awards 2016, held on 12 May at the stunning Summer Place. Pictured right: Christine Ramon with Kholiwe Makhohliso (Oracle) Christine was joined at the awards by her three CA siblings: Justine Mazzocco (exco member Deloitte), Veran Kathan (CFO Vodacom Business Africa) and Mark Kathan (CFO AECI), the latter a nominee of the CFO Awards in both 2015 and 2016.

Finance Indaba 2016: Futuresense aids future-focused CFOs

“We help CFOs make better decisions that create a better future for their companies,” says Simon Jackson, a director of enterprise performance management system provider Futuresense, a gold partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Accounting in the cloud - Xero's Gary Turner on conquering SA

With personal computers and the internet mere precursors to the real digital revolution, CFOs need to change gears and get ready for radically different roles, says Xero executive Gary Turner. Few firms are riding the waves of digital change so confidently as Xero, the accounting software cloud-solution for small- and medium-sized enterprises. After swooping the UK market, Gary has now set his sights on South Africa.

Oracle: Closer alignment between CFO and CIO crucial to finance transformation

According to a recent Oracle study, 73% of finance leaders agree that closer CIO/CFO alignment has become more important to achieving finance transformation goals.

Integrated Business Planning connects strategy with execution and intent with outcome, says KMPG's Charl du Toit

In the majority of organisations, planning, budgeting and forecasting (PBF) processes are flawed. KMPG’s Charl du Toit suggests that a fully integrated planning process is essential to deliver full benefit and value from the planning process – and help your organisation achieve its goals.

CFO Awards 2016: glitz, glam & winners at Oscars of SA's finance profession

Woolworths Group FD Reeza Isaacs was named CFO of the Year 2016 during a spectacular CFO Awards Conference and Gala Dinner at the Summer Place in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Our senior editor Toni Muir jotted down quotes throughout the evening and we have used the best ones to recap the amazing event, dubbed the Oscars of South Africa's finance profession by many CFOs.

Woolworths CFO Reeza Isaacs named CFO of the Year 2016

Reeza Isaacs, group finance director of retailer Woolworths Holdings, has been named South Africa’s CFO of the Year at the 2016 CFO Awards. The award was announced on Thursday 12 May 2016 at the end of an inspirational conference and gala event at Summer Place in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Dumisani Dlamini (National Arts Council) was named Young CFO of the Year and Public CFO of the Year, while Osman Arbee (Imperial) and Walter Leonhardt (ABI) also took home two awards each.

Celebrating SA's finance leaders - countdown to 3rd CFO Awards

It is time for tuxedos. It is time for cocktail dresses. It is time to celebrate South Africa's finance leaders during the 3rd annual CFO Awards at the marvelous Summer Place in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. On Thursday 12 May 2016 CFO South Africa will host a spectacular gala dinner, preceded by a high-level conference for the country's best finance directors and chief financial officers. At the end of the evening one of 25 nominees will be crowned CFO of the Year.

Finance Indaba 2016: Excel4apps powers up your reporting processes

"We make Excel the front end to your ERP (Oracle, SAP or PeopleSoft) and give you all the power of Excel plus more with our custom-built functions," says Shirley Riddick, MD of Excel4apps in the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. Excel4apps is a gold partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

People, processes and tech key at vibrant Get Smart in 2016 event

People, processes and technology took centre stage during an incredibly well-attended CFO event on 23 February 2016 at Summer Place in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Thanks to the expert contribution of partners WNS, Oracle and KPMG, CFOs received updates on the latest and greatest in business process outsourcing and cloud computing, but also got to discuss the human side of it.

Abbie Lundberg presents a new leadership model for digital business

"Digital is about exploiting information at speed for business use," opines Abbie Lundberg, President of Lundberg Media. Lundberg was addressing the crowd at the recent Oracle Cloud Day.

Use big data to grow your business, says Uber's Dave Kitley

Speaking at the recent Oracle Cloud Day, held at The Forum in Bryanston, Dave Kitley, Driver Operations and Logistics Manager Uber Johannesburg and Pretoria, explained how the Uber concept began purely in response to a need. The company's founders Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp, were standing on a Paris street one chilly evening, trying to hail a cab. After several unsuccessful minutes they thought there must be a better way to do this. In each of their pockets – as in the pockets of many people – was a smartphone and a credit card. Surely, they pondered, something could be created using just these two things? With this in mind, the pair returned home to San Francisco to develop their app concept, and thus was created Uber.

Oracle's Andrew Sutherland on the cloud: disrupt, transform & compete

"We are seeing IT being used to create true business disruption," Dr Andrew Sutherland, Senior VP Technology and Systems, Oracle Europe, told attendees at the recent Oracle Cloud Day, held at The Forum in Bryanston. "Information increases exponentially in value the more there is of it," he added. But, he asked the assembled audience, how do you compete, and how do you differentiate? The answer, he said, lies in transformation.

Be disrupted or die - CFO master class at the Oracle Cloud Day

Oracle Cloud Day: lessons from Uber, Intel and Cell C

"It is our job to keep ourselves up to date so we can make the right decisions," said Oracle's Andrew Sutherland. Kicking off the inspiring Oracle Cloud Day, which included valuable lessons from Uber, Intel and Cell C, his presentation revolved around 'transforming your tomorrow' and the ways in which IT is being used to create true business disruption.

Dee Houchen (Oracle): cloud enables speed and innovation

How long do cloud ERP implementations take? Do they stay within budget? What are the risks? If you’re interested an answer to any of those questions, you simply cannot miss the CFO track of the Oracle Cloud Day on 24 November (8h30-14h00) at The Forum in Bryanston. In preparation for the event, CFO South Africa spoke exclusively to Dee Houchen, senior product marketing director Oracle for ERP Applications.

Don't miss the Oracle Cloud Day on 24 November 2015 - register now!

"Keep your eyes on the cloud, but keep your feet on the ground." That is the theme of the CFO track at this year's Oracle Cloud Day on 24 November (8h30-14h00) at The Forum in Bryanston, with an exciting program - tailor-made by CFO South Africa's event specialists. "Financials who want to know what cloud really is and what it can do for you, can register for free," says Melle Eijckelhoff, who has been personally involved in this unique partnership with Oracle. "Give yourself an early Christmas present and invest in your knowledge."

Telkom separates out a new entity: Openserve

Telkom recently announced that it will be spinning off its wholesale division as a separate business. The new business, called Openserve, will have its own brand identity and intended to service the entire telecommunications market.

Planning, budgeting and forecasting CFO Master Class sparks lively audience debate

As many CFOs anxiously await further announcements regarding interest rate hikes and how this may affect their business and their budgets, last night's CFO South Africa event was both well timed and well attended.

Inspiring CFO event dives deep into Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

On Thursday 17 September at 54 on Bath hotel in Rosebank, CFO South Africa held another of its increasingly popular events, this one covering the theme of 'Digital Transformation'. The evening was a resounding success, with the 'Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting in the 21st Century' (PBF) Master Class enjoying a full audience.

CFOs discuss their role as change agents at intimate dinner

Never has there been a time when IT and business have experienced so many synergies and when the need to transform was so consistently urgent. Change management was the topic of an intimate networking dinner organised by CFO South Africa in partnership with Oracle and principal sponsor KPMG – both at the forefront of fast-tracking change – at the prestigious Four Season Westcliff hotel in Johannesburg on Thursday evening, 20 August 2015. Finance executives from various industries took full advantage of the opportunity to swap notes with their peers and expand their knowledge bases.

Meet Colin Brown (Super Group), winner Finance & Technology Award 2015

I am not telling any secrets when I say that Colin Brown was one of the hot favourites for the CFO of the Year Award 2015. After scooping up two major awards during the first CFO Awards in 2014 - Strategy Execution and Digital Transformation - the Super Group story had only gotten better and Brown is considered one of the key engineers of the remarkable turnaround and renewed ascend of the South African firm. However, the panel of judges felt that Deon Viljoen's remarkable work at Alexander Forbes deserved the recognition and Brown was pipped to the post.

Kevin Attard, Oracle: talk about digital transformation, not about cloud

“CFOs are expanding across the whole business,” according to Kevin Attard, Country Leader South Africa for multinational computer technology corporation Oracle. After an impressive career in his home country Malta, Austria and the United Kingdom, Attard has recently arrived in South Africa and the energy he has brought to the Oracle office in Woodmead is palpable. Our CEO Melle Eijckelhoff and I spoke to Attard last week.

Productivity Ninja Martijn Aslander shows CFOs the future at Awards Master Class

Lifehacker and “productivity ninja” Martijn Aslander delivered a thought-provoking Master Class, entitled “The exponential organisation – surviving the 21st century” at Thursday's CFO Conference before the annual CFO Awards ceremony at Summer Place in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Many CFOs called the session "life changing" or indicated they would be rethinking their strategies after hearing Aslander's clarion call for change and disruption.

CFO Awards 2015: as it happened (with all the quotes!)

Alexander Forbes CFO Deon Viljoen was named CFO of the Year 2015 last night during an incredibly successful CFO Conference and Gala Dinner at the Summer Place in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Our dynamic reporter Ebrahim Moolla roamed the event and jotted down quotes throughout the evening. I included the best ones in this recap of the event.

The CFO as IT evangelist? Top CFOs share their thoughts at CFO SA dinner

How are CFOs and their departments dealing with the digital winds of change inspired by technological advancement and disruptive start-ups? How is the role of the modern CFO adapting to this new environment and what skills are necessary to make these adjustments? These were some of the questions posed at the CFO South Africa dinner and round table event at the Four Seasons Westcliff hotel in Johannesburg on 15 April 2015.

CFOs shaken out of comfort zone during Get Smart event

CFOs were rattled out of their comfort zone yesterday during our Get Smart in 2015 event, hosted at the JSE Limited in Sandton, Johannesburg. In an extremely well-received key note speech, Martijn Aslander - from The Netherlands - told finance leaders they need to adapt or risk becoming obsolete. He talked the audience through a number of exciting innovations and disruptive developments that will change the world within the next 10 years. “In the future it is no longer about what you own or what you do, but it is about your attitude and your ability to adapt.”

Lenore Kerrigan, Sales Director OpenText: preparing for the Digital First World

“As companies prepare for a Digital First World, the CFO will play a key role in providing the financial underpinning of this digital transformation, says Lenore Kerrigan, Sales Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at software company OpenText Corporation. “It is controversial, but in many companies CFOs are still mainly reporting on historic facts and figures. The role of modern CFOs, however, is forward looking and includes a very strong focus on understanding risk and financial growth. Our Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and Enterprise Information Management (EIM) systems can help them accomplish this.”