The Finance Leader Podcast

What separates finance professionals who influence strategy from those who only report the numbers?

The answer isn't better spreadsheets. It's developing the judgment, leadership, and business acumen to become a trusted strategic advisor.

The Finance Leader Podcast helps finance and accounting professionals, FP&A teams, controllers, CFOs, business owners, and executive leaders strengthen the connection between finance, operations, and strategy. Episodes provide practical insights, proven frameworks, and real-world lessons to help you improve decision making, develop executive presence, build stronger partnerships across the organization, and create measurable business value.

Hosted by Stephen McLain, a retired U.S. Army Finance Officer and corporate FP&A and accounting consultant, the podcast combines military leadership experience with practical corporate finance expertise to help finance professionals lead with greater confidence and strategic impact.

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Podcasting since 2020 • 261 episodes

The Finance Leader Podcast

Latest Episodes

A Strong Audit Plan Turns Compliance Into Trust

Bonus episode # 103: If you think “the audit” is just a yearly event, you’re leaving your organization exposed. I’m sharing a replay of The Audit Blueprint, my CFO’s guide to financial integrity, because accurate books and strong interna...

September 08, 2026 • 17:53

Small Business Series - Think Like a CEO (Ep 5)

Bonus episode # 102: If you started your business to build something meaningful, here’s the uncomfortable question: are you creating an asset or creating another job for yourself? I’m wrapping up my limited small business series by zoomi...

September 01, 2026 • 10:23

Small Business Series - A Simple Financial Scorecard For Small Business Health (Ep 4)

Bonus Episode #101: If someone asked whether your business is financially healthy, could you answer without guessing? We walk through five numbers that cut through the noise and tell you what’s really happening, even when sales are up an...

August 25, 2026 • 9:36

Small Business Series - A Practical Pricing Checkup, Are You Charging Enough (Ep 3)

Bonus episode # 100: You can be fully booked, gaining customers, and still feel like the business never throws off real money and pricing is often the reason. We take a hard look at the question many small business owners avoid: what if ...

August 18, 2026 • 9:38

Small Business Series - Why Profitable Businesses Still Run Out of Cash (Ep 2)

Bonus episode # 99: Your P&L says you’re profitable, but the bank account keeps hovering near empty, so what’s actually happening? I walk through the gap between profit and cash and why small businesses can look healthy on paper whil...

August 11, 2026 • 8:34

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