The CFO’s 360-Degree Advantage: Navigating Change with Ahmed Hassan

In this episode of the Level Up podcast, Nick Araco sits down with Ahmed Hassan, CMA, Chief Financial Officer of Vodacom DRC and Global Board Director for the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), to discuss the evolving role of the CFO and how finance leaders can develop a comprehensive, 360-degree view of their organization to thrive amidst constant change.

The Journey to Finance Leadership

Ahmed Hassan reflects on his impressive 24-year journey within Vodafone markets, starting from an early call center role and culminating in his current CFO position. He explains the pivotal moments that ignited his passion for finance and how his diverse experiences across four continents have shaped his leadership philosophy. This deep dive into his career path provides valuable insights for aspiring finance professionals.

Staying Future-Ready in a Dynamic World

The conversation delves into the critical strategies for finance leaders to remain agile and relevant in an increasingly unpredictable business environment. Ahmed emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adopting a "fitness for change" mindset, encouraging finance professionals to look beyond traditional accounting functions and understand the broader forces impacting their business, from technology to customer behavior.

"The 360-degree mindset is something that should be embedded in the CFO and finance leaders from early on… It's about being part of the solution, not just pointing out the problem."

— Ahmed Hassan, CFO of Vodacom DRC