Early in November (2020), Sage, the market leader in cloud business management solutions, revealed its first-ever list of the most visionary finance professionals across the globe. The Finance Futurists, presented by Sage, are a diverse group of finance leaders selected from a variety of sectors and backgrounds. They have been recognized for driving innovation and showing leadership across businesses of all sizes.
The Financial Futurists were recognized for their contribution to their business and industry, demonstrated by a commitment to technological evolution and outstanding leadership qualities. Common among this year’s Finance Futurists was a drive to bring the finance function to the core of business success, and a unique combination of analytical and soft skills. The Finance Futurists also displayed the ability to thrive in uncertain times, and an openness to looking for tech solutions in new places.
To recognize these Financial Futurists Insightful Accountant is featuring them in a special Finance Futurist Fridays series, today we are looking at Jeffery Giavotella, the CFO of Ballard Brands.
Jeffery Giavotella, CFO of Ballard Brands
Jeffery Giavotella
Jeffery’s interest in finance started at the age of nine while working at his family’s restaurant. Fascinated by how money influences decisions, he knew he was destined for a career in numbers. Though he “fell backwards” into the profession after spending time as a paramedic in New Orleans, he is no stranger to real-world experience.
Jeffery joined Ballard Brands, a diversified hospitality business, in 2006 as Director of Finance. Throughout his tenure and promotion to CFO, his experience solving problems in real-time has proven to be a critical attribute for the growing company. Jeffery leads a team responsible for all finance, accounting, tax compliance, treasury, and risk management for 40 affiliated businesses. Jeffery and his team created and implemented new standard policies and procedures that built upon current and future ERP technologies. His ability to visualize processes in action is truly unique.
Jeffery’s vision of accounting and finance automation began early during the "manual entry" days. His theoretical framework hinged on the goal of reducing accounting errors by minimizing human interaction. Doing more with limited resources requires a focused mindset. Recently, Jeffery began exploring the use of distributive ledger, also known as blockchain, which he sees as a game changer for the future of ERP.
Over the past 15 years, Jeffery has worked to improve fiscal transparency for his company’s franchise community by encouraging solution-based feedback. He feels no problem should be presented absent of a potential solution. Jeffery continues to carve out creative avenues to support efficiency, growth, and financial accounting integrity with Ballard Brands.
(Biographical content reproduced and/or adapted from Sage: Meet the Finance Futurists with permission of Sage.)