Breaking through the Cloud: A blueprint for CFOs of fast-growing companies

For rapidly growing companies, traditional finance systems can become roadblocks rather than enablers. Today’s dynamic business landscape demands CFOs to adopt agile, data-driven tools that offer real-time visibility and improve financial accuracy.

In a compelling virtual CFO roundtable hosted by CFO India in association Oracle NetSuite, a leading industry expert and finance leaders convened to discuss the pivotal role of cloud-based solutions in enabling sustainable growth and financial agility for rapidly expanding companies. Our distinguished participants included Vinod Raina, Director – Digital Transformation for fast growing companies, Oracle NetSuite; Sumit Kapoor, CFO, Sinch; Ruchi Taparia, Associate Director – Mindsprint; Suresh Kumar Bellala, Head of Finance, Thoughtworks Technologies; Arvind Agarwal, CFO, Progressive Infotech; Ashish Kumar Mishra, Senior General Manager – Accounts, JK Tyre; Ravi Bhatia, National Finance Controller, Fortis Healthcare; and Siddesh Patil, Head – Finance & Accounts, Suntec India. The discussion, moderated by Seema Menon, Director & COO of CFO Collective – An IMA Company, explored strategies to overcome the limitations of legacy systems, integrate real-time data insights, and enable scalability.

Key themes and insights

The strategic imperative of early technology adoption

Vinod set the tone, emphasising that early adoption of scalable technologies equips companies to navigate the complexities of growth. Highlighting his two decades of experience, he noted, “Integrating world-class systems early not only ensures compliance but also instils confidence among stakeholders.”

Finance leaders share ground-level realities

Sumit described balancing financial oversight with agility amidst rapid market changes: “The pace of technological evolution necessitates periodic reviews of business drivers and customer demands. This alignment drives technology investments, ensuring a high return on equity.”

Ruchi highlighted the success of implementing a cloud ERP, stating, “Our foundation integrates financial and operational data, setting the stage for future analytics. The agility offered by cloud solutions supports our global expansion plans seamlessly.”

The case for automation and real-time decision-making

Participants echoed the necessity of automation in streamlining operations. Sumit highlighted the role of automation in eliminating repetitive tasks, while Vinod elaborated on how Oracle NetSuite fosters interoperability: “A unified suite connects diverse data points, enabling real-time insights and operational precision.”

Ruchi added, “A robust data warehouse underpins our strategy to enable self-service dashboards, empowering cross-functional teams to derive actionable insights.”

Closing thoughts

The session highlighted the consensus that cloud-based solutions are no longer optional but essential for modern financial management. Customisation and scalability emerged as critical criteria in selecting ERP systems, with participants advocating for a balance between industry best practices and tailored processes.

As Vinod aptly summarised, “Cloud technologies democratise innovation, making it accessible for fast-growth companies to scale predictably while maintaining compliance.”