Modern Financial Controller Series

Command-Line Tools & Automation in Python I’ve discovered that some of the most practical Python applications aren’t fancy data visualisations or machine learning models, but rather simple automation scripts that save time on repetitive tasks. In this post, I’ll walk through how to build command-line tools and automate everyday processes using Python. Building Command-Line Scripts with argparse When you’re working with financial data, you often need flexible tools that can handle different inputs. The argparse module lets you build command-line scripts that accept various arguments and options. ...

Part 7: Finance-Led Business Transformation This post continues my “learning in public” journey as a finance manager. All concepts and frameworks are attributed to their original creators, primarily David Parmenter, Robert Kaplan, and other thought leaders in the field. Finance as a Transformation Catalyst The finance function has traditionally been viewed as a steward of resources and provider of historical information. However, as David Parmenter emphasises in “The Financial Controller and CFO’s Toolkit,” modern finance leaders are uniquely positioned to drive enterprise-wide transformation. ...

Testing & Debugging: Building Reliable Financial Tools When working with financial data and calculations, accuracy is essential. A small bug in your code could mean reporting incorrect figures, making flawed investment decisions, or even compliance issues. This post will guide you through testing and debugging techniques that ensure your financial Python code works correctly and reliably. Why Testing Matters in Finance Imagine you’ve created a Python script that calculates loan amortisation schedules. Your company uses this tool to price thousands of loans. If there’s an error in your interest calculation logic, even a small one, the financial impact could be enormous. ...

Part 6: Building a High-Performance Finance Team This post continues my “learning in public” journey as a finance manager. All concepts and frameworks are attributed to their original creators, primarily David Parmenter and other thought leaders in the field. The Finance Team Evolution As finance functions transition from traditional accounting and reporting roles to strategic business partnership, the capabilities and culture of the finance team must evolve accordingly. David Parmenter, in “The Financial Controller and CFO’s Toolkit,” emphasises that “winning finance teams” are distinguished not just by technical competence but by their ability to influence business outcomes. ...

Code Quality & Collaboration: Building Finance Tools That Last As a finance professional learning Python, you’ll soon want to move beyond writing scripts just for yourself. Whether you’re building financial models, automating reporting, or creating data analysis tools, there comes a point when your code needs to be shared with colleagues or even the wider finance community. This post will guide you through best practices for creating high-quality, shareable code. ...