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The Finance Leader Podcast

The Finance Leader Podcast

Written by: Stephen McLain
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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.


Start with the trailer, then subscribe so you never miss an episode. Thank you!

© 2026 The Finance Leader Podcast
Careers Economics Education Management Management & Leadership Personal Success
Episodes
  • Small Business Series - A Practical Pricing Checkup, Are You Charging Enough (Ep 3)
    Aug 18 2026

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    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 you are not charging enough for what you already sell? When pricing is off, it quietly hits revenue, profit margin, and cash flow all at once, and “more sales” can actually magnify the damage.

    The goal is not to charge the highest price possible, but to set a sustainable price that matches customer value, market conditions, and the profitability your business needs to grow. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review with the pricing challenge you are facing right now.


    Please connect with me on:

    1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
    2. Twitter: smclainiii
    3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
    4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

    For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy: financeleaderacademy.com.

    Support the show

    Stephen is an experienced Finance Professional and Leader who offers fractional CFO services and development opportunities. Please visit his LinkedIn profile or Finance Leader Academy for more information.

    The views and information shared on The Finance Leader Podcast are intended solely for educational and informational purposes. They do not constitute financial, accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified professional before making decisions related to your specific circumstances.

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    10 mins
  • Small Business Series - Why Profitable Businesses Still Run Out of Cash (Ep 2)
    Aug 11 2026

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    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 while still running out of money. Cash flow is the fuel that keeps operations moving, and when you don’t manage the timing of cash in and cash out, even a “good” month can turn into a scramble to cover payroll, rent, taxes, and loan payments.

    Please connect with me on:

    1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
    2. Twitter: smclainiii
    3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
    4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

    For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy: financeleaderacademy.com.

    Support the show

    Stephen is an experienced Finance Professional and Leader who offers fractional CFO services and development opportunities. Please visit his LinkedIn profile or Finance Leader Academy for more information.

    The views and information shared on The Finance Leader Podcast are intended solely for educational and informational purposes. They do not constitute financial, accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified professional before making decisions related to your specific circumstances.

    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • Small Business Series - Why Sales Growth Can Still Feel Like Struggle (Ep 1)
    Aug 6 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    Bonus episode # 98: Revenue can be up and your stress can still be up right along with it. If your business is selling more but cash feels tight, your credit card is creeping higher, and you cannot explain where the money went, we are looking at the wrong scoreboard.

    We walk through the difference between revenue, gross profit, and net profit in plain language, then use a simple real-world example to show how “great sales” can turn into surprisingly small profit once direct costs and overhead hit. From underpricing and discounting to growth-driven expenses like contractors, software, ads, inventory, and equipment, we lay out the most common reasons sales volume can hide weak margins. We also call out the hidden costs that quietly erase your wins, including revisions, admin time, payment processing fees, travel, rework, and unpaid consultations.

    Please connect with me on:

    1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
    2. Twitter: smclainiii
    3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
    4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

    For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy: financeleaderacademy.com.

    Support the show

    Stephen is an experienced Finance Professional and Leader who offers fractional CFO services and development opportunities. Please visit his LinkedIn profile or Finance Leader Academy for more information.

    The views and information shared on The Finance Leader Podcast are intended solely for educational and informational purposes. They do not constitute financial, accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified professional before making decisions related to your specific circumstances.

    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
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