Accounting for the Future

As we close out 2025 at Accounting for the Future, this final episode brings together the standout insights around how Canadian businesses are navigating uncertainty. Host Anne-Marie Henson highlights the key conversations that stood out and insights that will continue to shape business strategy well into the year ahead. Some of the topics we revisit include: How uncertainty in public markets is reshaping investment strategies and the signals leaders should watch next, with guest Sunil Sharma, National Leader, Transaction Services and Private Equity, BDO Canada. What the changing interprovincial trade landscape means for business and how to thrive through the transition, with guest Jonathan Kalles, Vice President, McMillan Vantage. How learning and development is emerging as a core driver of resilience and growth, with guest Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning and Development Officer, BDO Canada. And many more topics, from sustainability and generative AI to the evolving impact of women in leadership. Join us as we connect the dots across a year of insights and highlight the takeaways that will help you navigate what's coming next. #accounting #BusinessStrategy #FinanceLeadership   What you'll hear in this episode: 00:00 – Anne-Marie introduces episode 02:05 – How uncertainty in public markets is shaping investment strategies 04:52 – Leveraging strategic planning to thrive through uncertainty 08:50 – Navigating interprovincial trade and policy changes 12:59 – Why board members need to stay informed on regulatory changes 18:37 – The value of finance leaders and boards prioritizing sustainability 23:43 – How women leaders are shaping the finance function 25:51 – Why learning and development is more than a cost centre 30:24 – How generative AI is helping businesses unlock value 33:56 – The role cybersecurity plays in ransomware and nation-state attacks 37:03 – Anne-Marie's closing thoughts   Mentioned: Anne-Marie Henson BDO Canada Sunil Sharma Jonathan Kalles Dr. Keith Keating Quotes: "In these times, I think it's really critical to ensure that your organization has strategic clarity, because it provides organizations with a framework in which to make decisions when the external environment shifts—as it consistently is these days." "Where I believe that we're actually going to see an active change towards more women in the boardroom is women becoming investors. Those that see the opportunity to write the checks and be a part of the deal making. I believe that that's going to actively lead to more women in the boardrooms over time as well." "Strong sustainability data creates value. It can protect value, and it can build transparency that can inform smarter decision-making and create numerous benefits in the business. Again, both from a value creation point of view and also from a value protection point of view, a risk management point of view." "Agility, sometimes, is confused with a quick response, right? In fact, as a board, when you think about agility, it's more around: have you built a culture at the board level of being able to respond to things in a thoughtful way, in a timely way that will allow pivoting? That doesn't necessarily mean we've got to make a quick decision."