From Public Accounting to CFO: The Leadership Wake-Up Call
The CFO seat is being rewritten in real time. Today’s finance leaders are expected to drive growth, lead enterprise-wide systems transformations, and shape AI strategy—while still keeping the close, controls, and capital story airtight. Gartner reports that 59% of finance leaders are already using AI in the finance function, underscoring how rapidly the role is expanding beyond traditional reporting. And the stakes are steep: McKinsey estimates that roughly 70% of large-scale transformations fail, meaning CFOs aren’t just participating in change—they’re accountable for whether it succeeds.
So what happens when a high-performing audit partner steps into industry and realizes the job isn’t just “finance leadership,” it’s people leadership, operating leadership, and change leadership—all at once?
That’s the core question behind this episode: How do you make the leap from public accounting success to CFO effectiveness—without getting blindsided by what you don’t know you don’t know?
In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host Troy Ashby sits down with Melinda Lawrence, a former audit partner turned growth-focused CFO, to unpack the real transition: from managing project-based audit teams to running an enduring finance organization, leading across the business, and building the leadership habits that make (or break) a CFO’s first year.
What you’ll learn…
- The Comp Plan Moment That Changed Everything
How one early CFO meeting exposed the gap between public accounting success and operational leadership—and why saying “I don’t know” is a strength. - From EY Partner to First-Time CFO
What really changes when you move from advising businesses to running one. - You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
Why the biggest leadership risks aren’t technical—they’re the blind spots you haven’t yet encountered. - Leading Departments vs. Audit Teams
The critical shift from managing project-based sprints to building and sustaining high-performing teams. - Hiring the Right Leaders (And Checking References)
How intentional reference checks and patience in hiring protect your culture and performance. - Building a Strong Onboarding Plan
Why every leader should personally own onboarding—and what great first 90 days look like. - Why Feedback Shouldn’t Be Formal
How real-time, everyday feedback drives growth better than annual reviews. - Burnout, Self-Awareness & C-Suite Pressure
The hidden emotional demands of executive leadership—and why awareness is the first defense. - Moving to Paris and Doing Hard Things
How an international leap during industry upheaval built resilience and perspective. - The Importance of Community in Leadership
Why CFOs need trusted peer networks—and how community reduces isolation at the top.
Melinda Lawrence is a growth-focused CFO known for leading organizations through transformation while maintaining a steady, people-first leadership style. She began her career in public accounting, spending two decades at Andersen and EY — including time in both Chicago and Paris — before becoming an audit partner in EY’s Dallas office.
Over the past 13 years, Melinda has held senior leadership roles across private equity, venture-backed, and founder-led companies, guiding organizations through M&A, system transformations, capital raises, and international expansion. She’s especially proud of building high-performing teams, developing strong professional networks, and stepping into leadership roles where she was often the first — or only — woman in the room.
Outside of work, Melinda is deeply involved in community leadership, serves on multiple advisory boards, and is a proud Horned Frogs fan. She and her spouse, Stacey, live in Richardson with their three kids and two rescue dogs, and love traveling, staying active, and spending time outdoors together.
