CFO Series: Storytelling Your Financials for Impact

Overview

Data alone doesn’t drive decisions, stories do. Financial professionals must go beyond spreadsheets and craft compelling financial narratives that engage boards, CEOs, and team members. Using real-world examples, we’ll demonstrate how to frame financial results within a broader business story, drawing insights and communicating tangible meaning instead of just displaying boring numbers. Learn how to shift from “presenting financials” to telling a story that aligns with strategic goals, inspires confidence, and drives action. This session equips attendees with the tools to turn financial statements into strategic storytelling assets. Our clients do not recall numbers, but they do remember stories. Stories are memorable, we will show you how to use them.

Highlights

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:

Why storytelling always beats data-dumping in financial communication
Anatomy of a great financial story: structure, characters, and turning points
The role of context, trends, and insights in financial messaging
How Apple uses financial storytelling to engage stakeholders
Visual tools and techniques to support your narrative
Communicating with non-financial audiences; clarity without oversimplification

Prerequisites

None, preferably at least six (6) months of professional financial statement analysis experience and/or at least six (6) months of professional experience in preparing or reviewing accounting processes and reports; experience working with internal clients or external clients and business leaders.

Designed For

Accountants in public practice or industry

Objectives

After attending this presentation, you will be able to...

Assess the benefits of storytelling in financial communication.
Recall the elements of telling a story, relate them in a compelling financial narrative, and apply these techniques to enhance board and executive presentations.