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Finance Leader Academy

From Technical Expert to Strategic Finance Leader

You already know the numbers. Now develop the mindset, influence, and executive communication skills that turn finance professionals into trusted business partners and future CFOs.

Preview The CFO Mindset Course Listen to The Finance Leader Podcast

You're Good at Your Job

But Is That Enough to Advance?

You close the books accurately.
You build the models.
You analyze the variance.
You prepare the reports.

And yet…

You’re not always in the room when the biggest decisions are made.

Your insights are shared — but not always acted on.
Your analysis is thorough — but not always influential.
Your potential is clear — but the promotion doesn’t automatically follow.

Because in today’s organizations, technical skill is expected.

Strategic influence is rare.

The Real Career Gap Isn't Technical

Most finance professionals are trained to report what happened.

Very few are trained to:

Shape what happens next
Challenge assumptions with confidence
Communicate insights in executive language
Build cross-functional credibility
Align financial analysis directly to business strategy

That’s the gap between being respected for accuracy…
and being trusted for leadership.

Finance Leader Academy Exists to Close That Gap

We help ambitious finance professionals develop the strategic mindset, business acumen, and executive presence required to:

✔ Influence decisions — not just explain results
✔ Partner effectively with operations and senior leadership
✔ Communicate with clarity and authority
✔ Position themselves for promotion and greater impact

Because the next level of your career isn’t about knowing more formulas.

It’s about thinking, communicating, and leading differently.

Preview The CFO Mindset Course

Ready to think beyond the numbers and step into strategic leadership? Preview The CFO Mindset today and see how you can transform from financial reporter to trusted strategic advisor.

See More Information About the Free Preview

How We Can Help You

The Finance Leader Podcast

A weekly podcast with new episodes released every Tuesday covering topics to help you grow your leadership skills as Finance and Accounting Professionals.

Go to the Podcast

Leadership Courses

Improving your Leadership skills can set you apart from your peers. Leadership is centered around Influence, Growing Others, Achieving Results, and Seeing the Future.

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Grow Your Skills

We have a selection of PDF formatted, immediate downloadable guides to help you develop your skills and leadership. You can go to our store to learn more.

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Founder - Stephen McLain

Finance Leader Academy was founded by Stephen McLain, who is also the Host of The Finance Leader Podcast. Stephen is a retired United States Army Finance Officer who has worked on several Corporate Finance and Accounting Teams as a Business Consultant.

We have two goals for Finance Leader Academy: 1) to help Finance and Accounting professionals advance their careers through leadership, a growth mindset, and a written long-term plan, and 2) to help organizations transform their finance processes.

Stephen is also a Guest Instructor for The Finance Executive Accelerator hosted by Wassia Kamon. Stephen presents a class on The CFO Mindset, where he explains how to build your strategic mindset roadmap.

Learn More About Stephen Work With Stephen - Explore Our Services

Please enjoy this clip from The Finance Leader Podcast

Episode 137 - Interview with Steve Crowley & Brian Reece

You can find the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts

DISMISS MESSAGE

Go to The Finance Leader Podcast

Elevate Your Career

Learn Leadership

Leadership is about influencing positive outcomes. Grow the people around you so you make them better, and learn to partner with senior leaders to help execute the strategy.

Episode 81 - Finance Leadership

Growth Mindset

Believe that you can grow and develop into the role you desire. Your mindset is everything. If you change your mindset, you will change your outcome!

Episode 64 - The CFO Mindset

Accountability Strategy

Develop an accountability strategy that prioritizes your goals especially when faced with life obstacles and our habits. Write a plan that focuses on your purpose.

Episode 128 - Accountability

Leadership Is Key To Your Advancement

Stephen McLain, Host of The Finance Leader Podcast and Founder of Finance Leader Academy

Blog Posts

Check out our recent posts

The Power of an Outside Perspective: How Fractional CFO Insight Str...

Embracing Change and Driving Success for Finance Leaders

Customer Traffic Considerations During Competitor Disruptions

A Few Amazing Resources We Offer

Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy

To advance your career, you must set yourself apart from your peers, and you must be marketing yourself constantly. Showing up every day and completing your daily tasks, even to a high degree of excellence will not guarantee a promotion. In this on-demand, self-paced course, we will cover ways to set yourself apart including growing your leadership skills and developing your Executive Presence.

$47.00 USD

On-Demand, Self-Paced Course: Conflict Management: Respond, Don't React - Individual License

Do you have a public-facing job who often becomes the target of rage? Are you frustrated or stressed over the possibility? This course provides the tools and tips to respond to a hostile customer instead of falling into the trap of the aggressor. Our workplaces are increasingly becoming flashpoints for emotional meltdowns and hijackings. Whether it’s customer service or performance feedback, the opportunities for emotions getting out of control are everywhere every day. This program will empower public-facing employees to apply emotional intelligence and body language to ease tensions before they blow up. Initial purchase will get One one-time-use license for yourself, plus access for the lifetime of the course. You can retake the training as many times as they need to during the lifetime of the course.

$97.00 USD

Coaching & Performance Counseling Workbook

This workbook will help leaders to prepare and conduct counseling with the focus on improving work performance of their team members. Improving your own performance as a team manager on a corporate team starts with cultivating self-awareness and seeking regular feedback from both your team and peers. Focus on strengthening your communication—be clear, transparent, and intentional in how you set expectations, deliver feedback, and support collaboration. Prioritize active listening to understand team needs, challenges, and opportunities for development. Sharpen your decision-making and strategic thinking by aligning daily actions with broader organizational goals. Continuously invest in your own leadership skills through learning, reflection, and mentoring.

$9.00 USD

Download a Free Copy of the Become a Finance Leader Guide

Receive a free guide for Finance and Accounting professionals designed to grow your Finance Leadership. The guide will be emailed to you. We will not share your information.

Download the Free Guide

Check out the Selected Finance Leader Merch!

More items are available in the merch store