Finance and the Operators

Who this book is for

Người làm tài chính trong doanh nghiệp Việt Nam, kế toán trưởng, phụ trách tài chính, người kiêm cả sổ sách lẫn dòng tiền ở công ty vài chục người. Người đọc là NGƯỜI LÀM NGHỀ: họ giữ con số và phải giải thích chúng, nhưng người quyết chi thường là người khác. Sách nói về tài chính DOANH NGHIỆP, không phải đầu tư hay tài chính cá nhân.

Sound familiar?

• Only consulted after the decision is made, to make the numbers fit.
• Says no so often that people stop asking.
• Presents in financial language, so operators leave still not knowing what to do.
• Doesn't understand operations well enough, so cost-saving proposals are dismissed as unrealistic.

Each chapter answers one question

1. Chapter 1: Why is finance always the one saying no?

   The last time I said no, did I offer any alternative?

   When the cost guardian does not understand operations, every no they say sounds the same.

2. Chapter 2: Should finance people see where the money is made?

   Have I visited the revenue-generating team in person?

   Numbers only mean something once you have seen the work that produces them.

3. Chapter 3: If I'm right, why doesn't anyone get it?

   Do I present numbers in finance language or in theirs?

   Operators do not need to know journal entries; they need to know what this decision changes in their work.

4. Chapter 4: Am I invited to advise, or just to sign?

   At which stage of a major decision am I consulted?

   Being asked after the decision is made is being invited to sign, not to contribute.

5. Chapter 5: Spot something wrong: speak now, or wait for proof?

   I spot an unusual expense; what do I do first?

   Finance people are often the first to see a problem, and speaking up is the hardest part of the job.