Speakers:
Naveen Bhadada, CFO
Krishna Hari, CEO, BizTech Solutions Inc.

Introduction:

In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, CFOs are no longer confined to financial statements and budget reviews. They’re stepping into roles as growth enablers, strategic advisors, and digital transformation leaders. Naveen Bhadada, CFO at SUGAR Cosmetics, exemplifies this shift. In a wide-ranging conversation on The BizTech Pulse podcast, he shared how finance can move from the back office to the frontlines of growth — and why the best CFOs are now Chief Value Officers (CVOs).

Redefining the Role: From CFO to CVO

Naveen began his career in FP&A at a large multinational and steadily built his repertoire across Colgate, Pepsi, and other firms before becoming CFO at SUGAR Cosmetics. But his mindset shift came early — during a unique sales-finance role at Pepsi where he worked hand-in-hand with sales leaders on the ground.

“When you work in the field, you stop solving problems academically. You start solving them for real,” he shared.

That experience cemented his belief that finance needs to move beyond number-crunching. Today, he sees the CFO as a Chief Value Officer — someone who brings insight, partners with business teams, and drives both top-line and bottom-line outcomes.

Value Creation Through Technology & Collaboration

Naveen points out that with AI, ML, and automation taking over transactional workloads, finance teams have more bandwidth to think strategically.

“It’s not just about managing the books anymore. It’s about identifying growth levers — in sales, marketing, even HR — and helping other functions perform better.”

For example, in one of his early roles, he led the automation of distributor claims processing — cutting claim cycle time from 60 days to just 5. That freed up massive working capital and removed administrative burdens.

Later, he spearheaded a sales automation initiative that increased the average time a sales rep spent in-store from 10 to 22 minutes — dramatically improving merchandising and adding 80 bps to the bottom line over 18 months.

“You have to first identify the real problem. Break it down. Then apply technology to remove friction and unlock value.”

Turning Cash Surplus into Strategic Strength

While most companies grappled with cash shortages during COVID, Naveen faced the rare challenge of managing excess cash. The task? Repatriate funds to the parent company within a tight regulatory framework.

“Every rupee sent abroad had to pass both RBI scrutiny and tax implications in India and the recipient country. We weren’t just evaluating regulations — we had to plan a compliant, tax-efficient strategy.”
Through close collaboration with banks and leveraging tax treaties, Naveen’s team navigated a complex process — a testament to how modern CFOs must operate at the intersection of finance, law, and international business.

AI and the Modern CFO’s Office

According to Naveen, AI and ML are already transforming how CFOs operate. From real-time cash visibility to risk mitigation, these tools are moving finance from reactive to proactive.

“Five years ago, you had to wait for a monthly report to know your cash position. Today, it’s available at a click — and predictive models can flag risks before they hit.”

Tools like HighRadius, for example, are integrating ERP data with third-party sources like credit bureaus to predict payment defaults and prioritize collections — helping finance teams act in real-time.

How Finance Leaders Can Stay Ahead

So how does a CFO stay on top of this rapid change?
Naveen relies on three sources:

  • Professional networks — from LinkedIn groups to CFO WhatsApp forums.
  • Quarterly conversations with bankers — to explore new fintech products.
  • Industry conferences and panels — for peer insights and forward-looking trends.

“The updates don’t come from textbooks anymore. They come from conversations.”

Advice for Finance Professionals

Naveen closed the conversation with a powerful message for finance teams:

“Step out of your comfort zone. Be innovative. These technologies won’t replace you — they’ll free you up to drive more value.”

He encouraged finance leaders to embrace their role as business partners — not just guardians of the books, but architects of growth.

Closing Thoughts

As finance continues to evolve, leaders like Naveen Bhadada are showing how CFOs can lead from the front. From enabling automation and guiding digital transformation to managing risk and shaping strategy, the modern finance function is becoming a growth engine.

If you’re in finance, ops, or tech — Naveen’s story is a masterclass in how to flip the CFO script and become a real value creator.