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The Financial Executives Networking Group (The FENG)

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Build meaningful relationships with 25,000+ CFOs, Controllers, and Treasurers (and other top financial executives) across all industries.

Learn

Access expert tactical insights through peer networking, editorials, and thought leadership content from financial leaders sharing real-world experience.

Grow

Attend one of 400+ annual events hosted by 80+ U.S. and International Chapters, plus 40+ Special Interest Groups; access Job Leads, Career/Job Clubs, peer referrals, and insider opportunities.

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Share your knowledge and experience by guiding and mentoring other members. Take on a chapter, club, or committee leadership role. Donate to our 501(c)(3) to support our operations.

Upcoming Events

Connect with peers, learn from industry leaders, and stay engaged. View the full event calendar.

Read, Listen, and Watch

The Financial Executives Journal (FEJ), The Financial Executives Edge (FEE) Podcast, and our YouTube Channel (@TheFENGorg) provide a continuous stream of practical, peer-driven thought leadership for today’s financial executive.

About Us
Double-Edged-Shield

SPOTLIGHT: AI and Cybersecurity

The Financial Executives Journal

Cybersecurity is evolving faster than ever, powered by artificial intelligence. AI is transforming how organizations detect threats, predict vulnerabilities, and respond in real time—turning cybersecurity from a reactive necessity into a strategic business advantage.

I invite forward-thinking leaders, AI innovators, and cybersecurity experts to share insights on how AI is reshaping the security landscape, driving enterprise resilience, and unlocking new growth opportunities.

Read the Spotlight Articles
Ep-11-The-Illusion-of-Control-Wide-720x480

PODCAST: The Illusion of Control: Cybersecurity, AI and the Risks Beneath the Surface

The Financial Executives Edge

The conversation around cybersecurity and AI is often dominated by visible threats: ransomware, phishing attacks, data breaches, and the race to deploy more advanced tools. But some of the most significant risks organizations face today are not the ones making headlines. They are the hidden structural weaknesses quietly building beneath the surface of modern enterprises.

In this episode, we explore cybersecurity through a lens that is often overlooked: the growing disconnects between where organizations believe risk exists and where exposure is actually building.

Listen to the Podcast
World-Class CFO

Top 5 Lessons to Become a World Class CFO & Beyond

Unlock Leadership, Influence & Career Acceleration

Are you operating like a top-tier CFO or just keeping up? What separates world-class CFOs from the rest? What skills will elevate you to the next level of leadership and influence? And what’s holding you back that you don’t even realize?

Many financial executives hit a plateau because they rely on the same skills that got them here. But as the saying goes: “What got you here won’t get you there.” In this exclusive FENG session, Julie Jackle, Founder & CEO of Growth Axis, will share the 5 key lessons she’s learned from 17 years of coaching elite CFOs and CEOs. 

Watch on YouTube

Career Management Editorials

Always take the high road

America is a great place, isn’t it? Everything is always someone else’s fault. I guess this is why Americans are so quick to sue. After all, we can’t take the blame for that which has happened to us. There were significant mitigating factors. Primarily due to, partially offset by. I’m sure you are familiar with the approach. All right, perhaps I shouldn’t have made those disparaging remarks about the way the boss dressed and how he always came in late, but I only mentioned it to most of his staff. And, I was only kidding. Actually, I am only kidding here. But, I thought I would make the point that it is human nature to come up with some explanation as to why we left our last job or why we are thinking of leaving our current job. Key to success in responding to this kind of a question is not to do any “blame shifting.” I was speaking to one of our members several years ago and his tale of job hunting success highlighted this issue, so, I asked him to “write it up,” which he did. Dear Matt, It's important to always take the high road in your interactions with others. I was recently in an interview. The questions were unusually tough. Then came what may have been a bombshell! The CEO said, "It says on your application that you left one of your jobs to pursue a better opportunity, but when I talked to your reference there, he said there was some tension between you and your last boss . . . tell me about that?" What had my reference said? I thought we had a good relationship!? Was I wrong? Did this reference bag me? Oh @#$%! All things that went through my mind . . . but one has only seconds to think . . . don't panic . . . think . . . a pause is never as long as you think . . . be positive. I admitted there was some tension there. We had differing professional views on how to run the organization that he had founded. We discussed these issues openly, but in the end we were having difficulty reaching an agreement. So, when a better opportunity came along, I pursued it! The CEO looked at me and asked, "Were you aware they fired your former boss shortly after you left?" Yes, I replied, I was aware of that fact. He paused and then said, "How gracious of you not to bring that up!" I talked to my reference later that day . . . he had been positive about me and negative about my former boss! The CEO interviewing me managed to read between the lines and test me to see what I would say about someone with whom I had a rough relationship. I got the job and believe it may have been in some part due to my handling of this situation. It would have been easy (and fun) to trash the old boss (we've all been there) . . . but that's something best done with a close friend in private! In a public situation . . . always take the high road! Anonymous FENG Member The lesson here is that we have all met folks that Will Rodgers never met. (He’s the guy who said “I never met a man I didn’t like.” I guess Will didn’t get out much.) But the truth is that you never come out looking like a winner discussing it with those who haven’t met them. Sing along with me: “I’ll take the high road and let him take the low road, and I’ll get to job land before him.” (I may sound a little off key, but hey, I’m a financial guy, not a vocalist.) Regards, Matt
Jul 30, 2026

You sure can rattle on

Breathing is a very important activity. And, during an interview, you should be doing a lot of it. The guideline we begin our lives with is the ever popular 90 second announcement. I hope that all of you have mastered this art form. The 90 second announcement is an important tool in your job search because you have so many opportunities to speak briefly with others and impart some wisdom about who you are and what you do. It is also the world’s best answer to that question that begins most interviews: Tell me about yourself. So, find lots of opportunities to practice your 90 second announcement. Primarily due to, partially offset by. Is there any question that we can answer briefly? Hard to believe but most of the rest of the world isn’t all that interested in the exact details about anything. Focus on the meaning of the question that has been asked and try to come up with only the essential information. If you are going to tell your story and respond to questions that are raised in an interviewing environment, it is important that you keep your answers brief and on task. An interview is usually no more than an hour, and every moment is a valuable opportunity for you to communicate your value. What you need to do more than anything else is watch for signals from the interviewer that they want you to move on. (If they fall asleep, for example, that would be a signal to stop.) For typical questions 2-3 minutes is about the limit. After you have answered the bulk of the question, pause and see if the interviewer has another question or is satisfied with your response. Then and only then might it be okay to provide additional information. There is a long list of typical interview questions on our website if you want to practice. That said, you should already have in mind the kinds of questions you might anticipate will be asked. Why did you leave your last job? This is a question that should always be answered briefly. The inquiring mind wants to know. But as lawyers say: question asked, question answered. Once you stop, there rarely is a follow up question. They just want to know, and you have told them. While it is impolite to keep looking at your watch, when you practice you should put a timer on your responses. Think of the entire interview as a blank sheet of paper. As with your resume you only get 2 or 3 pages tops. How you fill in the time, whether wisely or not, will impact your chances of getting that golden opportunity. Remember, a good salesman knows when to shut up. Keep talking and you can easily undo a sale that has been made. Regards, Matt
Jul 29, 2026

A 1,000 words (plus or minus)

I assume that almost all of you have a LinkedIn account. I don’t know how each of you use it, but in addition to looking up your fellow members using our Member Directory Search feature, I strongly recommend that you check LinkedIn prior to connecting with just about everyone. If nothing else, LinkedIn is the world’s largest annotated phone book. As Yogi Berra might have said, you can see a lot just by looking. You’ve got nothing to lose and a lot to gain checking out what people say about themselves. I will leave it to others to lecture you on how to create a proper LinkedIn profile. We have all heard the expression that a picture is worth a thousand words. I’m sure it’s only 999, but why quibble? As an amateur photographer of sorts, I take a lot of pictures. Thank goodness today it doesn’t cost anything. (That’s my inner accountant speaking.) As much as I like to save money, there are times when you shouldn’t. And, the picture you have on LinkedIn is one of those times. The thought “just plain ugly” has crossed my mind many times when looking people up. I am totally astounded that people would use such totally inappropriate pictures on a resource that they should KNOW is going to be referenced by anyone they are planning to meet. Blurred pictures, pictures of you on vacation, pictures of you with someone else… (should I go on and on? I can.) None of these are going to position you as a senior financial professional in the eyes of the “outside” world. As one of my good friends said all the time: “Don’t make your first impression your last.” I don’t know who said it, but another favorite of mine is: Everything about you communicates when I have no base of information about you. (I think I made this one up.) For example, if 10 times I see you in a suit with polished shoes and a nice tie, and once I see you at a purely social event where everyone is dressed in barbeque attire, my mental picture of you remains a suit with polished shoes and a nice tie. Instead of searching the family electronic album for a picture taken by one of your children (or in my case your grandchildren), you honestly need to open up that wallet and have your picture taken professionally. Don’t go crazy and spend a lot of money, but for small change, you should be able to get an appropriate BUSINESS appearing picture created for less than $100. Even a passport picture would be better than most of the pictures I see on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a BUSINESS social networking environment. Make sure your picture on LinkedIn reflects a proper business appearance. It will pay off 1,000 fold. (Or, at least 999.) Regards, Matt
Jul 28, 2026

Member Testimonials

After being unexpectedly let go from a senior financial leadership role at age 40, Steve found himself navigating a job search he had never prepared for. Without a roadmap, he struggled — until he joined The FENG. Through peer-level support, disciplined networking, and proven career strategies, Steve rebuilt his confidence and approach. Within six months, he landed the best role of his career. Today, he continues to support The FENG so other financial executives can find clarity, connection, and their next great opportunity.

Steve Cary, Inside Out Partners

Marty joined The FENG in 2015 after a prolonged period of financial instability and layoffs at his company finally resulted in his own job loss. Introduced to the organization by a co-worker, he used FENG’s guidance to navigate periods of transition, taking on temporary assignments he may have otherwise overlooked. Through the newsletters and practical job-search discipline he learned, Marty stayed engaged even after landing a role that lasted seven years.
Years later, when his next employer began facing financial trouble, Marty began preparing early — using FENG’s resume approach. That preparation paid off: a recruiter found him, driven by the depth of his full career history, not just recent roles. He secured a new leadership position and started within weeks. Marty credits The FENG for helping him stay ready, visible, and strategically positioned throughout his career.

Marty Kierzek, Director of Finance, Axelent, Inc.

After spending more than two decades building a stable executive career with a global energy company, Steve’s role was eliminated following a major corporate merger at age 46. Suddenly in transition, he joined The FENG and fully committed to the process — attending chapter meetings, refining his resume, and applying disciplined networking strategies from the nightly newsletters.
After nearly a year of searching, Steve discovered a role through a FENG newsletter listing that was not posted anywhere else. He secured the position and went on to spend 16 years with the company, achieving greater professional and financial success than he thought possible. Even in retirement, Steve continues to support The FENG, crediting the organization with changing the trajectory of his career.

Karen Justice, Managing Partner

Membership Benefits:

  • Trusted Job Leads
  • Presentations, Panel Discussions
  • Career/Job Clubs
  • Mentoring and Résumé Reviews
  • Elevate thought leadership through The Financial Executives Journal
  • Elite-Level Executive Networking

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Built by Financial Executives, for Financial Executives

two financial executives telling war stories to each other

The Power of Networking. The Power of Friendships.

Born from one executive’s simple idea, The Financial Executives Networking Group began in 1991 as a small circle of twelve finance leaders who believed in one uncommon principle: generosity first. In the early years, Matt Bud joined the group and soon took on a leadership role, helping nurture the philosophy that would guide its growth into a worldwide community of more than 25,000 senior-level professionals — all still connected by the same spirit that launched it.
At The FENG, our mission is simple and human: to support one another through every chapter of a financial career — working, searching, transitioning, consulting, and even into retirement. We are a community built on lifelong networking, knowledge-sharing, and the understanding that no executive should navigate their career alone.
And at the heart of it all is reciprocity. We have a shared expectation that every member gives as much as they receive. This ethos has guided our community from day one and continues to shape who we are today: a network of leaders lifting one another up, one connection at a time.

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