CFO Stories: John McAdoo, CFO of Wayfler

John McAdoo is currently the CFO of digital lending platform, Wayflyer. He kickstarted his career at Arthur Andersen in audit before moving into, what was then, the 8th largest company in the world, Novatis (formerly Ciba-Geigy). Following a successful eight years, and with deep knowledge about how a business with such a large market cap operated, John made the decision to join Arm in Cambridge, UK, effectively launching what would become a 20 year stint in Silicon Valley.

Today, John has scaled multiple VC-backed and public companies through capital-intensive growth, having reached the $100M ARR threshold at XX. He's helped raise over $500m in equity and debt financing, led acquisitions and executed turnaround projects. Now based in Dublin, John has some clear opinions on how the mindset in Silicon Valley differs from Europe, and what aspiring CFOs could learn from its straight-talking culture.

In this conversation, John shares how CFOs can become be strategic enablers, creating value, partnering deeply with the business, and helping shape long-term strategy. It’s about understanding what truly drives the business forward — not just monitoring metrics, but ensuring those metrics reflect real value creation. Whether it's setting realistic benchmarks, managing expectations at the board level, or building relationships with founders, John believes the best CFOs are those who see themselves as growth partners.

Key Topics Covered:

• John's early fascination with finance
• The pivotal role of mentorship and early career decisions
• Transitioning from traditional finance roles to strategic leadership
• The impact of cultural differences on business strategies and risk-taking
• Building effective finance teams that drive growth and innovation
• The importance of aligning with the right CEO and leadership team
• Lessons learned from failures in Silicon and how they shape successful careers
• Advice for aspiring CFOs on finding their North Star and making strategic career choices

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introduction: John's move to Dublin and reflections on his career
• 01:36 - Early inspirations and the journey into finance
• 03:10 - The role of mentorship and early career experiences at Arthur Anderson
• 05:15 - Joining Arm and witnessing its transformation into a tech giant
• 06:47 - Evolving the finance function at Arm and implementing strategic systems
• 09:28 - The strategic role of finance in high-growth companies
• 11:54 - The changing role of the CFO in Silicon Valley
• 14:32 - Balancing innovation with financial accountability in tech companies
• 19:26 - The critical CFO-CEO relationship and its impact on company success
• 25:32 - Reflections on Silicon Valley's unique approach to success and failure
• 32:02 - Challenges and strategies in scaling companies from $25 to $100 million ARR
• 34:18 - Final advice for aspiring CFOs: Know your goals and choose your partners wisely

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