Where AI Actually Earns Its Keep in the CFO’s Office

AI in finance is everywhere right now — but where does it actually drive measurable value?

In our latest blog, Newport’s Bill Loughman and Tom Lytle break down where AI is truly earning its keep in the CFO’s office, from accelerating the financial close and improving forecasting to strengthening controls and optimizing spend.

Their advice? Start small, focus on measurable ROI, and treat AI like any other core business process: tested, monitored, and built to deliver results.

Read the full blog for more.

Trust builds companies.

Discipline sustains them.

As private companies grow, relying on informal oversight and personal judgment creates inconsistency and risk. Disciplined performance management isn’t about bureaucracy — it’s about clarity, fairness, and scale.

The next part of our Built to Scale series by Newport partner Susan Kearney explores why growth requires more than good intentions.

Read the full blog to learn more.

Missed the first parts? Start here: https://bit.ly/4uRPPyY

Then, in part two, we go deeper: https://bit.ly/3SohrhO

In part three, we explore why infrastructure, not individual effort, is essential to growing enterprise value: https://bit.ly/3QjbxOl

And in the latest part, we discuss why clear strategic alignment is essential as proximity fades: https://bit.ly/4oRKWEQ

How do you build a sustainable business while maximizing limited resources?

In the latest episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett speaks with Andy Crestodina, Co-founder and CMO of Orbit Media, about growing an award-winning digital agency through smart delegation, organic growth, and a focus on delivering measurable results.

Andy shares insights on:

• Using AI to better understand customers and improve conversions

• Optimizing websites to create predictable sales opportunities

• The importance of early hires and delegation

• Why in-person networking still matters

Whether you're scaling a business or refining your marketing strategy, this episode offers practical advice for driving long-term growth.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Vero Beach for a thought-provoking C-Suite discussion on No Man’s Land.

Newport Chairman and Founder Doug Tatum led the conversation, sharing insights on the unique challenges growing companies face as they navigate the space between startup success and sustainable scale. Attendees explored strategies for overcoming growth barriers, strengthening leadership, and positioning their organizations for long-term success.

We appreciate the opportunity to connect with such an engaged group of executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, and thank our partners at Lowndes and C.R.E.S.T. for helping bring this event to life.

Complimentary Insight Session

Would you invest 30 minutes to gain insights into your business guided by a Newport Partner?

Sign up here for a complimentary business conditions review based on your objectives, challenges, current state of your business, and annual revenue range.

We’ll get right back to you to schedule a free session that will explore how you can move forward with confidence.

Newport LLC

50 California Street, Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94111, United States

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