The Evolving Role of the CFO

Sponsored by Zezas Media

Instructor:  Peter Dontas, Market Executive, Middle Market

CPE Credits:  1

Learning Objectives:

• How to achieve strategic and responsible growth, both at home and abroad.
• How to retain the best talent, assuring the right people are in place to support growth.
• Creating healthcare and other benefit packages can help manage costs and empower employees.
• Manage an increasingly diverse array of risks.
• Using game changing technology to support growth initiatives and business as a whole.

Program Content/Course Description:

According to the newly released Bank of America Merrill Lynch CFO Outlook report, senior financial executives say they are more confident about the economy in the coming year than they have been since the 2008 recession. Anticipating higher sales and rising profit margins, CFOs are partnering with the CEO and playing a key role in setting corporate direction and identity that goes well beyond the financial function.

Join executives from Bank of America Merrill Lynch as they discuss how today’s CFO is becoming a global and innovative leader, taking on a wide range of initiatives and managing a variety of new risks.  In this dynamic session, subject matter experts will share insights from Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s CFO Outlook report that shows how the CFOs’ role is evolving from tactical to more strategic in the following key areas:

• Growing Globally:  Since 54 percent of companies already have or plan to do business internationally, and many do business in two or more regions, understanding the complexities of global growth will be critical to the CFO’s evolution and success
• Data Management and Security: Given that recent data breaches and new technologies have moved data security and fraud to the top of the list of risk concerns for CFOs, major data management and security plans are now a requirement
• Hiring and Retaining Talent:  53 percent of CFOs expect to hire new employees in 2015, making strategies for hiring the right skilled talent and retaining them paramount for business growth in 2015 and beyond
• Managing Risk:  As growth is sought in 2015 and thereafter– globally, organically, or in the markets – a  more thorough look at risk is needed to uncover vulnerabilities
• Technology and Innovation Challenges: Most firms plan to grow through market penetration, expansion, or introduction of new products, which entails a deep understanding of advanced technologies, efficiencies, the needs of clients, and their competition, to attain the necessary edge

Peter Dontas
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Market Executive, Middle Market

Peter Dontas has served as Bank of America Market Executive for Commercial and Middle Market Banking since 2004.  In this role, he is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of commercial lending, treasury management and investment banking services to corporations within the state. Currently, he manages nine associates responsible for relationships with companies ranging from $50 million to $2 billion in revenues. During this time, revenues for this have more than doubled, and loan outstandings and deposits growth have outpaced the industry.

From 2001 to 2003, Dontas was the Team Leader for Fleet Bank’s Mid Market Banking Corporate Group.   Prior to that, he was a senior vice president in Mellon Bank’s middle market lending organization with responsibility for the New Jersey and Long Island offices.  In addition to providing solutions to credit needs, his team was responsible for cross-selling cash management, defined benefit and contribution plans, wealth management, foreign exchange and interest rate hedge products.

Mr. Dontas began his banking career with the former Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company in 1983, where he worked in retail finance with the company’s finance company subsidiary, until 1985.  He later held positions of increasing responsibility with First National Bank of Central Jersey and United Jersey bank, before joining Mellon Bank in 1994 as a vice president in its New Jersey middle market unit.

Mr. Dontas holds a BS and MBA in finance from Rider University.  He serves on the boards of such charitable organizations in New Jersey including NJ After 3, NJ Bankers, The Boys and Girls Club of Trenton, and the American Conference on Diversity. Peter lives in Spring Lake, New Jersey with his wife, Karen, and two children.

NASD Series 7, 24 and 63 Certifications were completed in 2006.

Zezas Media (NASBA sponsor number 131860), parent of CFO Studio, is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors.  In each state, the governing board of accountancy has final authority as to the qualification of courses for CPE credit.  Complaints pertaining to registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website at www.learningmarket.org.

Cancellation policy:  CPE credits are available to actively employed CFOs who are CPAs attending this presentation at no cost.  Because of this, there is no refund policy.  CFOs may cancel their registration to attend this presentation any time up until the date and time of the presentation on May 12.