Building a Resilient Finance Function in Manufacturing

In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, finance teams in manufacturing organizations often grapple with outdated systems, fragmented data, and manual processes—challenges that become even more complex when managing leased production equipment. This presentation will address how to streamline workflows, automate key tasks, and elevate the role of finance professionals from transactional support to strategic partners within manufacturing.

Attendees will discover proven assessment strategies across people, processes, technology, data, and governance that collectively create a more resilient, agile finance function tailored for manufacturing needs. By leveraging modern tools (including Enterprise Resource Planning reconfigurations and digital transformation solutions), participants will learn how to enhance accuracy, optimize closing processes, and improve reporting integrity, all while reducing audit risks and strengthening internal controls. The session will also highlight how effectively managing leased equipment can unlock operational efficiencies, support production goals, and drive sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector.

Speaker: Greg Kautz, CPA, CMA, CEO of Black Owl Systems Inc.

Greg is a professional accountant with more than 40 years of business leadership experience, primarily in the oil and gas industry. Throughout his career, he has led major initiatives involving enterprise resource planning systems, finance and accounting, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, supply chain management, information technology, and strategic planning.

Before starting his consulting career, Greg served in various executive and senior financial roles, guiding organizations through large-scale projects and complex transitions in the energy sector. He is now the Chief Executive Officer of a software company, Black Owl Systems, specializing in lease accounting, where he focuses on helping businesses streamline compliance and improve financial operations. Greg’s has deep expertise and proven track record in modernizing processes, optimizing systems, and driving sustainable growth in the finance and accounting industry. His LinkedIn is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkautz/.