Kottayam, Kerala – August 29, 2025 — Finance leadership took center stage last evening as global finance professional CA. Jishore Abic, FCA launched his latest book, “I AM THE CFO: Your Guide to Modern Financial Leadership”, at Hotel Indraprastha, Kottayam. The release, officiated by CA. Manosh Mani, FCA, Chairman of SICASA-Kottayam, was attended by chartered accountants, senior executives, finance students, and members of the media.
More than a book unveiling, the event was framed as the beginning of a new dialogue in financial leadership—one that positions the Chief Financial Officer not as a traditional custodian of accounts, but as a strategic architect of the future.
A New Manifesto for Financial Leadership
At its core, I AM THE CFO challenges long-held perceptions about the CFO role. Far from being defined by spreadsheets, compliance, and reporting cycles, the modern CFO, argues Abic, must evolve into a Chief Future Officer—a leader who combines technical mastery with strategic foresight, ethical conviction, and influence across the organization.
“This is not just about interpreting financial results,” Abic explained during the launch. “It is about shaping the organization’s direction, embedding trust in its culture, and aligning profit with principle.”
The Author’s Personal Journey
The philosophy is underpinned by Abic’s own professional journey. Raised in Kerala, his early academic career was marked by setbacks—he failed entrance examinations for medicine and engineering. Yet, through resilience and focus, he excelled in mathematics, graduating with a gold medal, and went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.
Over the next 25 years, including two decades in the UAE, he served in senior financial leadership roles across construction, healthcare, and infrastructure, leading high-stakes mergers, corporate restructurings, and organizational turnarounds. His path from small-village beginnings to global boardrooms lends authenticity to the lessons presented in the book.
Structure and Themes of the Book
The 400-page volume is structured around four major themes, each offering practical insights and case-based reflections:
- Claim Your Identity — Leadership is not conferred by title but by decision. The CFO mindset begins long before formal appointment.
- Lead with Purpose — Finance must move beyond transactional accuracy to strategic transformation and value creation.
- Courage in Crisis — Resilience and principled decision-making are most visible when organizations face disruption and uncertainty.
- Build Your Legacy Now — Leadership is ultimately measured not by personal advancement but by the impact left on institutions, teams, and society.
These themes are presented through a blend of narrative and frameworks. They are relevant not only for aspiring CFOs but also for finance professionals at every stage—students, analysts, controllers, and mid-career leaders seeking fresh momentum.
Why the Message Is Timely
The book’s release is set against a backdrop of global change. From the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical realignments, from inflationary pressures to AI-driven transformation, businesses are navigating unprecedented complexity. At the same time, the rise of ESG considerations is redefining how organizations measure success.
In this landscape, the CFO role has shifted decisively from back-office to front-line leadership. The ability to interpret numbers is no longer sufficient; leaders must also be storytellers of strategy, curators of trust, and navigators of disruption.
As Abic notes: “Too many professionals wait for recognition before stepping forward. But no one arrives with a crown and declares you CFO. You must step into that identity from within.”
Endorsements from Global Leadership
Adding weight to the publication is a foreword by Ziad Makhzoumi, an internationally recognized CEO and transformational leader. Makhzoumi writes:
“This book is not a technical manual. It is a manifesto. It redefines the CFO as an architect of value, a navigator of complexity, and a co-pilot of purpose-driven growth.”
Makhzoumi’s perspective, shaped by decades in construction, healthcare, and private equity, underscores the book’s global applicability and relevance.
A Trilogy of Vision
I AM THE CFO is the second installment in Abic’s planned trilogy on modern leadership. His first book, BORED of DIRECTORS, addressed corporate governance and boardroom engagement, receiving wide recognition for its clarity and accessibility.
The third, currently in development, will focus on workplace culture and organizational dynamics—completing a comprehensive roadmap that spans governance, financial leadership, and culture transformation.
Event Highlights
The launch event itself highlighted the profession’s appetite for renewal. Senior accountants reflected on the evolving demands placed on finance leaders, while students spoke of their aspirations to lead beyond technical mastery.
In his remarks, CA. Manosh Mani described the book as “a timely contribution that combines personal authenticity with professional authority.” He emphasized its value not only for chartered accountants but for the wider business community navigating transformation.
Broader Relevance Beyond Finance
Though written from the vantage point of a CFO, the principles within I AM THE CFO are deliberately broad. Themes of purpose-driven leadership, resilience in crisis, and legacy-building carry resonance for entrepreneurs, healthcare leaders, educators, and professionals across industries.
The central proposition—that leadership is not granted by position but claimed through conviction—applies universally. In that sense, the book speaks less to a single profession and more to a mindset of leadership relevant in today’s volatile environment.
Availability
You can now purchase “I AM THE CFO” on the following platforms:
- Amazon.in
- Amazon.co.uk
- Amazon.com
- Notion Press
- Flipkart
About the Author
CA. Jishore Abic, FCA, recognized among the Global Power Leaders in Finance 2024, is a CFO, board advisor, and mentor with over 25 years of cross-sector experience. His career has spanned healthcare, construction, and infrastructure, where he has overseen transformative mergers, strategic turnarounds, and organizational growth.
He is also the co-founder of ABIC & MANI, an audit and advisory firm, and a sought-after speaker on leadership, governance, and financial transformation.
Outside his professional achievements, Abic draws inspiration from his family—wife Rosemary and children Jonathan and Agnella—whom he credits as his anchors of resilience and motivation.
In combining professional narrative, strategic frameworks, and global perspectives, I AM THE CFO positions itself as more than a finance book. It is both a pressing call and a practical guide: urging professionals to step beyond routine, embody vision, and lead with integrity.
For finance professionals, it offers a blueprint to transition from operational accuracy to strategic influence. For leaders in other domains, it provides a reminder that leadership is not about hierarchy but about mindset.
As disruption becomes the new normal, Abic’s message is pointed and timely: “The journey does not begin when you receive the title. It begins the moment you believe you are already worthy of it.”
For Media Inquiries, Review Copies, or Interview Requests:
📧 Email: ja@jishoreabic.com
📱 WhatsApp: +971 55 166 0188 (UAE) | +91 70254 08099 (India)
