How to Align Sales, Finance, and Operations for Smarter Growth

When sales, finance, and operations pull in different directions, growth stalls. But when those teams align, momentum builds fast.In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Marcus Rien (scratch golfer, COO, and CFO turned founder of Waves CPAs) to explore how founders can create operational clarity, unlock faster decision-making, and build systems that support scale. Marcus unpacks real-world examples of silo breakdowns and shares a powerful model for fractional CFO support that integrates with go-to-market teams.You’ll walk away with insights into cash flow strategy, automation tips, and how to make your numbers actually useful across departments.00:00 The Importance of Alignment in Business Functions03:03 The Role of Finance in Business Success05:07 Implementing Effective Collaboration Strategies07:37 The Integrator's Role in Company Dynamics09:57 Consequences of Misalignment in Departments11:58 The Impact of Overselling on Company Culture14:38 Leveraging Financial Insights for Growth17:31 Creating Accountability Through Data19:56 The Dangers of Fudging Numbers23:14 The Psychology of Sales Teams25:33 Operations and Customer Feedback27:10 Collaboration Across Functions27:47 Financial Performance and Sales Strategy31:32 Balancing Optimism in Forecasting34:19 Cohesion in Business Functions36:33 Aligning Sales, Operations, and FinanceCheck out Waves CPAs here: https://wavescpas.com/Growth Department slows the conversation down so founders and business leaders can go further, faster.If this episode helped you think differently, follow the show and share it with someone building alongside you.