When businesses don’t have reliable and efficient payment systems, they often face issues like missed or delayed payments, manual errors, poor cash flow visibility, and a higher risk of fraud. These problems can slow down operations and make it harder to grow or compete.
That’s where strong financial technology leadership makes a real difference. These leaders go beyond managing finances-they help companies use technology to simplify complex processes. By setting up automated systems that connect directly to a company’s existing tools, they allow businesses to outsource tasks like accounts payable without losing control. This leads to faster payments, fewer mistakes, and better insights into spending.
At the same time, leadership with a fintech strategy can help to ensure compliance, support global growth, and guide product innovation. As new technologies like AI and blockchain continue to shape the industry, leaders with growth mindsets help companies adapt quickly and stay ahead. By blending strategic thinking with hands-on execution, leaders can help to improve operations and deliver real value to customers.
One such leader is Alissa Vickery, Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) and former Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Corpay, a global payments company. She plays a key role in driving the company’s financial strength and strategic direction. With over 20 years of experience in public accounting and corporate finance, she brings deep expertise in financial reporting, compliance, and operational controls.
Since joining Corpay shortly after its initial public offering in 2010, she has been instrumental in scaling its finance and accounting functions globally. One of her major contributions includes helping shepherd the company through more than 60 acquisitions, significantly expanding its product portfolio and international presence.
Alissa Vickery also served on the leadership team that redefined the company’s core business segments-corporate payments, vehicle-related payments, and lodging payments-simplifying its growth strategy and enhancing customer focus.
Under her leadership, Corpay’s revenue has grown from approximately $300 million to over $4 billion, supported by initiatives in automation, analytics, and payment technology. Her ability to balance strategic vision with operational discipline continues to position Corpay as a leader in the fintech space.
Two-Decade Journey in Finance
Alissa Vickery began her career over 20 years ago in public accounting, working as an auditor at Arthur Andersen and later at Deloitte & Touche. This experience with public companies gave her a solid foundation in financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and internal controls. She later transitioned into industry roles, including corporate controller, where she applied her expertise to more strategic operations.
A turning point came when a former colleague introduced her to a role at Fleetcor (now Corpay), which was in a rapid growth phase and a newly public company. Over the past 14+ years, Alissa Vickery has held several leadership positions at the company, helping build out its global finance and accounting infrastructure. Today, she guides Corpay’s financial operations and strategic direction.
Strategic Growth via Acquisitions and Product Clarity
One of the most defining aspects of Alissa Vickery leadership at Corpay has been her role in helping guide the company through more than 60 strategic acquisitions. These acquisitions have played a major part in expanding Corpay’s product offerings and global presence. Each integration came with its set of challenges, such as aligning systems, bridging cultural differences, and managing complex regulatory requirements, but they were vital in driving the company’s growth and scale.Â
Another key achievement has been her contribution to shaping and refining Corpay’s go-to-market strategy. By organizing the business into three core segments-corporate payments, vehicle-related payments (like fuel and tolls), and lodging payments-she helped create a clear structure that supports better customer service and continuous innovation by going deeper rather than wider in business categories.
This clarity also allowed her to lead important cross-functional initiatives in finance, governance, and global compliance, helping the company grow sustainably while staying true to its strategic goals.
Building and Trusting a High-Performing Team
Alissa Vickery deep understanding of Corpay’s structure and operations helps her balance strategy with execution.Â
She sets clear priorities, delegates wisely, and places a strong emphasis on:
- Developing internal talent
- Encouraging open communication
- Fostering accountability
- Collaborating from a risk and accounting perspective with an operationally strategic lens
By aligning team efforts with the company’s long-term vision, she ensures operational excellence while driving innovation and growth. Her leadership style is rooted in practicality, financial rigor, and a strong sense of purpose.
CAOs Expanding Their Influence Across the Business
Alissa Vickery says that the role of the CAO is growing far beyond just compliance and reporting. Today, CAOs are expected to lead finance transformation by improving ERP systems, increasing access to global data, and using automation to reduce manual work and mistakes. They now provide real-time insights that help businesses make better decisions. Their role also touches other areas like customer experience, product development, and risk management. In the fintech space, Alissa believes that a forward-thinking CAO can help a company work more efficiently and stay competitive.
Serving 800,000+ Clients Across 200 Countries
Corpay processes over $3.5 billion in transactions each year and supports more than 800,000 customers across 200 countries in more than 140 currencies, offering broad reach, flexibility, and efficiency. What truly sets the company apart is its strong focus on solving practical payment challenges—particularly for mid-sized and smaller businesses.Â
Corpay’s solutions are built to:
- Simplify complicated financial tasks
- Reduce delays and errors
- Provide clearer control over spending
- Lower fraud risks
- Improve cash flow
- Support smarter financial decisions
By delivering a tech-driven platform that enhances financial operations, Corpay is reshaping how businesses manage, control, and optimize their global spend. Through automation, data-driven insights, and seamless integration, companies gain the agility to respond faster to market demands. This transformation not only improves operational efficiency but also empowers finance teams to focus on strategic growth.
Simplifying Complex Transactions
The fintech industry is evolving rapidly, driven by emerging technologies like blockchain, stablecoins, and artificial intelligence. These innovations are reshaping how businesses handle transactions, manage value, and interpret financial data. While the possibilities are exciting, the fast pace of change also brings significant challenges. Many companies struggle to adapt, finding it difficult to manage change, integrate new systems, and stay compliant with shifting regulations.
Corpay sees this fast-changing environment as an opportunity and not just a challenge. Rather than simply offering new technologies, Corpay helps businesses modernize their entire finance operations.
Through its platform, Corpay enables clients to:
- Streamline back-office operations
- Automate key financial functions
- Fully or partially outsource accounts payable
- Integrate seamlessly via APIs
- Maintain control over approvals and payments
- Benefit from real-time reporting and advanced analytics
- Earn rebates and card-based incentives
This automation eliminates manual work, reduces errors, strengthens compliance, and transforms finance operations into engines of strategic growth.
A Major Move in Cross-Border FX Payments
In early 2024, Corpay put more focus on corporate payments to better help businesses manage most of their expenses—except payroll—and run their operations more smoothly.
Recent strategic moves include:
- Acquired GPS Capital Markets, LLC, a business-to-business cross-border solutions provider to upper middle market companies, primarily in the U.S.
- A partnership with Mastercard, making Corpay the exclusive business partner for foreign exchange payments
- Expanded support for cross-border payments to banks and financial institutions
- Strengthened vendor network through domestic acquisitions, increasing credit card volume, and shared benefits
- Announced the pending acquisition of Alpha Group, a B2B Cross Border FX Company
- Partnered with TPG to acquire AvidXchange
- Collaborated with Circle to Bring Stablecoin Payments to Global FX and Commercial Card Rails
These steps reinforce Corpay’s leadership in the global corporate payments space.
Impressive Growth in Cash Earnings Per Share
Corpay has delivered strong financial results over time. Since going public in 2010, the company has achieved:
- 17% compounded annual revenue growth
- 19% compounded annual cash earnings per share (EPS) growth
In Q2 2025, Corpay reported:
- $1.1 billion in revenue (13% YoY growth)
- $284.2 million in net income (13% YoY growth)
- 13% growth in Adjusted EPS
- 12% increase in EBITDA
These results reflect Corpay’s efficient scalability and financial strength.
Power of Persistence
Alissa Vickery emphasizes that success in the fintech space requires dedication, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to continuous learning. She advises aspiring professionals to stay curious and adaptable, always seeking opportunities that challenge and expand their perspective. Drawing from her own experience, she highlights how early roles in professional services provided her with a solid foundation and insight into career development.
As professionals grow, she notes, their focus naturally shifts from day-to-day tasks to strategic thinking-enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to the organization’s broader vision. Alissa also underscores the importance of building strong relationships, sharing that support from mentors and trusted peers has been instrumental in her journey and can be equally valuable for others navigating their careers.
Alissa Vickery’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
- Simplify with Smart Tech: Leverage automation to streamline finance, reduce errors, and improve visibility-while staying in control.
- Grow with Strategic Focus: Drive expansion through clear business segments and well-aligned acquisitions.
- Trust and Empower Teams: Build strong teams, foster accountability, and align them with long-term goals.
- Lead with Data and Foresight: Use real-time insights and automation to guide decisions and strengthen the edge.
- Stay Curious, Stay Driven: Keep learning, stay adaptable, and commit fully to navigate change and lead well.
