The funny thing about being in the middle market these days is that the problems don't feel that much less complicated than those being confronted by the largest companies. From compliance, to globalization, to terrorism, to automation, finance executives

at midsize companies tackle these challenges with less staff and limited budgets. Perhaps that's why in recent years midsize companies are recruiting finance managers more frequently from larger cohorts, and middle market executives are adopting best practices and benchmarking that once were the province of only the biggest. Here are a few stories of how exemplary middle market executives are confronting the challenges of automation, globalization and rapid expansion.

Sarah Burton was given a unique opportunity when she came to The Relizon Co. as its treasurer four years ago: She got to build a treasury from the ground up.