Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst.
In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst dives into the evolving role of FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) within organizations. The discussion focuses on the shift towards a more strategic and operations-focused approach to finance, exploring how modern finance professionals can become indispensable business partners. The conversation also touches on the concept of a "finance athlete" and the importance of being versatile and adaptable in today's dynamic business environment.
This week’s guest is Zach Rial, the Senior Director of Finance and Strategy at Peak, a travel company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. With a background in finance, holding a bachelor's degree from Utah State and an MBA from the University of Utah, Zach brings a unique perspective to FP&A, blending operational insights with financial strategy. Known for his hands-on approach to finance, Zach shares his journey from operations to senior finance roles, emphasizing the importance of understanding the business from the ground up.
Here is a summary of the key points from the discussion:
- What defines great FP&A and why partnerships are crucial for financial success.
- The concept of a "finance athlete" and how it applies to modern finance roles.
- The importance of intellectual curiosity and its role in driving business insights.
- How to manage tough conversations in the workplace with transparency and trust.
- The evolving role of finance professionals in strategic decision-making and operations.
Quotes:
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode
- "Great FP&A is about great partnerships. It’s understanding the business, what drives different departments, and being a great partner to make things better." - Zach Rial
- "A finance athlete is someone who says, ‘I do finance,’ and that means many different things. It’s about helping the business in whatever way is needed." - Zach Rial
- "I consider myself an unusual finance person because I approach finance from an operations perspective—always asking, ‘What does this mean for the business?’” - Zach Rial
- "Finance is finance. Whether it's a software company or consumer goods, if you understand what drives the business, you can adapt and succeed." - Zach Rial
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Follow Zach:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyrial/
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
Enroll for Financial Planning & Analysis Certificate Program:
Level up your career and build skills for financial planning and analysis. Sign up for the 8 week online financial planning & analysis certificate program by Wharton Online and learn the art of forecasting, analysis, business partnering and financial storytelling: https://bit.ly/4debs46
Earn Your CPE Credit
For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.
In today's episode:
[01:36] - Paul Barnhurst introduces the episode and the guest, Zach Rial.
[02:27] - Overview of Zach Rial’s background and his approach to FP&A.
[04:46] - Discussion about Zach’s unique path from operations to finance.
[11:05] - Explanation of the "finance athlete" concept and its significance.
[15:29] - Exploration of how modern CFOs are becoming more like CEOs, blending operations with finance.
[26:34] - The role of finance in RevOps and how these functions can collaborate effectively.
[34:37] - Zach shares his approach to handling difficult discussions in the workplace.
[39:26] - Quick insights into essential skills and the future of FP&A.
[42:52] - Personal insights into Zach’s hobbies, favorite books, and life philosophies.
[46:44] - Final thoughts and closing remarks from Paul Barnhurst.
