In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Jim Caltabiano, a seasoned finance leader with over 30 years of experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) across various industries, including consumer packaged goods and food and beverage. The discussion centers around the evolving role of FP&A, the importance of insights over data, and strategies for building effective finance teams that can drive business value.
Jim Caltabiano brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive career in FP&A and finance leadership roles at major companies such as Procter & Gamble, General Mills, Campbell Soup Company, Ajinomoto Foods, and Del Monte Foods. With a background in both finance and marketing, Jim offers a unique perspective on how FP&A professionals can go beyond traditional financial functions to become true business partners.
Expect to Learn:
- Insights over data and the importance of connecting financial insights to drive business decisions.
- Strategies to move from a siloed finance function to a business-first approach.
- How FP&A professionals can better understand and contribute to business goals.
- Techniques for making sound decisions when data is less than perfect.
- Insights from Jim’s experience as a CTO on the role of data cleanliness and AI in future finance functions.
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
- "Great FP&A is all about the insights. It's all about being able to connect insights for the business." - Jim Caltabiano
- "Thinking of data as a product rather than just a system changes how you manage and use it." - Jim Caltabiano
- "Active listening is the most underutilized skill in business; it’s key to building relationships and understanding the business." - Jim Caltabiano
In this episode, Jim Caltabiano shares valuable insights on the evolving role of FP&A professionals in today's dynamic business environment. By adopting a holistic approach to data, leveraging multiple data sources, and focusing on active listening, FP&A professionals can elevate their role from number crunchers to strategic business partners. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to sharpen their FP&A skills and drive meaningful impact within their organization.
Follow Jim:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcaltabiano/
Email - j.caltabiano@icloud.com
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
World-class Digital FP&A Course Bundle:
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Enroll for Financial Planning & Analysis Certificate Program:
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 Use Code: THEFPAGUY300 to save $300.
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
[01:24] - Introduction to the episode and the guest, Jim Caltabiano
[02:38] - Defining great FP&A and the importance of insights
[04:50] - Jim’s career journey and professional background
[07:12] - Jim’s philosophy of business first, function second
[12:19] - Strategy for learning new businesses as an FP&A professional
[17:06] - Techniques for FP&A professionals to provide insights beyond reports
[25:00] - Managing data quality issues and incomplete information
[28:11] - Insights from Jim’s tenure as Chief Technology Officer
[38:27] - Discussion on the use of generative AI in FP&A
[40:51] - Quick insights on essential technical and soft skills
[49:30] - Closing thoughts and how to connect with Jim
