FP&A that’s through the Woof: with Chewy Director of Finance Matthew Herbert
Oct 3, 2023
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Chewy Director of Finance Matthew Herbert reveals the secrets to effective business partnering and discusses insights from his 15 years of experience. He shares how Chewy does FP&A, the KPIs they manage, and the impact of being a self-taught programmer in a finance career. Herbert emphasizes the importance of customer service at Chewy and provides advice for starting a career in FP&A.
Being curious and investing in oneself by learning new skills and overcoming obstacles are important for success in FP&A.
Finance professionals play a crucial role in providing strategic insights, driving change, and contributing to the overall success of organizations.
Developing programming and technology skills in FP&A can enhance efficiency, automate processes, and deliver more strategic value to organizations.
Deep dives
The importance of being curious and investing in oneself
Being curious and asking questions is crucial for success in FP&A. It helps to learn the business, gather information, and make better strategic decisions. Additionally, not being afraid to invest in oneself is important. Taking the time to learn new skills, overcome obstacles, and continuously improve allows for personal and professional growth. By being curious and investing in oneself, individuals can build a strong toolkit and make significant progress in their careers.
The role of finance in providing strategic insights
Finance plays a crucial role in providing strategic insights and driving change within organizations. By having a 360-view of the business, finance professionals can analyze data, understand different departments, and advise leaders on investment decisions. Strategic insights can lead to improved transparency, better allocation of funds, and alignment with growth strategies. Finance professionals who effectively communicate and understand the needs of the business can contribute to the overall success and growth of the organization.
Building skills and leveraging technology in FP&A
Building skills in areas like programming and technology can greatly benefit finance professionals in FP&A. Developing proficiency in tools like Excel, VBA, and SQL can automate processes, save time, and enhance data analysis capabilities. By being curious and investing in self-improvement, finance professionals can learn to leverage technology, improve efficiency, and deliver more strategic value to their organizations.
The power of customer-centricity and transparency
Customer-centricity and transparency are key drivers in organizations, such as Chewy. By providing excellent customer service and focusing on building strong relationships, businesses can create a loyal customer base. Transparency regarding spending and alignment with growth strategies is crucial for effective decision-making. Strategic insights can lead to improved customer experiences, targeted investments, and overall success for the organization.
The value of mentorship and continuous learning
Mentorship and continuous learning are invaluable in one's career in FP&A. Seeking guidance from mentors and learning from others helps professionals expand their knowledge, discover new perspectives, and overcome challenges. Being open to learning, asking questions, and investing time in self-improvement are keys to success in the finance field. Mentorship and continuous learning fuel personal and professional growth, enabling individuals to make a meaningful impact in their organizations.
The market for pet brands is enormous. Two-thirds of American households own a pet and collectively spent $136.8 billion on them in 2022. In this market, Chewy is winning the hearts of owners. The pet-food, health, and supplies company is famous for providing portraits, gifts, free food, and handwritten notes that delight pet owners. In this episode, Matthew Herbert, Chewy Director of Finance, reveals the FP&A undercoat that keeps this Fortune 500 favorite purring.
Herbert says customer service at the company is in “my opinion the strongest moat within the organization…it has its own finance arm, and it has the backing and support of technology and other resources to make it successful because we really believe that we’re here to provide a delightful experience for our customers. Pets are part of the family, and we want our customers to know that we view them that way.”
In this episode:
How Chewy does FP&A
What KPIs does FP&A manage at Chewy and how its set up
Using data to help tell the story at Chewy
How Matt overcame adversity, such as being laid off and team conflicts faced
Leading FP&A at the fortune 500 high growth eCommerce company (i.e. Chewy)
Secrets to effective business partnering
Insights from 15 years of Investment Banking, Programming, Retail, Consumer Products, and eCommerce experience
The impact of being a self-taught programmer on a career in finance
Why finance remains the best role for strategic impact supporting C-Suite Executives
His brand-new training courses (https://biztrix.us/) based on best-in-class Excel, PowerPoint, Word, SQL and VBA experience