FP&A Today $300 and a Suitcase to AI-Powered Finance: Mariya Guttoh
Sep 21, 2025
Mariya Guttoh, Director of FP&A and Treasury at PayJoy, has over 15 years of experience in finance and tech. She shares her inspiring journey from Ukraine to American finance, highlighting her passion for AI in financial automation. Mariya discusses the common misconceptions about AI in finance and emphasizes the importance of proper training for teams. She illustrates how she reduced vendor reporting time significantly and shares key skills needed for the future of FP&A. Plus, she reveals her transformation from introvert to confident speaker.
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From $300 And A Suitcase To Finance Leader
- Mariya moved to the U.S. in 2005 with $300 and one suitcase and worked three jobs while earning an MBA.
- That struggle led her from cosmetics marketing to finance and a deep appreciation for storytelling in numbers.
Numbers Need A Story To Influence
- Storytelling turns raw numbers into influence and action for stakeholders.
- Knowing your audience lets you tailor financial messages like marketers tailor campaigns.
Automate Mundane Work First
- Automate repetitive finance tasks to free analysts for strategic work.
- Learn enough AI to apply solutions without needing massive IT budgets.
