Formula for FP&A success at high-growth companies: Greg Lopez

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Apr 16, 2024

Greg Lopez, a seasoned CFO and consultant, shares his formula for FP&A success including transitioning from bigger companies to startups, defining key metrics, developing talent, and navigating the challenges of cyber attacks. He emphasizes the importance of a commercial mindset and building a feedback loop in finance teams. Lopez also discusses his favorite KPIs and the benefits of scenario planning in Excel.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Evolution of the CFO Role and Financial Leadership

02:01 • 24min

Embracing Data-Driven Decision-Making in Financial Planning and Analysis

26:01 • 3min

Navigating Financial Processes and Industry KPIs

29:11 • 9min

Exploring Cybersecurity and Personal Passions in Pickup Basketball

38:07 • 2min

Adapting to New Environments and Leveraging Excel Features for Financial Modeling

39:43 • 3min

Greg Lopez has served as the CFO and VP of operations at companies including Futurism, a digital media company, Wirecutter (acquired by the New York Times) and Gawker Media (acquired by Univision). Now Greg is a consultant at high-growth companies working with clients ranging from a “family owned business doing $20 million”, “SaaS businesses doing $10 million a year” to private equity-backed business doing $500 million a year.”

In this episode he provides his formula for success in FP&A and finance:

How a career in finance suited my character traits and passions
Learning the full aspects of finance, FP&A and business partnering
Building to a commercial mindset as CFO
Acting as an investigative journalist for the business
Why finance needs to lead in defining metrics in a startup
Moving from a bigger company to a startup - what you need to know
Increasing the feedback loop in finance teams
Expectations of CFO in a startup
Favorite KPIs - from contribution margin and profit to Sales cycle velocity
Variables and determining drivers for the business
One of the biggest finance challenges - developing talent and cyber attacks
Lightning round: pickup basketball and lessons for finance
Best Excel feature: introducing Scenario planning and modeling using Watch Window

Contact Greg

@glopeztweets on X

glopez@eventusag.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-lopez-4b248b88/

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