FP&A Tomorrow

In today’s episode, Paul engages in an insightful interaction with Julian Castelli, for a discussion about the transformative role of FP&A and evolution from basic finance to a strategic role influencing business decisions and investor relations, highlighting his leadership experiences and the importance of core values.Julian is currently serving as a board director and board chair. With experience as a board director and operating partner many times over, Julian assists SaaS and Marketplace technology companies in areas like strategy, team development, growth execution, fundraising, executive coaching, and board governance. He began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and later worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. Key takeaways from this week's episode include: :Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:The competitive dynamics and funding needs of marketplace and SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses. SaaS businesses can be more capital efficient and have multiple successful players compared to winner-take-most marketplaces.The transformative power of adhering to and actively promoting company values, even in crisis, which can galvanize a team and reinforce commitment to the organization's mission and customer service.Growth-stage companies need sophisticated FP&A to meet investor expectations and aid decision-making. FP&A should influence a company's financial and strategic decisions, not just report on them.Promoting company values strengthens internal culture and aligns team actions with the organization's mission. Companies must evolve from managing daily finances to integrating broad strategic financial planning.How skills from varied roles like investment banking and consulting can enhance FP&A effectiveness. Exposure to various business aspects through FP&A provides a strong foundation for leadership roles.The discussion highlights the necessity of presenting financials in a way that aligns with investor expectations, which is often different from traditional accounting reports. The title sponsor for this week’s episode of FP&A Tomorrow is the Plan Buddies. Join Plan Buddies. Plan Buddies, where professionals meet excellence. This isn't just any community. It is a community run by and for planning professionals. At Plan Buddies we’re all about fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and providing mentorship among FP&A experts. Ready to elevate your career? Visit plan-buddies.com and become a member today. Here's a special treat. Use the promo code the FP&A Guy, that is TheFPandAGuy for an exclusive 25% discount on your first-year membership.Quotes:Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode about FP&A's transition from basic finance to a strategic role, the critical importance of financial planning and analysis, and the influence of leadership and core values in navigating business challenges."So without FP&A, you can't see what's ahead of you.""But if you present a P&L like that [Natural Account Line] to an investor, you might end the meeting right there.""Unfortunately, I'm kind of shocked that the ERPs out there make it so difficult to actually produce financial reporting the way the investors want.""FP&A is not just a luxury; it's essential as you scale and begin dealing with institutional investors."Follow Julian:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliancastelli1Follow Paul: Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFor CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions. For AFP FPAC certification answer the questions and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.In today's episode:[01:16] Introduction[03:20] Guest’s background[05:50] How did previous experiences prepare Julian for FP&A expertise[08:35] Turning critical information into actionable reporting[11:05] How the value of FP&A goes beyond controller or bookkeeping[28:20] Guest’s view about the evolution of FP&A [30:22] Interesting facts and differences between SaaS and Marketplace[41:49] Guest’s career journey and previous experiences[48:27] Upcoming event promotion[49:56] Rapid-fire session[52:24] Guest’s personal insights.[55:27] Advice for being a better business partner [57:27] Conclusion

Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst.The title sponsor for this week’s episode of FP&A Tomorrow is the Third Generation FP&A Tools Showcase. Join the Showcase and see the latest technology in FP&A planning software. Register for free today at https://www.accelevents.com/e/fpatoolsshowcaseIn today’s episode, Paul Barnhurst engages Trevor Anthony, for a fascinating discussion on the evolution of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping its future.Trevor, a seasoned Chief of Staff at FranConnect, excels in transforming FP&A roles into powerful business partnerships that drive organizational success. With a rich background in private equity-backed software companies, Trevor is known for his expertise in creating simple and impactful financial models, he simplifies complex financial data into actionable intelligence.Key takeaways from this week's episode include: :Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:How AI could significantly reduce costs and streamline operational processes, positioning FP&A to be more efficient and strategically integral to businesses.The importance of mastering the skill of creating clean and straightforward financial models for FP&A professionals. By prioritizing simplicity and clarity, these models become crucial tools for delivering precise financial data for business insights.The value of experience, mentorship, and strategic thinking in the evolution of FP&A professionals. It stresses how these elements help transition from traditional analytical roles to more influential positions. How private equity (PE) impacts FP&A operations, setting high expectations for teams to act as the definitive source of truth within companies.The discussion highlights how PE firms demand thorough, detailed financial reporting and forecasts, reflecting their reliance on FP&A teams to provide thorough insights and accurate analysis to guide investment decisions and business strategies.The discussion also highlights the anticipation of a future where AI not only supports but enhances the FP&A functions across various industries.Quotes:Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode about the strategic thinking around technology investment, the value of networking, the importance of responsiveness in professional settings, and the encouragement for community engagement:"The best FP&A groups, I've seen, have solidified themselves as a mission-critical function, not just to check the box type of group.""First and foremost, keep it simple. I think in the sales process, they demo flashy things... focus on what the tool does.""The beginning of what I'd call a business partnering relationship was when I'd sit down with the business owner and have to intimately understand their business and their financials."“Dealing with ambiguity, especially when you're working with senior leaders, they constantly vaguely describe things. You, as a professional, need to understand what that means.”“If you're like a traditional corporate FP&A person or you're just a data analyst, find those opportunities."Follow Trevor:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevoranthonyWebsite - https://www.franconnect.comFollow Paul: Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFor CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions. For AFP FPAC certification answer the questions and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst. The title sponsor for this week’s episode of FP&A Tomorrow is Wharton Online, one of the world's leading business schools. The gateway to mastering financial planning and analysis through a rigorous, comprehensive curriculum crafted by industry experts is only a click away- https://wallstreetprep.wharton.upenn.eduIn today’s episode, Paul Barnhurst engages Christian Wattig on the journey into the evolving world of financial planning and analysis.Christian Wattig, a seasoned FP&A professional and educator. As the program director for the Wharton Online and Wall Street Prep FP&A Certificate, Christian brings a wealth of experience and innovative strategies to the table. He shares how AI and technology are transforming the field.Key takeaways from this week's episode include: :Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:How excellent FP&A practice hinges on making solid business recommendations from detailed analysis and storytelling, emphasizing the importance of implementing and monitoring these recommendations for impactful outcomes.The discussion is on how AI and new planning tools are revolutionizing FP&A by streamlining data collection and reporting, thus allowing analysts to concentrate more on strategic analysis and business partnerships.Insights into a career that transitioned from major corporations to spearheading an FP&A education venture, sharing valuable lessons from varied professional experiences.Introduction to a new certificate program that merges technical FP&A skills with interpersonal development, designed to equip professionals with comprehensive financial planning and analysis expertise.The discussion highlights the importance of digging beyond the surface of financial data to find actionable insights and the art of crafting these insights into stories that drive strategic business decisions.The reflection on the personal gratification from teaching and mentoring in FP&A, and anticipation of the future developments in the field as technology and analytical methods advance.Quotes:Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode about FP&A skills and making concrete, impactful business recommendations:"FP&A is at its best when you make a concrete recommendation that helps the business move forward.""With AI and not just with AI, but also with FP&A and planning tools and software, it will be possible that you don't have to pull data from lots of different sources.""When you're just taking people and walking them step by step through how I build a financial model from scratch, it's a different way of teaching."“Give them those metrics, those insights, or you can get them something that gets them at least halfway there. By doing that, you can demonstrate that you want to do more than just cutting budgets and updating forecasts.”Follow Christian:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-wattig/Website - https://wallstreetprep.wharton.upenn.edu/ Follow Paul: Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFor CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions.  For AFP FPAC certification answer the questions and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In this engaging discussion, Tom Schultz, founder and CFO of NextGen CFO and author of "So You Want to Be a Fractional CFO," dives into the evolving role of fractional CFOs in the changing landscape of financial planning. He shares insights on how AI and technology are reshaping traditional FP&A practices and highlights the skills needed for success in this sector. Tom also emphasizes the importance of mentorship, networking, and soft skills, while addressing common challenges faced when stepping into fractional CFO roles.

Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst.The title sponsor for this week’s episode of FP&A Tomorrow is Abacum, the leading mid-market FP&A solution trusted by hundreds of companies to eliminate the spreadsheet struggle. https://www.abacum.ioIn today’s episode, Paul sits down with Jon Laudie, to discuss integrating FP&A into strategic planning and decision-making across businesses.With Jon Laudie, CFO at Zerorez, plunge into Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and learn from Jon's rich experience and strategic insights. From his initial roles in investment banking to his current position as CFO, Jon shares his valuable lessons.Key takeaways from this week's episode include:Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:The transition challenges and learnings involved in moving to a CFO position, including dealing with complex financial operations and integrating multiple acquisitions.FP&A functions are evolving to become more aligned with strategic finance, significantly enhancing their impact on business decision-making.Emerging technologies are streamlining FP&A processes, making them more efficient and reducing reliance on manual tasks.Strategies for FP&A professionals to become more strategic and operationally focused are discussed, including building relationships outside of finance and understanding the broader business context.Quotes:Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode about FP&A and CFO insights:“I think great FP&A in my mind is a function that is deeply integrated into the strategic planning and the decision-making of any organization.”“We still come across things that surprise us, like, 'Oh, we didn't realize how this is or this contract existed.”Follow Jon:    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonlaudieWebsite - https://www.zerorez.com Follow Paul: Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFor CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions. For AFP FPAC certification answer the questions and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details. 

Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst. The title sponsor for this week’s episode of FP&A Tomorrow is Abacum, the leading mid-market FP&A solution trusted by hundreds of companies to eliminate the spreadsheet struggle. https://www.abacum.ioIn today’s episode, Paul engages in a conversation with Richard Tame, to discuss the essential elements that define excellent financial planning and analysis.Richard, CFO of Coeus Institute, with over 25-plus years of experience in finance across various sectors, including his significant role at Aurora, brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the evolving landscape of FP&A.Key takeaways from this week's episode include: :Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:FP&A is rooted in having the right team. The focus is on hiring the right people with the necessary skills and ensuring they work well together.FP&A teams are not just about number crunching, they should also influence business decisions. The ability of FP&A to be involved in strategic discussions varies by company culture, from being central to decision-making to being viewed as a back-office function.FP&A professionals adapt their strategies to fit the culture of the company, whether it's a traditional corporation or a fast-paced tech startup.It is important to prepare an organization structurally and financially for potential public offerings or other major corporate transitions.Quotes:Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode about FP&A mastery:"I've been in companies whereby finance has a really strong seat at the table and you know, you can't blow your nose unless finance is holding the handkerchief. Then I've been in companies where finance is seen as an inconvenience at best.""You have to make the relationships not about you. You're there to partner with the business, and invariably the business knows more about the business. You need to have a relationship such that you can influence them. You're serving them."We had built the company in a way that we would have expected to go public at some point, and one of the things that I'd seen at Lyft, for example, I joined Lyft the day after the IPO, and it became clear that perhaps they hadn't built the infrastructure in the way that they could of to make life easier and that was very messy."Follow Richard:    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtameWebsite - https://coeus.institute Follow Paul: Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFor CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions.  For AFP FPAC certification answer the questions and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details. 

Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst. The title sponsor for this week’s episode of FP&A Tomorrow is Abacum, the leading mid-market FP&A solution trusted by hundreds of companies to eliminate the spreadsheet struggle. https://www.abacum.ioIn today’s episode, Paul engages in a conversation with Carl Seidman to discuss why mastering presentation skills, and understanding the needs of the audience is crucial for excelling in your FP&A career.Carl is a premier FP&A and Fractional CFO expert, providing financial advisory and leadership development services to top companies including Deloitte, Verizon, and Walmart. Carl is known for his impactful training programs and advisory work that drive success in financial planning and analysis.Key takeaways from this week's episode include: :Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:In FP&A, the ability to distill complex information into a concise, impactful message is paramount. It's not about how much you know, but what you can communicate effectively.The ability to distill complex information into a concise, impactful message is paramount. It's not about how much you know, but what you can communicate effectively.FP&A isn't just about numbers, it's about storytelling with data, painting a vivid picture of the financial landscape that guides strategic decisions and drives organizational successAnticipating potential disruptions or changes in the business environment is a fundamental aspect of FP&A. By identifying risks and developing strategies to mitigate them, FP&A professionals can help the organization stay ahead and adapt effectively.Quotes: :Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode about FP&A and product working together effectively:"You're not going to go to a nice restaurant and pay a lot of money for a delicious dish, and then have it be delivered in a greasy brown paper bag. Right. So the deliverable matters a whole lot. It can actually significantly dismiss the credibility or value of everything that came up before at that point in time.""I think that Great FP&A looks like a team of people who are equipped, from a technical standpoint, to be able to execute the kinds of requests that are being asked of them."“The demands in business, the increasingly fast-moving environment, competition, the risks of getting some of this planning wrong are pushing the need of FP&A to be a whole lot more proactive, a lot more agile, a lot more well rounded and thinking instead of just being about financial planning and reporting."Follow Carl:    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlseidmanWebsite - https://seidmanfinancial.comFollow Paul:Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFor CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions. For AFP FPAC certification answer the questions and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

Three experts, Dara, Navya, and Urvi, discuss the synergy between FP&A and product management, focusing on future potential over immediate financials, customer-centric financial planning, and strategic alignment. They emphasize collaboration, communication, and shared vision for successful partnerships. The podcast explores the role of a Chief Product Officer, the importance of understanding customer behavior, and using analytical tools to align product strategies with organizational goals.

FP&A Tomorrow is where we discuss what FP&A looks like today and help shape what it should look like tomorrow by interviewing the best and brightest people in FP&A globally. Go to https://earmarkcpe.com, download the app, take the quiz and you can receive CPE credit.Follow Paul:Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thefpandaguyYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpaguy8376