FP&A Today

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.

Nathan Bell, an expert in data analytics for FP&A teams, discusses bridging the gap between data and finance. He highlights the power of storytelling, setting up self-service data, federated data governance, and the importance of critical thinking in the AI age. Bell shares key insights on metrics cascading, implementing AI programs, and the significance of human insight in data analytics processes. Personal anecdotes about dinner conversations with his CFO wife and pole vaulting memories add a touch of humor to this insightful discussion.

Tory Bauman, VP FP&A Zayo, discusses FP&A metrics at telecom giant Zayo, forecasting churn, strategic alignment, cost per event on telecom network, profit from AI revolution, capital markets experience, and aspiring to be a CFO. She also shares insights on team structure, forecasting, strategic planning, and mentorship in finance leadership.

The final episode of FP&A Today features host Paul saying goodbye and introducing new host Glenn Hopper. Glenn, a seasoned CFO, discusses AI in finance, launching a LinkedIn course on AI, and the importance of understanding AI for finance professionals. The episode also covers Glenn's journey, Paul's reasons for handing over the show, and a heartfelt message from Paul.

Learn about Rosemary Linden's transition from corporate finance to fractional CFO, dealing with small businesses. Discover why FP&A is a great training ground for CFOs, and get insights on storytelling and cash flow management. Hear about seasonal variances, starting your own business, and the difference between strategic planning and financial planning. Plus, dive into a deep sea story, team Excel, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg!

Cotopaxi CFO discusses giving away 1% of net sales, moving into retail, balancing investors with giving back, aiming for billion-dollar status, and the power of branding. Also shares personal journey, challenges in financial planning, metrics for retail expansion, and impact of social missions on corporate resources.

From transitioning from math academia to leading data science at Facebook to becoming a CEO, Kat Orekhova shares insights on long-range planning challenges, collaboration between data science and FP&A, being a Sequoia scout, mentorship by Meta CFO Susan Li, and the impact of AI in finance.

Tolga Hocanin shares lessons from 20 years of budgeting, importance of mix management in CPG, running IT and finance as CFO, building strong team culture, $1.5M reporting error response, and building cross-functional relationships.

Three revenue leaders, Paul Ignacio, Arvind Chahal, and Drew Noel, discuss the importance of aligning FP&A and RevOps, challenges faced when they don't collaborate, data issues, and transitioning between roles. They emphasize defining metrics, utilizing data dictionaries, and the impact of AI on operations functions.

Andrew Lynch, the Head of FP&A at Blue Light Card, discusses the power of mentors, the challenges of building an FP&A team, negotiation tactics, and skill stacking in his finance career. He also shares his experience of being fired by a bestselling author and being one of the few FP&A leaders on the comedy circuit.