FP&A Today

Expert Nicolas Boucher and panel discuss AI in FP&A, addressing common misconceptions, practical uses, and challenges in adoption. They highlight the significance of data maturity, automation, ChatGPT 4o, forecasting, and AI integration in finance techstack. The conversation explores FP&A processes benefiting from AI, practical starting steps, and Python as a key tool for breaking AI barriers in 2024.

Len McFall, senior finance consultant at Windstream, discusses the role of FP&A in business intelligence. He shares insights on data curation, sales forecasting accuracy, improving finance reporting timelines, and the importance of communication in finance. McFall delves into managing vast telecom data, separating useful insights, and proving business hunches with data analysis.

CFO Seth Zimmerman shares his real estate career challenges - witnessing Lehman collapse, blowing the whistle on fraud. Talks about metrics in finance real estate, role at REITs, creating wealth for renters, and bringing budgeting processes. Discusses love for modeling, finding great finance staff, and accountant recruitment challenges.

Former PwC auditor David Fortin shares his journey from managing FP&A at gaming giant Ubisoft to navigating the challenges of a Saas Startup Polka exit. He discusses fundraising, disinterested investors, budget rejections, and CTOs crying, leading to a successful acquisition by IFS in 2023. Now a full-time YouTuber, he explores Excel tutorials and the impact of Microsoft Copilot on FP&A, emphasizing scenario analysis and AI transformation in finance.

Swati Bagri, an experienced finance professional, shares insights on finance transformation, predictive analytics at Nestlé, and business partnering roles at Amazon and Nestlé. She discusses the importance of strategic planning, technology, and risk management in FP&A. Swati also talks about her co-founding venture, coaching non-finance individuals, and FP&A-led transformations. The podcast delves into her career journey and key learnings from working at major corporations.

Bill Singh, VP of FP&A at Genting Americas, talks about FP&A in the gaming industry including metrics like 'win per unit per day' and 'hold'. He shares insights on budgeting, salesmanship, lodging metrics, and AI impact. Bill also gives insider advice on gaming and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and analysis in budgeting.

Michael Stotland, VP of FP&A at AEG Presents, shares insights on managing finances for music icons like Taylor Swift and leading the recovery of live entertainment post-COVID. He discusses leveraging external data, heatmaps for planning, mastering critical FP&A skills, and the integration of AI in forecasting. Discover the strategic finance planning in the entertainment industry and the challenges of Excel function preference and Power BI development.

Antonio Reza, Head of Finance for Google Cloud Consulting in EMEA, shares insights on his finance journey at Google, Microsoft, and GE. Topics include the AI revolution in tech companies, storytelling in FP&A, real-time data demands, and the importance of economic context in decision-making. Reza also discusses his challenges transitioning to a managerial role and balancing sports with his career.

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.