FP&A Tomorrow

 A CEO's Perspective on FP&A and the broader finance function. In our latest FP&A Tomorrow podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Aaron Goss, a seasoned leader with a unique journey from education to business leadership. Aaron shared invaluable insights on what makes FP&A truly effective from a CEO's viewpoint. Key Takeaways: ➡️ Most leaders do not want all the details, they appreciate finance is detail oriented but give them enough information to do their job, not every detail. ➡️ Understanding the business is crucial: Great FP&A starts with deep business knowledge and strong relationships. ➡️ Presentation skills matter: Knowing the numbers is just the start; presenting them effectively is when the magic happens. ➡️ Empathy is key: Understanding the challenges of other departments builds trust and collaboration. ➡️ Be a solution partner: Move beyond reporting data to actively contributing to business solutions. ➡️ Adapt to change: Aaron shared how budgeting evolved when his company transitioned from private ownership to private equity backing. One personal story that stood out was Aaron's experience transitioning from a part-time sales role to CRO. He admitted he initially didn't even know what a CRO was! This humility and willingness to learn quickly translated into significant company growth. Whether you're in FP&A, leadership, or anywhere in between, this episode offers valuable lessons on effective financial management and leadership. Listen to the full episode now! https://lnkd.in/gQm66HEw ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and receive access to a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module - https://lnkd.in/g8g5XN7j 🧔 Follow the Host at Paul Barnhurst 📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/gE45bU4A

"Leadership in Finance: Transforming FP&A from the Ground Up" 🚀 In our latest @FP&A Tomorrow podcast episode, we had the privilege of hosting Brett Hampson, author of "The FP&A Operating System" and a veteran with over a decade of experience in corporate FP&A. Brett's insights on grassroots finance transformation is something every FP&A person should here. He also shared how one can implement the FP&A Operating System and the FP&A Flywheel. Key takeaways from our conversation: ➡️ Grassroots finance transformation beats top-down tech implementations ➡️ The FP&A Operating System drives efficiency and value creation ➡️ Clear vision moves FP&A from reactive to proactive operations ➡️ Attribution analysis and storytelling boost FP&A's business influence ➡️ Continuous improvement culture: focus on people, then processes, then tech Brett's approach challenges the status quo, emphasizing that true transformation starts with each team member's vision and problem-solving skills. "Our greatest challenge in FP&A is often ourselves – we need to avoid being too introspective and focus on the business," Brett remarked, highlighting the need for a mindset shift in finance professionals. Tune in to hear more about Brett's journey, his FP&A Flywheel concept, and actionable advice for FP&A professionals. Listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/gHVYx_RN #FPANDTomorrow #FinanceTransformation #LeadershipInFinance #FPAOperatingSystem ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and receive access to a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module - https://lnkd.in/g8g5XN7j 🧔 Follow the Host at Paul Barnhurst 📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/gE45bU4A

Future CFOs will mainly come from FP&A. Do you agree or disagree let me know in the comments.

From Auditor to FP&A Storyteller: Soufyan Hamid's Journey 📊🗣️ In our latest FP&A Tomorrow podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Soufyan Hamid, founder of The Finance Circle and a master of financial storytelling. Soufyan's journey from a detail-oriented auditor to a sought-after FP&A trainer is both inspiring and instructive. Key takeaways from our conversation: ➡️ Great FP&A balances technical skills, insights, and business partnering  ➡️ Effective financial storytelling simplifies complex information  ➡️ Many finance pros struggle with storytelling due to their detail-oriented nature  ➡️ The four steps to impactful financial presentations (4P's): 1. Prepare your message 2. Prepare your narrative 3. Prepare your visuals 4. Prepare yourself  ➡️ Communication is crucial for FP&A success  ➡️ Financial modeling is the most important technical skill Soufyan shared the following about his transformation:  "I was showing what I did and showing the conclusions of the month, but exceptions as well. And so eventually, in my slides, there were like ten bullet points for a single month with a variance of 1%, something that was not so important." This oversharing of information let to conversations with his boss and started him on the journey to developing financial storytelling as one of his greatest strengths.  Don't miss this episode packed with practical advice and personal insights. Whether you're an aspiring FP&A professional or a seasoned veteran, there's something here for everyone. Listen now and level up your financial storytelling game! 🎧💼 https://lnkd.in/gtm-jY7S #FPandA #FinancialStorytelling #BusinessPartnering #ProfessionalDevelopment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and receive access to a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module - https://lnkd.in/g8g5XN7j 🧔 Follow the Host at Paul Barnhurst  📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/gE45bU4A

In the fast-paced world of finance, what truly sets apart great FP&A professionals? 🤔 Our latest FP&A Tomorrow episode dives deep into this question, featuring insights from top finance leaders and practitioners. Here's what we uncovered: ➡️ Communication is king: From active listening to data storytelling, the ability to convey complex financial information clearly is crucial. ➡️ Technical prowess matters: Mastery of spreadsheets, financial modeling, and data analysis remain foundational skills. ➡️ Business acumen is a game-changer: Understanding the ins and outs of your company allows you to provide more valuable insights. ➡️ Empathy and relationship-building are underrated: These 'soft' skills can make a huge difference in your effectiveness as an FP&A professional. ➡️ Great FP&A shapes the future: As Julian Castelli beautifully put it, "Great FP&A looks like the windshield and dashboard of your car." It's about providing visibility into both current performance and what lies ahead. One story that stood out was from our host, Paul Barnhurst. He shared how changing the onboarding process for new FP&A hires to include time with different departments significantly improved their integration and effectiveness. It's a great example of how understanding the business can transform FP&A performance. Whether you're just starting in FP&A or you're a seasoned pro, there's something in this episode for everyone. From practical tips to inspiring insights, we cover it all. 🎧 Ready to level up your FP&A game? Listen to the full episode now! https://lnkd.in/gAJzXrwa What's your take on what makes great FP&A? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #FPANDATomorrow #FinanceLeadership #CareerDevelopment #BusinessInsights ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and receive access to a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module - https://lnkd.in/g8g5XN7j 🧔 Follow the Host at @Paul Barnhurst, The FPandA Guy  📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/gE45bU4A

🎙️ Exciting Episode Alert: FP&A Insights from a 5-Time CFO! 🚀 Brian Lanier, CPA, a seasoned CFO with experience at multiple growth-stage companies, recently joined us on FP&A Tomorrow to share his wealth of knowledge. His journey from auditor to CFO of five different companies offers a unique perspective on financial planning and analysis. Key Takeaways: ➡️ Collaboration and the ability to perform "sniff tests" on data are crucial skills for FP&A professionals ➡️ Clean data is a persistent challenge in FP&A, but decisions can often be made with imperfect information ➡️ Tailoring communication to different audiences is key for effective FP&A business partnering ➡️ Great FP&A involves partnership with the company and identifying key business levers ➡️ Building a robust budget model requires keeping it simple, teaming up with stakeholders, and considering materiality ➡️ Understanding operational metrics is crucial for effective financial planning ➡️ M&A processes benefit from early preparation and understanding of key metrics We loved the emphasis he placed on learning to tailor your message to your audience.   "When I'm trying to get the board to approve, $2 million funding to help us get through next year's plan. It's a lot different approach than when I'm trying to convince the implementation guys that people need to do twice as many implementations in a week as they've been doing the last five years." Learning to tailor your message to your audience is a crucial skill every FP&A professional should develop.  🎧 Don't miss out on more insights from Brian Lanier! Listen to the full episode of FP&A Tomorrow and learn how to elevate your FP&A game. https://lnkd.in/gTgBDnkc ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and receive access to a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module - https://lnkd.in/g8g5XN7j 🧔 Follow the Host at Paul Barnhurst 📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/gE45bU4A

Jack McCullough, President of the CFO Leadership Council joined us for an amazing episode. Often when we talk FPA&A we focus on modeling, critical thinking, and storytelling but in this episode, we spent a lot of time talking about empathy and kindness in the workplace, something Jack lives and preaches as one of the top global finance leaders.  Key insights from our conversation with Jack: ➡️ Great FP&A empowers better, faster decisions by focusing on the future and adapting to changes. ➡️ More CFOs are now coming from FP&A backgrounds, highlighting the strategic importance of the role. ➡️ When preparing board decks, understand your audience and define clear objectives. Avoid surprises! ➡️ Regular communication with board members, including one-on-one meetings, is crucial for CFOs. ➡️ FP&A professionals should focus on understanding the business and strategy, not just the numbers. ➡️ Leadership qualities like empathy, transparency, resilience, inspiration, and collaboration (TRICE) are essential for finance leaders. ➡️ There's a need for greater cross-functional respect and understanding of FP&A's value across organizations. This episode is packed with valuable insights for finance professionals at all levels. Whether you're aspiring to be a CFO or looking to enhance your FP&A skills, you'll find something to take away from this conversation. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here https://lnkd.in/gpNQmxvq #FPANDATomorrow #FinanceLeadership #CFOInsights #PersonalDevelopment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and receive access to a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module - https://lnkd.in/g8g5XN7j 🧔 Follow the Host at Paul Barnhurst  📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/gE45bU4A

Jim Caltabiano, a seasoned finance leader with over 30 years of experience, shared invaluable insights on the latest episode of FP&A Tomorrow.  His journey from Syracuse University to leadership roles at major companies like Procter & Gamble, General Mills, and Campbell Soup Company has given him a unique perspective on the evolving role of FP&A. Key takeaways from the episode: ➡️ Great FP&A is about connecting insights for the business, not just producing data  ➡️ Active listening is a critical and underutilized skill for FP&A professionals  ➡️ Learn the business through site visits and conversations, not just reports  ➡️ Triangulate data from multiple sources and use ranges for better decision-making  ➡️ Data cleanliness and master data management are crucial, especially with AI on the rise Jim's advice for being a better business partner? "Shut up and listen." This simple yet powerful approach can unleash goodwill, help you learn the business, and build strong relationships. Don't miss this insightful episode of FP&A Tomorrow.  Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/g52VuNRR ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and receive access to a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module - https://lnkd.in/g8g5XN7j 🧔 Follow the Host at @Paul Barnhurst, The FPandA Guy  📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/gE45bU4A

In our latest FP&A Tomorrow podcast episode, Leslie Stuart, CPA, CA shares invaluable insights from her experience leading FP&A transformations. We appreciate her emphasis on how implementing new systems, and making changes in an organization is an evolution not a one-time event.  Key takeaways from our conversation: ➡️ Great FP&A leverages technology and data for better insights  ➡️ Focus on people and processes, not just technology in transformations  ➡️ Start with 'why' and get leadership engagement  ➡️ Conduct thorough current state assessments before implementing changes  ➡️ Embrace agile, iterative approaches over traditional waterfall methods  ➡️ Develop strong communication skills between finance and technology teams  ➡️ AI and machine learning are reshaping finance  ➡️ View transformations as ongoing evolution, not one-time events Leslie's personal experience shines through as she shares, "You know, it was one thing to have a bird's eye view from an audit lens, but to actually get in there and do the work and the realities of it, it's not perfect. It's not ever perfect."  This candid perspective highlights the importance of understanding the day-to-day realities when driving change. Whether you're a seasoned FP&A professional or just starting your journey, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate the complexities of finance transformation. Don't miss out on Leslie's wisdom - tune in to the latest episode of FP&A Tomorrow now! 🎧📊 https://lnkd.in/gj3z8TCw ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and receive access to a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module - https://lnkd.in/g8g5XN7j 🧔 Follow the Host at @Paul Barnhurst, The FPandA Guy  📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/gE45bU4A

Unlocking the Power of Modern FP&A: Insights from Liran Edelist, Ph.D. In our latest FP&A Tomorrow podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Liran, a seasoned expert in finance and FP&A technology from running his own company to serving a president of Jedox for the America's.  Key Takeaways: ➡️ Modernized FP&A minimizes manual work and leverages technology effectively  ➡️ Balancing people, processes, and technology is crucial for success  ➡️ Implement FP&A tools as systems, not just Excel replacements  ➡️ AI augments human capabilities in FP&A, not replaces them  ➡️ FP&A should be the "front office" of an organization  ➡️ Modernization is an ongoing journey, not a one-time transformation  ➡️ Data understanding and business process knowledge are essential skills  ➡️ Storytelling is key for effective business partnering Dr. Liran shared a personal anecdote about an FP&A team that impressed him by focusing on the often-overlooked "learning and growth" aspect of the balanced scorecard. This innovative approach showcased how FP&A can drive organizational growth beyond traditional financial metrics. Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion! Listen to the full episode to gain deeper insights into modernizing your FP&A practices and staying ahead in the rapidly evolving financial landscape. https://lnkd.in/gY9BcqJY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and receive access to a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module - https://lnkd.in/g8g5XN7j 🧔 Follow the Host at Paul Barnhurst 📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/gE45bU4A