In this special solo episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst, known as the FP&A Guy, takes the spotlight to share his personal journey from a corporate financial analyst to an influential voice in financial modeling and FP&A. This episode is packed with career highlights, trends in financial modeling, and a mix of humor to kick off the new year.

Expect to Learn:

• The career journey of Paul Barnhurst of creating a thriving business and gaining global recognition.

• Key lessons in financial modeling, including best practices in designing effective models.

• Trends shaping financial modeling and analytics for 2025, including the role of AI.

This episode features Giles Male, co-founder of Full Stack Modeler and an Excel MVP, Will Wardle, an independent financial modeler with over two decades of experience, Carolina Lago, founder of Classic Financial, specializing in FP&A and financial restructuring for SMEs, Hedieh Kianyfard, a project finance expert from Iran, known for her practical solutions to complex modeling challenges, Oz du Soleil, a YouTube star and Excel MVP, renowned for his engaging tutorials and insights, Rishi Sapra, a former accountant turned Power BI advocate, and David Brown, a seasoned financial modeler with 27 years of experience, excelling in blending Excel with Power BI.

Expect to Learn:

• The impact of AI on the future of financial modeling.

• How Power BI complements financial modeling by enhancing data visualization and storytelling.

• The debate on the most important financial statement and how it informs decision-making.

This special episode captures the energy and innovation of the Excel Esports at the Financial Modeling World Cup (FMWC) in Las Vegas, showcasing interviews with top competitors, including Excel MVPs and data enthusiasts, while exploring how Excel competitions push the boundaries of modeling expertise.

Expect to Learn:

Unique perspectives on the creative use of Excel, from real-world modeling to themed case studies.

How Excel innovations like Power Query, dynamic arrays, and VBA are transforming data work.

Why participating in competitions like FMWC can rapidly enhance your financial modeling skills.

This episode takes you to the heart of the Financial Modeling World Cup (FMWC) 2024, hosted at the HyperX Gaming Arena in Las Vegas. Known as the "Excel Esports Championship," this unique event blends competitive financial modeling with the energy of live sports entertainment. From electric arenas to engaging case competitions, discover how Excel enthusiasts and world-class modelers push the boundaries of what's possible in financial modeling.

Expect to Learn:

How the FMWC is transforming financial modeling into an exciting esport.

Insights from top modelers on preparing for high-pressure competitions.

The role of networking and community in fostering innovation and growth in the Excel world.

Charles Keepman has spent years honing his skills in financial modeling, starting at Ernst & Young and later working at Economics Partners (now Ryan Valuation). With deep expertise in business valuation, Charles currently applies his modeling skills to help clients make strategic financial decisions. His career trajectory has been shaped by his passion for creating efficient and dynamic financial models that help businesses make informed, data-driven decisions.

Expect to Learn:

Key principles for building auditable, easy-to-follow financial models.

Insights into business valuation: when to use different approaches like DCF, asset, and market-based methods.

The role of Excel and financial modeling software in today’s fast-paced financial world.

In this special debate episode, host Paul Barnhurst aka The FP&A Guy is joined by an all-star panel of modeling experts to tackle some of the most contentious questions in the financial modeling world. This lively discussion promises insights, entertainment, and plenty of surprises as the panelists bring their expertise and humor to the table. Together, they bring decades of experience, fresh perspectives, and a shared passion for the art and science of financial modeling.

Expect to Learn:

• Why financial models are (or aren’t) the ultimate decision-making tool for businesses.

• The role of Excel in the future: is it here to stay, or will it be replaced by emerging technologies?

• Power BI, Power Query, and Python in financial modeling—are they worth learning?

Sean Corcoran is the Head of Corporate Development at DigiCert and has an illustrious career spanning Fortune 50 companies, private equity-backed ventures, and public firms. With experience leading over 60 acquisitions worth billions, Sean has a comprehensive understanding of the M&A lifecycle, strategic planning, and financial modeling.

Expect to Learn

Why simplicity and strategy are vital in corporate development financial models.

Common pitfalls in financial models and how to avoid them.

The importance of aligning strategic intent and integration during acquisitions.

Liam Bastick is a seasoned corporate trainer, author, and financial modeling expert, with a focus on Excel, Power BI, and AI applications. With a career that includes awards like Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professional and the inaugural Lifetime Achievement, international recognition, and extensive teaching, Liam provides listeners with both practical advice and fascinating anecdotes from his career.

Expect to Learn:

Excel optimization tips and learn how to effectively use Quick Access toolbar 

Challenges and advantages of modeling in Power BI

How AI is changing financial modeling and what the future might hold

Rachit Jain is a seasoned financial modeler with extensive experience in finance, auditing, and quantitative modeling. Having worked with firms like Hewlett Packard and Deloitte, Rachit brings a wealth of knowledge on creating models that inform decision-making and avoid critical pitfalls.

Expect to Learn:

How to build trust in financial models through transparency and sound design

Why critical thinking and communication skills are crucial in financial modeling

The role of data science in enhancing financial modeling capabilities

Carl Seidman is the founder of Seidman Financial and a recognized expert in financial planning, forecasting, and modeling. With experience in turnaround consulting and as a fractional CFO, Carl has worked extensively with underperforming companies and complex restructuring cases. He brings an in-depth understanding of the strategic nuances in financial modeling and cash flow management, which he shares in this episode.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include:

The importance of long-term, flexible thinking in financial modeling and planning.

How dynamic arrays are transforming cash flow modeling and how to implement them.

Why operational knowledge is crucial for effective financial modeling in turnaround situations.

The value of networking and formal certifications in restructuring and financial advisory roles.

Mark Proctor is a seasoned financial professional with a background in accounting and finance, an Excel MVP, and the founder of Excel Off the Grid, a platform dedicated to improving efficiency and effectiveness in Excel. With decades of experience, Mark's insights are invaluable for anyone looking to optimize their use of Excel for financial modeling and beyond.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include:

Importance of automation in Excel and how tools like Power Query and Power Pivot can drastically improve efficiency.

Why traditional tools like Vlookup aren’t ideal for modern data analysis and what functions you should be using instead.

Practical strategies for reducing manual processes and eliminating the need for repetitive tasks in Excel.

Chase Wright is a seasoned finance executive with a decade of experience across startups and tech companies like GitLab, Instabug, and Red Hat. Currently the Head of Finance and Data at Uniqode, Chase has a unique blend of corporate finance, data science, and business management expertise. He’s also an advisor to Cacheflow and a limited partner at FOG Ventures. With an engineering background and deep experience in finance, Chase brings a fresh perspective on the challenges and innovations in financial modeling.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include:

The role of modern spreadsheet tools like Equals in finance and data teams

The importance of balancing curiosity and necessity when developing career skills

The pros and cons of traditional modeling tools like Excel and Google Sheets versus newer alternatives

In this innovative episode, Paul Barnhurst experiments with Google’s AI tool, Notebook LM, and transforms previous guest interviews into an AI-generated episode. He explores the insights and best practices in financial modeling, as shared by veterans Scott Rostan, founder of Training the Street, and Ian Bennett, a PwC Australia leader with extensive experience in managing large modeling teams. 

Key takeaways from this week's episode include:

Four essential key pillars for excelling in financial modeling

Emerging tools in Excel and functionality of traditional financial modeling

Insights on the potential future of financial modeling with AI advancements 

Patrick McMillan is a fractional CFO and transaction advisor at Amplēo, a Utah-based firm specializing in providing executive support to growing companies. With over two decades of experience in guiding businesses through periods of growth and M&A transactions, Patrick is known for his expertise in Quality of Earnings analysis. He brings a dynamic and passionate approach to finance, blending technical skill with strong storytelling abilities to help businesses navigate complex financial landscapes.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include:

The role of Quality of Earnings (QofE) in mergers and acquisitions, and how it differs from an audit.

How to differentiate between non-recurring and operating items when analyzing financial statements.

The importance of normalizing earnings for better understanding of a company’s performance.

In this episode, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Ruby Liu, Director at KPMG Australia’s Valuation Team, to dive into intricacies of financial modeling. Having led KPMG Australia’s Sydney modeling team and worked as the head of corporate finance in the energy sector, Ruby’s vast experience spans from transactional modeling for infrastructure assets to advising clients on valuation and capital raising. Ruby Liu brings over 16 years of professional expertise in corporate finance, financial modeling, and valuations.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include:

The key differences between transactional and operational models and how to adapt them for long-term use.

Why keeping the model user in mind is crucial for building effective financial models.

Ruby’s top strategies for creating models that are simple, visually appealing, and efficient in calculation speed.

In this special solo episode, host Paul Barnhurst, also known as "The FP&A Guy," reflects on key insights gathered from past episodes of Financial Modeler’s Corner. With over 40 episodes under his belt, Paul dives into recurring rapid-fire questions posed to expert financial modelers worldwide. From circular references to VBA use and Excel's future, this episode offers valuable wisdom on the art and science of financial modeling.

He shares key takeaways from the rapid-fire questions posed to some of the top financial modelers in the world, offering a wealth of advice on best practices, common pitfalls, and emerging trends in financial modeling.

Highlights from this week's episode include:

Why dynamic arrays and other Excel functions are becoming increasingly important, and the pace of their adoption.

Insights into how artificial intelligence (AI) could impact financial modeling and whether it will replace human modelers.

The importance of good design principles in financial models, as shared by leading financial modeling experts.

Paul Medici is the Founder and CEO of Medici Financial Modeling. With over a decade of experience, Paul specializes in building bespoke financial models and custom data automation tools for corporate clients across the US, Canada, and Europe.

His expertise spans a wide range of industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, mining, real estate, retail, technology, and even charitable organizations. He holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and a Master’s in Geological Science and Engineering from Queen’s University.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include:

The most common mistakes in bad financial models and how to avoid them.

The importance of understanding revenue and cost build-ups in different industries.

Key shortcuts and techniques to speed up your Excel modeling process.

Gilbert Hangartner is a seasoned financial modeler who transitioned from a career in science, specializing in chemistry and physics, to financial modeling and risk analysis. His scientific training gives him a unique perspective on financial modeling, treating it as both a creative process and a technical discipline.

Gilbert emphasizes the importance of simplicity and clarity in building effective models and is an advocate for using models as tools for communication and strategic decision-making. Key takeaways from this week's episode include:

Understanding the importance of simplicity in modeling 

Introduction to Monte Carlo simulations for risk management

In this episode of Financial Modelers Corner, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Giles Male, who brings his unique perspective on the rapidly changing landscape of financial modeling. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity, the transformative power of modern Excel, and the critical need for clear communication in model design.

Together, they explore how the latest advancements in Excel—such as dynamic arrays and Lambda functions—are revolutionizing the way financial models are built and used. Giles also provides invaluable advice on the importance of simplicity, adaptability, and effective communication in modeling.

In this episode of Financial Modelers Corner, Paul Barnhurst dives into the intricacies of financial modeling, focusing on cash flow forecasting and continuous planning with FP&A expert Randy Brown.

Randy Brown is a seasoned financial consultant with a rich background in FP&A, corporate finance, and financial modeling. After initially pursuing a career in music, Randy transitioned into finance, where he has built a successful career, particularly in cash flow management and continuous planning.