Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:

The great FP&A professionals go beyond just reporting numbers—they anticipate future trends and needs. This proactive approach is crucial for providing real value to the organization.

Transitioning from a focus on being right to being effective is vital. Andrew shares his personal journey of learning to communicate better and build stronger relationships within the business.

Business partnering involves working cohesively with other departments to solve real business problems and achieve strategic goals. Andrew outlines a framework for becoming an effective business partner, emphasizing understanding the business, effective communication, and building strong relationships.

Time management, perception of finance, and systems and processes are common barriers to effective business partnering. Andrew provides practical advice on how to navigate and overcome these challenges.

Mental Health and Work-Life Balance and the importance of seeking professional help. This episode highlights the need for self-awareness and taking care of one's mental health to maintain a successful career in finance.

In today’s episode, Paul engages with Bonnie Tomei, in the discussion on what makes great FP&A, the future of AI in finance, and key strategies for aspiring CFOs.

Bonnie, the CFO of Salience Labs and Chief Strategy Officer for K2X, has a wealth of experience in finance, strategic planning, and M&A activities, including being the former CFO of Spectra7, where she was voted Woman CFO of the Year for smaller public companies by FBI Silicon Valley.

Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:

FP&A professionals should act as strategic partners to executives, helping them achieve financial roadmaps and objectives. Understanding both internal and external factors is crucial for effective financial planning and analysis.

AI and software are transforming FP&A roles, pushing analysts to mature faster and providing deeper insights. Despite the rise of AI, the need for human intelligence to interpret data and make strategic decisions remains critical.

FP&A is a strong pathway to becoming a CFO, but professionals need to understand the technical accounting side and have business acumen. Building strong relationships with the executive team and demonstrating strategic thinking are essential for aspiring CFOs.

FP&A teams play a vital role in M&A activities, particularly in modeling and due diligence. Professionals should volunteer for tasks and demonstrate business intelligence to stay relevant during acquisitions.

Technical skills like Excel are fundamental, but equally important are soft skills such as emotional intelligence (EQ) and effective communication.

Understanding and defining key performance indicators (KPIs) is crucial for measuring success and aligning with strategic goals.

In today’s episode, Paul engages in an insightful roundtable discussion with Michael Dion on how FP&A goes beyond numbers and reports, focusing on collaboration and leveraging cutting-edge technology like generative AI to drive business success.

Michael, a seasoned finance professional and senior manager at a Fortune 100 company, is passionate about storytelling and presentations, transforming traditional financial reviews into engaging, story-based approaches. As a finance leader with extensive experience in media and entertainment, his innovative use of generative AI and dedication to continuous learning set him apart as a visionary in the FP&A field.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include:

Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:

Great FP&A emphasizes collaboration across departments, enabling informed decision-making rather than merely generating reports and numbers. This approach fosters a more integrated and strategic business environment.

Future FP&A professionals need to be technically proficient with tools like Python and generative AI. These technologies are crucial for handling and processing large data sets efficiently, enhancing overall effectiveness.

Implementing automation and AI can streamline FP&A processes, increasing efficiency and productivity. This allows FP&A professionals to focus on more strategic tasks, driving greater impact within their organizations.

Moving from traditional, number-heavy presentations to story-based approaches that incorporate insights from various departments can make financial reviews more engaging and actionable, leading to better business outcomes.

Strong relationships with business partners are essential for FP&A professionals. These relationships enable them to provide valuable support and drive strategic decisions, ultimately benefiting the entire organization.

Continuous learning and adapting to new technologies are critical for FP&A professionals to stay relevant. Embracing technological advancements ensures they can meet the evolving demands of the industry.

Proactively providing useful insights and well-prepared reports can make life easier for business partners and managers. This approach fosters better collaboration, enhances strategic decision-making, and supports career growth for FP&A professionals.

In today’s episode, Paul engages in an insightful roundtable discussion with Julio Martinez on how mid-market companies can harness the power of technology, data, and business partnering to drive performance and accountability.

Julio, a visionary in the finance world, currently serving as the CEO of Abacum. His passion for innovation and technology makes him a leading voice in transforming the finance sector. With over two decades of experience in finance, investment banking, and fintech, Julio brings unparalleled insights into the evolving landscape of FP&A.

In today’s episode, Paul engages in an insightful roundtable discuss with Nathan Kaemingk & Karan Sood on LinkedIn. In the episode we discuss the nuances of strategic pricing and its immense impact on business profitability.

Karan, a seasoned pricing professional, shares his extensive experience across various industries, emphasizing the importance of cross-functional alignment and value-based pricing.

Nathan, with a unique background in mechanical engineering and forecasting, highlights the critical role of understanding costs and leveraging pricing strategies to combat inflation and optimize profits.

In today’s episode, Paul engages in an insightful interaction with Philip Watson, for a discussion on what it takes to excel in financial planning and analysis (FP&A).

Philip, the CFO of Paddle, brings a wealth of knowledge, having led FP&A at ZoomInfo through its rapid growth and IPO. He is known for his commitment to developing talent, Philip's leadership has shaped the careers of many finance professionals. Currently leading Paddle’s financial strategy, Philip is transforming how fintech companies handle complex financial operations.

In today’s episode, Paul engages in an insightful interaction with Tyler Cypher, for a discussion on how generative AI is reshaping FP&A, the importance of business partnering, and optimizing cloud spend.

Tyler, the founder and CEO of OpsCipher, shares his journey from Disney finance intern to leading FP&A at top cybersecurity firms. He is an expert in leveraging generative AI for strategic decision-making. Also a passionate advocate for effective business partnering and optimizing cloud spending.

In today’s episode, Paul engages in a thought-provoking conversation with the awesome Jim Cook and Winnie Aoieong, for a fascinating discussion on the importance of decision-making systems, the value of trust in business partnerships, and the role of generative AI in modern FP&A.

Jim Cook, former CFO of Mozilla with a rich history at Netflix and Intuit, shares his valuable insights on effective decision-making systems and the power of community building.

Winnie Aoieong, VP of Business Finance at PowerSchool, discusses her experience in scaling financial operations and the critical balance of technical skills and business

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.

In 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.