Don’t Let Your Startup Fail – Essential Financial Tips For Entrepreneurs with Renato Villanueva.
In this episode, host Paul Barnhurst dives into the intricacies FP&A with Renato Villanueva. They discuss what makes great FP&A, the journey from risk management to FP&A, and the challenges of scaling a startup while maintaining financial discipline.
Renato Villanueva is an accomplished finance professional and the CEO of Parallel, a company providing innovative financial modeling and forecasting solutions for startups. With a finance degree from Utah Valley University, Renato's experience spans multiple high-profile companies, including Qualtrics, American Express, and Divvy.
His deep understanding of FP&A and his entrepreneurial spirit drive the conversation as he shares valuable insights from his career and current ventures.
Expect to Learn:
The essential characteristics of effective FP&A and why understanding your company's goals is crucial.
How persistence and networking can open doors in your career, as demonstrated by Renato's journey into Divvy.
The importance of aligning financial planning with company growth strategies, especially in a startup environment.
How to Become a Finance Athlete with Zach Rial
In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst dives into the evolving role of FP&A within organizations. This week’s guest is Zach Rial, the Senior Director of Finance and Strategy at Peak, a travel company based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
With a background in finance, holding a bachelor's degree from Utah State and an MBA from the University of Utah, Zach brings a unique perspective to FP&A, blending operational insights with financial strategy. Known for his hands-on approach to finance, Zach shares his journey from operations to senior finance roles, emphasizing the importance of understanding the business from the ground up.
Here is a summary of the key points from the discussion:
What defines great FP&A and why partnerships are crucial for financial success.
The concept of a "finance athlete" and how it applies to modern finance roles.
The importance of intellectual curiosity and its role in driving business insights.
The Critical Role of FP&A in Today's Market with Ryan Sanders
In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst dives into the world of growth equity investing with Ryan Sanders, a seasoned investor from Mercato Partners.
The conversation explores the critical role of FP&A (Financial Planning and Analysis) in supporting growth-stage companies, the nuances of growth equity investing, and how entrepreneurs can best position themselves for success.
Ryan Sanders is a growth investor at Mercato Partners, a growth equity firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah. With a background in finance and an MBA in entrepreneurship from the University of Texas, His career spans various roles in investment, and he is known for his strategic approach to partnering with entrepreneurs.
Expect to Learn:
The key attributes and skills that FP&A professionals need to excel in supporting growth-stage companies.
The importance of customer-centric growth and why organic growth strategies often outperform inorganic ones.
The role of AI in transforming FP&A functions and the broader finance industry.
Practical advice for entrepreneurs on when and how to raise capital effectively
Strategic FP&A Moves That Transform Businesses With Josh Aharonoff
In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst delves into the dynamic world of financial planning and analysis (FP&A). He is joined by Josh Aharonoff, an experienced finance professional who has navigated the complexities of FP&A, accounting, and entrepreneurship.
The conversation offers insights into the current state of FP&A and its evolving future, with practical advice for both aspiring and seasoned finance professionals.
Josh Aharonoff is a seasoned finance expert with a background in accounting and a wealth of experience in both big four accounting and startups. After obtaining his CPA and working in global banking services, Josh ventured into entrepreneurship, co-founding a startup and later establishing his own firm, Mighty Digits, specializing in outsourced finance and accounting services.
Key points of the discussion include understanding what makes financial planning and analysis effective and impactful. Insights into the chaotic yet rewarding environment of early-stage companies and essential technical and soft skills needed to excel in financial planning and analysis.
The Power of Partnerships in Finance
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.
Becoming a CFO through FP&A
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.
Strategies for Integrating Data and Driving Decisions
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.
Revolutionizing Mid-Market FP&A with Advanced Data Solutions
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.
Why Your Pricing Model Is Costing You Millions
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.
Why FP&A Professionals Are Struggling in The Age of Al
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.
The Ultimate FP&A Playbook For Cloud Spend Optimization
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.
Leveraging Data Insights For Smarter Business Decision Making
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
Harnessing FP&A For Enhanced Business Growth & Success
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.
How FP&A Expertise Paves the Way for Becoming a Chief of Staff
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.
