The Budget Isnt the Goal. Building a Better Business Is with Zach & Chris @thefpandaguy

The FP&A Guy Check out the teaser clip here: youtu.be/nPQ6fBOieV8

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Zach Rial and Chris Ortega, alongside co-host Glenn Snyder, to discuss budgeting and forecasting best practices. The conversation explores how finance teams should think about the purpose of budgeting, balancing control with agility, involving the business in the planning process, and using forecasting as a tool for better decision-making.

Zach Rial is a finance leader at AskElephant, a startup focused on revenue and conversation intelligence. He brings experience as an operator who uses finance, FP&A, and business insights to help companies grow and improve decision-making. Chris Ortega is the CEO of Fresh FP&A, a global fractional CFO and advisory firm supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Chris has over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and leadership roles, helping organizations build, scale, and prepare for growth.

Expect to Learn:
The real purpose of budgeting and forecasting
How to create a business-focused planning process
Why trust and partnership are essential for FP&A teams
How to balance budget discipline with flexibility
Best practices for managing AI costs and governance

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“A budget is the direction of where you want to go, but things change so much in a business.” - Chris Ortega
“The budget process should not be a finance exercise. It’s an organizational exercise.” - Glenn Snyder

Effective budgeting is not about predicting the future perfectly, it is about creating alignment, understanding business drivers, and enabling better decisions. The strongest FP&A teams use budgets and forecasts as tools to guide the business, build trust, and help leaders navigate uncertainty.

Follow Zach:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zacharyrial

Follow Chris:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/freshcfo

Follow Glenn:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Earn Your CPE Credit
For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Introduction
[05:17] - The Purpose of Budgeting
[11:23] - Making Budgeting a Business Process
[16:21] - Building a Better Planning Approach
[25:48] - Practical Budgeting and Forecasting Tips
[36:44] - Building Trust With Business Partners
[43:35] - Managing AI Costs and Governance
[53:18] - Balancing Budget Control and Agility
[58:35] - Final Advice

updated 3 weeks ago

The Budget Isnt the Goal. Building a Better Business Is with Zach & Chris

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-27 | Check out the teaser clip here: youtu.be/nPQ6fBOieV8

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Zach Rial and Chris Ortega, alongside co-host Glenn Snyder, to discuss budgeting and forecasting best practices. The conversation explores how finance teams should think about the purpose of budgeting, balancing control with agility, involving the business in the planning process, and using forecasting as a tool for better decision-making.

Zach Rial is a finance leader at AskElephant, a startup focused on revenue and conversation intelligence. He brings experience as an operator who uses finance, FP&A, and business insights to help companies grow and improve decision-making. Chris Ortega is the CEO of Fresh FP&A, a global fractional CFO and advisory firm supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Chris has over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and leadership roles, helping organizations build, scale, and prepare for growth.

Expect to Learn:
The real purpose of budgeting and forecasting
How to create a business-focused planning process
Why trust and partnership are essential for FP&A teams
How to balance budget discipline with flexibility
Best practices for managing AI costs and governance

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“A budget is the direction of where you want to go, but things change so much in a business.” - Chris Ortega
“The budget process should not be a finance exercise. It’s an organizational exercise.” - Glenn Snyder

Effective budgeting is not about predicting the future perfectly, it is about creating alignment, understanding business drivers, and enabling better decisions. The strongest FP&A teams use budgets and forecasts as tools to guide the business, build trust, and help leaders navigate uncertainty.

Follow Zach:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zacharyrial

Follow Chris:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/freshcfo

Follow Glenn:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Earn Your CPE Credit
For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Introduction
[05:17] - The Purpose of Budgeting
[11:23] - Making Budgeting a Business Process
[16:21] - Building a Better Planning Approach
[25:48] - Practical Budgeting and Forecasting Tips
[36:44] - Building Trust With Business Partners
[43:35] - Managing AI Costs and Governance
[53:18] - Balancing Budget Control and Agility
[58:35] - Final Advice

Stop presenting billions down to pennies.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-17 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Eric Alexander to explore FP&A leadership, financial decision-making, materiality, communication, and why finance teams need to know when precision stops adding value.

A multi-billion-dollar balance sheet does not need to be presented to the nearest penny.

Yes, the numbers need to balance.

Yes, the underlying data needs to be accurate.

But your board presentation has a different job.

When you throw 12 significant digits on a slide, you force decision-makers to find the signal inside the noise.

That’s not precision serving the business.

That’s precision making the business work harder.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #CFO #BoardReporting #FinanceLeadership #FinancialReporting #Materiality #ExecutiveCommunication #StrategicFinance #FinancialStorytelling #DecisionMaking

Your Excel time drops as you rise.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-17 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Eric Alexander to explore FP&A leadership, career progression, finance technology, and how the skills you rely on evolve as you move up the leadership ladder.

There’s almost an inverse relationship between seniority and time spent in Excel.

Early in your career, technical mastery can make you incredibly valuable.

But as you move up, your job starts to change.

You’re spending less time building the model and more time understanding what the model means.

That doesn’t make Excel irrelevant.

It makes having technically strong people around you even more important.

And Excel itself hasn’t stood still.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #Excel #FinanceLeadership #CFO #FinancialModeling #FinanceCareers #StrategicFinance #FinanceTransformation #FPandASkills #FutureOfFinance

Leadership is a role of trust.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-17 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Eric Alexander to explore stewardship leadership, the evolving CFO role, stronger FP&A, decision-making, and what it really takes to lead finance with trust and accountability.

A CFO may oversee billions in assets without owning a dollar of them.

That changes how you should think about leadership.

Your authority comes with responsibility to people who are relying on you to get it right.

The numbers matter, but so do your judgment, character, and accountability.

Finance leadership isn’t about protecting your own importance.

It’s about taking seriously what the organization has placed in your hands.

The greater the responsibility, the greater the need for stewardship.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#CFOLeadership #FinanceLeadership #StrategicFinance #FPandA #Stewardship #CFO #FinanceTransformation #ExecutiveLeadership #FutureOfFinance #FinancialLeadership

Are You Solving Business Problems or Just Reporting Numbers? with Eric Alexander

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-17 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Eric Alexander about building effective FP&A functions, developing business acumen, and preparing finance professionals for leadership. Eric explains why finance teams need to look beyond the numbers, understand the business, communicate effectively, and develop the leadership skills needed to create greater impact.

Eric Alexander is the President of Six Arrows Consulting and an advisor, speaker, and author with nearly 40 years of financial management experience, including 20 years in CFO roles. He served as CFO of Happy State Bank and now provides leadership development, strategic planning, finance function, and advisory services to community banks and mid-market companies. He is also the author of Stewardship Leadership for Stinking Accountants: Serving as the CFO.

Expect to Learn:
Why business understanding matters beyond technical skills.
How to build a stronger FP&A function.
Why CFOs need leadership and communication skills.
How to make better decisions through constructive disagreement.
Why stewardship is essential to effective finance leadership.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
"Numbers that are done correctly relative to the business issue and then communicated well... that's good FP&A." - Eric Alexander
"If I live in my little silo by myself and ignore the effects upstream and downstream, I'm missing opportunities." - Eric Alexander

Eric emphasizes that strong finance professionals need more than technical expertise. They must understand the business behind the numbers, communicate their insights, collaborate across functions, and help leaders make better decisions. As professionals move toward CFO roles, leadership, strategy, communication, and stewardship become increasingly important

Follow Eric:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/eric-alexander-sixarrowsconsulting
Website: ericralexander.com
Company: sixarrowsconsulting.com

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Earn Your CPE Credit
For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer & Introduction
[03:55] - What Great FP&A Looks Like
[04:47] - Building a Strong FP&A Function
[07:43] - Understanding the Business Behind the Numbers
[09:23] - Building Business Acumen
[13:39] - Moving From Accounting to FP&A
[16:19] - The Path to CFO
[20:31] - Leadership & Constructive Disagreement
[26:06] - Pre-Mortems & Better Decisions
[30:03] - Point Estimates vs. Ranges
[38:10] - Stewardship Leadership & The CFO Role
[43:57] - Technical & Human Skills for FP&A
[46:19] - Personal Questions & Closing Thoughts

Enterprise growth starts after deployment.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-16 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst and co-hosts Ian Schnoor and Giles Male sit down with Peter Fuller, CEO and co-founder of Tracelight, to explore AI-powered financial modelling, enterprise adoption, model orchestration, and Tracelight’s ambition to become a category-defining AI platform for management consulting.

Selling AI into enterprise isn’t a quick win.

Contracts take time. Infosec takes time.

Getting through procurement and deployment takes time.

But once the technology is inside the organisation, the opportunity changes completely.

The focus moves from winning an account to expanding across it.

More teams. More users. More workflows.

We’ve already watched AI companies build powerful positions in coding, law, and banking.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#EnterpriseAI #ManagementConsulting #AIinFinance #FinancialModeling #EnterpriseSoftware #B2BSoftware #FinanceTechnology #Tracelight #AIStrategy #FutureOfWork

September 15, 2026

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-15 | ...

Don’t downgrade your AI yet.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-15 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst and co-hosts Ian Schnoor and Giles Male sit down with Peter Fuller, CEO and co-founder of Tracelight, to explore AI-powered financial modelling, model orchestration, enterprise adoption, and how rapidly improving LLMs could reshape finance workflows.

A great AI setup can only take you so far.

For big, complicated spreadsheets, raw model capability still makes a meaningful difference.

We haven’t reached the point where frontier models have saturated the financial modelling tasks that matter.

But that point could arrive faster than expected.

When tomorrow’s models become dramatically more capable, using the most expensive intelligence for routine formulas may stop making sense.

The question then changes.

Instead of asking which model is strongest, you start asking where that intelligence creates the most value.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #AIinFinance #LLMs #FinanceTechnology #Excel #FinancialModels #AIOrchestration #FutureOfFinance #Tracelight #FinanceProfessionals

Financial Modeling is moving beyond cells.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-15 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst and co-hosts Ian Schnoor and Giles Male sit down with Peter Fuller, CEO and co-founder of Tracelight, to explore how AI is reshaping financial modelling, consulting, enterprise workflows, and the future of Excel.

The next leap in financial modelling isn’t another add-in.

It’s moving more of the actual work beyond the spreadsheet.

As LLMs improve, manually hunting through cells becomes less valuable.

AI can increasingly handle the execution, verify the work, and show you what changed.

That shifts the modeler’s role higher up the value chain.

Less time buried in formulas.

More time challenging assumptions, interpreting outputs, and making better decisions.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #AIinFinance #Excel #FinanceTransformation #FinancialModels #FutureOfFinance #LLM #FinanceProfessionals #Tracelight #FPandA

Building AI for the Top 1% of Excel Users with Peter Fuller

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-15 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, the Mod Squad, Ian Schnoor, Giles Male, and Paul Barnhurst, speak with Peter Fuller about AI-powered financial modeling and the rapidly changing future of Excel. Peter shares how Tracelight evolved from an AI-for-Excel tool into a broader AI workspace for professionals in finance and consulting.

Peter Fuller is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tracelight, based in London, England. Before founding Tracelight in 2024, he was an early-stage venture capital investor at Entrepreneurs First and spent five years at McKinsey, including time with QuantumBlack, McKinsey’s AI practice. His background combines finance, consulting, venture capital, AI, and financial modeling.

Expect to Learn
How Tracelight evolved from an AI-for-Excel tool.
Why specialized AI tools can compete with larger platforms.
How AI orchestration is changing financial modeling.
Why enterprise AI adoption is accelerating.
How AI could transform the role of financial modelers.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
"The needs of the top 1% of users are different from the needs of the other billion people using Excel." - Peter Fuller
"The amount of value that you'll be able to add in the world is now just increasing exponentially." - Peter Fuller

Peter explains why he sees AI as an opportunity for financial modelers rather than simply a threat. As AI becomes more capable, he expects modelers to move beyond manually building spreadsheets and toward creating models that become a persistent part of how businesses operate.

Follow Ian:
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor

Follow Giles:
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15
Follow Peter:
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/peter-fuller-

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer & Introduction
[03:40] - Building AI for Excel
[07:14] - Competing With Big AI Labs
[11:27] - Tracelight's Strategy
[15:30] - Tracelight's Core Customers
[16:23] - AI Harnesses & Orchestration
[19:32] - The Future of AI Models
[22:10] - Multi-Model AI Workflows
[27:44] - Enterprise Growth & User Love
[33:32] - The Tracelight Platform
[43:03] - Excel, AI & The Future of Modeling
[47:13] - The Future of Financial Modelers

Stop explaining every single detail.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-12 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst and guest Soufyan Hamid discuss one of the biggest challenges in FP&A: knowing when to stop analyzing and start communicating what truly matters.

Early in your career, it's easy to believe more detail equals more value.

It doesn't. Leaders hire you to simplify complexity.

Not to replay every step of your analysis.

Trust is built by showing you've done the work.

Influence is built by highlighting what matters most.

The best finance professionals know when to zoom in.

Great business partners know when to zoom out.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #BusinessPartnering #FinanceLeadership #ExecutiveCommunication #FinancialPlanning #DataStorytelling #DecisionMaking #CorporateFinance #CFO #FinanceCareer #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessStrategy

Influence is the real FP&A benchmark.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-11 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Soufyan Hamid to discuss why business partnering remains one of FP&A's biggest opportunities, how organizations are progressing, and what separates reporting teams from true strategic partners.

Great FP&A isn't measured by perfect forecasts.

It's measured by business influence.

If finance isn't shaping decisions, we're leaving value on the table.

The encouraging part? Many organizations already recognize the gap.

That's why they're investing in developing stronger business partnering skills.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #BusinessPartnering #FinanceLeadership #CorporateFinance #CFO #FinancialPlanning #DecisionMaking #FinanceTransformation #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #FinanceProfession #ExecutiveInfluence

Stop presenting every piece of data.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-11 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Soufyan Hamid to explore how FP&A teams can communicate insights more effectively, avoid common reporting mistakes, and create presentations that actually influence business decisions.

One of the biggest reporting mistakes isn't the data.

It's treating every deck the same.

A reference deck should answer every possible question.

A presentation deck should answer the most important one.

Leaders don't need every chart.

They need clarity on what matters right now.

The best FP&A professionals don't just report information.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #FinancialPlanning #BusinessPartnering #FinanceLeadership #DataStorytelling #FinancialAnalysis #DecisionMaking #BusinessInsights #CFO #CorporateFinance #ExecutiveCommunication #FinanceTransformation

Not every company should build AI.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-10 | In this episode of Future Finance, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with co-host Glenn Hopper to explore the build-versus-buy decision for AI, why data ownership matters, and how finance leaders should weigh control against the resources required to build and maintain their own AI capabilities.

Data is becoming the fuel behind AI.

So owning the technology can create a real advantage.

You own the data. You own the construct.

You control how the system is built around your business.

But ownership comes with a cost.

If your company doesn’t have the data infrastructure, engineering resources, or internal expertise to support AI, building simply for the sake of control can become an expensive distraction.

The question isn’t whether you can build it.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#AIinFinance #BuildVsBuy #CFOLeadership #DataStrategy #FinanceTransformation #EnterpriseAI #FinanceTechnology #AIGovernance #FutureOfFinance

CFOs need to own AI adoption.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-10 | In this episode of Future Finance, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with co-host Glenn Hopper to explore why CFOs should take ownership of AI adoption and how finance leaders can use proven frameworks around data, systems, controls, and 90-day pilots to move from experimentation toward measurable results.

AI is moving absurdly fast.

That doesn’t mean your implementation should be reckless.

The frameworks finance already understands still matter.

Start by understanding your systems.

Get clear on your data and where it comes from.

Know which processes are ready for automation and which aren’t.

Then test AI in focused, measurable pilots instead of trying to transform everything at once.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#AIinFinance #CFOLeadership #FinanceTransformation #AIGovernance #FinanceAutomation #FutureOfFinance #FPandA #EnterpriseAI #DigitalFinance

Only 6% of Finance Teams Actually Influence Decisions | Soufyan Hamid

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-10 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Soufyan Hamid about financial storytelling, finance business partnering, and how finance professionals can move from reporting numbers to influencing business decisions. Soufyan explains why numbers need context, how finance teams can systematize storytelling, and why communication, business acumen, and empathy are essential skills for creating strategic impact.

Soufyan Hamid is a finance professional, corporate trainer, EMBA lecturer, and keynote speaker who specializes in systematizing storytelling for finance teams. He helps finance professionals strengthen their communication and financial storytelling skills.

Expect to Learn:
What the “precision trap” means for FP&A.
Why timely analysis can be more valuable than perfect accuracy.
How to choose the right level of accuracy for a decision.
What questions to ask before starting an analysis.
How finance professionals can become better business partners.
How the DERP framework improves variance analysis.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
"The first technical skill...that I would love for teams to develop is the driver tree." - Soufyan Hamid
"The numbers will never share a story by themselves." - Soufyan Hamid

Soufyan explains that effective financial storytelling is about more than presenting numbers. Finance professionals need to understand their audience, prioritize what matters, provide context, and help the business make better decisions.

Follow Soufyan:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/soufyanhamid
Website: thefinancecircle.com

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Earn Your CPE Credit
For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer
[03:13] - What Great FP&A Looks Like
[05:46] - Why Finance Needs Storytelling
[12:28] - Making Financial Storytelling Useful
[16:02] - Why Numbers Need Context
[19:57] - Systematizing Storytelling & the FP&A Maturity Model
[29:38] - Storytelling, Business Partnering & Influence
[34:21] - Common Finance Presentation Mistakes
[40:13] - Complexity Is a Failure of Empathy
[46:05] - Technical & Human Skills for FP&A
[49:53] - The Mindset Shift: Learning to Prioritize
[56:15] - Building Better Finance Teams & Closing Thoughts

CFOs must balance AI speed with risk.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-09 | In this episode of Future Finance, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with co-host Glenn Hopper to explore why finance should lead AI adoption, how CFOs can balance speed with risk, and why process thinking, data fluency, governance, and accountability matter more than becoming a developer.

The CFO may be becoming the Chief Accountability Officer.

Because AI doesn’t remove the controls finance already relies on.

It makes those controls even more important.

You don’t need to understand every line of code to lead AI effectively.

You need to understand the process, the data, and where the risks live.

Know which decisions can be automated and which still demand human judgment.

Know when probabilistic AI makes sense and when deterministic systems should take over.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#CFOLeadership #AIinFinance #FinanceTransformation #AIGovernance #FutureOfFinance #FinanceLeadership #FinancialControls #EnterpriseAI #FPandA

A Fragile Model Destroys Your Credibility.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-09 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Oren Klaff to explore how financial modelers can build credible models, communicate stories through numbers, support better decisions, and ultimately become more valuable to the business.

A financial model earns trust one thread at a time.

Someone checks an assumption. Then follows a formula.

Then challenges another number.

If everything connects, confidence grows.

But unexplained hardcodes, formulas dragged forward without logic, unnecessary complexity, and numbers that cannot be traced start breaking that confidence.

Precision alone won’t save a weak model.

Especially when you’re forecasting years into a future nobody can predict perfectly.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #FinancialModelling #ExcelForFinance #FinanceCareers #ModelAudit #FinancialAnalysis #CorporateFinance #FPandA #FinanceLeadership #BusinessPartnering

The CFO Should Own AI, Not IT | Glenn Hopper on The AI-Ready CFO

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-09 | In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Glenn Hopper about his new book, The AI-Ready CFO, and how finance leaders can successfully navigate AI adoption. Glenn explains why CFOs need to take ownership of AI strategy, how to balance speed with risk, and why strong governance, data readiness, and change management are essential for building trust in AI.

In this episode, you will discover:
Why CFOs need to play a leading role in AI adoption.
How finance teams can balance AI speed with governance and risk management.
Why data readiness and process documentation are critical before implementing AI.
How to build trust in AI through transparency, audit trails, and human oversight.
How CFOs can create effective AI pilot programs and scale successful initiatives.

AI adoption is not just about selecting new tools. Glenn explains that successful implementation starts with understanding current processes, improving data readiness, creating measurable baselines, and building systems that allow people to trust AI outputs. For CFOs, the future role is not becoming an AI engineer, but becoming the leader who ensures AI is used responsibly and effectively across the organization.

Follow Glenn:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Glenn’s new book: The AI-Ready CFO
robocfo.ai/ai-ready-cfo

Follow Paul:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer: The AI-Ready CFO
[03:54] - The AI-Ready CFO Explained
[08:59] - The Changing CFO Role
[13:27] - Why Finance Should Lead AI
[16:46] - AI Change Management
[21:32] - Building an AI Strategy
[27:39] - Trust, Governance & AI
[32:32] - Transparent AI Processes
[36:30] - AI Build vs. Buy
[40:02] - Building AI Agents
[43:21] - Closing Thoughts

Excel Will Outlive Us All.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-08 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Oren Klaff to explore financial modeling, deal-making, investment decisions, storytelling with numbers, and the tools and assumptions that actually matter when money is on the line.

Then the rapid-fire questions begin.

Will Excel ever die? Absolutely not.

Most important financial statement for a modeler? Income statement.

For an investor? Income statement again.

Sensitivity or scenario analysis? Sensitivity.

Favorite LLM? Claude. Most important financial metric? Cost to acquire a customer.

The answers are quick, but there’s a bigger theme underneath them.

Good financial modeling isn’t about having every possible tool.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #ExcelForFinance #SensitivityAnalysis #FinanceCareers #FinancialAnalysis #InvestmentAnalysis #CorporateFinance #Excel #FinanceProfessionals #FinancialModelers

Want to move up? Create solutions.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-08 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Oren Klaff to explore how financial modelers can turn technical analysis into deal-making insight, build trust, communicate sensitive assumptions, and move from the analyst seat toward higher-value roles.

Every model has assumptions you can challenge. Finding the flaw is the easy part.

Showing everyone how wrong the other side is might earn attention, but it can also turn analysis into conflict.

The better analyst finds what the deal is sensitive to and asks what could make it work.

That changes your role from critic to problem solver.

Buyers and sellers have already invested time because they want a path forward.

Your analysis should help them understand where the risk sits and what can be done about it.

High status can come from finding something wrong.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #FinanceCareers #PrivateEquity #InvestmentBanking #MergersAndAcquisitions #SensitivityAnalysis #DealMaking #FinancialAnalysis #CorporateFinance #FinanceProfessionals

Pitch Anythings Oren Klaff: From Spreadsheet to Deal Table

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-08 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Oren Klaff about how financial modeling can become a powerful tool for deal-making, investment decisions, and career growth. Oren explains why modelers should focus on identifying key sensitivities, communicating insights effectively, and helping buyers and sellers find ways to make deals work rather than simply pointing out flaws.

Oren Klaff is a Private Equity Fund Manager and the bestselling author of Pitch Anything. Based in Beverly Hills, California, he focuses on recruiting smart people to join his portfolio companies. Oren began his career as a financial analyst in private equity before moving into deal-making and capital raising. His experience in financial modeling has played a key role in his approach to deal-making and raising capital.

Expect to Learn:
How financial modeling can help you transition into deal-making and capital raising.
Why identifying sensitive assumptions is more valuable than simply finding errors.
How analysts can avoid antagonizing other parties and instead help move deals forward.
What makes a financial model professional, usable, and trustworthy.
Why simplicity and structure matter when building models for business users.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
"Excel will never die. Rock and roll will never die, and Excel will never die." - Oren Klaff
"The shortest path to high status is finding something wrong." - Oren Klaff

Oren explains that the real value of a modeler goes beyond building technically complex spreadsheets. The best modelers help decision-makers understand what matters, communicate uncertainty, and find practical ways to move a deal forward. A strong model should also be simple enough for business users to operate and robust enough to withstand scrutiny.

Join FMI’s Global Conference:
Take your financial modeling skills to the next level with FMI’s Global Financial Modeling Conference. Experience 24 hours of learning, networking, and practical insights from leading experts across the finance community.
Register today: fminstitute.com/conference

Follow Oren:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/orenklaff

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner: 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at bit.ly/497oAqW

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer
[05:20] - Finding Insight in the Numbers
[07:28] - Moving From Analyst to Deal Maker
[10:58] - Using Modeling Without Antagonizing the Other Side
[15:26] - Price, Terms, and Making Deals Work
[20:11] - Real-World Applications of Modeling in Deals
[23:24] - Modeling Horror Stories & What Good Models Look Like
[31:25] - Building Models That Help Raise Money
[35:20] - Storytelling With Numbers
[40:13] - Pitch Anything and the Role of Status
[43:24] - Rapid Fire: Excel, AI, Sensitivity Analysis & More
[44:53] - Final Advice for Advancing Your Modeling Career

Perfect analysis delivered late loses value.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-04 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Asif Masani to explore The Precision Trap, why traditional finance habits can slow decision-making, and how FP&A teams can become stronger business partners.

Finance professionals were trained to value accuracy.

But the business environment that rewarded waiting for 100% certainty has changed.

A decision that once had three weeks might now have three days.

That changes what valuable finance support looks like.

Accuracy still matters, but so does timing.

If perfect analysis arrives after the business has already moved, it can't influence the decision.

The goal isn't to become careless with the numbers.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #StrategicFinance #FinanceTransformation #BusinessPartnering #DecisionMaking #FinanceLeadership #FinancialAnalysis #CorporateFinance #FinanceProfessionals #CFO

One app keeps the business connected.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-03 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Asif Masani to explore FP&A career growth, the Precision Trap, business partnering, and the tools and habits behind building a finance education business.

If you could keep only ONE app on your phone for an entire year, what would survive the cut?

For some businesses, the answer isn't email, Slack, or LinkedIn. It's WhatsApp.

When you have roughly 25 groups supporting different courses and cohorts, one simple app becomes a major part of how the organization stays connected.

It keeps conversations moving. It keeps communities accessible.

And it keeps learners connected across different programs.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #FinanceCommunity #FinanceProfessionals #WhatsAppForBusiness #FinanceTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment #FinanceCareers #FPandACommunity #BusinessCommunication

Great FP&A starts with better modeling.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-03 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Asif Masani to explore what separates great FP&A professionals from good ones, from escaping the precision trap to mastering the skills that drive better business decisions.

Financial modeling isn't just another technical skill to check off your list.

Done properly, it can completely change how efficiently you work.

A well-designed model makes analysis faster, assumptions clearer, and decisions easier to support.

Poor modelling practices create the opposite.

More manual work. More confusion. More time spent fixing what should have worked in the first place.

The difference becomes especially visible as you move from analyst to manager.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #FinancialModeling #FinancialPlanning #FinanceCareers #CorporateFinance #FinanceProfessionals #ExcelForFinance #FinancialAnalysis #FinanceLeadership #StrategicFinance

Why Your Brilliant Financial Analysis Gets Ignored: The Precision Trap with Asif Masani

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-03 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Asif Masani about his new book, The Precision Trap, and why finance teams can focus too much on accuracy and miss the decision window. Asif explains how FP&A professionals can deliver timely analysis, influence business decisions, and become stronger business partners.

Asif Masani is a Director at FP&A Professionals Institute and FP&A Jobs, an author, and Udemy instructor focused on helping finance professionals develop their FP&A skills. He is the author of All About FP&A, From Accounting to FP&A, and Data Storytelling Playbook.

Expect to Learn:
What the “precision trap” means for FP&A.
Why timely analysis can be more valuable than perfect accuracy.
How to choose the right level of accuracy for a decision.
What questions to ask before starting an analysis.
How finance professionals can become better business partners.
How the DERP framework improves variance analysis.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
"Finance people are very good at doing analysis, but they're not very good at influencing decisions." - Asif Masani
"The decision that could wait earlier for three weeks can't wait today for three days." - Asif Masani

The key to avoiding the precision trap is understanding what decision the analysis needs to support, who needs it, and when they need it. Asif explains why finance professionals should focus on delivering useful analysis at the right time and earning a place in important business decisions.

Follow Asif:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/asifmasani
Website: fpnaprofessionals.com

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Earn Your CPE Credit
For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer
[04:49] - What Great FP&A Looks Like
[10:30] - Building the FP&A Professionals Institute
[18:33] - Understanding the Precision Trap
[20:35] - Why Timely Analysis Matters
[29:44] - Spotting the Precision Trap in Organizations
[35:16] - Essential FP&A Skills
[38:04] - The DERP Framework
[39:54] - Getting to Know Asif
[44:41] - Final Advice for Finance Professionals

A balanced model can still lie.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-02 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Marli van Staden-Basson to discuss financial modelling best practices, model transparency, and the costly shortcuts that quietly undermine confidence.

A model that balances isn't always a model that's correct.

Sometimes the numbers look perfect because someone forced them to.

One hidden plug figure. One white-font cell.

One shortcut nobody was meant to find.

It might save a few minutes today.

But it can cost hours of investigation later.

Great financial models are built to be understood.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy
#FinancialModeling #ExcelBestPractices #Finance #ModelAudit #ProjectFinance #FinancialControls #ExcelTips #CorporateFinance #ModelTransparency

Youre still the last line of defence.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-01 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Marli van Staden-Basson to explore AI-assisted financial modelling, stronger model design, and why human review remains essential even when instructions appear flawless.

AI can follow your process. It can generate formulas, review logic, and accelerate repetitive work.

But it can also ignore an explicit instruction simply because it decides the step is unnecessary.

That is where blind trust becomes dangerous.

A detailed prompt is not a control system.

You still need structured checks, transparent calculations, and clear review points throughout the model.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #AIinFinance #ModelAudit #FinanceTransformation #ProjectFinance #FinancialModellers #ModelRisk #ClaudeAI #ExcelModeling #HumanOversight

Scenario thinking beats single assumptions.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-01 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Marli van Staden-Basson to explore practical financial modeling, project finance decision-making, AI tools, and why scenario analysis creates stronger, more reliable models.

The best financial models aren't built for one future.

They're built for multiple possibilities.

That's why scenario analysis creates far more value than relying on a single assumption.

Every stakeholder sees the world differently.

A strong model helps each of them make confident decisions.

Even the best AI tools can speed up your workflow.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #ProjectFinance #ScenarioAnalysis #FinanceLeadership #Excel #FinancialPlanning #BusinessModeling #AIinFinance #DecisionMaking

Budgets set direction, and forecasts drive decisions.

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-01 | Check out the full episode here: youtu.be/EhVBU_Pj9JM

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst and co-host Glenn Hopper sit down with Chris Ortega and Zach Rial to explore budgeting, forecasting, and how finance teams can build plans that actually support better decisions.

A budget gives the business direction.

It defines what you believe needs to happen over the next 12 months.

But treating that budget like guaranteed reality creates false confidence.

Markets move. Assumptions change. Priorities shift.

That’s why forecasting needs to keep moving too.

Rolling forecasts give finance teams a current view of where the business is actually heading.

The goal isn’t to predict every number perfectly.

It’s to recognize change early enough to make smarter decisions.

Budget for direction. Forecast for reality.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #RollingForecast #Budgeting #Forecasting #FinancialPlanning #StrategicFinance #FinanceLeadership #CFO #BusinessPlanning #FinanceStrategy

Why AI Makes Financial Modeling Best Practices More Important with Marli van Staden-Basson

The FP&A Guy 2026-09-01 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Marli van Staden-Basson about best-practice financial modeling, AI, model design, and the skills needed to build reliable models. Marli explains why transparency, usability, and risk management matter, and how AI makes strong modeling practices even more important.

Marli van Staden-Basson is the founder and financial modeling specialist at Near Future Limited, with over 20 years of experience in corporate and infrastructure finance. She specializes in renewable energy and digital infrastructure modeling, including complex model development and independent model audits.

Expect to Learn:
What best-practice financial modeling really means.
Why model design and transparency are so important.
How AI is changing financial modeling.
Common modeling mistakes and practices to avoid.
How to design models around the people who use them.
Why human review remains essential when using AI.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
"You are still the last line of defence as the human modeler." - Marli van Staden-Basson
"A good financial model should really be doing a single thing." - Marli van Staden-Basson

AI can make modeling faster, but Marli explains why it does not replace good modeling practices. Clear design, purposeful structure, checks, and human judgement remain essential for creating models that are reliable and easy to review.

Follow Marli:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marli-van-staden-basson-7119ba28

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner: 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner

Join FMI’s Global Conference:
Take your financial modeling skills to the next level with FMI’s Global Financial Modeling Conference. Experience 24 hours of learning, networking, and practical insights from leading experts across the finance community.
Register today: fminstitute.com/conference

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at bit.ly/497oAqW

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer
[03:29] - Building a Career in Financial Modeling
[07:18] - Breaking the Modeler Stereotype
[10:54] - Financial Modeling Horror Stories
[18:49] - Starting a Financial Modeling Consultancy
[24:28] - AI and Best-Practice Modeling
[30:26] - Why Model Design Matters
[37:07] - Tips for Building Better Models
[41:23] - Worst Modeling Practices to Avoid
[47:43] - Excel Rapid Fire
[51:05] - AI and the Future of Modeling

Your wishlist still needs priorities.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-29 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst, co-host Glenn, and guests Zach Rial and Chris Ortega explore how finance teams can turn budgeting into better business conversations by understanding stakeholder goals, setting clear constraints, and helping leaders prioritize what matters most.

Asking for a wishlist doesn't mean approving everything on it.

It means understanding what the business actually wants to achieve.

Then comes the harder question: What matters most?

Every team has a spending limit.

Every new priority competes with something else.

Want to fund one initiative? You may need to give up another.

That’s where FP&A creates real value.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #Budgeting #BusinessPartnering #CapitalAllocation #FinanceLeadership #StrategicFinance #FinancialPlanning #ResourceAllocation

Your forecast must serve the business.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-28 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst, co-host Glenn, and guests Zach Rial and Chris Ortega explore how finance teams can build budgeting and forecasting processes around stakeholder needs, business value, and better decision-making.

A process isn't valuable just because you repeat it every month.

Updating models isn't the same as engaging the business.

A rolling forecast can quickly become another finance exercise if nobody outside finance actually uses it.

The real question is what value are you trying to create?

Start by identifying the people who need the forecast to make decisions.

Ask them what they actually need it to tell them.

If sales calls it "the finance number", you've already lost alignment.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #RollingForecast #FinancialPlanning #Budgeting #BusinessPartnering #FinanceLeadership #Forecasting #StrategicFinance

New spending demands a clear reason.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-28 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst, co-host Glenn, and guests Zach Rial and Chris Ortega explore how finance teams can challenge changing assumptions, manage unplanned spending, and protect capital without standing in the way of the business.

A request outside the budget shouldn't automatically get a yes or no.

It should start a conversation.

What changed since the original plan was approved?

What did we believe three months ago that we no longer believe today?

And what new information makes this investment necessary now?

The budget captures what you knew then. Good FP&A responds to what you know now.

Being a steward of capital isn't about defending every original number.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #FinancialPlanning #Budgeting #FinanceLeadership #BusinessPartnering #CapitalAllocation #StrategicFinance #FinanceStrategy

AI Is Finally Becoming Truly Agentic.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-27 | In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper explore AI fatigue, the rise of true AI agents, changing model capabilities, and what finance teams actually need to build reliable AI workflows.

Chasing every new model and benchmark is exhausting.

And increasingly, it’s the wrong place to focus.

The bigger shift is happening around the models.

AI can now handle longer-running tasks, connect steps together, and operate more like an actual agent.

That creates a much more useful question for finance leaders.

Not “Which model scored highest this week?”

But “What can we safely let this system do?”

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#AIinFinance #FPandA #AgenticAI #AIAgents #FinanceAutomation #FutureOfFinance #CFO #FinanceTransformation #FinancialPlanning #AIWorkflows

Prompt engineering is losing its edge.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-27 | In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper explore how AI is changing finance workflows, why prompting alone is becoming less valuable, and how context, instructions, and reference examples can produce better financial models.

A page-and-a-half prompt sounds sophisticated.

But longer doesn’t automatically mean better.

AI is increasingly capable of helping you create the prompt itself.

That changes where the real skill sits.

Instead of obsessing over the perfect wording, focus on giving AI the right context.

Show it what good looks like. Give it your rules, examples, and desired structure.

A simple prompt with the right context can compete with something far more elaborate.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #AIinFinance #PromptEngineering #FinanceAutomation #FutureOfFinance #CFO #FinancialModeling #FinanceTransformation #GenerativeAI #CorporateFinance

Smart CFOs Don’t Chase AI

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-26 | In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper explore AI fatigue, practical AI adoption in finance, token forecasting, data context, automation, and how finance teams can use AI without losing sight of the work that actually drives business value.

Finance has a simple job at its core: help the business make better, faster decisions.

AI doesn’t change that responsibility.

It should make the path to those decisions smarter and more efficient.

If your processes already work, don’t rebuild everything just because a new AI tool dropped.

Layer AI into the places where it genuinely improves speed, insight, or decision quality.

The goal isn’t to become the person who knows every model, benchmark, and feature.

It’s to become better at the job the business is paying you to do.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #AIinFinance #CFO #FinanceLeadership #FutureOfFinance #FinancialPlanning #FinanceTransformation #DecisionMaking #FinanceAutomation #CorporateFinance

Excel took this model backstage on TV.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-26 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst invites Diarmuid Early to explore financial modeling, Excel, automation, and some of the most unusual ways spreadsheet skills can solve real-world problems.

Sometimes a spreadsheet takes you somewhere completely unexpected.

Like backstage at a TV game show.

A production company needed to understand the expected payout for a game show concept.

The solution was a Monte Carlo model running one million simulations.

Probability distributions, potential outcomes, and expected payouts. All built in a spreadsheet.

The show never made it to a full commission, but it got far enough for a studio pilot to be recorded. That’s the fun of modeling.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #ExcelModeling #MonteCarloSimulation #Excel #ProbabilityModeling #FinancialModelling #SpreadsheetModeling #DataAnalysis #ExcelExperts

How Finance Pros Should Manage Data Context and Token Forecasting

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-26 | In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss AI fatigue, better ways for finance teams to use AI, and the growing challenge of forecasting AI costs. They explore why finance leaders should focus less on chasing new models and more on building the data, context, and workflows needed to get real value from AI.

In this episode, you will discover:
Why finance teams should stop chasing every new AI model.
Why context is becoming more important than prompting alone.
How better KPIs and data foundations improve AI results.
How organizations can forecast and manage AI token costs.
Why AI success should be measured by business outcomes.

Paul and Glenn explain why effective AI adoption isn't about using the most tokens or knowing every new tool. It's about using AI to help finance make better, faster decisions.

Follow Glenn:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:
[00:00] – Trailer
[03:17] – AI Fatigue & Model Overload
[09:38] – Beyond Prompt Engineering
[16:03] – Building Better AI Context
[24:29] – Organizing Finance Knowledge
[27:29] – Token Maxing & AI Costs
[32:06] – Forecasting Token Spend
[38:23] – Focusing on Business Value
[41:43] – Closing Thoughts

One Excel shortcut is all you need.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-25 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst invites Diarmuid Early to explore financial modeling, Excel, automation, AI, and the tools and techniques that make modelers more effective.

Ask an Excel expert for one favorite shortcut and apparently that’s asking too much.

The answer? Ctrl + Shift + O.

Not because it replaces one repetitive task.

Because it launches OA Robot and opens the door to far more.

It’s basically the Excel equivalent of wishing for more wishes.

And that says something important about where financial modeling is heading.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #ExcelShortcuts #ExcelTips #ExcelModeling #FinanceAutomation #FinancialModelling #ExcelExperts #FinanceTechnology #ModelingTools

One prompt should never replace judgment.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-25 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst invites Diarmuid Early to explore AI in financial modeling, the risks of one-prompt workflows, and why professional judgment still matters when technology promises instant results.

AI can turn a complicated workflow into one prompt.

That doesn’t mean the work is finished.

If your process skips reviewing the output, you haven’t eliminated a step. You’ve eliminated your quality control.

A model can look polished and still be completely wrong.

And giving AI one prompt with no examples, skills, or meaningful context only increases that risk.

But dismissing AI because it makes mistakes misses the point too.

Humans make mistakes. AI makes mistakes. The real advantage comes from knowing how to catch them.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on @thefpandaguy

#FinancialModeling #Excel #FinanceAI #FinancialModelling #FPandA #ModelAudit #ExcelModeling #AIinFinance #FinanceProfessionals #FinancialModels

What Separates an Excellent Financial Modeler From a Technically Good One with Diarmuid Early

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-25 | In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Diarmuid Early about what separates great financial modelers from technically capable ones, the rise of AI in financial modeling, and why judgment remains essential. Diarmuid shares lessons from his career, his experience as a three-time World Financial Modeling Champion, and why understanding what a model actually means matters more than simply building it correctly.

Diarmuid Early is the founder of Early Days Consulting, a data analytics and financial modeling consultancy. He previously worked at Boston Consulting Group and spent nearly a decade in Deutsche Bank’s Origination and Advisory division. He holds a PhD in computer science and is a three-time World Financial Modeling Champion, Excel MVP, and Master Financial Modeler

Expect to Learn:
Why great modelers think beyond simply building the model
How assumptions and business understanding drive valuable financial models
Where AI currently fits into financial modeling
Why AI-generated models still require careful human review
Why continuous learning remains essential for financial modelers

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“The hard part is getting everybody aligned. What are the assumptions?” - Diarmuid Early
“There is a smart way to do it. And so if you're banging your head against it, go find the smart way.” - Diarmuid Early

AI will continue to take on more of the technical work involved in financial modeling, but speed alone does not make a model useful or reliable. Strong modelers will continue to stand out through their ability to develop credible assumptions, interpret results, exercise judgment, and understand the decisions a model is meant to support.

Follow Diarmuid:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/diarmuidearly
YouTube: youtube.com/@DimEarly

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner: 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner

Join FMI’s Global Conference:
Take your financial modeling skills to the next level with FMI’s Global Financial Modeling Conference. Experience 24 hours of learning, networking, and practical insights from leading experts across the finance community.
Register today: fminstitute.com/conference

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at bit.ly/497oAqW

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer
[03:31] - Diarmuid’s Journey Into Financial Modeling
[06:00] - Financial Modeler Stereotypes
[08:20] - Career Advice for Aspiring Modelers
[12:46] - Financial Modeling Competitions
[14:59] - Consulting, Coaching, and Career Evolution
[18:25] - Meeting Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
[21:08] - AI and the Future of Financial Modeling
[25:41] - Why AI-Generated Models Still Need Review
[31:09] - Financial Modeling Standards and Best Practices
[35:19] - Diarmuid’s Most Challenging Modeling Case
[39:28] - Excel Shortcuts and Modeling Tools
[41:38] - Rapid-Fire Modeling Questions
[46:01] - Continuous Learning and Final Advice

Your Vibe Coded Tool Needs an Owner.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-21 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Brock Beyer and Natalia Kudinova to explore vibe coding in finance, including where it improves productivity, where governance matters, and how teams should think about security, maintenance, and long-term ownership.

Not every tool you build needs to live forever.

A personal productivity tool can solve your problem today and disappear when it’s no longer useful. That’s perfectly fine.

But the moment your team starts depending on it, the rules change.

Someone needs to own it. Someone needs to understand how it works.

There needs to be a handover process if the creator leaves.

And IT may need to support the infrastructure, hosting, and security behind it.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #VibeCoding #FinanceAutomation #FinanceTransformation #AIinFinance #FinanceTechnology #ITGovernance #FutureOfFinance #FinanceLeadership

AI adoption needs financial discipline.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-20 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Brock Beyer and Natalia Kudinova to explore vibe coding, AI adoption in finance, token economics, and how teams can balance experimentation with financial control.

AI usage can scale faster than the budget behind it.

That changes the conversation.

It’s no longer enough to ask whether employees are adopting AI.

Finance needs to know who is spending, where the spend is going, and what that usage actually produces.

Usage limits can protect the budget.

Monitoring can expose where costs are growing.

But neither answers the hardest question.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #AIinFinance #FinanceLeadership #AIEconomics #FinOps #FinanceTransformation #EnterpriseAI #FinancialPlanning #CFO #FutureOfFinance

Vibe coding has a hard limit.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-20 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Brock Beyer and Natalia Kudinova to explore where vibe coding belongs in finance, where it creates unnecessary risk, and how finance teams can experiment without compromising accuracy.

Excel isn’t obsolete just because AI arrived.

And SaaS isn’t dead because you can suddenly build software with a prompt.

The real question is, what should you actually build?

A dashboard? Absolutely. A flash report or internal workflow? Great use case.

An ERP handling sensitive financial data? That’s a completely different risk profile.

Finance doesn’t get to trade accuracy for novelty.

The higher the stakes, the stronger your controls, governance, and reliability need to be.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPandA #VibeCoding #FinanceAutomation #AIinFinance #FinanceTransformation #Excel #FinancialPlanning #FinanceLeadership #ERP #FutureOfFinance

Should Finance Pros Be Using Vibe Coding to Build Their Own Tools? with Brock & Natalia

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-20 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Brock Beyer and Natalia Kudinova to discuss how vibe coding is changing the way finance professionals automate work and build practical tools. They explore real-world use cases, AI token costs, security and maintenance concerns, and why finance teams should start with simple, repetitive processes rather than business-critical systems.

Brock Beyer is the CPA Controller at Jump, where he has used vibe coding to build internal productivity tools. Natalia Kudinova is a Senior Director at ABBYY with experience across finance leadership, treasury, tax, reporting, transformation, and process improvement.

Expect to Learn:
What vibe coding means for finance professionals
Practical finance processes you can automate with AI
How to manage AI token usage and costs
Why security and human oversight remain essential
How to start small and learn through experimentation

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“You don't have to feel this pressure to vibe code every single tool.” - Brock Beyer
“Start with the tasks that you are most tired of doing manually.” - Natalia Kudinova

Vibe coding is giving finance professionals new ways to automate repetitive work and build practical tools without traditional coding expertise. The key is to start small, focus on well-defined processes, and keep humans involved in reviewing results. As AI adoption grows, security, cost, and maintainability will remain critical considerations.

Follow Natalia:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/natalia-kudinova-aca

Follow Brock:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brockbeyer

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

Earn Your CPE Credit
For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today's Episode:
[00:00] - Trailer
[03:12] - What Great FP&A Looks Like
[04:59] - What Is Vibe Coding?
[09:36] - Getting Started With Vibe Coding
[16:02] - Where Vibe Coding Makes Sense
[20:21] - AI Token Costs and ROI
[34:12] - Best Finance Processes to Automate
[41:53] - What You Shouldn't Vibe Code
[46:17] - Maintenance and Security
[54:17] - Final Advice

The best technology is the right technology.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-15 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Nitesh Mukhi, Rohit Menon, and Sweta Jhalani to discuss where AI creates value, where traditional automation still wins, and why the human side of FP&A remains irreplaceable.

Not every problem needs AI.

Sometimes the smartest solution is the simplest one.

If a process is predictable and repeatable, automate it.

If a decision requires judgment, collaboration, and changing assumptions, that's where AI can support, not replace, you.

FP&A isn't just about spreadsheets. It's about conversations.

Business partnering. Understanding the story behind the numbers.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FP&A #Finance #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessPartnering #Automation #PowerQuery #FinanceLeadership #FutureOfFinance #DigitalTransformation #FinancialPlanning #AIInFinance #DataStrategy

Practice creates better AI results.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-14 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Nitesh Mukhi, Rohit Menon, and Sweta Jhalani to discuss how finance professionals can unlock AI's full potential through better prompting, domain expertise, and deliberate practice.

The biggest AI advantage isn't getting the first answer. It's knowing what to ask next.

While AI generates one response, experts are already preparing the next prompt.

They know what to refine. What to challenge.

And what the output is still missing.

AI can build a financial model in minutes.

But only experience tells you whether the result is actually right.

Better prompts come from better judgment.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FP&A #Finance #ArtificialIntelligence #PromptEngineering #FinancialModeling #FinanceLeadership #AIInFinance #CareerGrowth #FutureOfFinance #ProfessionalDevelopment #Upskilling

Learning compounds. Fear never does.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-14 | In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes guests Nitesh Mukhi, Rohit Menon, and Sweta Jhalani to discuss how AI is reshaping finance, why continuous learning matters, and how finance professionals can build careers that stay relevant in an AI-driven world.

Don't fear AI. Every major innovation has changed the way we work.

Yet people who kept learning always found new opportunities.

Technology evolves. Domain expertise remains valuable.

Strong fundamentals never go out of style.

The professionals who thrive won't be the ones resisting change.

They'll be the ones investing in themselves, earning new certifications, and building skills that compound over time.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FPA #Finance #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #CareerGrowth #FinanceLeadership #Learning #Upskilling #FutureOfWork #CFO #FinancialPlanning #ProfessionalDevelopment

Fix your foundation before AI.

The FP&A Guy 2026-08-13 | In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Alex Curran, CEO of Aptitude Software, to explore why data architecture, finance transformation, and AI readiness are now top priorities for CFOs navigating the future of finance.

Everyone wants AI. Few organizations are truly ready for it.

The biggest obstacle isn't choosing the right AI tool.

It's fixing the data and finance architecture that powers it.

CFOs are under growing pressure to prove AI delivers measurable value.

But without trusted data, even the smartest AI produces unreliable outcomes.

The organizations pulling ahead aren't rushing into AI.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy

#FutureFinance #AIInFinance #FinanceTransformation #DataStrategy #DataGovernance #CFO #FinanceLeadership #ERP #DigitalTransformation #ArtificialIntelligence #AptitudeSoftware