Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Alok Ajmera, CEO of Prophix, to explore how AI is reshaping FP&A, financial planning, and enterprise decision-making. Alok explains how modern finance teams are evolving from spreadsheet-heavy workflows to AI-enabled systems, while still relying on structured data, deterministic processes, and human oversight to maintain accuracy and trust in financial outputs.
Alok Ajmera is the CEO of Prophix, a leading financial performance management platform helping CFO organizations modernize planning, budgeting, and forecasting. With over 22 years at Prophix, he has supported more than 3,000 finance teams globally in transforming how they close, consolidate, and plan. Alok has led the evolution of FP&A systems from spreadsheet-first to system-first, and now toward AI-enabled finance operations.
Expect to Learn:
What makes FP&A a true force multiplier inside organizations
How data stewardship, collaboration, and forecasting define great finance teams
Why AI must stay deterministic when handling financial calculations
The difference between probabilistic AI and structured finance systems
How AI agents support FP&A without replacing financial control
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
"The biggest opportunity is to take inefficient manual workflows and simplify them with AI agents, delivering value quickly while building confidence in the team." – Alok Ajmera
"AI democratizes capabilities, but there must be governance and discipline. It’s easy to build things, but maintaining them is hard." – Alok Ajmera
Alok explains that while AI is transforming FP&A through speed and automation, the core of finance still depends on structured systems, clean data, and human judgment. He emphasizes that the future of finance is a hybrid model where AI enhances productivity while finance leaders maintain control, context, and strategic oversight.
Follow Alok:
Website - prophix.com
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/alok-ajmera-93896617
YouTube - youtube.com/@prophix
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
[04:10] – What great FP&A looks like
[09:13] – Revenue and qualitative goals
[18:38] – Why AI in FP&A needs structure
[29:36] – AI in forecasting and planning
[33:45] – Risks, governance, and AI sprawl
[45:40] – Soft skills in FP&A
[49:11] – Travel and personal reflections
[51:25] – Closing thoughts
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Alok Ajmera, CEO of Prophix, to explore how AI is reshaping FP&A, financial planning, and enterprise decision-making. Alok explains how modern finance teams are evolving from spreadsheet-heavy workflows to AI-enabled systems, while still relying on structured data, deterministic processes, and human oversight to maintain accuracy and trust in financial outputs.
Alok Ajmera is the CEO of Prophix, a leading financial performance management platform helping CFO organizations modernize planning, budgeting, and forecasting. With over 22 years at Prophix, he has supported more than 3,000 finance teams globally in transforming how they close, consolidate, and plan. Alok has led the evolution of FP&A systems from spreadsheet-first to system-first, and now toward AI-enabled finance operations.
Expect to Learn:
What makes FP&A a true force multiplier inside organizations
How data stewardship, collaboration, and forecasting define great finance teams
Why AI must stay deterministic when handling financial calculations
The difference between probabilistic AI and structured finance systems
How AI agents support FP&A without replacing financial control
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
"The biggest opportunity is to take inefficient manual workflows and simplify them with AI agents, delivering value quickly while building confidence in the team." – Alok Ajmera
"AI democratizes capabilities, but there must be governance and discipline. It’s easy to build things, but maintaining them is hard." – Alok Ajmera
Alok explains that while AI is transforming FP&A through speed and automation, the core of finance still depends on structured systems, clean data, and human judgment. He emphasizes that the future of finance is a hybrid model where AI enhances productivity while finance leaders maintain control, context, and strategic oversight.
Follow Alok:
Website - prophix.com
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/alok-ajmera-93896617
YouTube - youtube.com/@prophix
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
[04:10] – What great FP&A looks like
[09:13] – Revenue and qualitative goals
[18:38] – Why AI in FP&A needs structure
[29:36] – AI in forecasting and planning
[33:45] – Risks, governance, and AI sprawl
[45:40] – Soft skills in FP&A
[49:11] – Travel and personal reflections
[51:25] – Closing thoughts
![The Dennis Rodman Paradox And How CFOs Can Protect Irreplaceable Specialists With Jack McCullough
In this Episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst features returning guest Jack McCullough, founder of the CFO Leadership Council, for a conversation about The Rodman Paradox and what it means for FP&A teams. The discussion explores how specialists can create outsized value, how leaders should recognise them, and how to manage them without turning them into the wrong kind of generalist.
Jack McCullough is the founder and president of the CFO Leadership Council, a professional community he built to empower senior financial executives through peer learning and collaboration. Over the course of his career, Jack has served as chief financial officer for twenty-six companies, leading not only finance but also business development, HR, and IT functions.
Expect to Learn:
Build FP&A teams with the three Cs: communication, curiosity, courage.
Rare specialists can outperform broad generalists.
Spot true critical specialists vs. those who just seem important.
Find hidden influence by who people turn to in crises.
Avoid promoting specialists away from their best work.
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
You want to encourage a culture of what I call the three Cs, which are communications, curiosity, and courage. – Jack McCullough
The Rodman paradox is there might be people that on the surface seem like they have a limited skillset, but because there are so few people who can do it well, they may actually be more important to your organisational success than executives. – Jack McCullough
Jack brings the perspective of a seasoned CFO, author, and adviser who has spent years thinking about financial leadership, specialist talent, and the skills that matter most in modern finance.
Follow Jack:
Website - https://cfoleadershipcouncil.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackmcculloughcfo/
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
[01:42] – Jack shares the coming book The Rodman Paradox
[05:56] – The three Cs for strong FP&A teams
[07:27] – Why the book is about specialists, not basketball
[13:15] – How to spot a Rodman through influence and crisis
[20:19] – Managing specialists through motivation and bureaucracy
[30:05] – AI may increase the value of specialists
[33:42] – Career advice for future CFOs and FP&A leaders
[40:57] – Reflecting on the ultimate interview opportunities
[45:57] – Wrap-up The Dennis Rodman Paradox And How CFOs Can Protect Irreplaceable Specialists With Jack McCullough](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hjPcuQD4INs/mqdefault.jpg)

![AI Agents Are Replacing Finance Workflows While Revenue Gets More Complex with Ali Hussain
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper speak with Ali Hussain, CEO and co-founder of Tabs, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing the revenue process for finance teams. Ali discusses how the traditional ERP systems have left revenue management behind, and how Tabs is changing the game by automating the full contract-to-cash cycle. He shares his insights on the complexity of revenue management, AI’s role in financial systems, and why understanding the data context is key to success in AI-powered finance tools.
Ali Hussain is the CEO and co-founder of Tabs, where he leads the development of AI-native solutions designed to automate the billing, collections, and revenue recognition process. With a background spanning product leadership at Google, strategy consulting at BCG, and public policy, Ali is at the forefront of the next wave of finance technology.
In this episode, you will discover:
How AI is transforming revenue management in finance
The importance of data context in AI-powered tools
Why traditional finance systems fail to address modern revenue models
How Tabs automates billing, collections, and revenue recognition
Ali Hussain shared invaluable insights into the future of finance, highlighting how AI is revolutionizing revenue management and financial operations. While AI brings immense potential for automation, human judgment remains crucial in making strategic decisions.
Follow Ali:
Website: https://www.tabs.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hussain786/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TabsPlatform
Follow Glenn:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii
Follow Paul:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
Follow QFlow.AI:
Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg
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
[03:00] – Legacy Finance Systems
[06:15] – Revenue Management Gaps
[09:00] – How Tabs Transforms Finance
[12:00] – AI in Billing & Rev Rec
[15:30] – Clean Data Importance
[19:00] – AI vs Human Judgment
[22:30] – The Future of AI
[25:00] – Complex Revenue Models
[29:00] – AI Challenges in Finance
[34:00] – Closing Thoughts on AI AI Agents Are Replacing Finance Workflows While Revenue Gets More Complex with Ali Hussain](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/irwhua0CSqU/mqdefault.jpg)





![The Investment Banking Job Hasn’t Changed Since 1990. AI Is Changing It with Matan
Paul Barnhurst speaks with Matan Feldman, Founder and CEO of Wall Street Prep. Matan shares insights from his career in investment banking and financial modeling, discussing the future of AI in the industry, its impact on investment banking roles, and how it will reshape financial modeling education. He also reflects on his journey founding Wall Street Prep and the lessons hes learned along the way.
Matan Feldman is the Founder and CEO of Wall Street Prep, where he leads business development, course creation, and training programs for clients such as Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, The Wharton School, and many others. Before founding Wall Street Prep, Matan worked at Chase Manhattan Bank and J.P.Morgan in investment banking and equity research.
Expect to Learn
How AI is transforming financial modeling and investment banking workflows.
The evolving role of financial modelers in an AI-driven world.
How AI accelerates repetitive tasks, enabling analysts to focus on higher-level judgment.
Why foundational financial modeling skills remain crucial despite AI advancements.
Here are a few quotes from the episode:
A model can either be the most powerful tool or the most frustrating one. – Matan Feldman
Judgment and interpretation will always remain important. – Matan Feldman
Matan Feldman shared valuable insights into the evolving role of AI in financial modeling and investment banking. He emphasized the growing importance of business judgment and foundational skills as AI tools continue to reshape the industry. Matans journey from investment banking to founding Wall Street Prep highlights the ongoing need for both technical expertise and strategic thinking in financial modeling
Follow Matan:
Website: https://www.wallstreetprep.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matanfeldman/
Follow Financial Modelers Corner:
LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984
Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast”
Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.
In today’s episode:
[00:00] – Introduction
[03:27] – Matan’s Modeling Nightmare
[05:07] – The Journey of Wall Street Prep
[08:21] – AI in Investment Banking
[14:06] – The Future of Modeling and Automation
[22:16] – Opportunities and Concerns in AI
[29:48] – AI’s Role in Teaching Financial Modeling
[36:02] – Rapid Fire Questions The Investment Banking Job Hasn’t Changed Since 1990. AI Is Changing It with Matan](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/l2a76nz4MOg/mqdefault.jpg)

![The Future of FP&A with AI for Finance Professionals to Move Beyond Excel Analysis with Derek Baker
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst chats with Derek Baker, the Head of Strategic Finance at Circle, a growth-stage SaaS company. Derek shares insights from his experience in building strategic finance functions, scaling finance teams, and using AI to optimize financial reporting.
Derek Baker is the Head of Strategic Finance at Circle, a growth-stage SaaS company focused on building an all-in-one platform for online communities. He has built the Strategic Finance function from the ground up, covering areas like pricing, sales compensation, investor due diligence, and AI-powered financial reporting. Prior to Circle, Derek co-founded The FP&A Hub with Paul Barnhurst and Liran Edelist to support finance professionals. His career spans FP&A roles across SaaS, marketplace, and biotech startups.
Expect to Learn:
How AI is transforming financial reporting and analysis in FP&A.
The role of business partnering in aligning FP&A with strategic decisions.
Dereks transition from spreadsheets to AI-driven financial models.
How FP&A evolves as companies scale.
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“Spreadsheets are great for MVP models, but AI and data warehouses are the future for repeatable, scalable analysis.” – Derek Baker
“AI can manage context better than prompts, and this is what drives its power in finance.” – Derek Baker
Derek shares that the future of FP&A is all about embracing technology and innovation. He emphasizes that its no longer just about spreadsheets and traditional methods; it’s about leveraging AI and data to drive smarter financial decisions. By focusing on both the strategic and technical sides of finance, professionals can better align with business goals and create more impactful outcomes.
Follow Derek:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-d-baker/
Website: https://community.thefpahub.com/home
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
[06:00] – What Does Great FP&A Look Like?
[12:00] – Scaling Finance Functions in Startups
[17:00] – The Role of AI in FP&A
[22:00] – Building an AI-Powered Financial Reporting System
[28:00] – Why Data Architecture is Key to AI Success
[33:00] – The Future of Financial Modeling with AI
[40:00] – Automating Monthly Finance Reports Using AI
[45:00] – Data Integration and Financial Modeling for Future Growth
[50:00] – Insights on Scaling FP&A Teams in Tech Startups
[53:00] – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways The Future of FP&A with AI for Finance Professionals to Move Beyond Excel Analysis with Derek Baker](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mKU0cr3pOrE/mqdefault.jpg)