Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst invites guest Jorge Rojas to explore financial modeling best practices, productivity habits, Excel efficiency, and the tools that help analysts work smarter every day.
The best Excel users aren't necessarily faster because they know more formulas.
They're faster because they eliminate unnecessary clicks.
Every analyst has that one shortcut they use hundreds of times a day.
For some, it's Ctrl+C. For others, it's Ctrl+R or Ctrl+D.
The real productivity boost comes when you customize Excel around the way you work.
Why spend seconds repeating the same formatting task?
Those seconds become hours over a year.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy
#Excel #FinancialModeling #FPandA #ExcelTips #CorporateFinance #ProductivityHacks #FinanceProfessionals #SpreadsheetSkills #ExcelShortcuts #BusinessAnalytics #FinanceCareers #WorkSmarter
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst invites guest Jorge Rojas to explore financial modeling best practices, productivity habits, Excel efficiency, and the tools that help analysts work smarter every day.
The best Excel users aren't necessarily faster because they know more formulas.
They're faster because they eliminate unnecessary clicks.
Every analyst has that one shortcut they use hundreds of times a day.
For some, it's Ctrl+C. For others, it's Ctrl+R or Ctrl+D.
The real productivity boost comes when you customize Excel around the way you work.
Why spend seconds repeating the same formatting task?
Those seconds become hours over a year.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on @thefpandaguy
#Excel #FinancialModeling #FPandA #ExcelTips #CorporateFinance #ProductivityHacks #FinanceProfessionals #SpreadsheetSkills #ExcelShortcuts #BusinessAnalytics #FinanceCareers #WorkSmarter
![How FP&A Teams Can Improve Decision-Making with Scenario Planning & Financial Models - Michael
FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading Tools
FP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure.
Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcase
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Michael Gould, a technology entrepreneur and founder of Kaleidoscope, about his extensive experience in financial planning and modelling. Michael shares insights from his 40+ years in the industry, including his work with Anaplan, and discusses how modern finance teams can break free from the limitations of spreadsheets and legacy systems.
Michael Gould is a technology entrepreneur and software engineer with over 40 years of experience in financial planning and modeling systems. After studying Mathematics and Computation at the University of Oxford, Michael co-created Adaytum, a leading business planning platform, and later founded Anaplan, a globally successful enterprise planning platform that became a British tech unicorn. Today, he is the founder of Kaleidoscope, focusing on rethinking financial modeling for modern teams and continuing to pioneer innovations that drive better decision-making in business. .
Expect to Learn:
The challenges and complexities of modern financial modelling
How Kaleidoscope is helping businesses move beyond spreadsheets
Michaels journey from IBM to Anaplan and now Kaleidoscope
The importance of understanding business processes in financial modelling
How AI is impacting the financial modeling landscape
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“The key to financial modeling is representing the complexity of a business without over-simplifying it.” – Michael Gould
“AI is a powerful tool, but it’s the data context that drives the real value.” – Michael Gould
Michael Gould shared invaluable insights from his four-decade-long journey in financial planning and modeling. He emphasized the importance of adapting financial models to support effective decision-making and how AI is reshaping the landscape. As businesses, both big and small, navigate complex decisions, Michaels work with Kaleidoscope aims to offer accessible, scalable solutions for better planning and risk assessment in the future.
Follow Michael:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/migould/
Website: https://www.kaleidoscope.com/?utm_source=partner_fpandaguys&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=interview
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] – Challenges of Multi-Dimensional Modelling
[12:00] – Transitioning to Anaplan
[15:00] – Kaleidoscope’s Mission to Help Small Businesses
[21:00] – The Role of AI in Financial Modelling
[27:00] – The Future of Financial Modelling
[33:00] – Key Learnings from the Entrepreneurial Journey
[39:00] – How AI is Changing Financial Decision-Making
[45:00] – Overcoming the Data Challenges in Finance
[51:00] – Final Thoughts on Innovation and Future Trends in Finance
[57:00] – Conclusion and Key Takeaways How FP&A Teams Can Improve Decision-Making with Scenario Planning & Financial Models - Michael](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BC1KaU6QOWc/mqdefault.jpg)






![How to Save Time in FP&A Using Structured AI Analysis with Nick and Dan
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Nick Jain and Daniel Settel, co-founders of Eagle Rock CFO, to discuss how AI is reshaping FP&A and fractional CFO services. Nick and Dan explain how their AI-powered system combines structured data processing, automation, and financial expertise to help companies analyze complex financial data faster, reduce manual workload, and uncover hidden value in their operations.
Dan and Nick are co-founders of Eagle Rock CFO, a financial advisory firm helping mid-size businesses grow faster and improve profitability. They combine AI and technology to deliver operational finance insights at a fraction of traditional consulting costs. Both are Harvard Business School graduates, with undergraduate degrees from Stanford and Dartmouth. Dan previously co-founded FinTech company Zanbato and worked as a professional investor at PrimeCap, while Nick has experience in private equity investing and scaling companies across SaaS, footwear, and trucking.
In this episode, you will discover:
AI works best when paired with structured financial data, not raw inputs
Why deterministic systems still matter alongside AI in finance workflows
How Eagle Rock’s 5-step system improves financial analysis accuracy
Why human oversight is still needed in AI-powered FP&A systems
How fractional CFOs can save 20–50 hours per month using AI tools
Nick and Daniel demonstrate how AI is transforming finance by automating analysis while still relying on structured systems and human judgment. Their approach shows that the future of FP&A is not fully autonomous AI, but a hybrid model where AI enhances decision-making, improves efficiency, and strengthens financial visibility.
Follow Nick:
Website: https://www.eaglerockcfo.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmjain/
Follow Dan:
Website: https://www.eaglerockcfo.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsettel/
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
[04:10] – Founding Eagle Rock CFO
[06:21] – Deterministic vs probabilistic systems
[07:22] – Why agents are not enough
[09:13] – Data compression and structuring
[10:13] – Human oversight in AI workflows
[14:51] – Data mess in SMB finance
[18:38] – White-label and consulting model
[22:18] – How to start using AI safely
[29:36] – CFO vs CEO vs CIO experience
[33:45] – Closing thoughts How to Save Time in FP&A Using Structured AI Analysis with Nick and Dan](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BqfRS_S-WcQ/mqdefault.jpg)


![FP&A Career Advice and the Current State of FP&A with Glenn and Paul
FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading Tools
FP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure.
Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcase
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Glenn Snyder about the current state of FP&A, focusing on career growth, hiring challenges, and how the role continues to evolve. Glenn shares his perspective on why networking matters more than ever in today’s job market, how professionals can stand out without relying only on certifications, and what it really takes to move up in FP&A. They also discuss the shift toward strategic partnership, the importance of understanding business drivers, and how leadership and empathy shape long-term success
Expect to Learn:
Why networking is the most effective way to find opportunities
How to stand out in a competitive job market
The shift of FP&A from reporting to strategic partnership
Why understanding business drivers is critical in FP&A
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
If you cant figure out how to get other people to move with you, your career is not going to go anywhere. — Glenn Snyder
“Leadership isn’t about telling people what to do, it’s about getting them to follow you.” – Glenn Snyder
Glenn explains that career growth in FP&A is no longer about following a fixed path or relying on credentials. It comes from building relationships, gaining real experience, and understanding how the business works. He also highlights that strong professionals go beyond numbers by connecting financial results to real business drivers and supporting better decisions.
Follow Glenn:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder/
Website: https://www.riveron.com
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
[02:29] – FP&A Education Gap
[06:34] – Certifications vs Experience
[09:56] – Networking for Jobs
[11:22] – Building Personal Brand
[12:16] – Volunteering & Experience
[17:45] – FP&A as Strategic Partner
[22:19] – Finance & Business Roles
[24:03] – Empathy in Leadership
[29:46] – Career Growth Strategy
[33:14] – Leadership vs Execution
[38:12] – Drivers & Scenario Planning
[44:50] – People Management Lessons
[52:44] – Ethics & Transparency FP&A Career Advice and the Current State of FP&A with Glenn and Paul](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CNe-5Hv3YnA/mqdefault.jpg)