In this special episode, Paul Barnhurst, aka the FP&A Guy, recaps key insights from the past six months of interviews on the "FP&A Tomorrow" podcast. He reflects on the soft and technical skills needed for financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals, shares standout advice from his expert guests, and dives into what makes great FP&A.

Paul Barnhurst, known as the FP&A Guy, is a finance professional with years of experience in the field of FP&A. Through his podcast, Paul brings in thought leaders to share their expertise, providing actionable advice for finance professionals looking to level up their skills. The episode is packed with tips from top CFOs, finance leaders, and FP&A professionals who have shaped the field.

Expect to Learn:

• Learn the human skills that will help you collaborate better and drive impact in your organization.
• Discover why financial modeling, Excel mastery, and understanding data are critical for FP&A success.
• Hear expert perspectives on what makes FP&A teams truly world-class, with an emphasis on technology, data, and strategy.
• How to translate complex financial data into actionable insights that your business partners can easily understand.
• Why anticipating business needs and solving complex problems are vital traits for anyone in finance.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "In FP&A, communication skills are crucial because you're translating complex finance into actionable insights." - Paul Barnhurst
• "Learning to simplify is an art. Great FP&A professionals can take complex models and make them understandable." - Paul Barnhurst
• "Understanding data architecture has been huge in my career—knowing how systems work together can set you apart." - Paul Barnhurst
• "Great FP&A comes down to having the right people with the right skills, all working toward the same goal." - Paul Barnhurst

From mastering technical skills like financial modeling to honing soft skills like empathy and storytelling, Paul highlights how FP&A professionals can drive real business impact. By empowering teams with data, communicating clearly, and anticipating future needs, FP&A becomes more than just a financial function—it becomes a strategic partner to the business.

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

World-class Digital FP&A Course Bundle:

Signup for over ten hours of video content with 4 different courses and 8 modules on FP&A topics including: Business Partnering, Data Analysis, Financial Modeling Design Principles, and Modern Excel. Use code Podcast to save 25%. What are you waiting for signup now: https://bit.ly/4decOf3

Enroll for Financial Planning & Analysis Certificate Program:

Sign up for the 8 week online financial planning & analysis certificate program by Wharton Online and learn the art of forecasting, analysis, business partnering and financial storytelling: https://bit.ly/4debs46 Use Code: THEFPAGUY300 to save $300.

Earn Your CPE Credit

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In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst interviews Brian Lanier, a seasoned CFO with extensive experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) across multiple industries, including SaaS, technology, and healthcare. The discussion revolves around how FP&A can evolve from just reporting numbers to becoming a key partner in driving business decisions and transformations. Brian shares insights from his journey in private equity-backed companies, turnarounds, and M&A activities.

Brian Lanier is a CFO who has held financial leadership roles in multiple growth-stage companies. With a career that started at EY as an auditor, he has since moved into CFO roles across public, private, and private equity-owned companies. His expertise includes introducing companies to their first budgeting processes, upgrading accounting systems, and overseeing over $7 billion in M&A transactions. His deep understanding of business levers and their impact has led to successful turnarounds and significant cost savings.

Expect to Learn:

• How FP&A has evolved from reporting to business partnering and transformation.
• The key components of a successful FP&A function, including operational alignment.
• The role of data and its quality in making sound financial decisions.
• Strategies for managing financials during mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• The importance of flexibility and simplicity when creating financial models and budgets.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• “Great FP&A starts off with partnership with the company itself. It’s about more than reporting numbers.” - Brian Lanier
• “I build my models with flexibility in mind, so if things change, you can quickly adjust without having to start from scratch.” - Brian Lanier
• “Data is critical, but a lot of companies don’t have clean data. The first step is cleaning it up so you can make informed decisions.” - Brian Lanier
• “Predictability is essential in FP&A. The more predictable you can make your revenue and expenses, the better decisions you can make.” - Brian Lanier

From his hands-on experience in growth-stage companies and M&A activities, Brian emphasizes the importance of understanding key business levers, fostering collaboration, and building flexible financial models that can evolve with the company. His deep dive into topics such as budgeting, pricing strategies, and operational alignment offers listeners practical advice on how FP&A can be a strategic partner in business transformation.

Follow Brian:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianlanier1/

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

World-class Digital FP&A Course Bundle:

Signup for over ten hours of video content with 4 different courses and 8 modules on FP&A topics including: Business Partnering, Data Analysis, Financial Modeling Design Principles, and Modern Excel. Use code Podcast to save 25%. What are you waiting for signup now: https://bit.ly/4decOf3

Enroll for Financial Planning & Analysis Certificate Program:

Sign up for the 8 week online financial planning & analysis certificate program by...

In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, Paul Barnhurst interviews Jack McCullough to discuss the evolving landscape of FP&A and the changing role of CFOs. They explore the journey from FP&A to CFO roles, the strategic importance of finance today, and how CFOs are transitioning into broader leadership roles such as CEO. With insights into board management, leadership, and career growth, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the finance function's future.

Jack McCullough is a recognized authority in the world of finance leadership. As President of the CFO Leadership Council, Jack has guided countless CFOs through leadership development and strategic decision-making. He holds an MBA from MIT, is the host of the podcast Secrets of Rockstar CFOs, and is the author of two books, including The Psychopathic CEO. With a background in accounting and finance, Jack brings deep expertise in helping finance professionals thrive in leadership roles.

Expect to Learn:

• The key skills FP&A professionals need to develop to become future CFOs.
• How the role of CFO has shifted from financial control to strategic leadership.
• The importance of building strong relationships with board members and using them as resources.
• Insights into creating effective board presentations that align with audience expectations.
• Leadership qualities that define successful CFOs and finance leaders.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "FP&A is all about the future—how to consider it, prepare for it, and react when things go off course." - Jack McCullough
• "Empathy is one of the most underrated leadership skills for CFOs." - Jack McCullough
• "When you see a problem no one else sees, and you solve it, that’s real value-add." - Jack McCullough

In this episode, Jack McCullough provides a clear vision of the evolving role of CFOs and offers a wealth of knowledge on navigating the complexities of modern finance. His practical advice on building relationships with the board, crafting effective presentations, and honing leadership qualities such as empathy and transparency are invaluable for finance professionals at every level.

Follow Jack:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackmcculloughcfo/

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Visit Abacum - The Ultimate FP&A Solution

The title sponsor for this week’s episode of FP&A Tomorrow is Abacum, the leading mid-market FP&A solution trusted by hundreds of companies to eliminate the spreadsheet struggle. https://www.abacum.io

World-class Digital FP&A Course Bundle:

Signup for over ten hours of video content with 4 different courses and 8 modules on FP&A topics including: Business Partnering, Data Analysis, Financial Modeling Design Principles, and Modern Excel. Use code Podcast to save 25%. What are you waiting for signup now: https://bit.ly/4decOf3

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the...