Coffee, Contemplation, and Driving Serious Savings with Annette DeYoung Rise Above The Numbers

"Rise Above The Numbers" by FP&HEY
This episode features Annette DeYoung.
She aspired to be a teacher, fell in love with math, and took on a career in Accounting, Finance, FP&A—and eventually Sales? 🤔
She’s been a Cost Accountant, Controller, and Director of Financial Planning, and is currently a Senior Solutions Architect at Datarails.
On top of that, she’s involved in theatre, runs a non-profit called Children’s Theatre Project Youth Theatre Project, plays a bunch of instruments, and has 5 kids.
Want to get something done? Talk to Annette.
🔥TIP: Here’s a guide to all FP&A job levels from Analyst to CFO.
Takeaways from Annette’s Interview
* Seek to work for great leaders, figure out who those great leaders are by asking a bunch of questions when interviewing.
🔥TIP: Here’s a guide to crushing your next FP&A interview.
* Great leaders turn followers into leaders, read Turn the Ship Around, by L. David Marquet.
* If you work from home don’t just roll out of bed and start working, start your day preparing yourself (coffee and contemplation for 1 hour can help).
* Take chances in your career, you may miss out on amazing experiences by taking the safe route.
* When new formulas in Excel come out, learn how they work right away.
🔥TIP: Data tables aren’t new to Excel, but learn how to use them to stay ahead.
* Less is more when presenting, word walls will bore and confuse your audience.
* If you’re mad you’re had, speak to facts, not to your emotional opinion, to drive business change.
🔥TIP: Negative feedback isn’t fun to receive, here’s an approach that helped us.
Show Notes
* 01:30 - If you want something done, find the busiest person you know
* 02:20 - A career in Accounting and Finance has led to — Sales? 🤔
* 05:20 - Tell your audience what they need to know—in a way they understand
* 06:24 - I had ZERO idea I would be an accountant—aspired to be a teacher
* 07:05 - 3 vs 5 kids doesn’t matter—you’re outnumbered and play zone defense
* 08:25 - My love for Finance and Accounting started in Intro to Accounting class
* 10:00 - Understand your data—key to getting good at FP&A 🔑
* 11:05 - Saved a large navy ship manufacturing +$50m—kind of a big deal
* 15:55 - Find data, clean it, and use it to move people in the same direction
* 16:46 - If you’re not replaceable, you’re not promotable—KISS 👄
* 20:09 - Your job will get boring—unless you continuously improve
* 24:39 - Working with new people every day can be FUN
* 25:53 - Your time is precious—learn to say NO to save some
* 27:55 - Do you want it RIGHT NOW or do you want it RIGHT?
* 30:50 - Ask your future boss “Will you micro-manage me?”
* 33:10 - Lightning round full of FP&A wisdom—listen up⚡
* 41:40 - Look for Annette on LinkedIn, webinars, and Super Bowl Commercials 🏈
* 42:25 - We spend a lot of time working—do what you can to find a job you enjoy
Conclusion
Annette is a great example of someone who constantly learns.
It doesn’t matter if it’s time management, software tools, or leadership.
She’s obsessed with always improving, saving time, and focusing on things that matter the most.
It helps her enjoy her career.
You can find Annette on LinkedIn.
And in Super Bowl commercials.
THANK YOU Annette for sharing your career story with us.
Resources
▪️ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fpandhey
▪️ Email us your burning FP&A questions at info [at] fpandhey.com
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fpandhey.substack.com


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fpandhey.substack.com