FP&A Unlocked

Paul Barnhurst
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

FP&A Unlocked is where Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy, discusses how FP&A can unlock your seat at the boardroom, and what it takes.

  1. 1d ago

    Automating Financial Workflows and the Role of Human Judgment with Albert Lee

    In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Albert Lee, FP&A leader, AI finance coach, and corporate trainer, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the finance profession. Albert shares practical insights from implementing AI in corporate finance, coaching CFOs, and training finance teams on responsible AI adoption. Albert Lee is an FP&A leader, AI finance coach, and corporate trainer with over 13 years of experience helping finance teams embrace AI and automation. He has led FP&A functions across multinational organizations, including Merlin Entertainments and The Cookware Company, driving forecasting, profitability modeling, and process improvements across APAC. Today, Albert coaches CFOs and finance leaders through the AI Finance Club while delivering AI training for global organizations and professional finance communities. Expect to Learn: Why AI should be your finance copilotHow to build trusted AI workflowsWhen to use AI vs. Power QueryBest practices for secure AI adoptionKey skills for the future of FP&A Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: "A strong analyst using AI becomes much stronger. A weak analyst using AI simply makes mistakes faster." - Albert Lee"The best FP&A professionals don't just explain the numbers, they explain what they mean and what should happen next." – Albert Lee Albert Lee shares practical insights on using AI to enhance FP&A without sacrificing governance, accuracy, or human judgment. He reminds finance professionals that while AI can dramatically improve productivity, true business value comes from combining the right technology with strong data practices, critical thinking, and trusted business partnerships. Follow Albert: Website - https://axiomfpa.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-lee-fcpa-869478118/ 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 [02:14] – Meet Albert Lee [03:34] – Why Copilot? [05:27] – AI Automation Journey [09:47] – AI Training & Coaching [19:51] – AI Challenges [23:50] – AI Workflows [28:18] – AI Governance [31:23] – AI's Strengths & Limits [39:40] – Career Advice & Wrap-up

    Automating Financial Workflows and the Role of Human Judgment with Albert Lee

  2. Jul 16

    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

  3. Jul 9

    The Pricing Psychology for Leaders to Stop Underpricing and Understand Value with Etinosa

    In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Etinosa Agbonlahor, behavioral economist and Founder & CEO of Decision Alpha, to discuss why pricing is one of the biggest drivers of business success. They explore how customer psychology influences pricing, why many companies underprice their products, and how FP&A can play a more strategic role in pricing decisions. Etinosa Agbonlahor is a behavioral economist and pricing strategist who helps businesses improve pricing through behavioral science and customer insights. As Founder & CEO of Decision Alpha, she has advised organizations across the US, Australia, Africa, and the UK on pricing, customer behavior, and growth. She is also the author of How to Talk to Your Parents About Money. Expect to Learn:Why most businesses underprice their productsHow customer psychology influences pricingThe role of FP&A in pricing strategyWhen outcome-based pricing works bestWhy storytelling makes data more impactful Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: "The problem with underpricing is that no one is going to tell you you're underpriced." – Etinosa Agbonlahor"People don't walk around knowing what your product should cost, they infer your value from your price." – Etinosa Agbonlahor Etinosa shares practical strategies for improving pricing through customer research, behavioral economics, and data-driven decision-making. This episode is ideal for FP&A professionals, finance leaders, and business owners looking to build stronger pricing strategies. Follow Etinosa: Website - https://playbook.decisionalpha.co/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/etinosasere/ 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 [05:18] – What Great FP&A Looks Like [06:12] – Why Pricing Drives Business Success [10:03] – Why Businesses Underprice [17:23] – Customer Segmentation [24:02] – FP&A and Pricing [29:28] – Behavioral Pricing Framework [34:12] – AI & Outcome-Based Pricing [46:05] – Data Storytelling [57:02] – Final Advice

    The Pricing Psychology for Leaders to Stop Underpricing and Understand Value with Etinosa

  4. Jul 2

    I Would Never Let AI Touch a Number and what to do about that with Alok Ajmera

    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 organizationsHow data stewardship, collaboration, and forecasting define great finance teamsWhy AI must stay deterministic when handling financial calculationsThe difference between probabilistic AI and structured finance systemsHow 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 - www.prophix.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alok-ajmera-93896617/ YouTube - https://www.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

    I Would Never Let AI Touch a Number and what to do about that with Alok Ajmera

  5. Jun 25

    Interim FP&A, What it is, and Why it is A Growing Career Path With Tim Stalkamp

    In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Tim Stallkamp, Senior Managing Director at Riveron, alongside co-host Glenn Snyder. Tim shares insights on interim management and how it is reshaping finance leadership by helping companies fill critical gaps, accelerate value creation, and bring experienced finance leaders into organizations during transition periods. Tim Stallkamp is a Senior Managing Director and the leader of Riveron’s Interim Management practice. He is a seasoned turnaround executive who provides interim management and turnaround management services to distressed and under-performing businesses. Tim has led turnarounds as interim chief executive officer (CEO), chief restructuring officer (CRO), chief transformation officer (CTO), and chief financial officer (CFO). Expect to Learn: Why private equity is driving demand for interim finance leadersWhat makes a strong interim FP&A and finance professionalWhy broad, cross-industry experience matters more than narrow expertiseHow interim leaders create value from day oneThe importance of clear scope and alignment in engagements Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: "Interim management isn’t about replacing people; it’s about supplementing leadership to create value faster and help teams reach their full potential." – Tim Stallkamp"The more experiences an individual has across industries and roles, the more effective they are in interim management. Breadth of expertise is key." – Tim Stallkamp Tim explains how interim management is reshaping finance leadership by bringing experienced professionals into organizations during critical transitions. These leaders not only fill gaps but also help improve processes, guide decision-making, and leave companies stronger than before. Follow Tim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-stallkamp-537b0317/ Company: https://riveron.com/ Follow Glenn: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder/ 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 [05:06] - What interim management is [07:42] - Why it’s growing [09:13] - Value creation in leadership [13:12] - Defining scope clearly [17:58] - Alignment in engagements [26:11] - Types of interim roles [37:14] - Systems vs skills [42:55] - Private equity decision-making [50:42] - Final thoughts

    Interim FP&A, What it is, and Why it is A Growing Career Path With Tim Stalkamp

  6. Jun 18

    How AI is Being Used to Make Better Decisions and Build Faster Models with Nicholas Moen

    In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Nicholas Moen, CMA and Director of Finance at Section, an AI software company. Nicholas shares insights on leveraging AI in FP&A to streamline financial modeling, automate workflows, improve decision-making, and build high-performing teams. He discusses practical strategies for training finance teams, balancing human oversight with AI automation, and applying FP&A insights to drive operational impact in enterprise organizations. Nicholas Moen is a CMA and finance leader at Section, where he reinvents finance through AI, helping organizations build AI-powered workflows at scale. Based in Franklin, Pennsylvania, Nicholas specializes in leveraging AI to streamline FP&A processes, automate workflows, and empower finance teams to focus on strategic decision-making. Expect to Learn: How AI frees FP&A teams from manual workAutomating reports, spreadsheets, and workflowsTraining and empowering teams on AI toolsKey FP&A skills: business partnering, listening, and data understanding Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: "Context is everything. Using AI to capture meeting insights and key assumptions helps teams make smarter, faster decisions." - Nicholas Moen"A strong FP&A professional understands both data structures and business partnering, skills that AI cannot replace." - Nicholas Moen Nicholas Moen demonstrates how AI is reshaping the role of FP&A, allowing teams to focus on strategic decision-making instead of manual tasks. By leveraging tools like Claude and Lovable, finance professionals can automate workflows, build models faster, and make more informed business decisions. Follow Nicholas: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-moen-320a11106/ Substack: https://substack.com/@runningfinance 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[02:56] – What great FP&A looks like today [05:14] – Automating spreadsheets with Claude [14:31] – Building micro-apps with Lovable [17:58] – Commission automation [21:26] – Doing analysis on the go [30:12] – Low-hanging AI wins for FP&A [33:58] – Training and knowledge sharing [38:41] – Top soft and technical skills [41:35] – Personal side: music and hobbies [45:53] – How to connect with Nicholas

    How AI is Being Used to Make Better Decisions and Build Faster Models with Nicholas Moen

  7. Jun 11

    Developing Business Acumen necessary to become a strategic business partner with Robert Blanding

    In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Robert Blanding, an experienced finance and operations leader in the ag-tech sector. Robert shares insights on building high-performing FP&A teams, partnering effectively with accounting, developing financial acumen, and applying strategic finance to drive operational impact in global businesses. Robert Blanding is the Chief Financial Officer at Fall Creek, a global leader in the Ag-Tech sector. He brings extensive experience in finance and operations from 18 years at Intel and leadership roles across industrial manufacturing, technology, and ag-tech companies. Robert combines strategic financial leadership with a focus on innovation, long-term business growth, and developing high-performing teams. Expect to Learn: What great FP&A looks like and the importance of business acumenHow to develop strong partnerships between FP&A and accountingStrategies for building high-performing, empowered finance teamsNavigating systems, processes, and technology challenges in FP&A Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: "It starts with being connected to the business, having strong acumen, and being consulted by stakeholders." – Robert Blanding"Investing in relationships outside of crisis is critical to getting support from accounting and operations." – Robert Blanding Robert shares practical insights for FP&A professionals and aspiring CFOs, emphasizing the importance of business acumen, strong partnerships with accounting, creative problem-solving, and developing high-performing teams. Follow Robert: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfb19/ Company Website: https://www.fallcreeknursery.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 [03:55] – Defining Great FP&A [07:39] – Career Path & First CFO Role [17:49] – Fall Creek & Ag-Tech Overview [21:18] – Importance of FP&A & Accounting Partnership [32:23] – Creative Problem Solving & Process Improvement [38:59] – Challenges in Building High-Performing Teams [45:32] – Advice for Aspiring CFOs [49:11] – Top Technical Skill for FP&A Professionals [52:50] – Personal Interests & Basketball [56:12] – How to Connect with Robert

    Developing Business Acumen necessary to become a strategic business partner with Robert Blanding

  8. Jun 4

    Stop Doing Monthly Reports for Analysts to Automate Finance Workflows Using AI with David Dors

    In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with David Dors to explore how artificial intelligence, particularly Claude, is transforming the future of FP&A. David shares his journey from banking and FP&A into finance transformation, where he now helps finance teams implement AI-powered workflows, automate repetitive processes, and rethink how work gets done in the Office of the CFO. David Dors is a finance transformation consultant and AI educator specializing in helping finance teams adopt Claude, AI agents, and workflow automation. After beginning his career in banking and FP&A, David shifted his focus to helping finance professionals use AI to improve reporting, analysis, forecasting, and decision-making. Through workshops, training programs, and content creation, he teaches finance teams how to build AI-powered systems that save time and allow analysts to focus on higher-value strategic work. Expect to Learn: How AI is changing the future of FP&APractical ways to automate reporting and recurring finance tasksThe difference between Claude Chat, Claude Code, and AI agentsWhy finance professionals should think of AI as a digital teammateKey skills FP&A professionals need in an AI-driven world Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: "Every forecast, variance analysis, or deck you build should help somebody make a different decision." – David Dors"If nothing changed from the analysis you're providing, there's not much value in what you're doing every day." – David Dors David explains how finance teams can use AI to eliminate repetitive work, improve efficiency, and spend more time supporting business decisions. He also shares his perspective on the future of FP&A, where professionals will increasingly manage AI agents that handle routine tasks and reporting. non-traditional organizations. Follow Dave: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddors/ Website: https://vantagepointconsulting.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[04:13] – Discovering Claude[10:27] – AI Training for Finance Teams[15:19] – Skills & AI Agents[18:13] – AI Productivity Gains[22:23] – Quick AI Wins in FP&A[25:23] – AI Accuracy & Validation[28:29] – Automating Reporting[32:35] – The Future of FP&A[39:01] – Excel Lessons Learned[42:57] – Final Thoughts

    Stop Doing Monthly Reports for Analysts to Automate Finance Workflows Using AI with David Dors
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5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

FP&A Unlocked is where Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy, discusses how FP&A can unlock your seat at the boardroom, and what it takes.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Barnhurst
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Paul Barnhurst
  • Show Website
    FP&A Unlocked

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