The FP&A Guy Network

Paul Barnhurst
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Welcome to the FP&A Guy Podcast Network – your one-stop destination for insightful conversations and expert perspectives at the forefront of finance, hosted by Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy. This network brings together three unique shows designed to inform, inspire, and equip finance professionals across the globe: • FP&A Tomorrow: Shaping the future of FP&A by exploring today’s trends and interviewing top global talent in the field. • Financial Modeler’s Corner: Master the art and science of financial modeling with insights from distinguished experts, in partnership with the Financial Modeling Institute. • Future Finance: Discover how technology and AI are transforming corporate finance in this forward-thinking podcast co-hosted with Glenn Hopper. No matter where you are in your finance journey, these podcasts deliver practical advice, thought leadership, and cutting-edge innovation to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of finance.

  1. FP&A Career Advice and the Current State of FP&A with Glenn and Paul

    2D AGO

    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 opportunitiesHow to stand out in a competitive job marketThe shift of FP&A from reporting to strategic partnershipWhy understanding business drivers is critical in FP&A Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: "If you can't 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 [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

    58 min
  2. AI in Excel for Finance Pros to Improve Accuracy Using Incremental Workflows with David

    3D AGO

    AI in Excel for Finance Pros to Improve Accuracy Using Incremental Workflows with David

    In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper talk with David Ingraham, founder and CEO of HyperPerfect. David explains why AI works best in finance when it is used step by step, with clear context and human review. He also shares why Excel is still central to finance work and how better AI tools can help teams move faster without losing control. David Ingraham is the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, a financial reporting and accounting platform that integrates powerful AI directly into Excel. With nearly 20 years of experience in private equity, David has worked on deals totaling over $1.5 billion. He is also passionate about educational initiatives, serving as board president of Aim High, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free summer education to nearly 2,000 students annually. In this episode, you will discover: Why finance teams are still slow to adopt AIWhy context matters when using AI in ExcelWhy AI should be treated like a teammate, not a shortcutHow breaking work into smaller steps leads to better resultsWhere AI helps most in finance today David Ingraham is the founder and CEO of HyperPerfect, a company that brings AI tools into Excel. He spent nearly 20 years in private equity and has worked on deals worth more than $1 billion. He also serves as board president of Aim High, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free summer education to students. Follow David: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsingraham/ Website: https://www.hyperperfect.com 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: [00:22] - David’s background [02:49] - What HyperPerfect does [06:01] - Why finance struggles with AI [07:36] - Why context matters [12:23] - What AI agents are good at today [13:08] - Using AI as a partner [17:51] - Building models step by step [19:20] - Productivity gains and closing thoughts

    20 min
  3. AI in Finance for Professionals Dealing with Errors, Overhype, and Constant Learning Pressure

    4D AGO

    AI in Finance for Professionals Dealing with Errors, Overhype, and Constant Learning Pressure

    In this episode of The Mod Squad, Paul Barnhurst, Ian Schnoor, and Giles Male share their real experiences using AI in financial modelling. They cut through the hype and discuss what AI actually does well, where it still struggles, and how professionals should be thinking about using it today. From building models to handling workflows, the conversation highlights both the value and the limitations of AI tools in real work. Expect to Learn Where AI actually helps in finance and modelling workWhy most “one-click solution” claims are unrealisticThe importance of checking and guiding AI outputsHow instructions and structure improve AI results Here are a few quotes from the episode: “It’s not a one-click solution. You still have to check everything.” – Giles Male“You will have to understand every line to guide AI properly.” – Ian Schnoor AI is powerful, but it’s not a shortcut to good work. It still needs guidance, structure, and strong fundamentals. The people who benefit most will be the ones who understand both the tools and the work behind them. For now, the best approach is simple: use it, test it, and don’t trust it blindly. Follow Ian: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor/ Follow Giles: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/ In today’s episode: [02:06] – Current thoughts on AI after recent progress [03:45] – Daily use of AI and time savings [05:00] – Mental fatigue and keeping up with AI changes [08:03] – Calling out AI hype and unrealistic claims [12:30] – AI training challenges and business demand [17:57] – “Eye of the storm” phase of AI development [24:13] – Testing AI-built financial models [30:52] – Why fixing AI models can take longer than building from scratch [35:15] – Responsibility to challenge misleading AI claims [38:41] – Using instructions to improve AI output [42:59] – Final thoughts on AI, stress, and the future

    48 min
  4. How FP&A Professionals Use AI to Move from Reporting to Strategy with Carolina Lago

    APR 23

    How FP&A Professionals Use AI to Move from Reporting to Strategy with Carolina Lago

    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 Onto this weeks episode In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Carolina Lago, founder of Tactic Financial, about the impact of AI on financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Carolina shares her extensive experience in the industry, discusses the power of AI in transforming finance workflows, and explains how AI is amplifying the work of finance professionals rather than replacing them. She delves into her use of AI agents, like Claude, as thinking partners in her work, and gives practical advice for finance teams on leveraging AI for strategic decision-making. Carolina Lago is the founder of Tactic Financial, where she helps FP&A professionals integrate AI into their workflows through hands-on training and practical tools. With over 20 years of experience in financial planning, analysis, and modeling across multiple industries and continents, she brings a unique perspective on how technology can amplify (not replace) the work of finance teams. Expect to Learn: The evolving role of FP&A as a bridge between strategy and operationsHow AI can reduce manual tasks and enhance strategic thinkingThe importance of understanding workflows and processes in FP&A Carolina's approach to using AI as a "thinking partner" to amplify human skills Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: "AI is not going to replace humans; it’s going to improve how we work and give us more time for strategic decision-making." - Carolina Lago"The differentiator for companies will be how they use AI to complement human intelligence, not replace it." - Carolina Lago Carolina explains that AI is not here to replace humans but to enhance their capabilities and free up time for strategic decision-making. She also emphasizes that understanding workflows and the human factor will be key in effectively integrating AI into finance roles. Follow Carolina: This week's Guest Carolina has launched a hands-on program for FP&A professionals who want to move from manual processes to AI-powered workflows. Learn to use Claude for FP&A: Course:https://hub.tacticfinancial.com/accelerator?utm_source=fpaguy&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=accelerator LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-carolinalago/ 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 [02:50] – FP&A : Strategy & Operations [06:43] – AI in Reducing Manual Tasks [10:52] – Transforming Finance with AI [14:26] – Learning AI & Human Judgment [19:37] – AI in Finance: Real Applications [25:57] – The Future of AI in FP&A [33:12] – Elevating FP&A with AI [39:45] – Adopting AI in FP&A [45:30] – AI for Better Decision-Making [50:15] – Getting Started with AI [54:05] – Final Thoughts on AI & Collaboration

    59 min
  5. AI in Financial Modeling for Analysts to Improve Accuracy and Speed with David Ingraham

    APR 22

    AI in Financial Modeling for Analysts to Improve Accuracy and Speed with David Ingraham

    In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by David Ingraham to discuss how AI is transforming the world of finance, particularly in Excel, and why it's essential to treat AI as a partner rather than a tool to simply execute commands. David, the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the AI-finance intersection, including the importance of context and understanding AI’s limitations. David Ingraham is the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, a financial reporting and accounting platform that integrates powerful AI directly into Excel. With nearly 20 years of experience in private equity, David has worked on deals totaling over $1.5 billion. He is also passionate about educational initiatives, serving as board president of Aim High, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free summer education to nearly 2,000 students annually. In this episode, you will discover: Why finance professionals are slow to adopt AI despite its potentialHow AI should be treated as a teammate, not a replacementWhy context is everything in AI models, especially in ExcelThe limitations of AI in finance and how to work around them David emphasizes that AI isn’t a shortcut; it’s most effective when used incrementally, with human oversight to ensure accurate results. He also discusses how AI can significantly increase productivity, with an efficiency gain of 15 to 20 times if used properly. Follow David: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsingraham/ Website: https://www.hyperperfect.com 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: [02:35] – David Ingraham Background [04:02] – AI in Finance & Accounting for Dummies [05:57] – AI as a Teammate, Not a Threat [07:09] – AI as a Thought Partner [10:01] – Why Finance Teams Struggle with AI [11:51] – Evolution of FP&A [14:30] – RevOps & Finance Alignment [16:41] – AI Use Cases in Finance [19:20] – Agentic AI & Future Direction [22:31] – Process, Data & AI Limitations [28:52] – AI Questions & Closing

    38 min
  6. The Rise of Evergreen Funds for Retail Investors to Enter Private Markets with Rafael

    APR 21

    The Rise of Evergreen Funds for Retail Investors to Enter Private Markets with Rafael

    In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Rafael Le Saux to explore the real-world challenges of financial modeling, valuation, and how the role is evolving with new tools like AI. They discuss why strong modeling fundamentals still matter, the risks of poorly structured models, and how professionals can improve their skills in a rapidly changing environment. Rafael Le Saux is a valuation and modeling expert with over 16 years of experience in financial advisory and alternative investments. He leads Valuation and Modeling Services at PwC Deals and Strategy Luxembourg, advising clients on complex valuation matters across multiple asset classes. He has held senior roles at Partners Group and worked across multiple global markets and is actively involved in industry education and research. Expect to Learn Why is the model structure importantCommon mistakes in financial modelingHow to improve Excel and modeling skillsHow AI is used in modeling todayWhy analysis and judgment still matter Here are a few quotes from the episode: |“Those Frankenstein models built from different sources are always the hardest to fix.” - Rafael Le Saux“When you work on a bad model, you quickly understand why structure matters.” - Rafael Le Saux Rafael explains that AI can help speed up work, but it cannot replace thinking. The real value comes from understanding the data and building models that others can trust and use. Follow Rafael: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-le-saux/ Website: https://www.pwc.lu/ Follow Financial Modeler's 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: [00:34] – Rafael Le Saux Background [03:04] – Modeling Horror Story [05:09] – Teaching Financial Modeling [07:15] – AI in Learning & Education [09:50] – Using AI in Daily Work [12:03] – Limits of AI in Analysis [11:53] – Automation vs Analysis [15:13] – Luxembourg as a Financial Hub [17:56] – Regulation & Valuation [20:31] – Advice for Financial Modelers

    22 min
  7. How CFOs Can Reduce Manual Reporting and Increase Strategic Impact Using AI with Brian McGowan

    APR 16

    How CFOs Can Reduce Manual Reporting and Increase Strategic Impact Using AI with Brian McGowan

    In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst talks with Bryan McGowan, founder of Alpyne, about what great FP&A looks like, how technical skills can improve finance work, and where AI is actually useful for CFOs and finance teams. Bryan shares how his background in engineering shaped his approach to finance, why he built Alpyne to solve real workflow problems, and how AI can reduce manual work so finance professionals can spend more time on analysis and business partnering. Bryan McGowan is the founder of Alpyne and a CFO with a rare mix of finance and technical skill. After spending a decade leading finance in tech, he launched Alpyne in 2021 to solve a problem he had lived himself: great CFOs were spending too much time on manual work and not enough time on strategic thinking. Expect to Learn: What great FP&A looks like in practiceWhy accounting fundamentals still matterHow coding and data knowledge help finance professionalsWhy Bryan built Alpyne to solve his own CFO workflow problemsHow AI can help save time in finance roles Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: “Models are never right, but sometimes they're useful.” - Bryan McGowan“If you can create a structure, if you can provide a framework that allows for supports effective decision making across the organization, I feel like you're doing your job.” - Bryan McGowan Bryan explains that FP&A is not about predicting the future perfectly. It is about giving the business a useful framework to make better decisions. He also shares that AI works best when it is used on process-heavy work like cleanup, mapping, reporting, and system workflow. Follow Bryan: Primary Alpyne website: https://getalpyne.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-mcgowan-8572644/ 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 [02:55] – What Great FP&A Looks Like [04:03] – How Bryan Uses AI Today [08:26] – Why Technical Skills Matter in Finance [10:47] – Why Bryan Built Alpyne [14:24] – Using AI in Finance Workflows [17:49] – Building Client Context Into AI Tools [21:44] – Checks, Controls, and Trust in Finance [24:26] – A Real Finance Problem Solved With AI [29:04] – Advice for Finance Professionals Starting With AI [33:12] – What Holds Finance Teams Back From AI [35:31] – The Most Important Skills in FP&A [40:43] – Better Business Partnering and Closing Thoughts

    45 min
  8. AI is a Teammate for Finance Leaders to Replace Fear and Drive Strategic Value with Josh Schauer

    APR 15

    AI is a Teammate for Finance Leaders to Replace Fear and Drive Strategic Value with Josh Schauer

    In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Josh Schauer to discuss how AI is being adopted in finance and why many teams are still hesitant. They explore the gap between knowing AI is important and actually using it, along with the challenges around data quality, risk, and accuracy expectations. Josh Schauer is the CFO at insightsoftware, where he leads financial strategy and operations. He previously served as SVP of Finance from 2020 to 2024 and led Financial Planning and Consolidation at Longview prior to its acquisition by insightsoftware in 2020. Josh has deep experience in FP&A, consolidation, and finance transformation, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. In this episode, you will discover: Why AI should be treated as a teammate, not a replacementHow poor data limits the value of AIPractical ways AI is used in FP&A todayHow AI improves variance analysis and scenario planningWhy finance teams need to become more proactive Josh highlights that AI is not a shortcut. It works best when built on strong data, clear processes, and a thoughtful approach. While there is pressure to adopt AI, the focus should be on using it in a way that improves decisions without compromising accuracy.. Follow Josh: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-schauer-51b18b115/ Website: https://insightsoftware.com/ 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: [00:27] – Josh Schauer Background [01:33] – AI in Finance & Accounting for Dummies [04:13] – AI as a Teammate, Not a Threat [05:40] – AI as a Thought Partner [08:06] – Why Finance Teams Struggle with AI [09:46] – Evolution of FP&A [10:53] – RevOps & Finance Alignment [12:32] – Practical AI Use Cases [15:03] – Closing

    15 min
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About

Welcome to the FP&A Guy Podcast Network – your one-stop destination for insightful conversations and expert perspectives at the forefront of finance, hosted by Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy. This network brings together three unique shows designed to inform, inspire, and equip finance professionals across the globe: • FP&A Tomorrow: Shaping the future of FP&A by exploring today’s trends and interviewing top global talent in the field. • Financial Modeler’s Corner: Master the art and science of financial modeling with insights from distinguished experts, in partnership with the Financial Modeling Institute. • Future Finance: Discover how technology and AI are transforming corporate finance in this forward-thinking podcast co-hosted with Glenn Hopper. No matter where you are in your finance journey, these podcasts deliver practical advice, thought leadership, and cutting-edge innovation to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of finance.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Barnhurst
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    333
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Paul Barnhurst
  • Show Website
    The FP&A Guy Network

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