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. Introducing the ModSquad: Testing AI Financial Modeling Tools, So you Don't Have To... with Ian and Giles.

    9H AGO

    Introducing the ModSquad: Testing AI Financial Modeling Tools, So you Don't Have To... with Ian and Giles.

    In this special launch episode of The Mod Squad, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by co-hosts Giles Male and Ian Schnoor to explore the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and financial modeling. Together, they introduce a new podcast series, The ModSquad, designed to test AI tools built for financial modelers, FP&A professionals, and analysts. The trio shares their excitement, cautious optimism, and the pressing questions they hope to answer through hands-on experimentation with cutting-edge tools that promise to transform the modeling landscape.   Paul, Giles, and Ian bring decades of combined experience across FP&A, corporate finance, Excel training, and financial modeling accreditation. This introductory episode sets the tone for a candid, unscripted, and deeply analytical journey into the practical realities of AI in finance. Expect to Learn Why AI won't replace financial modelers, but will transform the way they workHow AI tools are being developed to serve finance professionals specificallyThe importance of judgment, communication, and scoping in effective modelingWhat The Mod Squad plans to test: from three-statement models to Excel esportsHow to prepare your career for the AI revolution in modeling Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Just because it looks cool doesn’t mean it gives you a finished product.” - Giles Male“Modeling is just as much the journey as it is the destination.” - Ian Schnoor Follow Ian Schnoor: LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor/ Follow Giles Male: LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/ In today’s episode: [01:21] - Introduction of the Episode [04:57] - Why This Series? Helping Modelers Cut Through the AI Noise   [09:14] - Fear & Job Security: Will AI Replace Financial Modelers?   [14:14]- The Human Element in Modeling: Judgment, Communication, Scoping   [21:03] - Series Format: Tools We’ll Test & Why   [26:03] - Testing Assignments: Who’s Doing What?   [29:03] - FP&A Use Cases Paul Will Explore   [35:21] - What to Expect: Raw Prompts, Real Results   [36:52] - Closing: Why This Series Matters & How You Can Engage

    37 min
  2. From FP&A Analyst to Private Equity Operator with Alex Fabry: The Day-2 Lunch That Changed Everything

    4D AGO

    From FP&A Analyst to Private Equity Operator with Alex Fabry: The Day-2 Lunch That Changed Everything

    In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Alex Fabry, the founder of KFA, an advisory firm focused on scaling businesses.. Alex takes us through his journey from FP&A to private equity, sharing his valuable experiences working at firms like Saber, BCG, and Charles Bank Capital Partners. Their conversation explores how FP&A can serve as a stepping stone to leadership and investment roles, and the key skills that helped Alex succeed in both corporate finance and private equity. Alex Fabry is the founder and managing partner of KFA, a private investment and advisory firm focused on growing and scaling businesses in Saint Louis. Before founding KFA, Alex started his career in FP&A roles at Saber, where he supported multi-billion dollar business units, managed complex budgets, and played a pivotal role in the $1.2 billion sale of Active Network to Global Payments. Alex also has experience as a Vice President at Charles Bank Capital Partners. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Expect to Learn: How FP&A provides a solid foundation for leadership and private equity operator roles.The significance of automation in improving FP&A efficiency and enabling more strategic analysis.Why private equity and FP&A require different skill sets but can work in tandem to drive business growth.Key skills FP&A professionals need to transition into private equity.The value of relationships and trust in both FP&A and private equity environments. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “The real value of FP&A is in helping businesses make decisions, not just report numbers.” - Alex Fabry“Being a business partner looks different depending on the business—it's about them, not you." - Alex Fabry Alex shared thoughtful and practical insights into the evolving role of FP&A in driving business success and the transition to private equity. He highlighted the importance of automation and strategic analysis in improving financial operations, the value of building strong business relationships, and how FP&A professionals can leverage their skills to thrive in the private equity space. Alex’s journey serves as a valuable playbook for those looking to navigate the complexities of both FP&A and private equity, emphasizing the need for adaptability, operational efficiency, and a keen understanding of the bigger business picture. Campfire: AI-First ERP: Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for general ledger, revenue automation, close management, and more, all in one unified platform. Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy Follow Alex: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-fabry/ 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 FP&A Certificate, take the quiz on Earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details. In Today’s Episode [02:27] - Alex’s Background [03:50] - What Makes Great FP&A? [14:03] -  The Three Key Questions in Finance [18:38] - Private Equity...

    55 min
  3. AI Hype in Finance for Executives to Avoid Failure from Poor Data, Hype and Top-Down Rollouts

    6D AGO

    AI Hype in Finance for Executives to Avoid Failure from Poor Data, Hype and Top-Down Rollouts

    In this episode, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss the realities behind the AI hype cycle and how it's playing out in finance, from inflated ROI expectations to unscalable AI tools and organizational chaos, Paul and Glenn unpack what’s working, what’s failing, and why so many companies are stuck. With no guest this week, the duo shares their honest takes on the state of AI, its practical limits in financial workflows, and how companies are fumbling both bottom-up adoption and top-down implementation. This one’s a mix of hot takes, technical insight, and just enough despair to keep things real. In this episode, you will discover: How bottom-up AI adoption is outpacing executive-led rollouts in finance.The problem with inflated expectations and what’s really causing AI project failures.Why Excel tools powered by AI are promising, but limited by context windows.How governance and data issues are crippling enterprise AI strategies.What OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, and Microsoft’s latest moves mean for the AI landscape. AI isn’t a magic solution; it’s a powerful tool that still depends on good data, realistic goals, and a bit of patience. Paul and Glenn make it clear that while the hype is loud, real progress takes thoughtful implementation and education. The future of AI in finance looks promising, but only for teams willing to do the work. Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance: 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: [01:56] - AI Hype Cycle Meltdown [04:50] - AI Tools in Excel [07:33] - Bottom-Up vs Top-Down Adoption [11:33] - Why AI Projects Fail [14:38] - Change Management Gaps [17:23] - Context Window Limitations [20:30] - Learn the Basics of AI [23:11] - Oracle, Nvidia & OpenAI Deals [30:07] - Microsoft Adds Anthropic to Copilot [34:24] - Copilot Improvement & Wrap-Up

    36 min
  4. Financial Modeling for Finance Pros to Fix Real-World Mistakes Using Balance Sheets - Scott Strachan

    SEP 30

    Financial Modeling for Finance Pros to Fix Real-World Mistakes Using Balance Sheets - Scott Strachan

    In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst speaks with financial modeling expert Scott Strachan about the role of financial models in business planning and decision-making. Scott shares lessons from over 30 years of experience in accounting, consulting, private equity, and corporate finance. The discussion covers the importance of modeling for startups, the problems with annual models, the risks of overrelying on EBITDA, and how the FMI certification has helped him stay sharp in a changing industry.   Scott Strachan is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Modeler who has worked across the UK, the Arabian Gulf, and now serves clients in Qatar and London. He has built and reviewed complex financial models for deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and now contributes to the Financial Modeling Institute as a content developer and exam writer. Scott is known for applying practical thinking to modeling and helping bridge the gap between theory and real-world execution. Expect to Learn Why annual models are often inappropriate for startups and small businessesThe difference between one-time-use models and those built for regular updatesHow poor modeling leads to funding gaps and business failureWhy EBITDA can be misleading in deal evaluationHow preparing for the CFM exam can improve your modeling skills Here are a few quotes from the episode: “A model is just an appendix to a business plan. If you don’t understand your market or product, no model will save you.” - Scott Strachan“EBITDA is a fantasy land metric. It ignores reality and tells you what you want to hear, not what you need to know.” - Scott Strachan“Every business fails because of bad management, and that often starts with not modeling your cash needs properly.” - Scott Strachan Follow Scott: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-strachan-ca-a795851a4/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Follow Paul: Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:   LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true   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

    49 min
  5. What FP&A Pros need to know to be successful working in Private Equity with Jamie and Nate

    SEP 25

    What FP&A Pros need to know to be successful working in Private Equity with Jamie and Nate

    In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst and co-host Glenn Snyder discuss the dynamic intersection of private equity and financial planning & analysis (FP&A). With private equity firms increasingly focused on operational value creation over financial engineering, this discussion offers valuable insights into the evolving expectations for FP&A teams within PE-backed companies. The conversation covers everything from deal flow trends and building high-performing FP&A functions to the nuances of trust, alignment, and data in the PE environment. Nate is a Senior Managing Director at Riveron Consulting, where he leads the private equity practice. With extensive experience supporting portfolio companies, Nate brings a sharp understanding of how to structure FP&A functions that drive value from early investment to exit. Jamie is Director of Financial Operations at Trivest Partners, a middle-market private equity fund. Jamie works closely with FP&A teams across Trivest’s portfolio, guiding companies through growth, transformation, and exit, with a clear focus on data-driven decision-making and operational excellence. Expect to Learn: How private equity firms are shifting from financial engineering to operational value creation.Why FP&A is becoming a core strategic partner in PE-backed companies.The importance of early investment in data, tech stacks, and FP&A infrastructure.The difference between corporate FP&A and PE-backed FP&A environments.What skills and traits do PE firms value most when hiring FP&A professionals? Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Private equity used to be all about financial engineering; now it’s about operational value creation.” - Jamie Lukaszewski“The most successful FP&A teams are the ones that align financial and operational KPIs to tell a complete story.” - Nate Heeren"You're not going to win many races with your legs tied together; you've got to be set up for success." - Nate Heeren Nate and Jamie shared thoughtful and practical insights into the evolving relationship between private equity and FP&A. They emphasized the growing importance of operational value creation, the foundational role of trust and alignment, and the need for robust data infrastructure to support strategic decision-making. Get Certified with the FPAC Credential Earn the only FP&A credential that proves your expertise and commitment to the profession. Use TheFPAGuy-FPAC for $150 off the Exam Use TheFPAGuy-FPACEPP for $100 off the Exam Prep Platform Learn more: https://www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-certifications AFP FP&A Forum: All insights. Zero spin. March 23 – 25 in Indianapolis This immersive, three-day event is built for financial professionals, by financial professionals, and it’s designed to help you sharpen your skills, stay on top of trends, and connect with peers who understand your challenges. Learn more: https://www.financialprofessionals.org/events/meetings/afp-fp-a-forum Follow FP&A Tomorrow: Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624  Follow Nate: LinkedIn - a...

    46 min
  6. AI ERP Innovation for Financial Executives to Disrupt Legacy Software with Franz Faerber

    SEP 24

    AI ERP Innovation for Financial Executives to Disrupt Legacy Software with Franz Faerber

    In this episode of Future Finance, Hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst sit down with Franz Faerber, Co-founder and CTO of Everest Systems, and one of the key minds behind SAP HANA. Franz shares his remarkable journey from leading SAP’s real-time database revolution to building Everest, a next-generation ERP platform designed from the ground up to embrace AI and modern business needs. Franz Faerber is the Co-founder and CTO of Everest Systems, a next-gen AI-native ERP company. Before Everest, Franz spent over 26 years at SAP, where he served as Executive VP of Technology and was the original architect behind SAP HANA, one of the most advanced in-memory databases in the world. His work helped transform data processing and analytics for thousands of global enterprises. Now, at Everest, he is on a mission to revolutionize ERP from the ground up, embracing AI and agile development to tackle the inefficiencies of traditional systems. In this episode, you will discover: Why the ERP space is finally ready for disruption, and how Everest is leading that charge.How Everest built a fully functional inventory management system in just four months without writing a single line of code.The role of AI in accelerating ERP development, reducing costs, and enabling mass personalization.Why Franz believes the future of ERP lies in integration, automation, and adaptability. Franz Faerber’s insights offer a compelling vision for the future of ERP, one where AI, speed, and simplicity are no longer optional but essential. His journey from SAP HANA to Everest showcases what’s possible when innovation meets experience. Follow Franz: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/franz-faerber/ Company -  https://everest-systems.com Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance: 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: [02:18] - Meet Franz Faerber [03:53] - The SAP HANA Revolution [09:00] - Leaving SAP for Everest [10:39] - Why Build a New ERP? [18:36] - Dev & Release Cycles at Everest [21:20] - What Sets Everest Apart [25:48] - Leadership & Vision [29:32] - Chess, Books & Strategy [33:20] - Final Thoughts

    35 min
  7. Why Finance Students Must Learn Discipline Before AI Replaces Their Jobs with David Stangeland

    SEP 23

    Why Finance Students Must Learn Discipline Before AI Replaces Their Jobs with David Stangeland

    In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Host Paul Barnhurst sits down with David Stangeland, a finance professor at the University of Manitoba, to talk about teaching financial modeling, how students learn best, and the tools that have changed over the years, from PV tables to Excel. David shares what he's learned from more than 30 years in the classroom, why planning is so important in modeling, and how he uses real money investing through a student-managed fund to teach hands-on skills. He also talks about the value of the FMI curriculum, the role of judgment in modeling, and why he still learns something new every time he teaches.   David has been teaching at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business since 1991. He has a PhD from the University of Alberta and is both a CPA and a CMA. His research focuses on corporate governance and performance and has been published in top finance journals. He’s co-authored two corporate finance textbooks and currently advises the school’s $2.8 million student-managed investment fund. Expect to Learn The most common mistakes students make when building modelsHow Excel helps students better understand what they're doingWhy structure and layout matter in a financial modelThe importance of combining modeling with real-world contextHow the FMI curriculum is used in teaching valuation and asset management Here are a few quotes from the episode: “There’s no one right answer in valuation. It’s about making good assumptions and thinking through your logic to build a credible story.” - David Stangeland“Don’t think you know it all. Always be open to learning and improving. That mindset will take you further than any formula.” - David Stangeland“Spreadsheets aren’t going anywhere. Whether it’s Excel or something else, that flexible grid is still the best way to work with data.” - David Stangeland Follow David: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-stangeland-phd-cpa-cma-b-comm-29773946/?originalSubdomain=ca Follow Paul: Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:   LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true   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:...

    40 min
  8. How FP&A Teams Can Enhance Visuals and Improve Dashboards: Practical Tips from Zebra BI CEO Andrej Lapajne

    SEP 18

    How FP&A Teams Can Enhance Visuals and Improve Dashboards: Practical Tips from Zebra BI CEO Andrej Lapajne

    In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Andrej Lapajne, the CEO and founder of Zebra BI. Andrej shares his thoughts on the evolving role of data visualization in financial planning and analysis, the importance of clear communication through standardized visuals, and how automation is transforming the way we analyze and present financial data. Later in the episode, Paul and Andrej discuss the challenges of data modeling, how AI is shaping business intelligence, and why effective data storytelling is crucial for making impactful business decisions. Andrej Lapajne is the CEO and founder of Zebra BI, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the way businesses communicate financial insights. With over 20 years of experience in business intelligence and data visualization, Andrej has helped organizations across industries implement better reporting systems. He is a passionate advocate for the International Business Communication Standards (IBCS), a methodology he helped popularize to improve data reporting and visualization. Expect to Learn: Why is consistent, clear communication in data visualization vital for FP&A professionals?The key skills FP&A professionals need to master such as data modeling and communication.How Zebra BI helps businesses generate actionable insights with ease.Andrej's methodology for data visualization and the importance of standardized charting in business reporting.Key advice on mastering data modeling and communication skills for finance professionals Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Effective communication is the key to FP&A. You can have all the data, but if you can’t communicate the insights, it’s wasted.” - Andrej Lapajne“AI is transforming the way we consume analytics and freeing up time for more strategic decision-making.” - Andrej Lapajne"If your dashboard doesn’t show variances, it’s not actionable. You’re just looking at pretty colors." - Andrej Lapajne Andrej Lapajne shared a clear and insightful perspective on the future of data visualization in financial planning and analysis. He emphasized the need for standardized communication, the importance of clean data, and the power of automation in transforming analytics. Together with Paul Barnhurst, this episode highlights the critical role of FP&A professionals in driving business decisions and how the integration of effective data visualization and modern technology will shape the future of the profession. Get Certified with the FPAC Credential Earn the only FP&A credential that proves your expertise and commitment to the profession. Use TheFPAGuy-FPAC for $150 off the Exam Use TheFPAGuy-FPACEPP for $100 off the Exam Prep Platform Learn more: https://www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-certifications AFP FP&A Forum: All insights. Zero spin. March 23 – 25 in Indianapolis This immersive, three-day event is built for financial professionals, by financial professionals, and it’s designed to help you sharpen your skills, stay on top of trends, and connect with peers who understand your challenges. Learn more: https://www.financialprofessionals.org/events/meetings/afp-fp-a-forum Follow FP&A Tomorrow: Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - a href="https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    55 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.

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  • Creator
    Paul Barnhurst
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Paul Barnhurst
  • Show Website
    The FP&A Guy Network

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