In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Brian McGrath, Co-Founder and COO of FutureView Systems, to explore how FP&A teams can scale smarter, automate faster, and operate as strategic business partners. With over 20 years of experience leading finance transformations in high-growth companies, Brian dives into why finance must be more than a cost center, it should be a driver of operational success and storytelling. From automation frameworks to AI and the power of curiosity, Brian shares lessons that can help FP&A professionals become essential, not just operational.

Brian McGrath is the Co-Founder and COO of FutureView Systems, a firm dedicated to delivering scalable, technology-enabled FP&A solutions for growing companies. A graduate of the University of Florida and UNC Chapel Hill, Brian has helped organizations streamline processes, eliminate manual workflows, and build finance functions that influence real-time decisions. His hands-on experience, systems thinking, and deep commitment to automation and business alignment make his insights invaluable for any finance professional ready to modernize their approach.

Expect to Learn:

• Why automation should be baked into FP&A from day one
• What accountability-based forecasting looks like in practice
• How to shift FP&A from a cost center to an operational partner
• Practical methods for protecting your most valuable asset: time
• Why “humble curiosity” is essential to understanding the business

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• “The best way to elevate your career? Focus more on your customer’s success than your own.” - Brian McGrath
• “FP&A should be embedded in operations, helping deploy capital in ways that truly move the business.” - Brian McGrath
• “Accountability-based forecasting means budget owners own their numbers, finance is there to support, not control.” - Brian McGrath

Brian McGrath delivered a compelling vision for the future of FP&A, one where automation, process thinking, and operational alignment are non-negotiable. He emphasized that great FP&A professionals are not just technically skilled, but also curious, empathetic, and strategically embedded within the business. From designing scalable systems to navigating AI and storytelling, Brian’s insights offer actionable guidance for finance leaders looking to evolve from number crunchers to decision enablers.

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/financial-planning-and-analysis/.

Website - https://www.futureviewsystems.com/

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Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com/

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

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

[02:04] - Brian’s Background

[07:42] - Scaling Finance Teams

[09:52] - Accountability Forecasting

[14:00] - FP&A as Ops Partner

[20:23] - FP&A Get Involved in Ops

[24:59] - Developing Curiosity in Finance

[29:16] - Guarding Your Time in FP&A

[43:21] - How AI is Reshaping FP&A

[48:47] - #1 Technical Skill for FP&A Pros

[56:14] - Final Advice for FP&A Success