FP&A Unboxed

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In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by Asif Masani, a Finance Professional, Author, Educator, and Program Director at FP&A Professionals Institute. With experience spanning audit, banking, FP&A, and the EdTech industry, Asif has built a strong reputation for helping finance professionals transition into FP&A through practical learning, personal branding, and career-focused education.

Asif shares his journey from spending over three years in audit to discovering FP&A almost by accident, eventually moving into strategic finance and leadership roles across large corporations and mid-sized organisations. He reflects on the defining moments that shaped his career, the differences between working in large enterprises versus smaller companies, and why business partnering and strategic thinking are becoming increasingly important for finance professionals.

The discussion also explores practical advice for accountants and auditors looking to transition into FP&A, including the importance of mindset, financial modeling, data visualisation, and understanding how finance outputs drive business decisions. Asif further shares real-world examples of scenario analysis, pricing strategy insights, automation, and how finance teams can shift from operational execution to strategic influence.

This episode is essential for finance professionals looking to transition into FP&A, strengthen their strategic capabilities, and build long-term career resilience in a rapidly evolving finance landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Transitioning from Audit to FP&A: Asif explains how dissatisfaction with audit work pushed him to explore new career paths, eventually leading him into FP&A despite initially knowing very little about the function.
• Importance of Mindset: Successful transitions into FP&A begin with believing the move is possible. Professionals from accounting, audit, engineering, and even non-finance backgrounds can build successful FP&A careers.
• Core Skills for FP&A: Financial modelling, data visualisation, and business understanding are identified as the three critical skills finance professionals should develop to become strong FP&A practitioners.
• Large Companies vs Mid-Sized Organisations: Large organisations provide specialization and structure, while mid-sized companies offer broader ownership, greater business exposure, and more strategic responsibility.
• Business Understanding Creates Value: Finance professionals must understand how reports and analysis are ultimately used by stakeholders in order to become true business partners rather than just report generators.
• Strategic Impact Through Insights: Asif shares how identifying low conversion rates and misuse of financial aid programs in an edtech company led to pricing experiments and strategic business changes.
• Automation Creates Strategic Capacity: Automating repetitive reporting, budgeting, and commentary tasks frees finance teams to spend more time on strategic initiatives and value-adding projects.
• Building Personal Visibility Matters: Personal branding and visibility on platforms like LinkedIn not only create external opportunities but also improve visibility and influence within organisations.
• Career Resilience in the AI Era: Asif highlights how increasing technological shifts and AI-driven productivity changes are making continuous upskilling and visibility more important than ever for finance professionals.

Noteworthy Quotes

“Mindset is the first thing. You have to convince yourself that transitioning into FP&A is possible.” – Asif Masani

“FP&A requires three key skills: financial modelling, data visualisation, and understanding the business.” – Asif Masani

“Most accounting professionals stop after sending the report. FP&A begins when you understand what decision the business will make using that report.” – Asif Masani

“Automation allows finance teams to free up time for more strategic and business-facing work.” – Asif Masani

“Your job is to provide insights and recommendations. The business may not act on all of them, and that’s completely normal.” – Asif Masani

“Visibility matters. Building your personal brand makes you more resilient in a changing job market.” – Asif Masani

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction to guest – Asif Masani
• 06:10 – Differences between working in large corporations versus mid-sized organisations
• 07:22 – The inspiration behind Asif’s FP&A books and helping professionals transition careers
• 11:21 – Practical advice for accountants and auditors moving into FP&A
• 13:20 – Financial modelling, Power BI, and data visualisation as essential FP&A skills
• 16:06 – Real-world examples of scenario analysis and strategic business impact
• 21:53 – Pricing experiments and conversion insights from the edtech industry
• 23:15 – Shifting FP&A teams from operational reporting to strategic influence
• 27:04 – Importance of personal branding, visibility, and LinkedIn for finance professionals

FOLLOW OUR GUEST ASIF MASANI ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asifmasani/

FP&A Professionals Institute: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fpa-professionals/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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Want to find out how your FP&A function stacks up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalised insights. 👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment

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In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by Raghuram (Raghu) Krishnan, Senior Director, Financial Planning & Analysis and Site Council Chair at Adobe, a seasoned finance leader with over a decade of experience progressing from individual contributor roles to leading global finance operations. Raghu currently heads one of the most successful and high-performing teams within the CFO organisations, overseeing strategic initiatives, automation, and business partnering across multiple geographies.

Raghu shares his experience building a high-performing finance organisation that balances operational efficiency with strategic relevance. He discusses how technology, process optimization, and culture combine to create credibility and impact within the business. He also shares insights on developing people, fostering a partnering mindset, and using AI and predictive modelling to drive finance transformation.

This episode is essential for finance professionals and leaders looking to scale teams effectively, implement transformative processes, and become trusted strategic partners within their organisations.

Key Takeaways

Leadership and Vision: Setting a clear vision from the beginning is critical. Raghu emphasizes defining the purpose of your finance organisation beyond traditional shared services, aiming for a centre of excellence that adds real business value.

Building Credibility Through Value: Operational efficiency, accurate forecasting, and consistent delivery build credibility with business leaders. Trust and reliability in finance outputs make the organisation a strategic partner rather than just a reporting function.

People and Culture Matter: Attitude is paramount, followed by techno-functional skills and a partnering mindset. Raghu focuses on internal growth, coaching, and aligning the right people to the right roles to maximize impact.

Business Partnering is Key: Moving beyond reporting to become storytellers of the numbers allows finance teams to influence business decisions. Building strong relationships with business leaders and other functions (like tax and accounting) is critical to providing relevant insights.

Technology and Automation: Leveraging tools like Power BI, SQL, Python, and AI enhances productivity and enables teams to take on more work without increasing headcount. Automation complements human judgment, not replaces it.

Strategic Relevance vs Operational Efficiency: A high-performing finance team must balance both. Raghu uses zero-based budgeting, predictive modeling, and strategic initiatives to ensure finance remains relevant while running efficiently.

Future of FP&A: Upskilling and preparing teams to handle dynamic business environments is essential. AI and predictive modeling are seen as productivity enhancers rather than headcount reducers, allowing finance to focus on higher-value strategic work.

Noteworthy Quotes

• "Most important is vision as a leader. Second is clarity around what are you trying to deliver for the organisation and what are you trying to solve for them." – Raghu Krishnan
• "Focus on value, not headcount. Everything else is operational." – Raghu Krishnan
• "Attitude is critical. Skills can be taught, but mindset is foundational." – Raghu Krishnan
• "We want problem solvers, not gatekeepers. Finance should enable the business, not block it." – Raghu Krishnan
• "If the business seeks your input, you’ve earned the right to be a true partner." – Raghu Krishnan

Key Timestamps

00:25 – Introduction to guest – Raghu Krishnan

07:12 – Impact of team inclusion in decision-making and evolution of operating model

10:39 – Standardization, technology adoption, and creating a techno-functional team

19:58 – Balancing strategic relevance with operational efficiency across geographies

25:08 – Hiring approach: internal growth, attitude, and partnering mindset

32:26 – Future of finance roles with AI, predictive modeling, and upskilling teams

36:24 – Importance of first 20 hires and leadership vision for team direction

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FOLLOW OUR GUEST RAGHURAM KRISHNAN ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raghuram-krishnan-9348124/

Adobe: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adobe/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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Want to find out how your FP&A function stacks up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalised insights.

👉 https://bit.ly/fp-and-a-maturity-assessment

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In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by Carl Seidman, a renowned expert in financial modeling and business strategy. Carl is the founder of Seidman Financial, where he works with clients to enhance their financial modeling and analytics capabilities. With over two decades of experience in financial strategy, Carl has helped numerous companies transform their approach to budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.

Throughout the episode, Carl dives deep into the importance of financial modeling in today's fast-paced business environment. He discusses how companies can leverage models to drive decision-making, improve forecasting accuracy, and create value from data. Carl also shares his insights on common mistakes businesses make when creating financial models and how to avoid them.

This episode is essential listening for finance professionals looking to enhance their financial modeling skills, adopt best practices, and integrate advanced analytics into their decision-making processes.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Financial Modeling: Financial models are critical tools that help businesses make data-driven decisions, predict future performance, and manage risk.
• Common Mistakes in Financial Modeling: Many companies overlook key assumptions and fail to account for uncertainty in their models, which can lead to inaccurate results.
• Advanced Techniques in Financial Modeling: Carl explores advanced strategies such as Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity analysis to enhance the robustness of financial models.
• Aligning Finance with Business Goals: Financial models should not only serve as technical tools but also align with broader business strategies and objectives.
• Practical Advice for Finance Professionals: Carl shares actionable tips for finance teams looking to improve their modeling skills and implement best practices across their organizations.

Noteworthy Quotes

• "A financial model is only as good as the assumptions you put into it." – Carl Seidman
• "When building models, it’s crucial to understand the business context and the drivers of success, not just the numbers." – Carl Seidman
• "Financial modeling is about making better decisions, not about making perfect predictions." – Carl Seidman
• "The most powerful models are those that are adaptable and flexible enough to handle real-world complexity." – Carl Seidman
• "Finance should not just report the numbers; it should help shape the future of the business." – Carl Seidman

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction to guest – Carl Seidman
• 02:24 – Carl’s background and journey into financial modeling
• 04:38 – The importance of financial modeling in business strategy
• 06:05 – Common mistakes in financial models and how to avoid them
• 14:43 – Advanced techniques for improving financial models
• 26:55 – Aligning financial models with business goals
• 28:48 – Practical advice for aspiring financial modelers
• 35:24 – The future of financial modeling and how to stay ahead
• 44:42 – Final thoughts: The evolving role of finance in decision-making

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FOLLOW OUR GUEST CARL SEIDMAN ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlseidman/

Seidman Financial: https://seidmanfinancial.com/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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Want to find out how your FP&A function stacks up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalised insights. 👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment

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In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by Soufyan Hamid, a global expert in storytelling and finance business partnering with over 17 years of experience. Soufyan is the founder of The Finance Circle and creator of the Financial Storytelling Program, followed by over 400 finance professionals worldwide. He helps FP&A teams enhance their ability to communicate insights effectively, making finance relevant to business decision-making. With a large following of 82,000 on LinkedIn, Soufyan has become a leading voice in reshaping how finance professionals tell their stories.

Soufyan shares valuable insights on the importance of storytelling in finance, especially for FP&A professionals. He discusses how to shift from reporting numbers to influencing decisions and how finance leaders can align their work with business strategy. Additionally, he explains the practical application of his storytelling framework for effective communication in finance.

This episode is essential for finance professionals looking to elevate their communication skills, increase their strategic influence, and remain relevant in an ever-changing business environment.

Key Takeaways

• The Importance of Communication in Finance: Finance professionals need to master the art of storytelling to make their insights accessible and impactful to non-financial stakeholders.
• Mindset Shift for FP&A: Transitioning from just reporting numbers to understanding business needs and influencing decisions is critical for finance leaders.
• Financial Storytelling Framework: Soufyan shares his "Three What" framework: What, So What, and Now What, as a practical tool to structure and communicate finance insights effectively.
• Building Strategic Influence: To become a strategic partner in business, finance professionals must focus on understanding the business operations and communicating with the goal of influencing decision-making.
• The Role of Storytelling Across Finance: Storytelling isn't just for FP&A but is crucial for all finance functions, including tax, accounting, and treasury, to engage their audience and add value.

Noteworthy Quotes

• "Communication is not about speaking; it’s about understanding what's needed for others and putting yourself in their shoes." – Soufyan Hamid
• "Finance is not a goal; it’s a tool to help decision-making." – Soufyan Hamid
• "Storytelling is about filtering what to say and what not to say. It's about making your communication relevant and impactful." – Soufyan Hamid
• "Finance professionals need to think about the future of the business, not just the numbers." – Soufyan Hamid
• "The key differentiator in the future will be human skills, not technical expertise." – Soufyan Hamid

Key Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to the guest – Soufyan Hamid

02:40 – The importance of communication in finance

04:39 – Shifting the mindset from accounting to business partnering

07:41 – The “curse of knowledge” in finance communication

11:18 – How FP&A professionals can better understand the business

20:11 – Real-life example: Using storytelling to pass a difficult budget approval

23:37 – Transitioning from auditing to FP&A and the challenges faced

28:17 – Why strong analysis is still the foundation of storytelling

31:40 – Why finance leaders still need storytelling in the AI era

38:55 – Asking better questions instead of just giving answers

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FOLLOW OUR GUEST SOUFYAN HAMID ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soufyanhamid/

The Finance Circle: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefinancecircle/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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Want to find out how your FP&A function stacks up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalised insights. 👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment

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In this insightful episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by Gary Simon, the Chief Executive of FSN Publishing Ltd. and Leader of the Modern Finance Forum for CFOs on LinkedIn, with over 60,000 senior finance members. Gary is also a sought-after thought leader, lecturer, and expert in financial systems and business strategy, and has authored multiple books on financial software and information systems.

Gary has a rich history of consulting at the highest levels, including as a senior partner at Deloitte, where he worked with large multinational companies, public sector organisations, and financial institutions. In this episode, he shares his expertise on the evolution of FP&A, the role of CFOs in today's fast-paced business world, and the transformative impact of technology on finance functions. He also provides practical insights for finance leaders looking to drive innovation and align finance with broader business strategy.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the finance world looking to stay ahead of industry changes, develop leadership skills, and improve business decision-making.

Key Takeaways

1. Transforming the CFO’s Role: Technology, automation, and data-driven decision-making are reshaping the CFO’s role.
2. Leading FP&A into the Future: The next wave of FP&A innovation lies in embracing AI and automation to streamline operations and deliver greater business value.
3. Aligning Finance with Business Strategy: Finance leaders need to integrate finance functions with the wider business strategy to drive long-term success.
4. Building a High-Impact Finance Team: Success in today’s world requires building a finance team with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
5. The Modern Finance Forum: Gary shares his experiences leading the Modern Finance Forum, where CFOs collaborate on best practices, insights, and future trends in finance.

Noteworthy Quotes

• "The role of the CFO has evolved; it’s no longer just about reporting the numbers, it’s about strategic influence." – Gary Simon
• "To truly transform FP&A, we need to think beyond automation and look at how AI can empower better decision-making." – Gary Simon
• "A great finance leader isn’t just good with numbers—they need to understand the business and drive change." – Gary Simon
• "It’s not enough for finance to just support the business; it needs to lead the business." – Gary Simon
• "In a world full of change, the ability to learn continuously is one of the most important skills for any finance professional." – Gary Simon

Key Timestamps

00:00 – Coming up next & Call to Action

01:37 – Introduction to guest – Gary Simon

03:12 – Gary’s career journey and the evolution of the CFO role

04:50 – The digital transformation of the finance function

05:32 – The impact of AI and automation on FP&A

11:49 – How to build a high-performing finance team

19:00 – Aligning FP&A with business strategy for greater value

32:14 – Advice for aspiring CFOs and finance leaders

37:44 – How to stay ahead in an ever-evolving finance landscape

43:50 – Final thoughts: Leadership, technology, and strategy in finance

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FOLLOW OUR GUEST GARY SIMON ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-simon-36403a18/

The FSN Modern Finance Forum: https://fsn.co.uk/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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X: https://x.com/AksharBusiness

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting?

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099

Want to find out how your FP&A function stack up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalized insights.

👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment

In this powerful episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by Dhawal Parvatikar, co-founder of the FP&A Professional Institute and an experienced CFO and finance mentor with nearly two decades of leadership across India and the Middle East. Dhawal shares his personal journey from audit to FP&A leadership, offering actionable advice on adapting mindsets, building cross-functional relationships, and harnessing automation in finance.

With stories from Bharat Petroleum to building a 200+ CFO community and launching an FP&A certification, Dhawal unpacks what it truly means to be a strategic finance partner in today’s fast-changing, tech-enabled world.

This episode is a must-listen for any finance professional aiming to elevate their influence, credibility, and strategic value in the organization.

Key Takeaways

Shift from Audit to FP&A: Embrace continuous processes and focus on business decision-making over compliance.

Two Critical FP&A Skills: CFOs are looking for business acumen and relationship-building — not Excel formulas.

Automate to Elevate: Save time from manual reporting and reallocate effort toward analysis and strategic support.

Reverse Engineer Your Insights: Always start with what your stakeholders actually want — and deliver just that.

FP&A’s AI Future: Leaner teams with embedded AI will define the next phase of FP&A transformation.

Noteworthy Quotes

“Finance professionals need to start with solutions, not just say no.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

“You don’t need 10 analysts to scale — you need automation and sharper skills.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

“Reverse engineer your reports with the stakeholder in mind.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

“Relationships and business sense beat tools every time.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

“AI will reduce manual work, but the sense check will always be your responsibility.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

Key Timestamps

00:17 – Coming up next & Call to Action

01:42 – Introduction to guest – Dhawal Parvatikar

02:56 – Career beginnings & FP&A learning curve

05:36 – Audit to FP&A: Key mindset and skill shifts

07:40 – Navigating cross-cultural and multi-entity challenges

11:28 – Real-life automation wins and ROI

16:05 – Influence at the executive level: Less is more

20:07 – Two must-have skills for modern FP&A professionals

22:51 – Founding FP&A Professional Institute

32:17 – The future of FP&A: AI, lean teams & new certifications

33:26 – Advice for FP&A beginners and career movers

36:20 – What finance often gets wrong in cross-functional relationships

40:32 – Final thoughts: Business acumen + tech = future-proof

FOLLOW OUR GUEST DHAWAL PARVATIKAR ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhawal-parvatikar-520b771a/

FP&A Professionals Institute https://www.linkedin.com/company/fpa-professionals/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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Want to find out how your FP&A function stack up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalized insights. 

👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment

In this insightful episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by two dynamic finance leaders: Alwyn Jones, CFO at Luno, and Megan Walbyoff, soon-to-be maternity leave-taker and Commercial Finance Director at Luno. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities in FP&A within the crypto and financial services industry, touching on how agility, data-driven decisions, and strategic forecasting play pivotal roles in shaping business outcomes.

The episode dives deep into how finance teams must adapt and collaborate across departments to maintain effective decision-making processes amidst fluctuating markets. From unit economics to the balance of commercial insights, this discussion provides valuable takeaways for finance professionals navigating an unpredictable business landscape.

Key Takeaways

Balance of Data and Intuition: In fast-moving industries like crypto, FP&A teams need to blend data analysis with business intuition for effective decisions.

Strategic Forecasting: Scenario planning and thoughtful forecasting are key to managing market volatility, knowing certainty is elusive.

Customer Unit Economics: Analyzing customer profitability helps drive strategic shifts and better decision-making, as seen with Luno.

Partnership with Business Teams: FP&A must collaborate with business leaders to align financial strategy with business goals.

Adapting to Change: Quick adjustments to forecasts and strategies are essential in fast-changing environments.

Noteworthy Quotes

"FP&A is the cool side of finance." – Megan Walbyoff

"The real skill in FP&A is not just analysis but judgment." – Alwyn Jones

"Numbers are right if based on real-time data, but strategy comes in interpretation." – Tejas Parikh

"FP&A is about partnership, not just spreadsheets." – Alwyn Jones

"Every business has that one person who says the number is wrong." – Tejas Parikh

"FP&A pros need balance between detail and big-picture thinking, plus curiosity." – Megan Walbyoff

"The future of FP&A is integrating financial and operational data for actionable insights." – Alwyn Jones

"In volatile markets, the right number today may not be right tomorrow—stay adaptable." – Megan Walbyoff

Key Timestamps

00:28 - Intro: Welcome and Call to Action for the Episode

01:10 - Meet the Guests: Alwyn Jones and Megan Walbyoff Introduction

02:33 - Balancing FP&A and Commercial Finance Priorities

07:06 - Adapting to Market Shifts and Forecasting Challenges

11:10 - Managing Forecasts and Board Expectations in Volatile Markets

13:14 - Navigating a Disruptive Market and External Influences

20:52 - When FP&A's forecast convinces the board or investors to back a bold initiative.

31:28 - Key attribute that FP&A professionals should have

37:48 - FP&A's Role in Gaining Board Confidence During Crisis

38:58 - Future of FP&A: Evolving with Data-Driven Decisions

50:08 - Closing Thoughts on FP&A, Strategy, and Business Partnerships

FOLLOW OUR GUEST ALWYN JONES & MEGAN WALBYOFF ON:

LinkedIn Alwyn Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alwynhjones/

LinkedIn Megan Walbyoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-w-33668622/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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Get out of Excel Hell and enhance your financial analytics skills with our FREE Introduction to Power BI for Financial Analysis: https://bit.ly/power-bi-financial-ananlysis-training

In this insightful episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh chats with Manoj Jain, Head of Finance at The Marbrook Centre & Ardale care homes group, an experienced finance professional and business leader. Manoj shares his experiences as a CFO, especially after implementing Power BI and Aimplan in his organization. The conversation dives deep into the challenges and transformations that come with upgrading financial systems and reporting processes, while highlighting the strategic role of finance in SMEs. Manoj discusses how targeted realism in forecasting, driver-based budgeting, and collaborative planning have reshaped financial decision-making in his company.

This episode is a must-listen for finance professionals looking to elevate their approach to forecasting, reporting, and strategic business planning.

Key Takeaways

Targeted Realism in Forecasting: Forecasts must strike a balance between ambition and defensibility through scenario planning and sensitivity analysis.

Collaboration Over Control: Successful financial models are co-created with business partners who understand the key drivers of performance.

Effective Communication: Finance professionals need to not only build models but also confidently communicate and challenge assumptions.

Cashflow Visibility: In SMEs, cashflow management is crucial, daily visibility and adaptable models are key to survival.

Invest in the Build Phase: Rushing through the build of a financial model compromises credibility. Strong foundations are essential to withstand investor scrutiny.

Noteworthy Quotes

"Your forecast is right for now. It’s not a crystal ball, it's a living, changing tool." – Manoj Jain

"Driver-based planning has to be collaborative. It’s not top-down or bottom-up, it’s across." – Manoj Jain

"Don’t rush the build. If your model isn’t watertight, investors will drive a truck through it." – Manoj Jain

"We are owners, not renters, in finance, no matter if you’re fractional or full-time." – Manoj Jain

"Forecasting is both an art and a science, knowing how to structure and when to adapt." – Manoj Jain

Key Timestamps

00:00 – Coming up next & Call to Action

01:15 – Introduction to guest – Manoj Jain

03:51 – Choosing the Right Partner

05:30 – Before vs After Power BI & Aimplan

06:24 – Finance & COO Collaboration Shift

07:56 – Standardized Models & Automation

09:13 – Consolidation Challenges & Sector Complexity

10:38 – Variance Analysis Enabling Fast Decisions

12:06 – Scalability & Forecasting for Growth

13:35 – Biggest Win & Key Challenges

17:14 – Strategic Focus Through Automation

19:51 – Future of Finance & Broader Data Use

21:34 – What Makes a Great Transformation Partner

26:47 –  Closing thoughts

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojfinance

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In this insightful episode of FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh sits down with Gemma Doran, Portfolio Chief Finance Officer at The CFO Centre UK who specializes in the leisure and hospitality sectors, treasury management, and fundraising. With extensive experience scaling SMEs and startups, Gemma unpacks the art of balancing “targeted realism” in financial forecasting, how to structure cashflows that adapt in fast-paced environments, and the real value of immersive business understanding in FP&A.

Gemma shares practical advice on building flexible models, engaging stakeholders through collaborative driver-based budgeting, and how storytelling and communication are essential tools in the finance professional’s toolkit. Whether you’re a junior FP&A analyst or a seasoned CFO, this episode delivers tangible takeaways to elevate your forecasting and financial storytelling game.

Key Takeaways

Targeted Realism in Forecasting: Forecasts must reflect ambition while staying defensible through scenario planning and sensitivity analysis.

Collaboration Over Control: Driver-based models are only effective when co-created with business partners who understand the real levers of performance.

Communication is Crucial: Great analysts and CFOs must not only build models but also explain and challenge assumptions with confidence.

Cashflow Visibility is Everything: In SMEs, cashflow management is often hand-to-mouth, daily visibility and flexible models are key.

Invest Time in the Build Phase: Rushing a financial model compromises credibility, building strong foundations to withstand investor scrutiny.

Noteworthy Quotes

"Your forecast is right for now. It’s not a crystal ball, it's a living, changing tool." – Gemma Doran

"Driver-based planning has to be collaborative. It’s not top-down or bottom-up, it’s across." – Gemma Doran

"Don’t rush the build. If your model isn’t watertight, investors will drive a truck through it." – Gemma Doran

"We are owners, not renters, in finance, no matter if you’re fractional or full-time." – Gemma Doran

"Forecasting is both an art and a science, knowing how to structure and when to adapt." – Gemma Doran

Key Timestamps

[00:00] Coming up next & Call to Action

[01:17] Introduction to guest – Gemma Doran

[02:09] The rise of fractional CFOs in the SME world

[05:24] Balancing targeted realism in SME forecasting

[07:32] Driver-based budgeting and stakeholder alignment

[09:25] Core mindsets needed in a chaotic SME finance environment

[13:20] Visuals vs. logic: Effective storytelling in SME FP&A

[16:09] Pitfalls in theoretical financial modelling

[19:42] Cashflow control at a micro level in SMEs

[25:13] Why you must invest time in the model-building phase

[26:29] Structuring rolling forecasts for shifting business landscapes

[28:11] Forecasting: art or science?

[29:18] ESG and the future of finance modeling

[30:32] What FP&A teams really need to be better strategic partners

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Website: https://www.cfocentre.com/

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In this powerful episode of FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh speaks with Erik Lidman, Founder and CEO at Aimplan - Extending Power BI and Fabric with Operational and Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting. With 29 years of experience in the CPM space, Erik shares his journey from consulting to founding Aimplan and discusses how finance professionals can leverage technology, data, and AI for better decision making and business success.

Erik shares challenges of managing data in finance, the importance of selecting the right financial planning tool, and how platforms like Power BI can revolutionize the way organizations handle reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. He also offers practical advice for finance leaders on how to stay relevant as automation and AI continue to evolve the finance landscape.

Key Takeaways

Data Ownership & Integration: Owning your data warehouse and integrating it across systems like Power BI is crucial for future-proofing your finance operations.

Power BI for FP&A: Finance leaders should embrace tools like Power BI not just for analytics but for financial reporting and planning.

AI and Automation: As AI and automation shape the future of finance, finance professionals should focus on enhancing their data analysis skills rather than just administrative tasks.

Selecting the Right EPM Tool: Understand your requirements and business maturity before selecting a CPM tool, as not all tools fit every company’s needs.

Noteworthy Quotes

"Data ownership is key, if you don't own your data, you're putting your business at risk." – Erik Lidman

"Power BI is a game-changer for finance, it’s not just for dashboards, but for true financial reporting and forecasting." – Erik Lidman

"The future of FP&A is not just about finance, it's about integrating business data to drive decision-making across the entire organization." – Erik Lidman

"Automating your processes is important, but knowing the business and adding strategic value is what makes a great finance leader." – Erik Lidman

"If you can't explain the data and give real insights to the business, you’re just presenting numbers, not making an impact." – Erik Lidman

Key Timestamps

[00:00] Coming up next & Call to Action

[01:35] Introduction of guest - Erik Lidman

[07:05] The role of Power BI in transforming FP&A functions

[10:01] Leveraging Power BI for financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting

[13:25] Understanding your data: From ERP to finance systems

[15:40] Why selecting the right EPM tool is critical for organizational growth

[19:00] The challenges of data quality and how to overcome them

[22:30] The evolving role of FP&A professionals with AI and automation

[28:43] How to get started with Power BI in finance

[33:00] The importance of requirement gathering in selecting the right financial tool

[37:30] The future of FP&A: Key trends and skills for finance leaders

[46:00] Closing thoughts and advice for aspiring FP&A professionals

FOLLOW OUR GUEST ERIK LIDMAN ON: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriklidman/

Website: https://www.aimplan.com/

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