In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Eric Alexander about building effective FP&A functions, developing business acumen, and preparing finance professionals for leadership. Eric explains why finance teams need to look beyond the numbers, understand the business, communicate effectively, and develop the leadership skills needed to create greater impact.

Eric Alexander is the President of Six Arrows Consulting and an advisor, speaker, and author with nearly 40 years of financial management experience, including 20 years in CFO roles. He served as CFO of Happy State Bank and now provides leadership development, strategic planning, finance function, and advisory services to community banks and mid-market companies. He is also the author of Stewardship Leadership for Stinking Accountants: Serving as the CFO.

Expect to Learn:

• Why business understanding matters beyond technical skills.
• How to build a stronger FP&A function.
• Why CFOs need leadership and communication skills.
• How to make better decisions through constructive disagreement.
• Why stewardship is essential to effective finance leadership.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "Numbers that are done correctly relative to the business issue and then communicated well... that's good FP&A." - Eric Alexander
• "If I live in my little silo by myself and ignore the effects upstream and downstream, I'm missing opportunities." - Eric Alexander

Eric emphasizes that strong finance professionals need more than technical expertise. They must understand the business behind the numbers, communicate their insights, collaborate across functions, and help leaders make better decisions. As professionals move toward CFO roles, leadership, strategy, communication, and stewardship become increasingly important

Follow Eric:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-alexander-sixarrowsconsulting/
• Website: https://ericralexander.com/
• Company: https://sixarrowsconsulting.com/

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

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] - What Great FP&A Looks Like

[04:47] - Building a Strong FP&A Function

[07:43] - Understanding the Business Behind the Numbers

[09:23] - Building Business Acumen

[13:39] - Moving From Accounting to FP&A

[16:19] - The Path to CFO

[20:31] - Leadership & Constructive Disagreement

[26:06] - Pre-Mortems & Better Decisions

[30:03] - Point Estimates vs. Ranges

[38:10] - Stewardship Leadership & The CFO Role

[43:57] - Technical & Human Skills for FP&A

[46:19] - Personal Questions & Closing Thoughts

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Soufyan Hamid about financial storytelling, finance business partnering, and how finance professionals can move from reporting numbers to influencing business decisions. Soufyan explains why numbers need context, how finance teams can systematize storytelling, and why communication, business acumen, and empathy are essential skills for creating strategic impact.

Soufyan Hamid is a finance professional, corporate trainer, EMBA lecturer, and keynote speaker who specializes in systematizing storytelling for finance teams. He helps finance professionals strengthen their communication and financial storytelling skills.

Expect to Learn:

• What the “precision trap” means for FP&A.
• Why timely analysis can be more valuable than perfect accuracy.
• How to choose the right level of accuracy for a decision.
• What questions to ask before starting an analysis.
• How finance professionals can become better business partners.
• How the DERP framework improves variance analysis.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "The first technical skill...that I would love for teams to develop is the driver tree." - Soufyan Hamid
• "The numbers will never share a story by themselves." - Soufyan Hamid

Soufyan explains that effective financial storytelling is about more than presenting numbers. Finance professionals need to understand their audience, prioritize what matters, provide context, and help the business make better decisions.

Follow Soufyan:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soufyanhamid/
• Website: https://www.thefinancecircle.com/

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

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

[03:13] - What Great FP&A Looks Like

[05:46] - Why Finance Needs Storytelling

[12:28] - Making Financial Storytelling Useful

[16:02] - Why Numbers Need Context

[19:57] - Systematizing Storytelling & the FP&A Maturity Model

[29:38] - Storytelling, Business Partnering & Influence

[34:21] - Common Finance Presentation Mistakes

[40:13] - Complexity Is a Failure of Empathy

[46:05] - Technical & Human Skills for FP&A

[49:53] - The Mindset Shift: Learning to Prioritize

[56:15] - Building Better Finance Teams & Closing Thoughts

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Asif Masani about his new book, The Precision Trap, and why finance teams can focus too much on accuracy and miss the decision window. Asif explains how FP&A professionals can deliver timely analysis, influence business decisions, and become stronger business partners.

Asif Masani is a Director at FP&A Professionals Institute and FP&A Jobs, an author, and Udemy instructor focused on helping finance professionals develop their FP&A skills. He is the author of All About FP&A, From Accounting to FP&A, and Data Storytelling Playbook.

Expect to Learn:

• What the “precision trap” means for FP&A.
• Why timely analysis can be more valuable than perfect accuracy.
• How to choose the right level of accuracy for a decision.
• What questions to ask before starting an analysis.
• How finance professionals can become better business partners.
• How the DERP framework improves variance analysis.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "Finance people are very good at doing analysis, but they're not very good at influencing decisions." - Asif Masani
• "The decision that could wait earlier for three weeks, can't wait today for three days." - Asif Masani

The key to avoiding the precision trap is understanding what decision the analysis needs to support, who needs it, and when they need it. Asif explains why finance professionals should focus on delivering useful analysis at the right time and earning a place in important business decisions.

Follow Asif:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asifmasani/
• Website: https://fpnaprofessionals.com/

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

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

[04:58] - What Great FP&A Looks Like

[10:30] - Building the FP&A Professionals Institute

[18:33] - Understanding the Precision Trap

[20:35] - Why Timely Analysis Matters

[29:44] - Spotting the Precision Trap in Organizations

[35:16] - Essential FP&A Skills

[38:04] - The DERP Framework

[39:54] - Getting to Know Asif

[44:56] - Final Advice for Finance Professionals

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Zach Rial and Chris Ortega, alongside co-host Glenn Snyder, to discuss budgeting and forecasting best practices. The conversation explores how finance teams should think about the purpose of budgeting, balancing control with agility, involving the business in the planning process, and using forecasting as a tool for better decision-making.

Zach Rial is a finance leader at AskElephant, a startup focused on revenue and conversation intelligence. He brings experience as an operator who uses finance, FP&A, and business insights to help companies grow and improve decision-making. Chris Ortega is the CEO of Fresh FP&A, a global fractional CFO and advisory firm supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Chris has over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and leadership roles, helping organizations build, scale, and prepare for growth.

Expect to Learn:

• The real purpose of budgeting and forecasting
• How to create a business-focused planning process
• Why trust and partnership are essential for FP&A teams
• How to balance budget discipline with flexibility
• Best practices for managing AI costs and governance

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• “A budget is the direction of where you want to go, but things change so much in a business.” - Chris Ortega
• “The budget process should not be a finance exercise. It’s an organizational exercise.” - Glenn Snyder

Effective budgeting is not about predicting the future perfectly, it is about creating alignment, understanding business drivers, and enabling better decisions. The strongest FP&A teams use budgets and forecasts as tools to guide the business, build trust, and help leaders navigate uncertainty.

Follow Zach:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyrial/

Follow Chris:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freshcfo/

Follow Glenn:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder/

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

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] - Introduction

[06:20] - The Purpose of Budgeting

[12:26] - Making Budgeting a Business Process

[17:24] - Building a Better Planning Approach

[26:51] - Practical Budgeting and Forecasting Tips

[37:44] - Building Trust With Business Partners

[44:35] - Managing AI Costs and Governance

[54:18] - Balancing Budget Control and Agility

[58:35] - Final Advice

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Brock Beyer and Natalia Kudinova to discuss how vibe coding is changing the way finance professionals automate work and build practical tools. They explore real-world use cases, AI token costs, security and maintenance concerns, and why finance teams should start with simple, repetitive processes rather than business-critical systems.

Brock Beyer is the CPA Controller at Jump, where he has used vibe coding to build internal productivity tools. Natalia Kudinova is a Senior Director at ABBYY with experience across finance leadership, treasury, tax, reporting, transformation, and process improvement.

Expect to Learn:

• What vibe coding means for finance professionals
• Practical finance processes you can automate with AI
• How to manage AI token usage and costs
• Why security and human oversight remain essential
• How to start small and learn through experimentation

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• “You don't have to feel this pressure to vibe code every single tool.” - Brock Beyer
• “Start with the tasks that you are most tired of doing manually.” - Natalia Kudinova

Vibe coding is giving finance professionals new ways to automate repetitive work and build practical tools without traditional coding expertise. The key is to start small, focus on well-defined processes, and keep humans involved in reviewing results. As AI adoption grows, security, cost, and maintainability will remain critical considerations.

Follow Natalia:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-kudinova-aca/

Follow Brock:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brockbeyer/

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

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

[03:12] - What Great FP&A Looks Like

[04:59] - What Is Vibe Coding?

[09:36] - Getting Started With Vibe Coding

[16:02] - Where Vibe Coding Makes Sense

[20:21] - AI Token Costs and ROI

[34:12] - Best Finance Processes to Automate

[41:53] - What You Shouldn't Vibe Code

[46:17] - Maintenance and Security

[54:17] - Final Advice

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Nitesh Mukhi, Rohit Menon, and Sweta Jhalani to discuss how AI is transforming the FP&A profession and changing the way finance teams work. The guests share their experiences with the AI FP&A Programme, exploring practical AI applications, automation, financial analysis, and the skills finance professionals need to stay ahead. They also discuss why domain expertise, human judgment, and business understanding remain essential in an AI-driven finance world.

Nitesh Mukhi is the Finance Director at Presight AI, an AI analytics and big data analytics company in Abu Dhabi, with over two decades of experience across auditing, financial analysis, treasury, and FP&A roles at companies including Schlumberger, FedEx, and KPMG. Rohit Menon is a Regional Finance professional at Bioltec with more than 19 years of experience across multinational companies, focusing on finance transformation and developing FP&A capabilities. Sweta Jhalani is a Chartered Accountant and FP&A Manager based in India who transitioned from audit into FP&A, building experience in financial planning, analysis, and business partnering

Expect to Learn:

• How AI is transforming FP&A workflows
• Practical finance use cases for AI tools
• The importance of financial modelling and business partnering
• Why human judgment remains critical in AI adoption
• Building the skills needed for the future of finance

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• “AI is an enabler. It's going to enhance your work, and I think it's going to help you in your day-to-day work.” - Nitesh Mukhi
• “AI is not the solution to each and every problem.” - Sweta Jhalani

AI is changing the way finance professionals approach their work, but the fundamentals of finance remain important. The ability to understand business needs, interpret data, communicate insights, and apply human judgment will continue to separate great FP&A professionals from the rest.

Follow Nitesh:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitesh-mukhi-7504456/

Follow Rohit:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-menon1984/

Follow Sweta:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caswetajhalani/

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) uses AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.

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] - Introduction

[01:21] - Guest Introductions

[04:09] - What Great FP&A Looks Like

[07:17] - Why They Joined the AI FP&A Programme

[12:06] - Inside the AI FP&A Programme

[14:35] - Real-World AI Use Cases

[17:15] - Key Lessons From the Programme

[22:11] - The Reality of AI in Finance

[30:14] - AI Projects and Applications

[34:03] - Advice for Finance Professionals

[36:50] - The Future of AI in FP&A

[40:21] - Essential FP&A Skills

[43:34] - Skills Needed for AI Success

[46:36] - Quick-Fire Questions

[52:20] - Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by AI Finance Club members Eve Reiter, Jurgen Lang, and Bukie Faforiji for a discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of FP&A. The panel shares how AI has changed the way they approach financial modeling, forecasting, automation, business partnering, and software development. From replacing repetitive Excel work with AI-powered workflows to building production-ready finance applications, they explore the practical skills finance professionals need to stay relevant in an AI-first world.

Eve Reiter is a global procurement leader and AI advocate with experience at Amazon, American Express, and State Street. Jurgen Lang is a Hamburg-based fractional CFO specializing in SaaS, sports, hospitality, and technology, with more than 15 years of finance experience. Bukie Faforiji is an FP&A professional and creator of CFO Intel, an AI-powered platform that delivers transparent and auditable financial insights.

Expect to Learn:

• How AI is changing the day-to-day work of FP&A professionals.
• Why critical thinking and domain expertise matter more than ever in an AI-driven world.
• How finance leaders are using AI to automate workflows and build custom finance tools.
• What the AI Finance Club offers finance professionals looking to upskill.
• The opportunities,and risks, that AI creates for the future of finance careers.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• “If nobody can act on the information, then the work has failed.” - Jurgen Lang
• “The best way to learn is to share.” - BukieFaforiji
• “You are not just consuming in a community. You are also contributing.” - BukieFaforiji

AI is reshaping FP&A by reducing manual work, accelerating analysis, and helping finance professionals build more powerful workflows and tools. However, domain expertise, critical thinking, governance, and human judgement remain essential for producing reliable, defensible results. Finance professionals who actively develop these skills will be better prepared for an AI-driven future.

Follow Eve Reiter:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evereiter/

Follow Jurgen Lang:

• LinkedIn: https:www.linkedin.com/in/jurgenlang/

Follow Bukie Faforiji:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bukie-faforiji/

Learn More About the AI Finance Club:

• Website: https://www.aifinanceclub.com

Join the AI Finance Club

The top global finance community with over 3,500 members. Advance your AI and FP&A skills through exclusive training, expert-led sessions, and a global network of finance professionals. Visit the AI Finance Club – Nicolas Boucher | Advance Your Finance Skills Today. The FP&A Guy and use code YNVTUWKG to get $100 OFF your membership.

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

[06:43] - What Great FP&A Looks Like

[11:01] - Inside the AI Finance Club Community

[13:41] - Why the Guests Joined the AI Finance Club

[19:08] - Moving from Excel to AI-Powered Workflows

[23:24] - The Most Impactful AI Projects They Have Built

[32:19] - How to Get More Value from AI Communities

[42:27] - The Opportunities and Risks of AI in Finance

[52:18] - The Essential Skills Every FP&A Professional Needs

[01:01:33] - Quick-Fire Questions and Final Advice

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Snyder sit down with Josette Ferrer to discuss one of the most overlooked skills in finance: networking. While many finance professionals focus on technical expertise, Josette explains why building genuine relationships is essential for career growth, leadership development, mentorship, and long-term success.

Josette Ferrer is the Founder and Managing Director of Clairent Advisors, a valuation and business advisory firm specializing in business and intellectual property valuations. She also serves as President of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI) and is actively involved with organizations including How Women Lead, ProVisors, the American Society of Appraisers, and several executive leadership communities.

Expect to Learn:

• Why networking should start long before you need your next opportunity
• How to choose the right networking organizations for your career goals
• Simple strategies introverts can use to build meaningful professional relationships
• Why mentoring and networking naturally go hand in hand

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "Networking isn’t transactional, it’s about giving, helping, and building relationships." - Josette Ferrer
• "You don’t need a title to add value; small gestures can create lasting connections." - Josette Ferrer

Networking is a crucial skill for FP&A professionals, enabling stronger relationships, mentorship, and career growth. Starting early and engaging genuinely helps build trust and opportunities over time. Remember, networking is about giving and adding value, not just seeking benefits for yourself.

Follow Josette Ferrer:

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

Follow Glenn Snyder:

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

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.

[00:00] – Trailer

[04:22] – What Great FP&A Looks Like

[12:36] – Choosing the Right Networking Group

[21:23] – Why You Should Start Networking Early

[27:39] – Building and Maintaining Your Professional Network

[33:18] – Networking Strategies for Introverts

[41:21] – The Power of Mentorship

[52:05] – Final Networking Advice for Finance Professionals

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 copilot
• How to build trusted AI workflows
• When to use AI vs. Power Query
• Best practices for secure AI adoption
• Key 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.

[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

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.

• 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