FP&A Unlocked

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

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Etinosa Agbonlahor, behavioral economist and Founder & CEO of Decision Alpha, to discuss why pricing is one of the biggest drivers of business success. They explore how customer psychology influences pricing, why many companies underprice their products, and how FP&A can play a more strategic role in pricing decisions.

Etinosa Agbonlahor is a behavioral economist and pricing strategist who helps businesses improve pricing through behavioral science and customer insights. As Founder & CEO of Decision Alpha, she has advised organizations across the US, Australia, Africa, and the UK on pricing, customer behavior, and growth. She is also the author of How to Talk to Your Parents About Money.

• Why most businesses underprice their products
• How customer psychology influences pricing
• The role of FP&A in pricing strategy
• When outcome-based pricing works best
• Why storytelling makes data more impactful

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "The problem with underpricing is that no one is going to tell you you're underpriced." – Etinosa Agbonlahor
• "People don't walk around knowing what your product should cost, they infer your value from your price." – Etinosa Agbonlahor

Etinosa shares practical strategies for improving pricing through customer research, behavioral economics, and data-driven decision-making. This episode is ideal for FP&A professionals, finance leaders, and business owners looking to build stronger pricing strategies.

Follow Etinosa:

Website - https://playbook.decisionalpha.co/

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

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

[05:18] – What Great FP&A Looks Like

[06:12] – Why Pricing Drives Business Success

[10:03] – Why Businesses Underprice

[17:23] – Customer Segmentation

[24:02] – FP&A and Pricing

[29:28] – Behavioral Pricing Framework

[34:12] – AI & Outcome-Based Pricing

[46:05] – Data Storytelling

[57:02] – Final Advice

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Alok Ajmera, CEO of Prophix, to explore how AI is reshaping FP&A, financial planning, and enterprise decision-making. Alok explains how modern finance teams are evolving from spreadsheet-heavy workflows to AI-enabled systems, while still relying on structured data, deterministic processes, and human oversight to maintain accuracy and trust in financial outputs.

Alok Ajmera is the CEO of Prophix, a leading financial performance management platform helping CFO organizations modernize planning, budgeting, and forecasting. With over 22 years at Prophix, he has supported more than 3,000 finance teams globally in transforming how they close, consolidate, and plan. Alok has led the evolution of FP&A systems from spreadsheet-first to system-first, and now toward AI-enabled finance operations.

Expect to Learn:

• What makes FP&A a true force multiplier inside organizations
• How data stewardship, collaboration, and forecasting define great finance teams
• Why AI must stay deterministic when handling financial calculations
• The difference between probabilistic AI and structured finance systems
• How AI agents support FP&A without replacing financial control

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "The biggest opportunity is to take inefficient manual workflows and simplify them with AI agents, delivering value quickly while building confidence in the team." – Alok Ajmera
• "AI democratizes capabilities, but there must be governance and discipline. It’s easy to build things, but maintaining them is hard." – Alok Ajmera

Alok explains that while AI is transforming FP&A through speed and automation, the core of finance still depends on structured systems, clean data, and human judgment. He emphasizes that the future of finance is a hybrid model where AI enhances productivity while finance leaders maintain control, context, and strategic oversight.

Follow Alok:

Website - www.prophix.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alok-ajmera-93896617/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@prophix

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

[04:10] – What great FP&A looks like

[09:13] – Revenue and qualitative goals

[18:38] – Why AI in FP&A needs structure

[29:36] – AI in forecasting and planning

[33:45] – Risks, governance, and AI sprawl

[45:40] – Soft skills in FP&A

[49:11] – Travel and personal reflections

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Tim Stallkamp, Senior Managing Director at Riveron, alongside co-host Glenn Snyder. Tim shares insights on interim management and how it is reshaping finance leadership by helping companies fill critical gaps, accelerate value creation, and bring experienced finance leaders into organizations during transition periods.

Tim Stallkamp is a Senior Managing Director and the leader of Riveron’s Interim Management practice. He is a seasoned turnaround executive who provides interim management and turnaround management services to distressed and under-performing businesses. Tim has led turnarounds as interim chief executive officer (CEO), chief restructuring officer (CRO), chief transformation officer (CTO), and chief financial officer (CFO).

Expect to Learn:

• Why private equity is driving demand for interim finance leaders
• What makes a strong interim FP&A and finance professional
• Why broad, cross-industry experience matters more than narrow expertise
• How interim leaders create value from day one
• The importance of clear scope and alignment in engagements

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "Interim management isn’t about replacing people; it’s about supplementing leadership to create value faster and help teams reach their full potential." – Tim Stallkamp
• "The more experiences an individual has across industries and roles, the more effective they are in interim management. Breadth of expertise is key." – Tim Stallkamp

Tim explains how interim management is reshaping finance leadership by bringing experienced professionals into organizations during critical transitions. These leaders not only fill gaps but also help improve processes, guide decision-making, and leave companies stronger than before.

Follow Tim:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-stallkamp-537b0317/

Company: https://riveron.com/

Follow Glenn:

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

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

[05:06] - What interim management is

[07:42] - Why it’s growing

[09:13] - Value creation in leadership

[13:12] - Defining scope clearly

[17:58] - Alignment in engagements

[26:11] - Types of interim roles

[37:14] - Systems vs skills

[42:55] - Private equity decision-making

[50:42] - Final thoughts

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Nicholas Moen, CMA and Director of Finance at Section, an AI software company. Nicholas shares insights on leveraging AI in FP&A to streamline financial modeling, automate workflows, improve decision-making, and build high-performing teams. He discusses practical strategies for training finance teams, balancing human oversight with AI automation, and applying FP&A insights to drive operational impact in enterprise organizations.

Nicholas Moen is a CMA and finance leader at Section, where he reinvents finance through AI, helping organizations build AI-powered workflows at scale. Based in Franklin, Pennsylvania, Nicholas specializes in leveraging AI to streamline FP&A processes, automate workflows, and empower finance teams to focus on strategic decision-making.

Expect to Learn:

• How AI frees FP&A teams from manual work
• Automating reports, spreadsheets, and workflows
• Training and empowering teams on AI tools
• Key FP&A skills: business partnering, listening, and data understanding

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "Context is everything. Using AI to capture meeting insights and key assumptions helps teams make smarter, faster decisions." - Nicholas Moen
• "A strong FP&A professional understands both data structures and business partnering, skills that AI cannot replace." - Nicholas Moen

Nicholas Moen demonstrates how AI is reshaping the role of FP&A, allowing teams to focus on strategic decision-making instead of manual tasks. By leveraging tools like Claude and Lovable, finance professionals can automate workflows, build models faster, and make more informed business decisions.

Follow Nicholas:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-moen-320a11106/

Substack: https://substack.com/@runningfinance

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.

[02:56] – What great FP&A looks like today

[05:14] – Automating spreadsheets with Claude

[14:31] – Building micro-apps with Lovable

[17:58] – Commission automation

[21:26] – Doing analysis on the go

[30:12] – Low-hanging AI wins for FP&A

[33:58] – Training and knowledge sharing

[38:41] – Top soft and technical skills

[41:35] – Personal side: music and hobbies

[45:53] – How to connect with Nicholas

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Robert Blanding, an experienced finance and operations leader in the ag-tech sector. Robert shares insights on building high-performing FP&A teams, partnering effectively with accounting, developing financial acumen, and applying strategic finance to drive operational impact in global businesses.

Robert Blanding is the Chief Financial Officer at Fall Creek, a global leader in the Ag-Tech sector. He brings extensive experience in finance and operations from 18 years at Intel and leadership roles across industrial manufacturing, technology, and ag-tech companies. Robert combines strategic financial leadership with a focus on innovation, long-term business growth, and developing high-performing teams.

Expect to Learn:

• What great FP&A looks like and the importance of business acumen
• How to develop strong partnerships between FP&A and accounting
• Strategies for building high-performing, empowered finance teams
• Navigating systems, processes, and technology challenges in FP&A

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "It starts with being connected to the business, having strong acumen, and being consulted by stakeholders." – Robert Blanding
• "Investing in relationships outside of crisis is critical to getting support from accounting and operations." – Robert Blanding

Robert shares practical insights for FP&A professionals and aspiring CFOs, emphasizing the importance of business acumen, strong partnerships with accounting, creative problem-solving, and developing high-performing teams.

Follow Robert:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfb19/

Company Website: https://www.fallcreeknursery.com/

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[00:00] – Trailer

[03:55] – Defining Great FP&A

[07:39] – Career Path & First CFO Role

[17:49] – Fall Creek & Ag-Tech Overview

[21:18] – Importance of FP&A & Accounting Partnership

[32:23] – Creative Problem Solving & Process Improvement

[38:59] – Challenges in Building High-Performing Teams

[45:32] – Advice for Aspiring CFOs

[49:11] – Top Technical Skill for FP&A Professionals

[52:50] – Personal Interests & Basketball

[56:12] – How to Connect with Robert