In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, Paul Barnhurst discusses the ever-evolving field of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) with Bryan Lapidus. They explore the shift from traditional roles to value-driven finance. The discussion focuses on the rising importance of generative AI, and examines the essential skills needed for success in the field. 

Bryan Lapidus is the Director of the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) and a leading voice in the FP&A community. With decades of experience spanning senior roles, an MBA from NYU, and a history of helping finance professionals elevate their skills, Bryan brings a wealth of knowledge on FP&A trends, certifications, and technological advancements.

Expect to Learn:

• The evolution of FP&A and how specialization is reshaping the field.
• The critical role of generative AI in finance and practical advice for adoption.
• How the FP&A certification can boost career growth and salary potential.
• Differences between value-creating and control-focused CFOs and why it matters.
• Key technical and soft skills to thrive as an FP&A professional.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "To excel in FP&A, you need the why, the what, and the how: why we allocate capital, what we deliver, and how we use technology and people." - Bryan Lapidus
• "When finance focuses solely on controls, it limits its ability to contribute to the company’s growth." - Bryan Lapidus
• "The rise of data analytics in FP&A means more roles require coding knowledge like Python and SQL." - Bryan Lapidus

In this episode, Bryan Lapidus shares the transformative impact of technology, and the skills that define the role of FP&A. He emphasized the importance of value creation, specialization, and adopting tools like generative AI while staying grounded in foundational skills.

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-lapidus-fpac/

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Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com

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

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Earn Your CPE Credit

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

In Today’s Episode

[01:43] - About Bryan Lapidus

[03:04] - Defining FP&A

[06:30] - Challenges in FP&A

[10:30] - Bryan’s Career Journey

[14:51] - AFP Overview

[19:09] - AI’s transformative potential

[29:55] - FPAC Certification Value

[32:59] - Value-creating vs. Control-focused CFOs

[39:46] - FP&A Standard Questions

[50:36] - Advice for FP&A Professionals