The FP&A Guy Network

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Amber Johnson to discuss forecasting, financial modeling, and how operational decisions impact financial outcomes. They explore the connection between logistics forecasting and financial forecasting, the importance of tracking forecast accuracy and bias, and how small operational issues can create large financial impacts. Amber also shares lessons from her experience working with data, forecasting demand, and helping businesses improve their systems and decision-making.

Amber Johnson is a fractional industrial engineer and the founder of Peachy Profitability, where she helps teams work smarter through process improvement, data storytelling, and automation. She began her career as a “beer psychic,” forecasting demand at Anheuser-Busch, and has since built logistics networks, optimized warehouse flows, and guided businesses through transformational change. Amber is also the creator of Office Hours with Amber, a weekly livestream that encourages continuous improvement with curiosity and confidence.

Expect to Learn

1. How logistics forecasting connects to financial forecasting
2. Why forecast accuracy and bias matter in decision-making
3. How operational drivers influence financial results
4. Ways finance, sales, and logistics teams can align better
5. How Excel and data analysis support forecasting and planning

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. “Sometimes the smallest operational issue becomes the biggest financial problem later.” – Amber Johnson
2. “Good forecasting isn’t about being perfect, it’s about learning and adjusting.” – Amber Johnson

Amber Johnson shared practical insights on forecasting, operational drivers, and financial modeling. She highlighted how understanding logistics and operational data can improve financial decisions and help businesses plan more effectively.

Follow Amber:

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

Website: https://peachyprofitability.com/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn Page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

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Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.

Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.

In today’s episode:

[02:23] – Amber’s Background

[08:21] – Founding Peachy Profitability

[10:38] – Learning Excel and Forecasting

[15:37] – Logistics vs Financial Forecasting

[18:59] – Forecast Accuracy and Bias

[23:59] – Finance vs Logistics Perspectives

[31:41] – Aligning Teams Around Goals

[36:07] – Favourite Excel Shortcuts

[37:46] – Rapid Fire: modeling Opinions

[44:39] – Where to Find Amber

In this episode, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Nick Desbarats, a data visualisation expert, bestselling author, and independent educator, to discuss data visualisation. Nick talks about the skills needed to create effective charts, how to avoid common mistakes, and the importance of understanding the "job" of a chart. He shares his journey from software executive to becoming an authority in the field and explains why the true skill of visualising data goes beyond knowing the software.

Nick is the author of Practical Charts (Amazon #1 New Release) and the upcoming Practical Dashboards. He has taught thousands of professionals globally, including teams at NASA, Bloomberg, Visa, the United Nations, Shopify, and more. He is also the first educator authorised by Stephen Few to teach his foundational data visualisation workshops.

Expect to Learn:

1. Why understanding the "job" of a chart is more important than the data itself
2. The key skills needed for creating effective charts
3. Common mistakes in data visualisation and how to avoid them
4. Why empathy for your audience is crucial when designing visuals
5. How to decide when to use default charts vs. creating custom visuals

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. “The real job of a chart is to serve people, not the software.” – Nick Desbarats
2. “Data visualisation is not about the tool, it’s about the message you want to convey.” – Nick Desbarats

Nick Desbarats shared valuable insights on creating effective data visualisations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the purpose behind each chart. He highlighted key skills, common mistakes, and the need for empathy with your audience.

Campfire: AI-First ERP:

Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation,

close management, and more, all in one unified platform.

Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy

Follow Nick:

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

Company: https://www.practicalreporting.com/

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

[03:33] – Nick’s Background

[05:32] – Key Skills for Data Visualisation Experts

[09:50] – Executive to Data Viz Educator

[12:35] – Book Recommendations

[19:35] – Moving Beyond “It Depends”

[26:08] – Common Finance Chart Mistakes

[34:13] – The Pie Chart Dilemma

[37:54] – AI in Data Visualisation

[45:56] – Chart Type Selection Skills

[58:30] – Final Wrap-up

In this highlights episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper chat with Riya Grover about how AI is transforming order-to-cash workflows. Riya shares insights into billing automation, revenue operations, and the evolving role of finance teams. She also discusses her entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of Sequence, the first agentic AR platform, which is revolutionizing B2B pricing and contracts.

Riya Grover is the Co-founder and CEO of Sequence, an AI platform automating accounts receivable for B2B companies. Backed by a16z with $40M raised, Sequence streamlines quoting, billing, invoicing, and revenue recognition. Before Sequence, Riya founded Feedr, a venture-backed company acquired by Compass Group in 2020. She holds an MBA from Harvard and a BA from Oxford University.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. The role of AI in automating order-to-cash workflows
2. How Sequence helps B2B companies with custom pricing and revenue operations
3. Insights into building and scaling a venture-backed company
4. Why talent density is key to scaling businesses

Riya explains how complex contracts, usage-based pricing, and custom deal structures create massive billing challenges for growing companies. Sequence solves this by combining deterministic billing foundations with AI-powered workflow agents.

Follow Riya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riya-grover-a22a4822/

Website: https://www.sequencehq.com/

Sequence Series A Fundraising: Announcement

Follow Glenn:

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

Follow Paul:

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

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:26] – Riya’s background

[04:05] – Challenges of a Two-Sided Marketplace

[05:57] – Building Sequence: AI for AR

[10:00] – Human Oversight vs. AI Automation

[12:52] – Revolutionizing Billing & Invoicing

[14:18] – Defining Workflow Rules for AI

[19:23] – Final Thoughts

In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst chats with Nick Boberg, a financial modeler and consultant based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Paul and Nick explore the essentials of building well-structured, effective financial models. They discuss Nick’s approach to simplicity and consistency, the importance of clarity in model design, and the role of competition in refining one’s Excel and modeling skills.

Nick is a financial modeler and the co-founder of Boberg Advisory, a consultancy that specializes in providing financial modeling services to SMEs. With extensive experience as Finance Director at Anglesea Hospital and Associate Director at PwC, Nick has built and reviewed hundreds of models, many focused on cash flow forecasting, budgeting, and management reporting. He is also an accomplished competitor in the Financial Modeling World Cup and the Microsoft Excel World Championships, where he has achieved finalist and semifinalist placements.

Expect to Learn

1. Why structure and consistency are key in financial modeling
2. The role of simplicity in building models
3. Insights from Nick’s competitive modeling career
4. How to balance technical expertise with user-friendly design

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. "The beauty of financial modeling lies in its simplicity. If you can make a model both functional and easy to follow, you've mastered it." - Nick Boberg
2. "Consistency in formatting is key. A model that looks clean and well-structured builds trust with the user, especially when it's used for important decision-making." - Nick Boberg

Nick shares that the core of building great financial models lies in structure and simplicity. He emphasizes the importance of creating models that are not only accurate but also easy to follow and understand. Whether in competition or in client work, Nick highlights that clear, well-structured models make a real difference in their effectiveness and usability.

Follow Nick:

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

Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boberg-advisory/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.

Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.

In today’s episode:

[03:30] – Worst Modeling Experience

[08:08] – Running Boberg Advisory

[12:11] – Competing in Excel Championships

[17:42] – Importance of Structure

[20:00] – Risks of Complex Formulas

[23:20] – Avoiding Hard Codes

[27:13] – Building "Pretty" Models

[30:10] – Dynamic Arrays in modeling

[36:05] – Rapid fire Section

[40:54] – Last Question & Wrap up

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Snyder are joined by HR leaders Cynthia Kenny and Deborah Hill to discuss the important partnership between HR and FP&A. They explore how aligning goals across departments can drive organizational success, share personal stories about career development, and highlight the importance of trust and collaboration.

Cynthia Kenny is a CHRO and C-suite partner with over 30 years of experience in human resources, focusing on change management and organizational transformation. Deborah Hill is an HR leader with over 10 years of experience leading HR teams in tech-focused and tech-enabled companies. She specializes in building culture and driving talent initiatives, and has managed businesses with revenues ranging from $400M to $5B.

Expect to Learn:

1. How HR and FP&A can partner to drive organizational success
2. The importance of aligning company, team, and individual goals
3. Best practices for goal-setting and performance management
4. Why flexibility is important when managing goals throughout the year
5. How to build trust and collaboration between HR and FP&A

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. “Great FP&A is about turning financial data into actionable insights for business leaders.” - Deborah Hill
2. “Real success happens when HR and FP&A work together, understanding each other’s worlds and creating synergy.” - Cynthia Kenny

Cynthia Kenny and Deborah Hill provided valuable insights on the critical partnership between HR and FP&A, emphasizing the importance of aligning goals across departments to drive organizational success. They discussed how clear, actionable goals can lead to better decision-making, stronger collaboration, and improved business outcomes.

Campfire: AI-First ERP:

Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation,

close management, and more, all in one unified platform.

Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy

Follow Deborah:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-hill-8a24771/

Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-tire-distributors/

Follow Cynthia:

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

Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunland-asphalt/

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, 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

[05:44] – What Great FP&A Looks Like

[10:07] – COVID Finance & HR Decisions

[16:55] – Hiring, Headcount & Data Issues

[23:49] – HRIS, ERP & Source of Truth

[27:29] – Aligning Corporate & Individual Goals

[36:07] – Flexible Performance Management

[47:56] – Effective Goal-Setting Practices

[59:17] – Final Takeaways & Career Growth

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Riya Grover to explore how AI is transforming order-to-cash workflows. The conversation explores billing automation, revenue operations, and the evolving role of finance teams. Riya shares her entrepreneurial journey and how Sequence is building the first agentic AR platform. This episode is packed with practical insights for modern finance leaders navigating AI adoption.

Riya Grover is the Co-founder and CEO at Sequence. Sequence, backed by a16z with $40M raised, is building the first agentic platform for accounts receivable. The company helps B2B businesses automate quoting, billing, invoicing, and revenue recognition, especially for complex pricing and custom contracts. Prior to Sequence, Riya founded Feedr, a venture-backed company that exited to Compass Group in 2020. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics and Management from Oxford University.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. Why building a two-sided marketplace is incredibly difficult
2. How modern B2B pricing models break traditional billing systems
3. The difference between deterministic systems and generative AI in finance
4. Why human-in-the-loop design is critical for financial AI agents
5. What the future finance tech stack will look like in the next five years

Riya explains how complex contracts, usage-based pricing, and custom deal structures create massive billing challenges for growing companies. Sequence solves this by combining deterministic billing foundations with AI-powered workflow agents. The discussion highlights where AI should and should not be used in finance operations. Trust, auditability, and human oversight remain central to successful AI implementation.

Follow Riya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riya-grover-a22a4822/

Website: https://www.sequencehq.com/

Sequence Series A Fundraising: Announcement

Follow Glenn:

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

Follow Paul:

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

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[02:05] – Riya’s Startup Journey

[06:55] – Marketplace Challenges

[08:28] – Modern Billing Gaps

[10:46] – AI in Finance

[13:10] – Human-in-the-Loop Design

[18:35] – ML vs. Gen AI

[24:26] – Series A & Scaling

[30:11] – Future Finance Stack

[35:15] – Rapid Fire & Wrap-Up

In this episode of The ModSquad, Paul Barnhurst, Ian Schnoor, and Giles Male put Claude 4.6 to the test on real financial modeling accreditation cases. From three-statement forecasts to complex debt sculpting scenarios, the team examines just how far AI tools have come. The results are impressive, but not flawless. The discussion explores what this leap forward means for finance professionals and whether modeling is truly entering a new AI-assisted era.

Ian Schnoor is Executive Director of the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI), the global accreditation body for financial modeling professionals. He brings extensive experience in modeling, training, and industry standards. Giles Male is Co-Founder of Full Stack Modeller and a two-time Microsoft MVP. He specializes in Excel, financial modeling systems, and practical AI implementation.

Expect to Learn

1. How Claude 4.6 performs on real financial modeling accreditation cases
2. Where AI tools still make subtle but significant modeling errors
3. The difference between automation and augmentation in AI usage
4. Why strong modeling fundamentals remain essential
5. Practical ways to begin integrating AI into your modeling workflow

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. “I’m not even doing this from a testing perspective now. I’m just using it because it’s adding so much value.” – Giles Male
2. “Modeling is just as much about the process as it is about the end result.” – Ian Schnoor

Claude 4.6 marks a significant step forward in AI-assisted financial modeling, handling complex builds faster than ever before. However, subtle errors still highlight the need for strong technical knowledge and human oversight. The future of modeling isn’t replacement, it’s skilled professionals using AI to work smarter and deliver greater value.

Follow Ian:

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

Follow Giles Male:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/

In today’s episode:

[04:06] – Testing Claude

[11:14] – Augmentation vs. Automation in Modeling

[18:14] – The Value of Documentation in Modeling

[28:43] – Debt Modeling with AI

[33:20] – Transition from Manual to AI-Enhanced Modeling

[38:16] – Testing with New Tools

[41:24] – Debt and Equity Modeling with AI

[46:45] – Claude's Progress & Areas for Improvement

[57:33] – Final Thoughts

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Rey del Valle to discuss what it really takes to move from reporting the business to steering it. Rey shares lessons from more than 25 years across media, entertainment, ecommerce, and fintech, explaining why curiosity, collaboration, and driver-based modeling are essential to effective finance leadership.

Rey del Valle is a strategic CFO with deep roots in FP&A, having built his career at organizations such as FedEx, Norwegian Cruise Line, MTV Networks, and The Walt Disney Company. He has since served as CFO and advisor for companies including Ticketmaster, AXS, Guitar Center, OpenX, and several entertainment-focused fintech platforms.

Expect to Learn:

1. What great FP&A looks like beyond spreadsheets and reporting
2. The biggest mindset shift required when moving from FP&A to CFO
3. Why curiosity and operational understanding matter in finance
4. How collaboration plays a key role in successful turnarounds
5. How benchmarks and driver-based models uncover opportunities

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. “FP&A is about taking data and turning it into actionable insight so the business can actually do something with it.” - Rey del Valle
2. “Our role in finance is not to look at numbers for their own sake, it is to help the company make better decisions.” - Rey del Valle

Rey shares practical insights on how FP&A teams can become stronger strategic partners by understanding business drivers, building models that support decision-making, and working closely with operations. He emphasizes that finance leaders create the most value when they listen first, stay curious, and help teams translate strategy into execution, especially during periods of change.

Campfire: AI-First ERP:

Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation,

close management, and more, all in one unified platform.

Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy

Follow Rey:

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

Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/everestadvisorsllc/

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.

[03:12] - What Great FP&A Really Means

[04:56] - Choosing the CFO Path

[07:49] - CFO of the Year Nomination

[10:00] - Architect vs Engineer in Finance

[13:38] - Execution and Overcommunication

[16:41] - Understanding Business Drivers

[21:26] - From Reporting to Steering

[29:03] - Finance Inside Operations

[33:25] - Turning Around a Business

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss their latest experiences in the finance world. They explore how tools like Claude and Copilot are transforming workflows, and Glenn shares how he tackled personal finance challenges, from tracking expenses to handling journal entries. Glenn also highlights a real-world example of using these tools for bookkeeping and expense tracking, giving listeners insights into how these technologies can streamline financial tasks.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. How tools are changing workflows in finance and accounting
2. Real-world use of tools for bookkeeping and expense tracking
3. The speed of technology development and its impact on financial tasks
4. How small businesses can leverage Excel for planning and reporting
5. The challenges and benefits of using financial assistants for business workflows

Paul and Glenn discuss how tools like Claude and Copilot are transforming finance workflows, saving time, and improving efficiency. The future of finance is evolving rapidly, and businesses of all sizes should embrace these innovations to stay ahead.

Follow Glenn:

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

Follow Paul:

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

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:45] – Glenn's Recent AI Breakthroughs

[02:24] – Frustration with ChatGPT & Switching to Claude

[04:22] – Using Claude for Personal Finance

[07:00] – Organizing Expenses & Journal Entries

[09:45] – Claude’s Role in Financial Workflow Automation

[11:15] – Copilot vs. Claude: A Quick Comparison

[14:00] – AI’s Influence on Financial Planning Tools

[16:45] – Rapid AI Advancements and Global Competition

[19:15] – Closing Thoughts & Final Remarks

In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Chris Reilly, founder of Financial Modeling Education, for an insightful discussion on the importance of mastering financial modeling fundamentals in the age of AI. Chris shares his perspective on how AI is transforming the modeling industry, why understanding the basics is more important than ever, and how dynamic arrays are changing the modeling landscape.

Chris Reilly is a financial modeling expert with over 91,000 students trained globally. He has a diverse background, having worked in private equity and FP&A, and has developed a range of training programs through Wall Street Prep, Wharton, LinkedIn Learning, and his own courses. Chris emphasizes that strong foundational knowledge in finance and accounting is crucial to leveraging AI and new technologies effectively.

Expect to Learn

1. Why mastering the fundamentals of financial modeling is essential in an AI-driven world
2. How Chris integrates AI tools to enhance his modeling work
3. The role of dynamic arrays in streamlining financial models
4. The balance between technical skills and business decision-making
5. Insights on why complex models aren't always better

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. “AI is a magnifier. If you know what you're doing, it helps you get more done. If not, it makes problems worse.” - Chris Reilly
2. “The real goal of any model is to help the business understand what to do next, not just to show off technical skills.” - Chris Reilly

Chris highlights how AI can help with dynamic arrays and improve model efficiency, but stresses that it should never replace the need for a strong understanding of financial fundamentals. His focus is on helping modelers leverage the right technology without bypassing essential knowledge.

Follow Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-reilly-mission-capital/

Homepage: https://www.financialmodelingeducation.com/

Email list: https://financialmodelingeducator.com/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.

Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.

In today’s episode:

[02:06] - Why Fundamentals Matter in AI Modeling

[03:29] - Chris's Focus on Education & Clients

[04:44] - How AI Amplifies Strengths & Weaknesses

[05:39] - Dynamic Arrays: Excel's Game-Changer

[07:09] - Should Dynamic Arrays Be Taught?

[09:47] - Combining Functions for Efficient Models

[12:01] - Struggles with New Excel Features

[13:18] - Technical vs. Business-Focused Models

[14:59] - The Joy of Mastering Balanced Models

[15:44] - Closing & Chris' Educational Resources