The FP&A Guy Network

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Siqi Chen, founder and CEO of Runway. Siqi opens up about the challenges he faced understanding finance as a founder, and how those frustrations led him to build a more intuitive platform. The conversation explores what’s broken in traditional finance tools and how better design can make finance easier to grasp for everyone in the business, not just the experts.

Siqi is a builder and investor with a background that spans NASA, gaming, and high-growth startups. Before Runway, he led products at Zynga and Postmates, served as CEO of Sandbox VR, and invested in companies like Clubhouse and Amplitude. His journey gives him a unique perspective on how product design can solve real business pain points, especially in finance.

Expect to Learn:

• Why traditional finance tools are often disliked.
• The common spreadsheet struggles growing teams face.
• How user-friendly design improves collaboration.
• Why Runway focuses on clarity and flexibility over complexity.
• What it means to build a thinking tool, not just a planning tool.

Siqi shares practical, hard-earned insights on what it takes to build a truly useful finance platform, one that prioritizes clarity, flexibility, and collaboration. If you're frustrated by rigid systems or drowning in spreadsheet chaos, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how thoughtful design and a new approach to financial modeling can help you make better, faster decisions.

Follow Siqi:

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

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

Twitter - https://x.com/blader

Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:

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:

[01:05] - Origin of Runway

[03:00] - Early Challenges & First Users

[04:10] - Early Demo & Launch Delay

[05:29] - User-Friendly Design

[11:43] - Winning by Being Different

[15:53] - Powerful Tech, Simple Design

[16:33] - From Workflow to Thinking Tool

In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst invites "Your Average Finance Bro," for a light-hearted and humorous conversation about financial modeling. The episode takes a comedic spin on the often serious world of finance, diving into the importance of Excel, the art of building memorable models, and even how Excel proficiency can play a role in dating. Expect a mix of fun and insight, with Finance Bro offering his unconventional wisdom about financial modeling, presenting with confidence, and making your work stand out in the finance world.

Your Average Finance Bro, is a renowned figure in the financial modeling world. He has built a reputation not just for his financial modeling skills but also for his humorous take on the profession. He's a self-proclaimed founder of Goldman Sachs, inventor of the discounted cash flow model, and someone who has been involved in some of the most memorable (and fictional) moments in finance history. Finance Bro brings a fun and unconventional approach to the world of finance, often blending humor with expert insights.

Expect to Learn

• The importance of memorability in financial modeling and how it can impact your career.
• Why Excel continues to dominate financial modeling and how Finance Bro contributed to its popularity.
• The lighter side of financial modeling, including hilarious pranks and Excel jokes.
• How to present financial models with confidence, even if the numbers are questionable.
• The essential skills and mindset needed for financial modelers to stand out, especially in high-pressure situations.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "Memorability is extremely important in financial modeling. If you screw up, people will remember that forever." - Your Average Finance Bro
• "The ability to present a model is more important than the model itself." - Your Average Finance Bro
• "If you can't teach someone how to build a model, you’re not teaching them anything at all." - Your Average Finance Bro

Follow Finance Bro :

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/your-average-finance-bro/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/youraveragefinancebro/?hl=en
• Website - linktr.ee/financebro
• YouTube - youtube.com/@youraveragefinancebro

Follow Paul: 

• Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com   
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner  

• LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true  
• 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:

[02:57] - Guest's Background

[04:33] - Becoming a Strong Financial Modeler

[06:27] - Defining Financial Modeling

[09:20] - What to Do When Your Model Breaks

[14:14] - Why Excel Dominates Over Google Sheets

[17:46] - Circular References vs. Leg Day

[19:28] - Favorite Code Words

[24:40] - Favorite Industry to Model

[26:07] - Rapid Fire Section

[28:38] - Favorite Lookup Function

[29:51] - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Adam Rakich, founder and Consulting Director at Northexis, to discuss why the budgeting process is universally loathed and how to fix it. Drawing from decades of experience implementing planning and consolidation systems, Adam shares strategies to transform budgeting from a burdensome task into a strategic advantage. With humor, insight, and plenty of real-world experience, Adam breaks down common pitfalls and offers practical, actionable advice for finance professionals at every level.

Adam Rakich has spent over a decade streamlining finance processes across industries, working with top software platforms like Adaptive Insights, Workday, and OneStream. As the author of The Business User’s Guide to Data Integration, he is known for making complex finance concepts accessible, especially to non-technical professionals. At Northexis, Adam helps organizations build better, more collaborative FP&A functions without the pain.

Expect to Learn:

• Why most budgeting processes are broken and how to shift the mindset to fix them.
• The importance of soft skills in elevating finance's strategic impact.
• How to avoid the "Jurassic Park" trap of doing more just because you can.
• The value of driver-based planning and why simplicity often beats complexity.
• The "James Bond Philosophy" of budgeting: when to seduce and when to take a firmer stance.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "The James Bond approach to budgeting: seduce when you can, shoot when you have to metaphorically, of course." - Adam Rakich
• "Pick your battles. If you ask for everything, people will tune out and give you nothing." - Adam Rakich
• "Budgeting works best when it’s not adversarial. Finance shouldn’t be the department of ‘no’." - Adam Rakich

Adam shared valuable insights into why budgeting processes often fall short and how a shift in mindset can make all the difference. He emphasized the power of simplicity, the role of soft skills in finance, and the importance of involving stakeholders in meaningful ways. His practical advice on driver-based planning, managing expectations, and building strong business relationships offers key takeaways for finance professionals looking to lead more effective and collaborative FP&A functions.

Corporate Finance Institute:

You know the numbers. Now it’s time to own the story.

The new FP&A Professional (FPAP) Certification from CFI is built for finance professionals who want to lead with insight-not just report the data.

Learn more at: https://corporatefinancialinstitute.pxf.io/c/6003589/3067930/23723

Follow FP&A Tomorrow:

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624 

Follow Adam:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/northexis/

Website - https://northexis.com/

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.theFP&Aguy.com

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

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 FP&A  Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[01:29] - Guest’s Background

[04:06] - Defining Great FP&A

[07:58] - Why People Hate Budgeting Process

[09:28] - 10 Ways to Fix Budgeting

[19:51] - Driver Tree and Revenue Impact

[23:39] - Jurassic Park Hubris and Budgeting

[30:23] - Accountant vs. FP&A Professional

[43:42] - James Bond Philosophy & Budgeting

[46:51] - No.1 Technical Skill

[52:17] - Superhero of Choice

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper welcome Siqi Chen, founder and CEO of Runway, a finance platform built to help operators understand their business without needing a degree in finance. The discussion explores how traditional FP&A tools fall short, and why Runway is reimagining financial modeling by combining flexibility, design, and deeper thinking.

Siqi is the founder and CEO of Runway, a modeling platform designed for operators and finance professionals who need flexible, intuitive tools to manage business complexity. He previously served as CEO of Sandbox VR, VP of Product at Postmates, and Head of Product at Zynga. Siqi has also invested in over 100 startups, including Clubhouse, Amplitude, Pipe, and Italic. Early in his career, he worked at NASA, where he was awarded a Congressional Space Act Award while still in school for his work on the Mars Exploration Rover.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why FP&A platforms often fail to replace spreadsheets for financial modeling.
• How Runway is addressing the core pains of collaboration, complexity, and data integration.
• Why flexibility and speed of thought matter more than workflow automation.
• How Siqi thinks about AI’s role in making finance tools more usable and accessible.
• A remarkable story of how a meme coin helped fund life-saving research for his daughter’s brain tumor.

Siqi shared his remarkable journey from NASA engineer and tech executive to founder of a finance platform built for modern operators. His experiences across product leadership, startup growth, and personal resilience highlight why tools like Runway are redefining how finance professionals think, plan, and collaborate. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to move beyond outdated systems and embrace a more flexible, human-centered approach to financial modeling and decision-making.

Follow Siqi:

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

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

Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:

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:

[01:48] - Siqi’s Background

[04:41] - Runway Journey So Far

[07:11] - Approachable Finance Tools

[14:28] - UX & What Makes Runway Unique

[20:26] - Thinking Tool Idea

[24:28] - Excel Flexibility Trade-Offs

[33:46] - AI as a Financial Exoskeleton

[40:21] - The Meme Coin Surprise

[44:40] - Wrap-Up

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Dr. Stephen Horan to discuss the fundamentals of financial modeling, the challenges and rewards of teaching finance, and how curiosity and simplicity are central to both education and professional modeling. Dr. Horan draws on his extensive experience as a finance professor and former Managing Director at CFA Institute, offering unique insights into the intersection of academia, practical modeling, and credentialing.

Dr. Stephen is a finance professor at UNC Wilmington and former Managing Director at the CFA Institute. He has over 30 years of experience in academia and industry, has authored award-winning research, and co-wrote Strategic Value Investing, featured on Warren Buffett’s reading list. His work bridges theory and practice in finance education. Dr. Horan is also a sought-after speaker and serves on editorial boards for leading finance journals.

Expect to Learn

• What makes a model readable and useful and why fundamentals matter.
• How to teach financial modeling in a way that’s active and practical.
• The difference between book knowledge and real-world application in finance.
• Insights into CFA Institute’s evolution toward practical skills and global relevance.
• The mindset and skills students need to transition from learning to doing.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "Curiosity is the skill I had to learn and it’s the one that’s helped me most in my career." - Stephen Horan
• "Give someone the experience of building a model and solving problems. That’s the real education." - Stephen Horan
• "The ability to explain how you built a model is more powerful in an interview than listing courses on a résumé."  Stephen Horan

Follow Stephen:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenhoranphd/
• Twitter - http://twitter.com/StephenHoranCFA

Follow Paul: 

• Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com   
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner  

• LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true  
• 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:

[02:07] - Guest Introduction

[04:19] - Modeling Horror Story

[10:41] - Bridging Theory and Practice

[13:31] - Power of Teaching

[17:55] - Learning by Modeling

[26:23] - CFA Institute Insights

[35:07] - Favorite Excel Shortcut

[39:36] - Rapid Fire Round

[46:02] - Final Thoughts and Contact

In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Alex Holt, the CFO of Milo’s Hamburgers, to discuss the intersection of finance, business operations, and growth. Alex shares his journey from public accounting to the food service industry, offering insights into the challenges of managing finance in a family-owned, fast-growing restaurant chain. He also discusses the unique dynamics of budgeting, forecasting, and providing advice for aspiring finance leaders.

Alex Holt is the CFO of Milo’s Hamburgers, a beloved 23-unit fast-food chain known for its iconic burgers and sweet tea, based in Alabama. With experience as the Executive Vice President of Finance at Capstone Communities and a background in real estate, Alex brings a wealth of knowledge in finance, data visualization, and process improvement. He is passionate about making data useful and has a strong focus on enhancing financial operations.

Expect to Learn:

• How the role of FP&A extends beyond reporting to driving business change.
• The unique challenges of managing finances in a growing, family-owned restaurant chain.
• The importance of process improvement and documentation when scaling operations.
• How Alex uses technology to improve efficiency and communication.
• Key metrics and strategies for managing finance in the restaurant industry, including labor and food costs.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "I use ChatGPT every day for communication, summarizing information, and even Excel formulas. It's a great productivity tool." - Alex Holt
• "If accounting is reporting what happened, great FP&A is about understanding the why behind the business activities." - Alex Holt
• "Great FP&A is about pulling insights from what's going on in the business and using that to drive change." - Alex Holt

Alex shared valuable insights on what makes a great FP&A professional, the importance of process improvement in a growing company, and how technology can enhance financial operations. His practical advice on managing costs, forecasting, and building consensus provides key takeaways for aspiring finance leaders.

Corporate Finance Institute:

You know the numbers. Now it’s time to own the story.

The new FP&A Professional (FPAP) Certification from CFI is built for finance professionals who want to lead with insight-not just report the data.

Learn more at: https://corporatefinancialinstitute.pxf.io/c/6003589/3067930/23723

Follow FP&A Tomorrow:

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624 

Follow Alex:

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

Twitter - https://x.com/holtale

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.theFP&Aguy.com

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

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 FP&A  Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[04:02] - What Does Great FP&A Look Like?

[06:28] - Alex’s Transition to CFO at Milo’s Hamburgers

[08:13] - The First 90 Days as CFO

[14:36] - Using AI in Daily Operations

[16:14] - Standardizing Processes for Growth

[23:44] - Expense Ratios in Fast Food

[25:02] - Considering Franchising at Milo’s

[27:06] - Budgeting Horizons in Real Estate

[30:45] - Advice for Aspiring CFOs

[36:57] - Soft Human Skill

[42:56] - Theme Song for Entering a Room

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper welcome John Glasgow, the founder and CEO of Campfire. With backing from Y Combinator and Foundation Capital, Campfire is rethinking the general ledger using AI-powered workflows that streamline accounting and accelerate financial reporting. John shares his journey, his experience with traditional finance systems, and how Campfire is bringing AI to the forefront of finance transformation.

John is the founder and CEO of Campfire, a cutting-edge AI-powered ERP platform that redefines how finance teams manage the general ledger. With a career that spans strategic roles in companies like Adobe, Magento Commerce, and Buildcon, John’s expertise in finance and corporate development has helped shape his vision for the future of financial reporting. He shares insights on how his career led him to solve the pain points in the finance sector, particularly around outdated software and complex financial processes.

Expect to Learn:

• How AI is transforming finance systems, especially in accounting and financial reporting.
• The challenges of ERP implementation and how Campfire is tackling them with AI-powered solutions.
• Insights on getting closer to a “day zero” close and speeding up financial closing cycles.
• The evolution of the general ledger and how modern ERPs are rethinking traditional finance tools.

John offers practical insights and forward-thinking strategies for embracing AI in finance. If outdated systems and slow processes have been holding you back, this episode provides a refreshing look at how AI can drive efficiency and smarter decision-making in finance.

Follow John:

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

Website - https://campfire.ai/

Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:

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:

[00:23] - John’s Background

[01:34] - $35M Series A Announcement

[02:46] - Career Background & Campfire

[04:45] - Long-Term Vision & Career Decisions

[07:22] - Accelerating Financial Close

[12:05] - Modern Ledger vs. Legacy

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst speaks with Janice Shade and Michael Tapia about the intersection of sustainability, financial modeling, and education. They share the behind-the-scenes creation of a unique MBA course focused on sustainable finance and modeling at Bard College. The episode dives into horror stories from the modeling trenches, highlights the challenges of teaching complex topics in an accessible way, and explores the future of financial education and tools.

Janice is a systems entrepreneur and finance educator with over 30 years of experience. She has worked with both for-profit and nonprofit ventures, focusing on democratic access to capital and economic justice. Janice is also the author of Moving Mountains and teaches finance at Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program. Michael transitioned from the fitness industry into sustainable finance. With an MBA in Impact Finance from Bard, he co-developed and co-taught a financial modeling course that incorporates ESG data and sustainability into traditional financial analysis. Michael is passionate about inclusive, community-driven investment strategies and financial education.

Expect to Learn

• What makes a financial model “fit for purpose”, and why complexity isn’t always better.
• How financial modeling can support sustainability and social impact.
• Tips for teaching finance to non-finance students and building curriculum from the ground up.
• The importance of scenario and sensitivity analysis in forecasting.
• Practical insights on bridging theory and hands-on financial modeling in academia.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "Finance shouldn't feel mystical or exclusive, our goal is to make it approachable and relevant." - Janice Shade
• "As a former trainer, I saw how performance metrics drove change. Now I see capital can do the same, if used with purpose." - Michael Tapia
• "Forecasting is hard, and no forecast is ever right. We're just trying to make it less wrong." - Janice Shade

Follow Janice:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-shade/
• Website - https://innovatecapital.org/team

Follow Michael:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tapia-

Follow Paul: 

• Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com   
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner  

• LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true  
• 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: 

[02:29] - Introduction of Janice and Michael

[07:20] - Worst Financial Model

[14:04] - Defining a Financial Model

[15:18] - Story Behind the MBA Modeling Course

[22:43] - Janice’s Key Takeaways from First Cohort

[29:34] - Michael’s Course and Podcast Episodes

[42:45] - Favourite Shortcut in Excel

[43:47] - Creative Excel Uses

[47:32] - Rapid Fire Section

In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Raheli Sasson, the Director of FP&A at JFrog. Raheli shares her expertise on the evolving role of FP&A professionals, discussing the importance of being proactive, clear, collaborative, and continuously learning. She also dives into the challenges of managing cloud hosting costs in a hypergrowth environment and how AI is transforming the finance industry. Raheli discusses the use of AI tools for productivity, forecasting, and machine learning, and provides insights on data storytelling and its impact on decision-making.

Raheli Sasson is the Director of FP&A at JFrog, where she partners with executive leadership to deliver financial and operational results. With deep expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and process automation, Raheli is passionate about leveraging technology and AI to drive efficiency in finance. She has managed budgets exceeding $1 billion and spearheaded global initiatives to integrate AI in finance.

Expect to Learn:

• How finance can act as a strategic partner to drive company growth, especially in the early stages.
• The importance of balancing growth with sustainability in high-growth SaaS companies.
• Key metrics and strategies for scaling operations and go-to-market efforts in early-stage startups.
• Insights into how AI is changing the landscape of finance and operations.
• Tips on building trust and accountability within teams to ensure collaborative success.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "The ability to present financial data clearly and compellingly is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your FP&A toolbox." - Raheli Sasson
• "AI is transforming finance, and for me, it's not just about automation. It's about leveraging it to forecast better and make smarter, data-driven decisions." - Raheli Sasson
• "A great FP&A professional is not just reactive but proactive, anticipating needs before they arise and simplifying complex financial data for everyone." - Raheli Sasson

Raheli shared key insights on what makes a great FP&A professional, the importance of collaboration in high-growth environments, and how AI is transforming finance. Her practical advice on managing costs, forecasting, and data storytelling provides valuable takeaways for aspiring finance leaders.

Corporate Finance Institute:

You know the numbers. Now it’s time to own the story.

The new FP&A Professional (FPAP) Certification from CFI is built for finance professionals who want to lead with insight-not just report the data.

Learn more at: https://corporatefinancialinstitute.pxf.io/c/6003589/3067930/23723

Follow FP&A Tomorrow:

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624 

Follow Raheli:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahelisasson/?originalSubdomain=il

Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jfrog-ltd/

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.theFP&Aguy.com

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

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 FP&A  Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[03:49] - What’s Great FP&A?

[07:15] - Transitioning from Auditing to FP&A

[10:35] - Managing Cloud Hosting Costs in Hypergrowth

[15:48] - Passion for AI and Becoming an Advocate

[22:57] - Impact of AI Workshops on Team Productivity

[27:44] - Introduction to Deep Research

[33:36] - Best Use Cases for AI in FP&A

[37:15] - Implementing AI Training in Finance

[43:04] - Favorite Gen AI Tool

[44:55] - Soft FP&A Skill

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper welcome John Glasgow, founder and CEO of Campfire, a modern AI-native ERP system designed for finance teams. The discussion centers on why traditional ERPs are no longer meeting the needs of growing businesses and how Campfire is offering a new solution built with automation and finance-first design. John shares insights from his career in finance and explains how his own challenges inspired the creation of Campfire.

John is the founder and CEO of Campfire, an ERP platform developed for mid-sized and enterprise finance teams. With prior roles at Adobe and Invoice2Go, where he led strategic finance and corporate development, John has experienced firsthand the limitations of legacy ERP systems. Campfire, backed by Y Combinator and Foundation Capital, is rethinking the general ledger using AI to accelerate financial reporting, reduce manual work, and help finance professionals focus on strategic insights.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why companies are replacing legacy ERPs like NetSuite and what they look for in a modern solution.
• What a modern general ledger looks like, and how AI can support, not replace finance teams.
• Why finance leaders need systems that enable real-time visibility and decision-making.
• How strategic accounting is becoming a core part of modern finance.

John shared his insightful journey from finance leader to founder, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in modernizing finance through technology. His experiences in building an AI-native ERP, tackling the challenges of traditional systems, and redefining the role of finance offer valuable lessons for professionals seeking to drive efficiency, accuracy, and strategic value in their organizations.

Follow John:

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

Website - https://campfire.ai/

Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:

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:

[04:36] - Career Journey & Inspiration

[06:35] - From Finance to Founder

[10:12] - Day-Zero Close & Real-Time Finance

[14:58] - Modern vs. Legacy Ledgers

[19:48] - The Case for a New ERP Tool

[23:14] - Campfire’s AI in Action

[28:20] - Key Differences: FP&A vs. Accounting

[31:17] - How to Humanize Finance

[35:08] - Wrap-Up & Takeaways