The FP&A Guy Network

In this episode of Financial Modelers Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Dr. Eric Kelley, Finance Professor | Microsoft MVP (Excel), and one of the leading educators in financial modeling. Eric shares how his passion for teaching, mathematics, and financial markets led him into academia, and why developing scalable financial models starts with understanding the business before opening Excel.

Dr. Eric Kelley is a Professor of Finance at the University of Tennessee's Haslam College of Business, a Microsoft Excel MVP, and Faculty Fellow with the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge (MECC). He coaches the University of Tennessee's Excel eSports team, which won the 2024 MECC World Championship, and is passionate about using financial modeling and Excel eSports to prepare students for finance careers.

Expect to Learn:

• Why communication matters as much as modeling skills.
• Building scalable financial models that last.
• Common financial modeling mistakes to avoid.
• How Excel eSports sharpens problem-solving.
• Why competition improves modeling skills.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "Great financial modelers need strong oral communication skills because they must explain the story behind the model, not just build it." - Dr. Eric Kelley
• "You're not trying to solve a single problem, you're trying to build a system that can take flexible inputs and generate useful outputs." - Dr. Eric Kelley

Eric Kelley shares why financial modelers need more than technical skills, highlighting the importance of communication, problem-solving, and building scalable models. He also discusses how Excel eSports and hands-on learning are helping students develop real-world modeling skills for future finance careers.

Follow Eric:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekkell/\
• University of Tennessee: https://haslam.utk.edu/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn: 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 get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at https://bit.ly/497oAqW

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 Future Finance, host Paul Barnhurst and co-host Glenn Hopper are joined by guest Alex Brower, co-founder and CEO of QFlow.ai, to explore why forecasting problems often begin with the data layer. They discuss data plumbing, semantic alignment, Model Context Protocols (MCPs), vibe coding, and how finance and go-to-market teams can work from shared definitions to improve forecast quality and analysis.

Alex Brower is the co-founder and CEO of QFlow.ai, helping finance and go-to-market teams connect data, improve forecast accuracy, and boost analyst productivity by up to five times. He previously led finance and marketing at high-growth tech firms like AppTelligent (acquired by VMware) and Cloud Academy (acquired by QA).

In this episode, you will discover:

• How data hygiene and shared definitions improve forecasting
• Why unified data alone does not solve business alignment issues
• MCP vs semantic layers for reliable analysis
• The risks of untested AI-generated analysis
• Why AI cost and governance matter

Alex explains how QFlow helps companies prepare data, run planning workflows, and turn analysis into board-ready stories.

Follow Alex:

Website: https://qflow.ai/

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

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:

[00:00] – Introduction

[02:15] – Data & Forecasting Challenges

[06:43] – MCP vs Semantic Layers

[09:55] – AI Coding Risks

[15:52] – QFlow Data Preparation

[18:10] – Planning & Business Insights

[20:51] – Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Ian Schnoor, Executive Director of the Financial Modeling Institute. They discuss the future of financial modeling in the age of AI, with a focus on how modelers are using AI today, where human judgment still matters, and what governance, ethics, and skill development look like going forward.

Expect to Learn:

• Why communication skills are critical for financial modelers
• How to build models as flexible systems instead of one-time solutions
• How Excel Esports helps students develop real-world modeling skills
• How competitions can improve financial modeling education

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "86% of the council members are using AI for modeling tasks" – Ian Schnoor
• "The shift, there will be a shift, of course, from construction to judgement" – Ian Schnoor

Ian Schnoor shares why AI should enhance, not replace, human expertise in financial modeling, emphasizing judgment, governance, and strong foundational skills. He also offers practical career advice for aspiring modelers and highlights why mastering the fundamentals remains essential in an AI-driven future.

Follow Ian:

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

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn: 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 get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at https://bit.ly/497oAqW

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] –Trailer

[03:25] – Ian’s Modeling Journey

[06:20] – Building Modeling Skills

[09:59] – Global Leadership Council Report

[14:40] – AI Use in Financial Modeling

[21:31] – Human Judgment in Modeling

[26:09] – Trust and AI Governance

[30:11] – Ethics and the Future of Modeling

[44:14] – Final Thoughts on Modeling Careers

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

Future Finance host Paul Barnhurst and co-host Glenn Hopper are joined by Alex Brower, co-founder and CEO of QFlow.ai, to unpack why forecasting often breaks down even when teams have plenty of data. The discussion focuses on how finance and go-to-market teams can work from shared inputs, improve planning accuracy, and use AI without losing the structure needed for reliable decisions.

Alex Brower is the co-founder and CEO of QFlow.ai, helping finance and go-to-market teams connect data, improve forecast accuracy, and boost analyst productivity up to five times. He previously led finance and marketing at high-growth tech firms like AppTelligent (acquired by VMware) and Cloud Academy (acquired by QA).

In this episode, you will discover:

• Fix data plumbing before system consolidation.
• Use data dictionaries for consistent definitions.
• AI helps, but semantic logic is still needed.
• Vibe coding can create hidden costs if untested.
• Start with key unanswered questions, then plan solutions.

Alex shares lessons from leading finance, operations, and marketing teams at high-growth companies, including what he learned from living the forecast tension on both sides of the table.

Follow Alex:

Website: https://qflow.ai/

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

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:

[00:00] – Trailer

[03:44] – Finance-to-marketing journey & QFlow’s solution

[07:10] – Data plumbing vs. alignment

[11:37] – MCPs, AI, and logic layers

[14:50] – Risks of vibe coding & maintainability

[21:56] – How QFlow handles data, planning, and storytelling

[30:57] – Alignment before strategy & reducing fact-hunting

[35:39] – Where CFOs/FP&A should start modernizing

[44:03] – Closing & sponsor sign-off

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Dr. Eric Kelley, finance professor, Microsoft Excel MVP, and financial modeling educator, to discuss how financial modeling education is evolving through Excel Esports and hands-on learning. Eric shares how he uses competitions, real-world cases, and structured modeling techniques to help students build stronger financial modeling skills, think in systems, and create models that support better decision-making.

Dr. Eric Kelley is a finance professor at the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business, where he teaches finance at the undergraduate, MBA, and PhD levels. He is a Microsoft Excel MVP and faculty fellow with the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge. Eric focuses on developing integrated financial modeling education, helping students build scalable models through innovative techniques and competitive Excel-based learning.

Expect to Learn:

• Why communication skills are critical for financial modelers
• How to build models as flexible systems instead of one-time solutions
• How Excel Esports helps students develop real-world modeling skills
• How competitions can improve financial modeling education

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "At the end of the day, we've got to be able to communicate. We've got to be able to tell stories." - Eric Kelley
• "You're not trying to find a loan payment. You're trying to build a system that is going to take in a flexible set of inputs and generate a loan payment as an output." - Eric Kelley

Eric Kelley shares how financial modeling education can move beyond traditional instruction by combining technical skills, communication, and competitive problem-solving. Through Excel Esports and structured case-based learning, he helps students understand that strong models are not just about getting the right answer, but about building systems that can adapt, scale, and support decisions.

Follow Eric:

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erickelley5900

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn: 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 get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at https://bit.ly/497oAqW

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] – Trailer

[04:33] – The Importance of Communication Skills

[09:12] – Discovering Excel Esports

[11:35] – Competing Under Pressure

[13:01] – Coaching Future Financial Modelers

[16:36] – Bringing Financial Modeling Into the Classroom

[23:51] – Building Excel Esports Cases

[32:00] – Students’ Biggest Modeling Breakthroughs

[36:23] – Advice for Aspiring Modelers

[38:10] – Excel Rapid Fire Questions

[43:33] – Final Advice on Learning Financial Modeling

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 Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Nick Jain and Daniel Settel, co-founders of Eagle Rock CFO. They discuss how AI is changing FP&A, why finance teams still need human expertise, and how their platform helps CFOs automate financial analysis while improving decision-making.

Nick Jain is a Harvard MBA and former CEO, CFO, and investor with experience at McKinsey, Bain Capital, and multiple high-growth companies. Daniel Settel is a Stanford engineer, Harvard MBA, former investment professional at Primecap Management, and co-founder of a venture secondary marketplace. Together, they founded Eagle Rock CFO to combine technology with fractional CFO services for growing businesses.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How AI can automate FP&A without replacing finance professionals
• Why clean financial data is essential for better analysis
• The role of humans in AI-powered finance workflows
• How fractional CFOs can use technology to serve more clients
• Where businesses can uncover hidden value in their financial data

AI-powered finance tools are changing how businesses analyze data, but success still depends on combining automation with sound financial judgment. Nick and Daniel share practical insights into how finance leaders can use technology to save time, uncover opportunities, and make better decisions.

Follow Nick:

Website: https://www.eaglerockcfo.com/

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

Follow Dan:

Website: https://www.eaglerockcfo.com/

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

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:

[02:24] – Why Eagle Rock CFO Was Founded

[04:35] – Building AI for FP&A

[09:12] – The Human Role in AI-Powered Finance

[10:38] – Why Fractional CFOs Need Better Tools

[14:18] – Cleaning Financial Data & Chart of Accounts

[16:21] – White-Labeling the Platform

[17:17] – Time Savings and Business Impact

[19:18] – Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Mod Squad, Paul Barnhurst, Ian Schnoor, and Giles Male put today's leading AI tools to the test in a live financial modeling "bake-off." Using the same modeling case and prompts, they compare ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot to see how well each tool builds a financial model. The discussion highlights the progress AI has made, where it still falls short, and why financial modeling expertise remains essential.

• How ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot perform on the same financial modeling task
• The strengths and weaknesses of AI-generated financial models
• Why AI-generated models still require careful review and testing
• How custom instructions and skills can improve AI outputs
• Why financial modeling knowledge is still critical in an AI-driven world

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "People are trying to do their jobs and keep up with AI at the same time. It's exhausting." – Ian Schnoor
• "AI is a magnifier, not a replacement for financial modeling skills." – Paul Barnhurst

AI is powerful, but it is not a shortcut to quality work. It still needs guidance, structure, and strong fundamentals. The people who benefit most are those who understand both the tools and the work behind them. For now, the best approach is simple: test it, guide it, and never trust it blindly.

Follow Ian:

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

Follow Giles:

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

In today’s episode:

[00:00] – Trailer

[03:30] – AI Fatigue & Keeping Up

[05:48] – The Modeling Challenge

[08:41] – ChatGPT Results

[17:57] – Claude Results

[27:33] – Copilot Results

[30:36] – Human Review Still Matters

[33:18] – How AI Has Improved

[36:10] – Better Results with Custom Skills

[37:08] – Final Verdict & Key Takeaways