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In this episode, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) dives deep into the evolving world of Financial Planning & Analysis with Olivia MacDonald, a highly skilled financial professional with a diverse background in FP&A process optimization and system implementation. The conversation explores what makes FP&A great, focusing on business partnerships and the strategic role FP&A can play beyond just reporting numbers.
Olivia is a qualified CPA and ACA with a proven track record of delivering strategic solutions that drive efficiency, accuracy, and transparency across organizations. With a mastery of data extraction and transformation tools like MQL, SQL, and SOQL, Olivia has helped companies streamline operations, enhance financial transparency, and drive decision-making through data. Her non-traditional path into FP&A—from audit to FP&A consultancy—gives her a unique perspective on how finance can be a business driver, not just a reporting function.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
This episode with Olivia MacDonald takes us through the evolving role of FP&A where she emphasizes the importance of involving business partners in the budgeting process, learning from mentors, and embracing technology, including generative AI.
Follow FP&A Tomorrow:
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624
Follow Olivia:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviarosemacdonald/
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
World-class Digital FP&A Course Bundle:
Signup for over ten hours of video content with 4 different courses and 8 modules on FP&A topics including: Business Partnering, Data Analysis, Financial Modeling Design Principles, and Modern Excel. Use code Podcast to save 25%. What are you waiting for signup now: https://bit.ly/4decOf3
Enroll for Financial Planning & Analysis Certificate Program:
Sign up for the 8 week online financial planning & analysis certificate program by Wharton Online and learn the art of forecasting, analysis, business partnering and financial storytelling: https://bit.ly/4debs46 Use Code: THEFPAGUY300 to save $300.
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
[02:13] Introduction to the episode and guest
[04:22] What Does Great FP&A Look Like?
[06:21] Olivia’s Journey from Auditing to FP&A
[09:31] Learning from Audit to Excel in FP&A
[12:31] Transition to Canada and FP&A Consulting
[22:09] Data Skills and the Future of FP&A
[29:03] Tips for Selecting FP&A Tools
[38:54] A Blitz Approach to Budgeting
[46:55] Using Generative AI in FP&A
[55:49] Closing Thoughts & Advice
5
2424 ratings
In this episode, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) dives deep into the evolving world of Financial Planning & Analysis with Olivia MacDonald, a highly skilled financial professional with a diverse background in FP&A process optimization and system implementation. The conversation explores what makes FP&A great, focusing on business partnerships and the strategic role FP&A can play beyond just reporting numbers.
Olivia is a qualified CPA and ACA with a proven track record of delivering strategic solutions that drive efficiency, accuracy, and transparency across organizations. With a mastery of data extraction and transformation tools like MQL, SQL, and SOQL, Olivia has helped companies streamline operations, enhance financial transparency, and drive decision-making through data. Her non-traditional path into FP&A—from audit to FP&A consultancy—gives her a unique perspective on how finance can be a business driver, not just a reporting function.
Expect to Learn
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
This episode with Olivia MacDonald takes us through the evolving role of FP&A where she emphasizes the importance of involving business partners in the budgeting process, learning from mentors, and embracing technology, including generative AI.
Follow FP&A Tomorrow:
Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624
Follow Olivia:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviarosemacdonald/
Follow Paul:
Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
World-class Digital FP&A Course Bundle:
Signup for over ten hours of video content with 4 different courses and 8 modules on FP&A topics including: Business Partnering, Data Analysis, Financial Modeling Design Principles, and Modern Excel. Use code Podcast to save 25%. What are you waiting for signup now: https://bit.ly/4decOf3
Enroll for Financial Planning & Analysis Certificate Program:
Sign up for the 8 week online financial planning & analysis certificate program by Wharton Online and learn the art of forecasting, analysis, business partnering and financial storytelling: https://bit.ly/4debs46 Use Code: THEFPAGUY300 to save $300.
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
[02:13] Introduction to the episode and guest
[04:22] What Does Great FP&A Look Like?
[06:21] Olivia’s Journey from Auditing to FP&A
[09:31] Learning from Audit to Excel in FP&A
[12:31] Transition to Canada and FP&A Consulting
[22:09] Data Skills and the Future of FP&A
[29:03] Tips for Selecting FP&A Tools
[38:54] A Blitz Approach to Budgeting
[46:55] Using Generative AI in FP&A
[55:49] Closing Thoughts & Advice
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