In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Jim Caltabiano, a seasoned finance leader with over 30 years of experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) across various industries, including consumer packaged goods and food and beverage. The discussion centers around the evolving role of FP&A, the importance of insights over data, and strategies for building effective finance teams that can drive business value.

Jim Caltabiano brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive career in FP&A and finance leadership roles at major companies such as Procter & Gamble, General Mills, Campbell Soup Company, Ajinomoto Foods, and Del Monte Foods. With a background in both finance and marketing, Jim offers a unique perspective on how FP&A professionals can go beyond traditional financial functions to become true business partners.

Expect to Learn:

1. Insights over data and the importance of connecting financial insights to drive business decisions.
2. Strategies to move from a siloed finance function to a business-first approach.
3. How FP&A professionals can better understand and contribute to business goals.
4. Techniques for making sound decisions when data is less than perfect.
5. Insights from Jim’s experience as a CTO on the role of data cleanliness and AI in future finance functions.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "Great FP&A is all about the insights. It's all about being able to connect insights for the business." - Jim Caltabiano
• "Thinking of data as a product rather than just a system changes how you manage and use it." - Jim Caltabiano
• "Active listening is the most underutilized skill in business; it’s key to building relationships and understanding the business." - Jim Caltabiano

In this episode, Jim Caltabiano shares valuable insights on the evolving role of FP&A professionals in today's dynamic business environment. By adopting a holistic approach to data, leveraging multiple data sources, and focusing on active listening, FP&A professionals can elevate their role from number crunchers to strategic business partners. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to sharpen their FP&A skills and drive meaningful impact within their organization.

Follow Jim:

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

Email - j.caltabiano@icloud.com

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: