In today’s episode, Paul engages in an insightful interaction with Julian Castelli, for a discussion about the transformative role of FP&A and evolution from basic finance to a strategic role influencing business decisions and investor relations, highlighting his leadership experiences and the importance of core values.

Julian is currently serving as a board director and board chair. With experience as a board director and operating partner many times over, Julian assists SaaS and Marketplace technology companies in areas like strategy, team development, growth execution, fundraising, executive coaching, and board governance. He began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and later worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include: :

Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:

• The competitive dynamics and funding needs of marketplace and SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses. SaaS businesses can be more capital efficient and have multiple successful players compared to winner-take-most marketplaces.

• The transformative power of adhering to and actively promoting company values, even in crisis, which can galvanize a team and reinforce commitment to the organization's mission and customer service.

• Growth-stage companies need sophisticated FP&A to meet investor expectations and aid decision-making. FP&A should influence a company's financial and strategic decisions, not just report on them.

• Promoting company values strengthens internal culture and aligns team actions with the organization's mission. Companies must evolve from managing daily finances to integrating broad strategic financial planning.

• How skills from varied roles like investment banking and consulting can enhance FP&A effectiveness. Exposure to various business aspects through FP&A provides a strong foundation for leadership roles.

• The discussion highlights the necessity of presenting financials in a way that aligns with investor expectations, which is often different from traditional accounting reports.

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Quotes:

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode about FP&A's transition from basic finance to a strategic role, the critical importance of financial planning and analysis, and the influence of leadership and core values in navigating business challenges.

• "So without FP&A, you can't see what's ahead of you."

• "But if you present a P&L like that [Natural Account Line] to an investor, you might end the meeting right there."

• "Unfortunately, I'm kind of shocked that the ERPs out there make it so difficult to actually produce financial reporting the way the investors want."

• "FP&A is not just a luxury; it's essential as you scale and begin dealing with institutional...

Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst.

The title sponsor for this week’s episode of FP&A Tomorrow is the Third Generation FP&A Tools Showcase. Join the Showcase and see the latest technology in FP&A planning software. Register for free today at https://www.accelevents.com/e/fpatoolsshowcase

In today’s episode, Paul Barnhurst engages Trevor Anthony, for a fascinating discussion on the evolution of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping its future.

Trevor, a seasoned Chief of Staff at FranConnect, excels in transforming FP&A roles into powerful business partnerships that drive organizational success. With a rich background in private equity-backed software companies, Trevor is known for his expertise in creating simple and impactful financial models, he simplifies complex financial data into actionable intelligence.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include: :

Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:

• How AI could significantly reduce costs and streamline operational processes, positioning FP&A to be more efficient and strategically integral to businesses.

• The importance of mastering the skill of creating clean and straightforward financial models for FP&A professionals. By prioritizing simplicity and clarity, these models become crucial tools for delivering precise financial data for business insights.

• The value of experience, mentorship, and strategic thinking in the evolution of FP&A professionals. It stresses how these elements help transition from traditional analytical roles to more influential positions.

• How private equity (PE) impacts FP&A operations, setting high expectations for teams to act as the definitive source of truth within companies.

• The discussion highlights how PE firms demand thorough, detailed financial reporting and forecasts, reflecting their reliance on FP&A teams to provide thorough insights and accurate analysis to guide investment decisions and business strategies.

• The discussion also highlights the anticipation of a future where AI not only supports but enhances the FP&A functions across various industries.

Quotes:

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode about the strategic thinking around technology investment, the value of networking, the importance of responsiveness in professional settings, and the encouragement for community engagement:

"The best FP&A groups, I've seen, have solidified themselves as a mission-critical function, not just to check the box type of group."

"First and foremost, keep it simple. I think in the sales process, they demo flashy things... focus on what the tool does."

"The beginning of what I'd call a business partnering relationship was when I'd sit down with the business owner and have to intimately understand their business and their financials."

“Dealing with ambiguity, especially when you're working with senior leaders, they constantly vaguely describe things. You, as a professional, need to understand what that means.”

“If you're like a traditional corporate FP&A person or you're just a data analyst, find those opportunities."

Follow Trevor:

• LinkedIn -

Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst.

The title sponsor for this week’s episode of FP&A Tomorrow is Wharton Online, one of the world's leading business schools. The gateway to mastering financial planning and analysis through a rigorous, comprehensive curriculum crafted by industry experts is only a click away- https://wallstreetprep.wharton.upenn.edu

In today’s episode, Paul Barnhurst engages Christian Wattig on the journey into the evolving world of financial planning and analysis.

Christian Wattig, a seasoned FP&A professional and educator. As the program director for the Wharton Online and Wall Street Prep FP&A Certificate, Christian brings a wealth of experience and innovative strategies to the table. He shares how AI and technology are transforming the field.

Key takeaways from this week's episode include: :

Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:

• How excellent FP&A practice hinges on making solid business recommendations from detailed analysis and storytelling, emphasizing the importance of implementing and monitoring these recommendations for impactful outcomes.

• The discussion is on how AI and new planning tools are revolutionizing FP&A by streamlining data collection and reporting, thus allowing analysts to concentrate more on strategic analysis and business partnerships.

• Insights into a career that transitioned from major corporations to spearheading an FP&A education venture, sharing valuable lessons from varied professional experiences.

• Introduction to a new certificate program that merges technical FP&A skills with interpersonal development, designed to equip professionals with comprehensive financial planning and analysis expertise.

• The discussion highlights the importance of digging beyond the surface of financial data to find actionable insights and the art of crafting these insights into stories that drive strategic business decisions.

• The reflection on the personal gratification from teaching and mentoring in FP&A, and anticipation of the future developments in the field as technology and analytical methods advance.

Quotes:

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode about FP&A skills and making concrete, impactful business recommendations:

"FP&A is at its best when you make a concrete recommendation that helps the business move forward."

"With AI and not just with AI, but also with FP&A and planning tools and software, it will be possible that you don't have to pull data from lots of different sources."

"When you're just taking people and walking them step by step through how I build a financial model from scratch, it's a different way of teaching."

“Give them those metrics, those insights, or you can get them something that gets them at least halfway there. By doing that, you can demonstrate that you want to do more than just cutting budgets and updating forecasts.”

Follow Christian:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-wattig/
• Website - https://wallstreetprep.wharton.upenn.edu/

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