Podcast · Business

FP&A Unlocked

by Paul Barnhurst · English · Business

FP&A Unlocked is where Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy, discusses how FP&A can unlock your seat at the boardroom, and what it takes.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 58 min
Latest: 15 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 3 minNew

Trust and Leadership Lessons for FP&A From 100+ Top Leaders with CFO Jon Laudie

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Jon Laudie to discuss how FP&A can become a critical business function, why finance and operations need to work together, and how FP&A can prepare professionals for senior leadership. Jon also shares what he has learned from serving as both President and CFO of Zerorez and how that experience has changed his approach to leadership. Jon Laudie is the President and CFO of Zerorez. He began his career in M&A and valuation before moving into corporate and operational FP&A roles at technology and consumer companies. His…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E135 · 8 Oct 2026 · 50 min
Will AI Replace Enterprise Performance Management? | David den Boer
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with David Den Boer to debate the future of enterprise performance management, Excel, and AI. They explore whether traditional EPM platforms are being disrupted, how AI could reshape forecasting and finance workflows, and why governance, transparency, and accountability still matter. David Den Boer is the CEO and Founder of Column5 Consulting and Darwin Analytics. He began his career as an EPM administrator at a Fortune 500 company and later worked with OutlookSoft, which was acquired by SAP and became part of SAP BPC. With more…
S1 · E134 · 1 Oct 2026 · 52 min
When AI Does the Analysis, What Makes an FP&A Professional Valuable with Valerie Martin
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst and co-host Glenn Snyder sit down with Valerie Martin to discuss how AI is changing FP&A, leadership, and business partnering. They explore why greater efficiency does not automatically create greater value and how finance teams can use AI without losing judgment, context, or trust with the business. Valerie Martin is a Finance Executive specializing in FP&A and strategic finance, with experience across GTM, SaaS, AI, and value creation. A former Autodesk finance leader and San Francisco FP&A Board Ambassador, Valerie brings extensive…
S1 · E133 · 24 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
The Three Foundations of Strategic FP&A with Chithra Rajagopalan
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Chithra Rajagopalan, Head of Finance at Obsidian Security, to discuss what great FP&A looks like in high-growth companies, why strong data foundations matter, and how finance teams can become more strategic business partners. Chithra shares lessons from scaling finance teams, supporting hypergrowth companies, and using data to influence better decisions. Chithra Rajagopalan is a finance leader with experience across high-growth SaaS and AI security companies. She currently serves as Head of Finance at Obsidian Security,…
S1 · E132 · 17 Sep 2026 · 50 min
Are You Solving Business Problems or Just Reporting Numbers? with Eric Alexander
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Eric Alexander about building effective FP&A functions, developing business acumen, and preparing finance professionals for leadership. Eric explains why finance teams need to look beyond the numbers, understand the business, communicate effectively, and develop the leadership skills needed to create greater impact. Eric Alexander is the President of Six Arrows Consulting and an advisor, speaker, and author with nearly 40 years of financial management experience, including 20 years in CFO roles. He served as CFO of Happy State Bank…
S1 · E131 · 10 Sep 2026 · 58 min
Only 6% of Finance Teams Actually Influence Decisions | Soufyan Hamid
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Soufyan Hamid about financial storytelling, finance business partnering, and how finance professionals can move from reporting numbers to influencing business decisions. Soufyan explains why numbers need context, how finance teams can systematize storytelling, and why communication, business acumen, and empathy are essential skills for creating strategic impact. Soufyan Hamid is a finance professional, corporate trainer, EMBA lecturer, and keynote speaker who specializes in systematizing storytelling for finance teams. He helps…
S1 · E130 · 3 Sep 2026 · 47 min
Why Your Brilliant Financial Analysis Gets Ignored: The Precision Trap with Asif Masani
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Asif Masani about his new book, The Precision Trap , and why finance teams can focus too much on accuracy and miss the decision window. Asif explains how FP&A professionals can deliver timely analysis, influence business decisions, and become stronger business partners. Asif Masani is a Director at FP&A Professionals Institute and FP&A Jobs, an author, and Udemy instructor focused on helping finance professionals develop their FP&A skills. He is the author of All About FP&A , From Accounting to FP&A , and Data Storytelling Playbook…
S1 · E129 · 27 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
The Budget Isn't the Goal. Building a Better Business Is with Zach & Chris
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Zach Rial and Chris Ortega, alongside co-host Glenn Snyder, to discuss budgeting and forecasting best practices. The conversation explores how finance teams should think about the purpose of budgeting, balancing control with agility, involving the business in the planning process, and using forecasting as a tool for better decision-making. Zach Rial is a finance leader at AskElephant, a startup focused on revenue and conversation intelligence. He brings experience as an operator who uses finance, FP&A, and business insights…
S1 · E128 · 20 Aug 2026 · 59 min
Should Finance Pros Be Using Vibe Coding to Build Their Own Tools? with Brock & Natalia
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Brock Beyer and Natalia Kudinova to discuss how vibe coding is changing the way finance professionals automate work and build practical tools. They explore real-world use cases, AI token costs, security and maintenance concerns, and why finance teams should start with simple, repetitive processes rather than business-critical systems. Brock Beyer is the CPA Controller at Jump, where he has used vibe coding to build internal productivity tools. Natalia Kudinova is a Senior Director at ABBYY with experience across finance…
S1 · E127 · 13 Aug 2026 · 59 min
An Evaluation of the FPI AI Program and How 3 Finance Pros Are Using AI Today
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Nitesh Mukhi, Rohit Menon, and Sweta Jhalani to discuss how AI is transforming the FP&A profession and changing the way finance teams work. The guests share their experiences with the AI FP&A Programme, exploring practical AI applications, automation, financial analysis, and the skills finance professionals need to stay ahead. They also discuss why domain expertise, human judgment, and business understanding remain essential in an AI-driven finance world. Nitesh Mukhi is the Finance Director at Presight AI, an AI analytics…
S1 · E126 · 6 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
AI Finance Club: What Three Members Learned from the Experience with Eve, Jurgen & Bukie
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by AI Finance Club members Eve Reiter, Jurgen Lang, and Bukie Faforiji for a discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of FP&A. The panel shares how AI has changed the way they approach financial modeling, forecasting, automation, business partnering, and software development. From replacing repetitive Excel work with AI-powered workflows to building production-ready finance applications, they explore the practical skills finance professionals need to stay relevant in an AI-first world. Eve Reiter is a…
S1 · E125 · 30 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Networking in Finance: The Career Advice Everyone Learns Too Late with Josette Ferrer
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Snyder sit down with Josette Ferrer to discuss one of the most overlooked skills in finance: networking. While many finance professionals focus on technical expertise, Josette explains why building genuine relationships is essential for career growth, leadership development, mentorship, and long-term success. Josette Ferrer is the Founder and Managing Director of Clairent Advisors, a valuation and business advisory firm specializing in business and intellectual property valuations. She also serves as President of the San…
S1 · E124 · 23 Jul 2026 · 42 min
Automating Financial Workflows and the Role of Human Judgment with Albert Lee
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…
S1 · E123 · 16 Jul 2026 · 47 min
The Dennis Rodman Paradox And How CFOs Can Protect Irreplaceable Specialists With Jack McCullough
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…
S1 · E122 · 9 Jul 2026 · 59 min
The Pricing Psychology for Leaders to Stop Underpricing and Understand Value with Etinosa
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…
S1 · E121 · 2 Jul 2026 · 53 min
I Would Never Let AI Touch a Number and what to do about that with Alok Ajmera
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Alok Ajmera, CEO of Prophix, to explore how AI is reshaping FP&A, financial planning, and enterprise decision-making. Alok explains how modern finance teams are evolving from spreadsheet-heavy workflows to AI-enabled systems, while still relying on structured data, deterministic processes, and human oversight to maintain accuracy and trust in financial outputs. Alok Ajmera is the CEO of Prophix, a leading financial performance management platform helping CFO organizations modernize planning, budgeting, and forecasting. With over…
S1 · E120 · 25 Jun 2026 · 55 min
Interim FP&A, What it is, and Why it is A Growing Career Path With Tim Stalkamp
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Tim Stallkamp, Senior Managing Director at Riveron, alongside co-host Glenn Snyder. Tim shares insights on interim management and how it is reshaping finance leadership by helping companies fill critical gaps, accelerate value creation, and bring experienced finance leaders into organizations during transition periods. Tim Stallkamp is a Senior Managing Director and the leader of Riveron’s Interim Management practice. He is a seasoned turnaround executive who provides interim management and turnaround management services to…
S1 · E119 · 18 Jun 2026 · 47 min
How AI is Being Used to Make Better Decisions and Build Faster Models with Nicholas Moen
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Nicholas Moen, CMA and Director of Finance at Section, an AI software company. Nicholas shares insights on leveraging AI in FP&A to streamline financial modeling, automate workflows, improve decision-making, and build high-performing teams. He discusses practical strategies for training finance teams, balancing human oversight with AI automation, and applying FP&A insights to drive operational impact in enterprise organizations. Nicholas Moen is a CMA and finance leader at Section, where he reinvents finance through AI, helping…
S1 · E118 · 11 Jun 2026 · 56 min
Developing Business Acumen necessary to become a strategic business partner with Robert Blanding
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Robert Blanding, an experienced finance and operations leader in the ag-tech sector. Robert shares insights on building high-performing FP&A teams, partnering effectively with accounting, developing financial acumen, and applying strategic finance to drive operational impact in global businesses. Robert Blanding is the Chief Financial Officer at Fall Creek, a global leader in the Ag-Tech sector. He brings extensive experience in finance and operations from 18 years at Intel and leadership roles across industrial manufacturing,…
S1 · E117 · 4 Jun 2026 · 45 min
Stop Doing Monthly Reports for Analysts to Automate Finance Workflows Using AI with David Dors
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with David Dors to explore how artificial intelligence, particularly Claude, is transforming the future of FP&A. David shares his journey from banking and FP&A into finance transformation, where he now helps finance teams implement AI-powered workflows, automate repetitive processes, and rethink how work gets done in the Office of the CFO. David Dors is a finance transformation consultant and AI educator specializing in helping finance teams adopt Claude, AI agents, and workflow automation. After beginning his career in banking and…
S1 · E116 · 28 May 2026 · 58 min
FP&A Strategy for Finance Leaders to Scale a Sports Business Like a Startup with Tim Naddy
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked , Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Snyder sit down with Dr. Tim Naddy, CFO of the Savannah Bananas, to discuss the unique world of finance in a sports and entertainment organization. Tim shares how he manages FP&A for a fast-growing, multi-team baseball league, balancing operational efficiency with fan engagement, budgeting for multiple teams, and ensuring the internal finance function supports the entire organization’s growth. Tim is the CFO of the Savannah Bananas, a wildly innovative and entertaining baseball organization. With experience in public accounting,…
S1 · E115 · 21 May 2026 · 58 min
The Future of FP&A with AI for Finance Professionals to Move Beyond Excel Analysis with Derek Baker
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked , Paul Barnhurst chats with Derek Baker, the Head of Strategic Finance at Circle, a growth-stage SaaS company. Derek shares insights from his experience in building strategic finance functions, scaling finance teams, and using AI to optimize financial reporting. Derek Baker is the Head of Strategic Finance at Circle, a growth-stage SaaS company focused on building an all-in-one platform for online communities. He has built the Strategic Finance function from the ground up, covering areas like pricing, sales compensation, investor due diligence, and AI-powered…
S1 · E114 · 14 May 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Your Data Won't Convince Anyone. Do This Instead. | Gabrielle Dolan on FP&A Storytelling
FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading Tools FP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure. Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcase In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Gabrielle Dolan, a global expert in strategic storytelling, about the power of storytelling in business and how it can transform communication. Gabrielle shares her journey…
S1 · E113 · 7 May 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
How FP&A Teams Can Improve Decision-Making with Scenario Planning & Financial Models - Michael
FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading Tools FP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure. Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcase In this episode of FP&A Unlocked , Paul Barnhurst speaks with Michael Gould, a technology entrepreneur and founder of Kaleidoscope, about his extensive experience in financial planning and modelling. Michael shares insights from his…
S1 · E112 · 30 Apr 2026 · 58 min
FP&A Career Advice and the Current State of FP&A with Glenn and Paul
FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading Tools FP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure. Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcase In this episode of FP&A Unlocked , Paul Barnhurst speaks with Glenn Snyder about the current state of FP&A, focusing on career growth, hiring challenges, and how the role continues to evolve. Glenn shares his perspective on why…
S1 · E111 · 23 Apr 2026 · 59 min
How FP&A Professionals Use AI to Move from Reporting to Strategy with Carolina Lago
FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading Tools FP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una- AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure. Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcase Onto this weeks episode In this episode of FP&A Unlocked , Paul Barnhurst speaks with Carolina Lago, founder of Tactic Financial, about the impact of AI on financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Carolina shares her extensive…
S1 · E110 · 16 Apr 2026 · 45 min
How CFOs Can Reduce Manual Reporting and Increase Strategic Impact Using AI with Brian McGowan
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked , Paul Barnhurst talks with Bryan McGowan, founder of Alpyne, about what great FP&A looks like, how technical skills can improve finance work, and where AI is actually useful for CFOs and finance teams. Bryan shares how his background in engineering shaped his approach to finance, why he built Alpyne to solve real workflow problems, and how AI can reduce manual work so finance professionals can spend more time on analysis and business partnering. Bryan McGowan is the founder of Alpyne and a CFO with a rare mix of finance and technical skill. After spending a…
S1 · E109 · 9 Apr 2026 · 24 min
What 100 FP&A Episodes Taught Me About Career Growth, Failure, and the Future of Finance
In this special solo episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst celebrates reaching 100 episodes of the podcast while also reflecting on his broader journey of hosting over 200 FP&A episodes across multiple shows. He shares lessons from his experience in FP&A, career growth, and learning AI, along with what actually matters in the field today. He also shares his thoughts on AI and how it’s changing finance workflows, explaining why building repeatable processes matters more than just prompting. He also previews upcoming conversations with professionals already using AI in their day-to-day…
S1 · E108 · 2 Apr 2026 · 51 min
How AI Agents are Reshaping the Finance Tech Stack with Josh LaSov
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Josh LaSov to explore how FP&A is evolving with data, BI, and AI. They discuss how finance professionals can move beyond traditional reporting by combining financial and operational data, and why understanding data at a deeper level is now essential. Josh shares how AI is changing analysis, forecasting, and workflows, and how FP&A teams can use it to increase productivity and deliver faster insights. Josh LaSov is an FP&A and data professional with experience in consulting, ERP implementations, and analytics. He has implemented…
S1 · E107 · 26 Mar 2026 · 50 min
AI Strategy Finance Leaders Must Use to Avoid Siloed Tools and Failed Adoption with Vikram Bhandari
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Snyder are joined by Vikram Bhandari to explore how organizations should approach AI in finance and FP&A. They discuss why most companies fail with AI adoption, the importance of enterprise-wide strategy over siloed tools, and how finance teams can evolve from reporting to forward-looking decision-making. Vikram shares practical insights on AI readiness, forecasting, and how leaders can leverage AI to drive better business outcomes. Vikram is the Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Riveron, where he leads AI, digital…

About FP&A Unlocked

FP&A Unlocked is where Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy, discusses how FP&A can unlock your seat at the boardroom, and what it takes.

FP&A Unlocked is a English business podcast from Paul Barnhurst. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Paul Barnhurst
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 58 min
Latest episode: 15 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1738654158

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