FP&A Unlocked

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 FP&A, David shifted his focus to helping finance professionals use AI to improve reporting, analysis, forecasting, and decision-making. Through workshops, training programs, and content creation, he teaches finance teams how to build AI-powered systems that save time and allow analysts to focus on higher-value strategic work.

Expect to Learn:
How AI is changing the future of FP&A
Practical ways to automate reporting and recurring finance tasks
The difference between Claude Chat, Claude Code, and AI agents
Why finance professionals should think of AI as a digital teammate
Key skills FP&A professionals need in an AI-driven world

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
"Every forecast, variance analysis, or deck you build should help somebody make a different decision." – David Dors
"If nothing changed from the analysis you're providing, there's not much value in what you're doing every day." – David Dors

David explains how finance teams can use AI to eliminate repetitive work, improve efficiency, and spend more time supporting business decisions. He also shares his perspective on the future of FP&A, where professionals will increasingly manage AI agents that handle routine tasks and reporting. non-traditional organizations.

Follow Dave:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddors/
Website: https://vantagepointconsulting.com/

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
[04:13] – Discovering Claude
[10:27] – AI Training for Finance Teams
[15:19] – Skills & AI Agents
[18:13] – AI Productivity Gains
[22:23] – Quick AI Wins in FP&A
[25:23] – AI Accuracy & Validation
[28:29] – Automating Reporting
[32:35] – The Future of FP&A
[39:01] – Excel Lessons Learned
[42:57] – Final Thoughts

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, higher education, and consulting, Tim brings a unique perspective on financial management, teaching, and operational strategy. He has also authored a book for creatives and non-finance professionals on strategic financial management, helping others understand how to transform ideas into sustainable business ventures.

Expect to Learn:
How FP&A functions in an unconventional sports and entertainment organization
Budgeting and financial planning across multiple teams and events
Managing risk, contracts, and operational logistics for traveling events
Lessons on aligning finance with organizational growth and fan engagement
How innovative business models and creativity intersect with FP&A

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“Finance isn’t a stumbling block, it’s a support function that ensures internal teams can succeed.” – Dr. Tim Naddy
“You don’t need to be from an area to support a team, you just need to feel the vibe.” – Dr. Tim Naddy

Dr. Tim Naddy provides a behind-the-scenes look at managing FP&A for the Savannah Bananas, balancing operational efficiency with creative fan engagement. He highlights how finance supports growth across multiple teams and events, ensuring budgets, logistics, and resources are aligned. Listeners gain insights into innovative financial management, practical FP&A strategies, and the importance of adaptability in dynamic, non-traditional organizations.

Follow Tim:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtimnaddy221b/
Website: https://www.houndtalint.com/

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
[05:07] – Bananas Brand Story
[08:12] – Teaching & Book
[11:14] – CFO Misconceptions
[13:14] – FP&A Process & League
[18:12] – Revenue & Ticketing
[26:00] – Logistics & Operations
[32:28] – Team Management
[46:51] – Banana Ball Rules
[54:42] – FP&A Advice & Closing

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 financial reporting. Prior to Circle, Derek co-founded The FP&A Hub with Paul Barnhurst and Liran Edelist to support finance professionals. His career spans FP&A roles across SaaS, marketplace, and biotech startups.

Expect to Learn:
How AI is transforming financial reporting and analysis in FP&A.
The role of business partnering in aligning FP&A with strategic decisions.
Derek's transition from spreadsheets to AI-driven financial models.
How FP&A evolves as companies scale.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“Spreadsheets are great for MVP models, but AI and data warehouses are the future for repeatable, scalable analysis.” – Derek Baker
“AI can manage context better than prompts, and this is what drives its power in finance.” – Derek Baker

Derek shares that the future of FP&A is all about embracing technology and innovation. He emphasizes that it's no longer just about spreadsheets and traditional methods; it’s about leveraging AI and data to drive smarter financial decisions. By focusing on both the strategic and technical sides of finance, professionals can better align with business goals and create more impactful outcomes.

Follow Derek:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-d-baker/
Website: https://community.thefpahub.com/home

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] – Introduction & Derek’s Background
[06:00] – What Does Great FP&A Look Like?
[12:00] – Scaling Finance Functions in Startups
[17:00] – The Role of AI in FP&A
[22:00] – Building an AI-Powered Financial Reporting System
[28:00] – Why Data Architecture is Key to AI Success
[33:00] – The Future of Financial Modeling with AI
[40:00] – Automating Monthly Finance Reports Using AI
[45:00] – Data Integration and Financial Modeling for Future Growth
[50:00] – Insights on Scaling FP&A Teams in Tech Startups
[53:00] – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

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 from senior leadership at the National Australia Bank to becoming a bestselling author and storytelling expert. She discusses how storytelling helps finance professionals influence decisions, engage teams, and communicate complex messages effectively.

Gabrielle Dolan is a global expert in strategic storytelling and communication, having worked with leaders from companies like Amazon, EY, Uber, and the Obama Foundation. With over 20 years of experience in leadership roles and storytelling, Gabrielle is the bestselling author of eight books, including her latest Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling Made Smarter with AI. She is also the co-host of the podcast Keeping It Real with Jack and Ral, which ranks in Spotify's top 3% most shared podcasts.

Expect to Learn:
Why storytelling is essential for influencing decisions in finance and business.
The impact of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership communication.
How AI can enhance storytelling without losing its human touch.
Practical tips for finance professionals on how to use stories in presentations.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“Storytelling is not about manipulation, it’s about authentic communication.” – Gabrielle Dolan
“AI can be your creative partner, but don’t lose your voice when telling your story.” – Gabrielle Dolan

Gabrielle Dolan shared her invaluable insights on the power of storytelling in business, especially for finance professionals. She highlighted how storytelling is a vital tool for influencing decisions, building connections, and making complex messages more memorable. Gabrielle emphasized the importance of authenticity in storytelling and explained how AI can enhance the storytelling process without losing the human connection

Follow Gabrielle:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledolan/
Podcast Link - https://podfollow.com/keeping-it-real-with-jac-and-ral
YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@KeepingItRealwithJacandRal

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
[03:18] – Gabrielle's Leadership to Storytelling Journey
[06:00] – Challenges in Transitioning to Storytelling
[10:00] – Storytelling's Role in Business Decisions
[13:37] – Why Data Alone Won't Drive Action
[17:44] – Finding the Right Story for Your Message
[22:10] – Storytelling and Data in Finance
[30:14] – The Power of Story Intelligence in Leadership
[35:09] – AI's Role in Enhancing Storytelling
[40:15] – Rapid Fire Questions
[43:00] – Conclusion & Key Takeaways

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 40+ years in the industry, including his work with Anaplan, and discusses how modern finance teams can break free from the limitations of spreadsheets and legacy systems.

Michael Gould is a technology entrepreneur and software engineer with over 40 years of experience in financial planning and modeling systems. After studying Mathematics and Computation at the University of Oxford, Michael co-created Adaytum, a leading business planning platform, and later founded Anaplan, a globally successful enterprise planning platform that became a British tech unicorn. Today, he is the founder of Kaleidoscope, focusing on rethinking financial modeling for modern teams and continuing to pioneer innovations that drive better decision-making in business. .

Expect to Learn:
The challenges and complexities of modern financial modelling
How Kaleidoscope is helping businesses move beyond spreadsheets
Michael's journey from IBM to Anaplan and now Kaleidoscope
The importance of understanding business processes in financial modelling
How AI is impacting the financial modeling landscape

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:
“The key to financial modeling is representing the complexity of a business without over-simplifying it.” – Michael Gould
“AI is a powerful tool, but it’s the data context that drives the real value.” – Michael Gould

Glenn explains that career growth in FP&A is no longer about following a fixed path or relying on credentials. It comes from building relationships, gaining real experience, and understanding how the business works. He also highlights that strong professionals go beyond numbers by connecting financial results to real business drivers and supporting better decisions.

Follow Michael:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/migould/
Website: https://www.kaleidoscope.com/?utm_source=partner_fpandaguys&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=interview

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
[06:00] – Challenges of Multi-Dimensional Modelling
[12:00] – Transitioning to Anaplan
[15:00] – Kaleidoscope’s Mission to Help Small Businesses
[21:00] – The Role of AI in Financial Modelling
[27:00] – The Future of Financial Modelling
[33:00] – Key Learnings from the Entrepreneurial Journey
[39:00] – How AI is Changing Financial Decision-Making
[45:00] – Overcoming the Data Challenges in Finance
[51:00] – Final Thoughts on Innovation and Future Trends in Finance
[57:00] – Conclusion and Key Takeaways