The FP&A Guy Network

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 work.Expect to Learn:What helps FP&A professionals grow beyond technical skillsWhy career paths are rarely linearHow to approach networking in a more effective wayWhy AI is more about processes than promptsHow AI can help save time in finance rolesHere are a few relevant quotes from the episode:“AI is a magnifier. If you don't know what you're doing, it will magnify that.” - Paul Barnhurst“Technical skills get you your first job, the soft skills get you promoted.” - Paul BarnhurstPaul explains that FP&A is not just about reports and models. It’s about understanding the business and working with people. AI can help speed up tasks, but it doesn’t replace core skills like financial modeling, data understanding, and communication. If anything, those skills matter more now.Campfire: AI-First ERP:Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation, close management, and more, all in one unified platform.Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguyEarn 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[01:41] – 100 Episodes Milestone[02:36] – What Makes FP&A Professionals Stand Out[03:38] – Career Growth Is Not a Ladder[04:25] – Early Career Struggles After Graduation[05:47] – How to Approach Networking the Right Way[06:37] – Turning Down Offers & Career Decisions[07:28] – Moving into FP&A & Career Shift[09:08] – Learning AI & Current Challenges[10:06] – AI Skills, Courses & Future Focus

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Josh Schauer to explore how AI is being adopted in finance and why many teams are still hesitant. They discuss the gap between understanding AI’s importance and actually using it, along with the challenges around data quality, risk, and expectations of accuracy.Josh Schauer is the CFO at insightsoftware, where he leads financial strategy and operations. He previously served as SVP of Finance from 2020 to 2024 and led Financial Planning and Consolidation at Longview before its acquisition by insightsoftware. Josh has extensive experience in FP&A, consolidation, and finance transformation, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.In this episode, you will discover:Why are finance teams slow to adopt AI despite knowing its importanceWhy AI should be treated as a teammate, not a replacementHow poor data and broken processes limit AI’s valuePractical use cases for AI in FP&A, including variance analysisHow scenario planning can be done faster using AIJosh emphasizes that AI is not a shortcut. It works best when built on strong data, clear processes, and a thoughtful approach. While the pressure to adopt AI is real, the focus should be on using it in a practical way that improves decision-making and productivity without compromising accuracy.Follow Josh:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-schauer-51b18b115/Website: https://insightsoftware.com/Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[01:35] – Josh Schauer Background[03:02] – AI in Finance & Accounting for Dummies[05:57] – AI as a Teammate, Not a Threat[07:09] – AI as a Thought Partner[10:01] – Why Finance Teams Struggle with AI[11:51] – Evolution of FP&A[14:30] – RevOps & Finance Alignment[16:41] – AI Use Cases in Finance[19:20] – Agentic AI & Future Direction[22:31] – Process, Data & AI Limitations[28:52] – AI Questions & Closing

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Riley Edwards to discuss what it’s like starting out in financial modeling and how those skills carry into real-world financial planning. The conversation covers early mistakes, learning experiences, and the importance of presenting financial information clearly. Riley shares his journey from studying finance to working in wealth management, along with how financial modeling helped him build confidence, improve communication, and handle client conversations more effectively. Riley Edwards is a Financial Planning professional at IG Private Wealth Management, working with Fox-Revett Heslegrave & Associates. He is an Adrian College alumnus and is currently building his career in the financial planning industry. Based in Schomberg, Ontario, Canada, he focuses on helping clients understand their finances and make better decisions through clear analysis. Expect to LearnWhat early mistakes in financial modeling look like and how to fix themWhy understanding the basics is more important than just building modelsHow financial modeling improves confidence in professional settingsWhy presentation skills matter just as much as technical skillsHow modeling helps handle difficult client conversationsHere are a few quotes from the episode:“Learning modeling is easier when you have people around you to share ideas and solve problems together.” - Riley Edwards“Financial modeling is not just about numbers. It’s about understanding where you are today and where you’re going tomorrow.” - Riley EdwardsFinancial modeling is not just about spreadsheets. It’s about turning numbers into something people can understand and use. As Riley explains, the real value comes from how you present and communicate that information, especially when the conversation is not easy.Follow Riley:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileyedwards0405/Company’s Website: https://www.foxrevettassociates.comFollow Financial Modeler's Corner: LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’. Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register. In today’s episode: [02:57] – First Modeling Mistake[05:07] – Getting Started in Financial Modeling[07:29] – Learning Experience & Education[10:04] – Most Rewarding Part of Modeling[12:23] – Importance of Presentation Skills[13:37] – Challenges in Learning Modeling[15:29] – Current Role in Wealth Management[17:38] – Personal Motivation & Background[19:00] – Using Modeling in Client Work[21:18] – AI in Learning & Modeling[25:18] – Excel Tips & Shortcuts[27:28] – Rapid Fire Round

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 NetSuite and FP&A tools across many companies and previously co-founded Satori Reporting, a BI platform for NetSuite users that was later acquired by private equity. He is now the founder of Causi AI, where he focuses on building AI agents to help finance teams automate analysis, processes, and forecasting.Expect to Learn:What makes FP&A professionals stand out todayWhy combining financial and operational data is criticalHow BI tools expand the role of FP&AHow AI is improving analysis, forecasting, and workflowsHere are a few relevant quotes from the episode:“AI helps you save a lot of time, but the judgment and analysis still need to be done by you.” - Josh LaSov“You can’t explain why numbers changed if you don’t understand the data behind them.” - Josh LaSovJosh highlights that FP&A is no longer just about building reports or models. The role is shifting toward deeper analysis and faster decision-making. While AI can handle large amounts of data and speed up workflows, the real value still comes from understanding the business and communicating insights clearly.Campfire: AI-First ERP:Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation, close management, and more, all in one unified platform.Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguyFollow Josh:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-lasov-7897334/Homepage: https://www.cauzzy.ai/AI Agent Marketplace: https://marketplace.cauzzy.ai/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cauzzyAIFollow Glenn:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyderEarn 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[02:25] – Introducing Josh LaSov[04:59] – What Great FP&A Looks Like[09:52] – Building Satori Reporting[13:19] – BI Tools and Reporting Challenges[16:25] – Introduction to Causi AI[25:05] – AI Agents and Accuracy Challenges[29:22] – How FP&A Should Use AI[36:10] – AI Tech Stack & Future Direction[43:05] – Key Skills for FP&A[46:53] – Get To Know Function

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Shannon Nash to discuss how finance roles are evolving and how AI is changing the way businesses operate. They talk about Shannon’s career journey, the importance of understanding operations, and how companies are handling AI at different levels.Shannon Nash is a CPA, attorney, and experienced C-suite leader. She has worked as CFO at companies like Wing, Reputation.com, and Inside Source. She is now a Partner at Alpha AI, focusing on AI governance for executives and boards.In this episode, you will discover:Why career paths are not linear anymoreWhy finance leaders need to understand operationsHow AI is being used across companiesThe gap between AI usage and leadership awarenessWhat CFOs need to manage when it comes to AIKey questions boards should ask about AIAI is becoming part of everyday business, but many companies are still catching up when it comes to managing it properly. Understanding where AI is used and how it’s controlled is becoming essential for leaders.Follow Shannon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonknash/Podcast: https://www.noboxesjustverses.com/ Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[01:03] – Shannon Nash Background[05:54] – Why Switching Careers Is the New Normal[09:00] – Finance Leaders & Operations Mindset[08:33] – From AI Tools to AI Strategy[14:26] – The Challenge of Catching Up with AI[20:00] – How Boards Should Approach AI Oversight

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Brian Jones to explore how Excel is evolving in the era of AI and large language models. They discuss how Copilot, agent mode, and AI-driven capabilities are transforming the way users build, analyse, and improve spreadsheets. Brian shares insights into how Excel is becoming more like a developer tool and how AI can automate repetitive tasks while enhancing productivity for both beginners and advanced users.Brian Jones is the Vice President of Microsoft Excel, Forms, and Office Platforms. He has been with Microsoft since 1999, working across multiple productivity products, including Word, Office Forms, and developer extensibility tools. In his current role, Brian leads a global team responsible for Excel and related platforms, driving innovation and integrating AI capabilities like Copilot and agent mode into the product ecosystem.Expect to LearnWhat “agent mode” means and how it enables automation in spreadsheetsHow AI can help analyse, fix errors, and improve financial modelsWhy Excel still requires strong logic and formula knowledgeHow different AI models impact outputs and workflows in Excel EdgeHere are a few quotes from the episode:“Excel really is like a developer tool. When you're writing formulas, you're essentially coding.” – Brian Jones“It’s not just about building from scratch, it’s about improving what you already have.” – Brian JonesExcel is evolving into a more intelligent and interactive platform where AI acts as a powerful assistant rather than a replacement. From fixing broken references to building dashboards and automating workflows, tools like Copilot and agent mode are helping users work faster and smarterFollow Brian:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brijones/Website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/brian_jones/Follow Financial Modeler's Corner: LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation Today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast’.Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register.In today’s episode:[00:51] – Introducing Brian Jones[02:50] – Returning to the Excel Team[04:05] – AI & the Future of Excel[06:38] – Customer Questions About Copilot[10:22] – Agent Mode Explained[11:41] – Modeling the community about the Excel agent[13:14] – AI Models & Output Differences[17:16] – Final Thoughts