The FP&A Guy Network

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

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Scott Leshinski, President of OneStream Software, to discuss OneStream's recent acquisition by Hg Capital and the exciting changes it brings to the company’s approach to finance technology. Scott shares how OneStream’s focus on a unified platform is reshaping the finance space, and how integrating smart technology into financial workflows is making a real difference for businesses today.

Scott Leshinski is the President of OneStream Software, where he leads OneStream’s growth and innovation. With a background in corporate finance at GE Capital, co-founding Bluestone International, and working at Huron Consulting Group, Scott has a wealth of experience in driving major tech transformations. He joined OneStream in 2021 and was promoted to President in 2023 after helping the company achieve impressive growth.

In this episode, you will discover:
What OneStream's acquisition by Hg Capital means for its future
The benefits of using a unified platform in finance
How automation is improving financial processes
The evolving role of automation in financial planning and decision-making
How OneStream’s tools are helping businesses become more agile and efficient

Scott Leshinski highlights the exciting future of finance, where unified platforms and automation are transforming how businesses manage financial workflows. He emphasizes the growing role of technology in making finance processes more efficient and discusses how OneStream is helping companies become more agile.

Follow Scott:
Website: https://www.onestream.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-leshinski-bb5736b/

Follow Glenn:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:
Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future 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:
[00:00] – Intro
[03:00] – OneStream's Acquisition Impact
[05:00] – Transition from Public to Private
[06:00] – Scott's Career Path
[10:00] – What OneStream Does
[14:00] – The Power of Unified Platforms
[18:00] – Automation in Financial Planning
[19:00] – The Rise of Automation
[26:00] – Building Trust in Automation
[29:00] – Improving Forecast Accuracy
[35:00] – The Future of Finance
[50:00] – Fun Questions with Scott
[55:00] – Closing Thoughts

Paul Barnhurst speaks with Matan Feldman, Founder and CEO of Wall Street Prep. Matan shares insights from his career in investment banking and financial modeling, discussing the future of AI in the industry, its impact on investment banking roles, and how it will reshape financial modeling education. He also reflects on his journey founding Wall Street Prep and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Matan Feldman is the Founder and CEO of Wall Street Prep, where he leads business development, course creation, and training programs for clients such as Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, The Wharton School, and many others. Before founding Wall Street Prep, Matan worked at Chase Manhattan Bank and J.P.Morgan in investment banking and equity research.

Expect to Learn
How AI is transforming financial modeling and investment banking workflows.
The evolving role of financial modelers in an AI-driven world.
How AI accelerates repetitive tasks, enabling analysts to focus on higher-level judgment.
Why foundational financial modeling skills remain crucial despite AI advancements.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:
"A model can either be the most powerful tool or the most frustrating one." – Matan Feldman
"Judgment and interpretation will always remain important." – Matan Feldman

Matan Feldman shared valuable insights into the evolving role of AI in financial modeling and investment banking. He emphasized the growing importance of business judgment and foundational skills as AI tools continue to reshape the industry. Matan's journey from investment banking to founding Wall Street Prep highlights the ongoing need for both technical expertise and strategic thinking in financial modeling

Follow Matan:
Website: https://www.wallstreetprep.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matanfeldman/

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=7079020077076905984

Sign 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:
[00:00] – Introduction
[02:27] – Matan’s Modeling Nightmare
[05:07] – The Journey of Wall Street Prep
[08:21] – AI in Investment Banking
[14:06] – The Future of Modeling and Automation
[22:16] – Opportunities and Concerns in AI
[29:48] – AI’s Role in Teaching Financial Modeling
[36:02] – Rapid Fire Questions

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

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper speak with Ali Hussain, CEO and co-founder of Tabs, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing the revenue process for finance teams. Ali discusses how the traditional ERP systems have left revenue management behind, and how Tabs is changing the game by automating the full contract-to-cash cycle. He shares his insights on the complexity of revenue management, AI’s role in financial systems, and why understanding the data context is key to success in AI-powered finance tools.

Ali Hussain is the CEO and co-founder of Tabs, where he leads the development of AI-native solutions designed to automate the billing, collections, and revenue recognition process. With a background spanning product leadership at Google, strategy consulting at BCG, and public policy, Ali is at the forefront of the next wave of finance technology.

In this episode, you will discover:
How AI is transforming revenue management in finance
The importance of data context in AI-powered tools
Why traditional finance systems fail to address modern revenue models
How Tabs automates billing, collections, and revenue recognition

Ali Hussain shared invaluable insights into the future of finance, highlighting how AI is revolutionizing revenue management and financial operations. While AI brings immense potential for automation, human judgment remains crucial in making strategic decisions.

Follow Ali:
Website: https://www.tabs.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hussain786/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabsplatform

Follow Glenn:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:
Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future 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:
[00:00] – Trailer
[03:00] – Legacy Finance Systems
[06:15] – Revenue Management Gaps
[09:00] – How Tabs Transforms Finance
[12:00] – AI in Billing & Rev Rec
[15:30] – Clean Data Importance
[19:00] – AI vs Human Judgment
[22:30] – The Future of AI
[25:00] – Complex Revenue Models
[29:00] – AI Challenges in Finance
[34:00] – Closing Thoughts on AI