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In this powerful episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by Dhawal Parvatikar, co-founder of the FP&A Professional Institute and an experienced CFO and finance mentor with nearly two decades of leadership across India and the Middle East. Dhawal shares his personal journey from audit to FP&A leadership, offering actionable advice on adapting mindsets, building cross-functional relationships, and harnessing automation in finance.

With stories from Bharat Petroleum to building a 200+ CFO community and launching an FP&A certification, Dhawal unpacks what it truly means to be a strategic finance partner in today’s fast-changing, tech-enabled world.

This episode is a must-listen for any finance professional aiming to elevate their influence, credibility, and strategic value in the organization.

Key Takeaways

Shift from Audit to FP&A: Embrace continuous processes and focus on business decision-making over compliance.

Two Critical FP&A Skills: CFOs are looking for business acumen and relationship-building — not Excel formulas.

Automate to Elevate: Save time from manual reporting and reallocate effort toward analysis and strategic support.

Reverse Engineer Your Insights: Always start with what your stakeholders actually want — and deliver just that.

FP&A’s AI Future: Leaner teams with embedded AI will define the next phase of FP&A transformation.

Noteworthy Quotes

“Finance professionals need to start with solutions, not just say no.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

“You don’t need 10 analysts to scale — you need automation and sharper skills.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

“Reverse engineer your reports with the stakeholder in mind.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

“Relationships and business sense beat tools every time.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

“AI will reduce manual work, but the sense check will always be your responsibility.” – Dhawal Parvatikar

Key Timestamps

00:17 – Coming up next & Call to Action

01:42 – Introduction to guest – Dhawal Parvatikar

02:56 – Career beginnings & FP&A learning curve

05:36 – Audit to FP&A: Key mindset and skill shifts

07:40 – Navigating cross-cultural and multi-entity challenges

11:28 – Real-life automation wins and ROI

16:05 – Influence at the executive level: Less is more

20:07 – Two must-have skills for modern FP&A professionals

22:51 – Founding FP&A Professional Institute

32:17 – The future of FP&A: AI, lean teams & new certifications

33:26 – Advice for FP&A beginners and career movers

36:20 – What finance often gets wrong in cross-functional relationships

40:32 – Final thoughts: Business acumen + tech = future-proof

FOLLOW OUR GUEST DHAWAL PARVATIKAR ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhawal-parvatikar-520b771a/

FP&A Professionals Institute https://www.linkedin.com/company/fpa-professionals/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/

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In this insightful episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by two dynamic finance leaders: Alwyn Jones, CFO at Luno, and Megan Walbyoff, soon-to-be maternity leave-taker and Commercial Finance Director at Luno. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities in FP&A within the crypto and financial services industry, touching on how agility, data-driven decisions, and strategic forecasting play pivotal roles in shaping business outcomes.

The episode dives deep into how finance teams must adapt and collaborate across departments to maintain effective decision-making processes amidst fluctuating markets. From unit economics to the balance of commercial insights, this discussion provides valuable takeaways for finance professionals navigating an unpredictable business landscape.

Key Takeaways

Balance of Data and Intuition: In fast-moving industries like crypto, FP&A teams need to blend data analysis with business intuition for effective decisions.

Strategic Forecasting: Scenario planning and thoughtful forecasting are key to managing market volatility, knowing certainty is elusive.

Customer Unit Economics: Analyzing customer profitability helps drive strategic shifts and better decision-making, as seen with Luno.

Partnership with Business Teams: FP&A must collaborate with business leaders to align financial strategy with business goals.

Adapting to Change: Quick adjustments to forecasts and strategies are essential in fast-changing environments.

Noteworthy Quotes

"FP&A is the cool side of finance." – Megan Walbyoff

"The real skill in FP&A is not just analysis but judgment." – Alwyn Jones

"Numbers are right if based on real-time data, but strategy comes in interpretation." – Tejas Parikh

"FP&A is about partnership, not just spreadsheets." – Alwyn Jones

"Every business has that one person who says the number is wrong." – Tejas Parikh

"FP&A pros need balance between detail and big-picture thinking, plus curiosity." – Megan Walbyoff

"The future of FP&A is integrating financial and operational data for actionable insights." – Alwyn Jones

"In volatile markets, the right number today may not be right tomorrow—stay adaptable." – Megan Walbyoff

Key Timestamps

00:28 - Intro: Welcome and Call to Action for the Episode

01:10 - Meet the Guests: Alwyn Jones and Megan Walbyoff Introduction

02:33 - Balancing FP&A and Commercial Finance Priorities

07:06 - Adapting to Market Shifts and Forecasting Challenges

11:10 - Managing Forecasts and Board Expectations in Volatile Markets

13:14 - Navigating a Disruptive Market and External Influences

20:52 - When FP&A's forecast convinces the board or investors to back a bold initiative.

31:28 - Key attribute that FP&A professionals should have

37:48 - FP&A's Role in Gaining Board Confidence During Crisis

38:58 - Future of FP&A: Evolving with Data-Driven Decisions

50:08 - Closing Thoughts on FP&A, Strategy, and Business Partnerships

FOLLOW OUR GUEST ALWYN JONES & MEGAN WALBYOFF ON:

LinkedIn Alwyn Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alwynhjones/

LinkedIn Megan Walbyoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-w-33668622/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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In this insightful episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh chats with Manoj Jain, Head of Finance at The Marbrook Centre & Ardale care homes group, an experienced finance professional and business leader. Manoj shares his experiences as a CFO, especially after implementing Power BI and Aimplan in his organization. The conversation dives deep into the challenges and transformations that come with upgrading financial systems and reporting processes, while highlighting the strategic role of finance in SMEs. Manoj discusses how targeted realism in forecasting, driver-based budgeting, and collaborative planning have reshaped financial decision-making in his company.

This episode is a must-listen for finance professionals looking to elevate their approach to forecasting, reporting, and strategic business planning.

Key Takeaways

Targeted Realism in Forecasting: Forecasts must strike a balance between ambition and defensibility through scenario planning and sensitivity analysis.

Collaboration Over Control: Successful financial models are co-created with business partners who understand the key drivers of performance.

Effective Communication: Finance professionals need to not only build models but also confidently communicate and challenge assumptions.

Cashflow Visibility: In SMEs, cashflow management is crucial, daily visibility and adaptable models are key to survival.

Invest in the Build Phase: Rushing through the build of a financial model compromises credibility. Strong foundations are essential to withstand investor scrutiny.

Noteworthy Quotes

"Your forecast is right for now. It’s not a crystal ball, it's a living, changing tool." – Manoj Jain

"Driver-based planning has to be collaborative. It’s not top-down or bottom-up, it’s across." – Manoj Jain

"Don’t rush the build. If your model isn’t watertight, investors will drive a truck through it." – Manoj Jain

"We are owners, not renters, in finance, no matter if you’re fractional or full-time." – Manoj Jain

"Forecasting is both an art and a science, knowing how to structure and when to adapt." – Manoj Jain

Key Timestamps

00:00 – Coming up next & Call to Action

01:15 – Introduction to guest – Manoj Jain

03:51 – Choosing the Right Partner

05:30 – Before vs After Power BI & Aimplan

06:24 – Finance & COO Collaboration Shift

07:56 – Standardized Models & Automation

09:13 – Consolidation Challenges & Sector Complexity

10:38 – Variance Analysis Enabling Fast Decisions

12:06 – Scalability & Forecasting for Growth

13:35 – Biggest Win & Key Challenges

17:14 – Strategic Focus Through Automation

19:51 – Future of Finance & Broader Data Use

21:34 – What Makes a Great Transformation Partner

26:47 – Closing thoughts

FOLLOW OUR GUEST MANOJ JAIN ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojfinance

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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In this insightful episode of FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh sits down with Gemma Doran, Portfolio Chief Finance Officer at The CFO Centre UK who specializes in the leisure and hospitality sectors, treasury management, and fundraising. With extensive experience scaling SMEs and startups, Gemma unpacks the art of balancing “targeted realism” in financial forecasting, how to structure cashflows that adapt in fast-paced environments, and the real value of immersive business understanding in FP&A.

Gemma shares practical advice on building flexible models, engaging stakeholders through collaborative driver-based budgeting, and how storytelling and communication are essential tools in the finance professional’s toolkit. Whether you’re a junior FP&A analyst or a seasoned CFO, this episode delivers tangible takeaways to elevate your forecasting and financial storytelling game.

Key Takeaways

Targeted Realism in Forecasting: Forecasts must reflect ambition while staying defensible through scenario planning and sensitivity analysis.

Collaboration Over Control: Driver-based models are only effective when co-created with business partners who understand the real levers of performance.

Communication is Crucial: Great analysts and CFOs must not only build models but also explain and challenge assumptions with confidence.

Cashflow Visibility is Everything: In SMEs, cashflow management is often hand-to-mouth, daily visibility and flexible models are key.

Invest Time in the Build Phase: Rushing a financial model compromises credibility, building strong foundations to withstand investor scrutiny.

Noteworthy Quotes

"Your forecast is right for now. It’s not a crystal ball, it's a living, changing tool." – Gemma Doran

"Driver-based planning has to be collaborative. It’s not top-down or bottom-up, it’s across." – Gemma Doran

"Don’t rush the build. If your model isn’t watertight, investors will drive a truck through it." – Gemma Doran

"We are owners, not renters, in finance, no matter if you’re fractional or full-time." – Gemma Doran

"Forecasting is both an art and a science, knowing how to structure and when to adapt." – Gemma Doran

Key Timestamps

[00:00] Coming up next & Call to Action

[01:17] Introduction to guest – Gemma Doran

[02:09] The rise of fractional CFOs in the SME world

[05:24] Balancing targeted realism in SME forecasting

[07:32] Driver-based budgeting and stakeholder alignment

[09:25] Core mindsets needed in a chaotic SME finance environment

[13:20] Visuals vs. logic: Effective storytelling in SME FP&A

[16:09] Pitfalls in theoretical financial modelling

[19:42] Cashflow control at a micro level in SMEs

[25:13] Why you must invest time in the model-building phase

[26:29] Structuring rolling forecasts for shifting business landscapes

[28:11] Forecasting: art or science?

[29:18] ESG and the future of finance modeling

[30:32] What FP&A teams really need to be better strategic partners

FOLLOW OUR GUEST GEMMA DORAN ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-doran-a7a68b28p/

Website: https://www.cfocentre.com/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn:

Get out of Excel Hell and enhance your financial analytics skills with our FREE Introduction to Power BI for Financial Analysis: https://bit.ly/power-bi-financial-ananlysis-training

In this powerful episode of FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh speaks with Erik Lidman, Founder and CEO at Aimplan - Extending Power BI and Fabric with Operational and Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting. With 29 years of experience in the CPM space, Erik shares his journey from consulting to founding Aimplan and discusses how finance professionals can leverage technology, data, and AI for better decision making and business success.

Erik shares challenges of managing data in finance, the importance of selecting the right financial planning tool, and how platforms like Power BI can revolutionize the way organizations handle reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. He also offers practical advice for finance leaders on how to stay relevant as automation and AI continue to evolve the finance landscape.

Key Takeaways

Data Ownership & Integration: Owning your data warehouse and integrating it across systems like Power BI is crucial for future-proofing your finance operations.

Power BI for FP&A: Finance leaders should embrace tools like Power BI not just for analytics but for financial reporting and planning.

AI and Automation: As AI and automation shape the future of finance, finance professionals should focus on enhancing their data analysis skills rather than just administrative tasks.

Selecting the Right EPM Tool: Understand your requirements and business maturity before selecting a CPM tool, as not all tools fit every company’s needs.

Noteworthy Quotes

"Data ownership is key, if you don't own your data, you're putting your business at risk." – Erik Lidman

"Power BI is a game-changer for finance, it’s not just for dashboards, but for true financial reporting and forecasting." – Erik Lidman

"The future of FP&A is not just about finance, it's about integrating business data to drive decision-making across the entire organization." – Erik Lidman

"Automating your processes is important, but knowing the business and adding strategic value is what makes a great finance leader." – Erik Lidman

"If you can't explain the data and give real insights to the business, you’re just presenting numbers, not making an impact." – Erik Lidman

Key Timestamps

[00:00] Coming up next & Call to Action

[01:35] Introduction of guest - Erik Lidman

[07:05] The role of Power BI in transforming FP&A functions

[10:01] Leveraging Power BI for financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting

[13:25] Understanding your data: From ERP to finance systems

[15:40] Why selecting the right EPM tool is critical for organizational growth

[19:00] The challenges of data quality and how to overcome them

[22:30] The evolving role of FP&A professionals with AI and automation

[28:43] How to get started with Power BI in finance

[33:00] The importance of requirement gathering in selecting the right financial tool

[37:30] The future of FP&A: Key trends and skills for finance leaders

[46:00] Closing thoughts and advice for aspiring FP&A professionals

FOLLOW OUR GUEST ERIK LIDMAN ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriklidman/

Website: https://www.aimplan.com/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn:

Get out of Excel Hell and enhance your financial analytics skills with our FREE Introduction to PowerBI for Financial Analysis: https://bit.ly/power-bi-financial-ananlysis-training

In this dynamic episode of FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh chats with Alysha Randall, Founder & CEO of Fast Growth Consulting Limited, Author of the Book: Financial Leadership Fundamentals: How to become a CFO in a startup or scaleup, Founder & Finance Professional Trainer at Financial Leadership Foundations, Treasurer Trustee at Sustainable Merton, and Founding Member of the Female Founders Directory. Alysha takes us through her 20-year journey from scaling startups like LoveFilm and Funding Circle to becoming a fractional CFO and leadership coach.

She shares powerful lessons on how automation has transformed finance roles, why building a strong foundation matters more than tools, and what truly makes a finance leader effective in high-growth environments. Alysha also opens up about her transition from manager to leader, the wake-up call that changed her mindset, and her mission to help others lead with confidence.

Whether you're a finance analyst battling Excel chaos, a CFO navigating fast growth, or an aspiring leader trying to level up, this episode is packed with real talk, practical advice, and empowering takeaways.

Key Takeaways

Don’t chase tools, fix your processes first.

Strong foundations (reconciliations, compliance, process reviews) are critical before scaling.

Leadership is not about working harder, it's about changing how you think and support others.

Finance leaders need to regularly revisit, review, and refine their operations.

Communication and confidence are essential to modern FP&A and leadership success.

Noteworthy Quotes

“If your company quadrupled today, would your finance function survive?” – Alysha Randall

“Being a leader doesn’t mean working the hardest. It means knowing what really matters and leading with intention.” – Alysha Randall

“If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” – Alysha Randall

“Leadership isn’t about having the title, it’s about shifting how you think, communicate, and influence.” – Alysha Randall

“Confidence doesn’t come with the title. You build it before you earn it.” – Alysha Randall

“The best ideas come when you give your brain space to rest.” – Alysha Randall

“Your finance function is only as scalable as your processes allow it to be.” – Alysha Randall

Key Timestamps

00:00 – Coming up next & Call to Action

01:43 – Alysha’s startup journey from LoveFilm to Funding Circle

07:52 – Key Components of a Finance Functions

10:01 – The evolution of finance ops & impact of automation

13:25 – Process design vs. shiny new tools

15:40 – Getting control without losing ability

23:06 – Leadership wake-up call & imposter syndrome

28:43 – Communication & team development tips

33:11 – Gender gaps, asking for what you're worth, and equal pay

39:29 – One thing Most FP&A functions need today to become better

43:53 – Closing thoughts

FOLLOW OUR GUEST ALYSHA RANDALL ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysharandall/

Website: https://fastgrowthconsulting.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastgrowth_consulting/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn:

Get out of Excel Hell and enhance your financial analytics skills with our FREE Introduction to PowerBI for Financial Analysis: https://bit.ly/power-bi-financial-ananlysis-training

In this engaging episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh sits down with Paul Barnhurst, the Founder of The FP&A Guy, Co-Founder of Plan Buddies, Podcast Host of Financial Modeler's Corner and FP&A Tomorrow and Co-Host of Future Finance. Paul shares his fascinating career journey from government procurement and corporate finance at American Express to launching his own FP&A consulting business and becoming a thought leader with over 300 podcast interviews under his belt.

Paul candidly discusses the transition from traditional employment to entrepreneurship, the unique challenges of managing cash flow and value creation in a solo business, and the immense growth of FP&A tools and technology. He highlights the evolution of FP&A from a support function to a strategic business partner, emphasizing the critical importance of data ownership, infrastructure, and storytelling.

Whether you’re building an FP&A team, considering implementing new tech, or trying to level up your storytelling and business partnership skills, this episode is packed with valuable insights, personal stories, and tactical advice to help you succeed.

Key Takeaways

FP&A is increasingly seen as a strategic, consultative function, not just a reporting team.

Building a personal brand can open unexpected doors—even for introverts—with structured effort and deliberate practice.

Data problems are often people and process problems in disguise.

A strong FP&A infrastructure (technology, process, and data ownership) is key to team productivity and retention.

Successful FP&A tool implementation depends more on clean data, thoughtful change management, and the right partner than just the software.

Noteworthy Quotes

"Data problems are rarely data problems. They're usually processes and people problems." – Paul Barnhurst

"Own your data before you try to go fancy with platforms." – Paul Barnhurst

"No one ever joined FP&A because they love cleaning spreadsheets." – Paul Barnhurst

"Being curious is not enough, you need humble curiosity to truly understand the business." – Paul Barnhurst

"Good infrastructure turns good people into great performers." – Paul Barnhurst

Key Timestamps

[00:00:00] Coming up next & Call to Action

[00:01:41] Welcoming Paul Barnhurst & Career Background, Journey

[00:07:23] Entrepreneurship, Risk & Early Business Challenges

[00:10:01] Evolution of FP&A Functions & Tech Adoption

[00:13:25] Data Governance: People vs. Tools

[00:15:40] Future of FP&A Tools & AI's Role

[00:23:06] The Critical Role of Data Ownership

[00:26:28] Storytelling & Presentation Skills for Finance Professionals

[00:28:43] Importance of FP&A Infrastructure & Team Retention

[00:33:11] Podcasting Insights: Excel MVPs, Modeling Fails & Fun Anecdotes

[00:40:36] Market Trends: Platform Preferences & Excel’s Role

[00:45:09] Successful Implementation of FP&A Tools: Key Criteria

[00:49:17] The Future of FP&A Roles: Strategic and Operational Blend

[00:51:52] Top Skills & Certifications for Aspiring FP&A Professionals

[00:55:17] Closing Reflections & Sign-Off

FOLLOW OUR GUEST PAUL BARNHURST ON:

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

Company:

Get out of Excel Hell and enhance your financial analytics skills with our FREE Introduction to PowerBI for Financial Analysis: https://bit.ly/power-bi-financial-ananlysis-training

In this episode of FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh chats with Dan Crumb, Chief Financial Office at Kansas City Chiefs from 15 years. Dan shares his unique journey into sports finance, highlighting the distinct challenges of forecasting and budgeting for a major sports franchise, including handling variable revenues like ticket sales, sponsorship, and game-day operations affected by weather and team performance. He discusses how implementing modern financial systems like Vienna transformed their budgeting process by improving accuracy, transparency, and empowering business units. Dan also shares how strategic finance leadership supports both short-term agility and long-term initiatives like stadium development and international expansion. This episode is packed with actionable insights for finance professionals looking to lead finance functions in dynamic and complex industries.

Key Takeaways

Sports finance involves unique forecasting challenges driven by game-day variables and team performance.

Transitioning from Excel-based processes to integrated systems like Vienna can drastically reduce budgeting cycle times and improve accuracy.

Empowering departments to manage their own budgets enhances ownership and agility.

Strategic finance leadership is critical for supporting major initiatives like stadium projects and global market expansion.

A forward-looking mindset and strong data governance enable agile decision-making and capitalizing on growth opportunities.

Noteworthy Quotes

"We want people who think like the owner, treating every dollar as if it’s theirs." – Dan Crumb

"Switching to Vienna cut our budgeting process by 3 to 4 weeks and improved transparency." – Dan Crumb

"In sports, you must prepare every season as if you’re going to the Super Bowl." – Dan Crumb

"Good data and flexible modeling are the foundation of effective forecasting." – Dan Crumb

"Leadership is about trust, embracing change, and leveraging technology." – Dan Crumb

Key Timestamps

[00:00:00] Coming up next & Call to Action

[00:01:23] Introduction & Welcome to Dan Crumb

[00:06:33] Unique Challenges of Sports Finance Forecasting

[00:13:55] Supporting Strategic Initiatives: Stadium & Expansion

[00:19:45] Scenario Planning & Revenue Stream Modeling

[00:25:18] Moving from Reactive to Predictive Finance

[00:28:32] Key Hiring Criteria for Forward-Looking Finance Teams

[00:32:26] Advice for Aspiring CFOs & FP&A Leaders

[00:39:25] What Skills and certification requires for entering FP&A

[00:42:38] Closing Thoughts on Leadership and Culture

FOLLOW OUR GUEST DAN CRUMB ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-crumb-971a1915/

Company: https://www.chiefs.com/

FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/

Website: https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/

FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON:

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