FP&A Unlocked

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 to help companies grow and improve decision-making. Chris Ortega is the CEO of Fresh FP&A, a global fractional CFO and advisory firm supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Chris has over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and leadership roles, helping organizations build, scale, and prepare for growth.Expect to Learn:The real purpose of budgeting and forecastingHow to create a business-focused planning processWhy trust and partnership are essential for FP&A teamsHow to balance budget discipline with flexibilityBest practices for managing AI costs and governanceHere are a few relevant quotes from the episode:“A budget is the direction of where you want to go, but things change so much in a business.” - Chris Ortega“The budget process should not be a finance exercise. It’s an organizational exercise.” - Glenn SnyderEffective budgeting is not about predicting the future perfectly, it is about creating alignment, understanding business drivers, and enabling better decisions. The strongest FP&A teams use budgets and forecasts as tools to guide the business, build trust, and help leaders navigate uncertainty.Follow Zach:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyrial/Follow Chris:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freshcfo/Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder/Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.Earn Your CPE CreditFor 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[06:20] - The Purpose of Budgeting[12:26] - Making Budgeting a Business Process[17:24] - Building a Better Planning Approach[26:51] - Practical Budgeting and Forecasting Tips[37:44] - Building Trust With Business Partners[44:35] - Managing AI Costs and Governance[54:18] - Balancing Budget Control and Agility[58:35] - Final Advice

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 and big data analytics company in Abu Dhabi, with over two decades of experience across auditing, financial analysis, treasury, and FP&A roles at companies including Schlumberger, FedEx, and KPMG. Rohit Menon is a Regional Finance professional at Bioltec with more than 19 years of experience across multinational companies, focusing on finance transformation and developing FP&A capabilities. Sweta Jhalani is a Chartered Accountant and FP&A Manager based in India who transitioned from audit into FP&A, building experience in financial planning, analysis, and business partneringExpect to Learn:How AI is transforming FP&A workflowsPractical finance use cases for AI toolsThe importance of financial modelling and business partneringWhy human judgment remains critical in AI adoptionBuilding the skills needed for the future of financeHere are a few relevant quotes from the episode:“AI is an enabler. It's going to enhance your work, and I think it's going to help you in your day-to-day work.” - Nitesh Mukhi“AI is not the solution to each and every problem.” - Sweta JhalaniAI is changing the way finance professionals approach their work, but the fundamentals of finance remain important. The ability to understand business needs, interpret data, communicate insights, and apply human judgment will continue to separate great FP&A professionals from the rest.Follow Nitesh:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitesh-mukhi-7504456/Follow Rohit:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-menon1984/Follow Sweta:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caswetajhalani/Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) uses AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.Earn Your CPE CreditFor 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[01:21] - Guest Introductions[04:09] - What Great FP&A Looks Like[07:17] - Why They Joined the AI FP&A Programme[12:06] - Inside the AI FP&A Programme[14:35] - Real-World AI Use Cases[17:15] - Key Lessons From the Programme[22:11] - The Reality of AI in Finance[30:14] - AI Projects and Applications[34:03] - Advice for Finance Professionals[36:50] - The Future of AI in FP&A[40:21] - Essential FP&A Skills[43:34] - Skills Needed for AI Success[46:36] - Quick-Fire Questions[52:20] - Final Thoughts and Advice

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 Francisco Bay Area chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI) and is actively involved with organizations including How Women Lead, ProVisors, the American Society of Appraisers, and several executive leadership communities.Expect to Learn:Why networking should start long before you need your next opportunityHow to choose the right networking organizations for your career goalsSimple strategies introverts can use to build meaningful professional relationshipsWhy mentoring and networking naturally go hand in handHere are a few relevant quotes from the episode:"Networking isn’t transactional, it’s about giving, helping, and building relationships." - Josette Ferrer"You don’t need a title to add value; small gestures can create lasting connections." - Josette FerrerNetworking is a crucial skill for FP&A professionals, enabling stronger relationships, mentorship, and career growth. Starting early and engaging genuinely helps build trust and opportunities over time. Remember, networking is about giving and adding value, not just seeking benefits for yourself.Follow Josette Ferrer:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josetteferrer/Follow Glenn Snyder:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennsnyder/Earn Your CPE CreditFor 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[04:22] – What Great FP&A Looks Like[12:36] – Choosing the Right Networking Group[21:23] – Why You Should Start Networking Early[27:39] – Building and Maintaining Your Professional Network[33:18] – Networking Strategies for Introverts[41:21] – The Power of Mentorship[52:05] – Final Networking Advice for Finance Professionals