In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst talks with Bryan McGowan, founder of Alpyne, about what great FP&A looks like, how technical skills can improve finance work, and where AI is actually useful for CFOs and finance teams. Bryan shares how his background in engineering shaped his approach to finance, why he built Alpyne to solve real workflow problems, and how AI can reduce manual work so finance professionals can spend more time on analysis and business partnering.

Bryan McGowan is the founder of Alpyne and a CFO with a rare mix of finance and technical skill. After spending a decade leading finance in tech, he launched Alpyne in 2021 to solve a problem he had lived himself: great CFOs were spending too much time on manual work and not enough time on strategic thinking.

Expect to Learn:

• What great FP&A looks like in practice
• Why accounting fundamentals still matter
• How coding and data knowledge help finance professionals
• Why Bryan built Alpyne to solve his own CFO workflow problems
• How AI can help save time in finance roles

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• “Models are never right, but sometimes they're useful.” - Bryan McGowan
• “If you can create a structure, if you can provide a framework that allows for supports effective decision making across the organization, I feel like you're doing your job.” - Bryan McGowan

Bryan explains that FP&A is not about predicting the future perfectly. It is about giving the business a useful framework to make better decisions. He also shares that AI works best when it is used on process-heavy work like cleanup, mapping, reporting, and system workflow.

Follow Bryan:

Primary Alpyne website: https://getalpyne.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-mcgowan-8572644/

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

[02:55] – What Great FP&A Looks Like

[04:03] – How Bryan Uses AI Today

[08:26] – Why Technical Skills Matter in Finance

[10:47] – Why Bryan Built Alpyne

[14:24] – Using AI in Finance Workflows

[17:49] – Building Client Context Into AI Tools

[21:44] – Checks, Controls, and Trust in Finance

[24:26] – A Real Finance Problem Solved With AI

[29:04] – Advice for Finance Professionals Starting With AI

[33:12] – What Holds Finance Teams Back From AI

[35:31] – The Most Important Skills in FP&A

[40:43] – Better Business Partnering and Closing Thoughts

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 skills
• Why career paths are rarely linear
• How to approach networking in a more effective way
• Why AI is more about processes than prompts
• How AI can help save time in finance roles

Here 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 Barnhurst

Paul 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_fpaguy

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

[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 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 today
• Why combining financial and operational data is critical
• How BI tools expand the role of FP&A
• How AI is improving analysis, forecasting, and workflows

Here 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 LaSov

Josh 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_fpaguy

Follow 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/@cauzzyAI

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder

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

[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 FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Snyder are joined by Vikram Bhandari to explore how organizations should approach AI in finance and FP&A. They discuss why most companies fail with AI adoption, the importance of enterprise-wide strategy over siloed tools, and how finance teams can evolve from reporting to forward-looking decision-making. Vikram shares practical insights on AI readiness, forecasting, and how leaders can leverage AI to drive better business outcomes.

Vikram is the Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Riveron, where he leads AI, digital transformation, and finance modernization initiatives. With nearly 25 years of experience, Vikram works closely with CFOs to transform finance functions through technology. He previously served as the President and CEO of Yantra, a company he founded and led for over 15 years before its acquisition by Riveron.

Expect to Learn:

1. Why most AI implementations fail and how to avoid common mistakes
2. The importance of enterprise AI strategy vs. siloed tool adoption
3. How FP&A is evolving into a forward-looking, decision-making function
4. What it takes to prepare your data, processes, and governance for AI

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. The real question is not which AI tool is best, it’s whether your finance architecture is ready to absorb AI.” - Vikram Bhandari
2. If you treat AI as a feature, you get incremental gains. If you treat it as a strategy, you get competitive advantage.” - Vikram Bhandari

Vikram emphasizes that AI should be treated as a capability multiplier rather than a shortcut. He highlights the importance of strong data foundations, governance, and enterprise strategy to unlock real value. The episode reinforces that the future of FP&A lies in combining machine intelligence with human judgment to drive better, faster decisions.

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_fpaguy

Follow Vikram:

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

Company: https://riveron.com/

Website: https://www.tutorialspoint.com/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder

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

[02:08] – Introducing Vikram Bhandari

[03:16] – What Great FP&A Looks Like

[05:21] – AI in Finance Today

[05:09] – Why Most AI Implementations Fail

[11:05] – Enterprise AI Strategy vs. Siloed Tools

[15:16] – AI Readiness: Data, Decisions, Governance

[17:54] – AI Forecasting: Calibration & Trust

[23:14] – Skills Finance Needs in an AI World

[34:24] – AI Agents, Excel, and Productivity vs. Strategy

[41:40] – Final Advice on AI Strategy

[47:52] – Closing Thoughts

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst is joined by Vincent Messina and Ilana Esterrich to discuss how organizations should approach ROI and transformation. They dive into why traditional ROI methods often fail, the concept of Return on Change, and how financial leaders can better manage software implementations and drive business outcomes.

Vincent is a seasoned enterprise software sales leader with over 25 years of experience. Vincent is currently the Northeast Director of business development at UHY, a CPA firm, and works on advising CFOs through his partnership with UHY. Ilana is the Chief Financial Officer at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she oversees a comprehensive portfolio, including accounting, treasury, compliance, and financial planning.

Expect to Learn:

1. Why ROI calculations often fail and how Return on Change provides a more effective approach.
2. How to align financial decisions with business outcomes.
3. The evolving role of FP&A professionals in driving decisions beyond traditional reporting.
4. Key strategies for managing change during financial transformations.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. “The real value comes when technology enables people to do different, more impactful work.” - Vincent Messina
2. “As CFOs, our job is to help guide the organization by providing the right insights for informed decision-making.” - Ilana Esterrich

Vincent Messina and Ilana Esterrich emphasize the importance of shifting from traditional ROI to Return on Change in financial transformations. They highlight the crucial role of FP&A professionals in driving strategic decisions and managing change effectively.

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_fpaguy

Follow Vincent:

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

Company: https://uhy-us.com/

Follow Ilana :

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

Website: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/

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

[02:30] – Introducing Vincent Messina

[02:55] – Introducing Ilana Esterrich

[05:00] – What Great FP&A Looks Like

[08:00] – Why ROI Fails in Transformations

[13:00] – Shifting from ROI to Return on Change

[19:00] – The Importance of Consensus in Transformation

[25:00] – Business Outcomes vs. Software Decisions

[30:00] – How to Make Change Work

[35:00] – Mindset Shifts in CFOs and FP&A

[40:00] – Final Thoughts

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Jeff Greenfield, an entrepreneur, advisor, and founder of Provalytics, a leading attribution and measurement solution. Jeff discusses marketing attribution, the challenges marketers face in proving the impact of their campaigns, and the evolving role of FP&A in understanding marketing spend. He shares his entrepreneurial journey, from building an SEO platform to leading Provalytics in providing marketers with a single source of truth for their efforts.

Jeff Greenfield is the co-founder and CEO of Provalytics, a "cookie-less" attribution solution that helps marketers demonstrate the value of upper-funnel channels like CTV, podcasting, and more. Before founding Provalytics, Jeff built and led multiple digital marketing companies, pioneering the use of data-driven approaches to improve marketing performance.

Expect to Learn:

1. The challenges marketers face in proving campaign ROI and how to overcome them
2. Why FP&A professionals should understand marketing’s data models
3. How marketers and finance teams can align on data-driven goals
4. How to ensure marketing budgets are being spent effectively

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. “A great FP&A relationship is when marketing can demonstrate that their efforts are working and walk away with the budget they need.” – Jeff Greenfield
2. “It’s important to understand that marketing is not just about clicks, it’s about capturing attention.” – Jeff Greenfield

Jeff Greenfield shared valuable insights on the challenges of marketing attribution and how finance teams can collaborate with marketing to ensure efficient budget allocation. He emphasized the importance of understanding marketing data and aligning on a common measurement framework for better decision-making.

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_fpaguy

Follow Jeff:

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

Company: https://provalytics.com/

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[02:40] – Jeff’s Background

[03:33] – What Does Great FP&A Look Like?

[08:21] – Measuring Revenue from Podcasts

[11:25] – From Chiropractic to Marketing

[15:10] – Founding Provalytics: Marketing Attribution

[18:48] – The Google Tax in Attribution

[29:46] – Why Google Isn't Enough Anymore

[37:49] – AI and Podcast ROI

[41:07] – Top Technical Skill for FP&A

[48:00] – Last Questions & Final thought

In this episode, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Nick Desbarats, a data visualisation expert, bestselling author, and independent educator, to discuss data visualisation. Nick talks about the skills needed to create effective charts, how to avoid common mistakes, and the importance of understanding the "job" of a chart. He shares his journey from software executive to becoming an authority in the field and explains why the true skill of visualising data goes beyond knowing the software.

Nick is the author of Practical Charts (Amazon #1 New Release) and the upcoming Practical Dashboards. He has taught thousands of professionals globally, including teams at NASA, Bloomberg, Visa, the United Nations, Shopify, and more. He is also the first educator authorised by Stephen Few to teach his foundational data visualisation workshops.

Expect to Learn:

1. Why understanding the "job" of a chart is more important than the data itself
2. The key skills needed for creating effective charts
3. Common mistakes in data visualisation and how to avoid them
4. Why empathy for your audience is crucial when designing visuals
5. How to decide when to use default charts vs. creating custom visuals

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. “The real job of a chart is to serve people, not the software.” – Nick Desbarats
2. “Data visualisation is not about the tool, it’s about the message you want to convey.” – Nick Desbarats

Nick Desbarats shared valuable insights on creating effective data visualisations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the purpose behind each chart. He highlighted key skills, common mistakes, and the need for empathy with your audience.

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_fpaguy

Follow Nick:

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

Company: https://www.practicalreporting.com/

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[03:33] – Nick’s Background

[05:32] – Key Skills for Data Visualisation Experts

[09:50] – Executive to Data Viz Educator

[12:35] – Book Recommendations

[19:35] – Moving Beyond “It Depends”

[26:08] – Common Finance Chart Mistakes

[34:13] – The Pie Chart Dilemma

[37:54] – AI in Data Visualisation

[45:56] – Chart Type Selection Skills

[58:30] – Final Wrap-up