Timothy L.

🚀 Elevate Your Financial Modeling: From “good spreadsheet” to decision engine I’ve been revisiting core modeling practices and wanted to share 5 high-impact habits that keep models robust, auditable, and board-ready: Build on the right Excel blocks Lean on SUMPRODUCT for weighted logic, INDEX/MATCH for flexible lookups, and data tables for clean sensitivities. Your future self (and reviewers) will thank you. Design first, then type Sketch the flow (inputs → logic → outputs), choose your time granularity, and document assumptions inline. Clarity beats cleverness. Separate statements, cash, and checks Forecast IS/BS/CF with explicit schedules (working capital, capex, debt), then wire in automated error and feasibility checks. Ratios aren’t just output—they’re guardrails. Model uncertainty, not just a base case Move beyond single-point forecasts. Scenario and risk modeling (distributions, dependency/correlation, simulation) turn “maybe” into quantified ranges and better decisions. Present like a product Use dynamic labels, tidy formatting, and focused charts. Decision-makers need signals, not cell archaeology. If you’re polishing FP&A, valuations, or project finance models, sharpening these basics compounds fast—accuracy, credibility, and speed all scale together. #FinancialModeling #FPandA #Valuation #Excel #RiskManagement #CorporateFinance #DecisionMaking

178

10 Comments

Do I need a Controller or CFO? Here are some primary differences between the two roles. Controller: - Owns the accuracy and speed of financial data - Delivers timely reporting and insights - Builds and maintains budgets - Implements systems and automation - Surfaces risks and opportunities based on data CFO: - Financial strategy - Capital allocation - Investor relations - Partners with CEO on growth planning - M&A - Fundraising - Makes final decisions using data the Controller helps produce So what hurts more? Data reliability or financial strategy? #controller #cfo

18

4 Comments

Is your FP&A solution a truly strategic asset? Forrester’s recent report, The Finance Planning and Analysis Transformation Imperative, shows how your organization can move beyond the initial software implementation to make your FP&A investment the agile advantage you need. You’ll discover: ✅ Why process reengineering is essential to finance planning transformation ✅ How agile scenario planning creates faster decision advantage ✅ The importance of AI and its role in forecasting accuracy At Anaplan, we help finance teams put this shift into practice with AI-infused insights that anchor your plans to real-world drivers — enabling your business to pivot effortlessly and stay as dynamic as the markets they operate within. Get the report 👉 https://apln.co/ce6kt3

56

Drive strategic impact as an FP&A professional by mastering financial planning and risk management. 1️⃣ Align financial goals with business strategy 2️⃣ Forecast revenue and expenses with data-driven insights 3️⃣ Identify and mitigate financial risks early 4️⃣ Optimize capital allocation and resource management 5️⃣ Continuously adjust plans based on performance data Check out the full guide here 👉 https://ow.ly/evvW50Vzg2a #Finance #FP&A #CorporateFinance

38

2 Comments

A Big Win for the Future of Accounting and for the Next Generation of CPAs in California Governor Newsom just signed Assembly Bill 1175, modernizing how CPAs become licensed in California. Starting January 1, 2027, aspiring accountants in California will no longer need to complete the dreaded traditional 150-credit-hour requirement, a barrier that’s discouraged countless talented students from pursuing the CPA route. Instead, the new pathway emphasizes what really matters: • A bachelor’s degree with an accounting concentration • Two years of accounting experience • Passing the CPA exam As a CPA myself, I see this as a long-overdue reset for our profession. The fifth year of education has been one of the largest deterrents for entry, adding cost, debt, and delay at a time when the profession desperately needs new blood. Accounting didn’t “fall out of favor” because the work lost meaning, it fell out because the path became unnecessarily rigid and expensive, while other industries made their entry points faster and more flexible. AB 1175 recognizes that we can uphold quality without gatekeeping access. Even better, the bill strengthens mobility for out-of-state CPAs, streamlining practice reciprocity and reflecting how interconnected today’s business environment really is. And that’s how we revive the CPA pipeline not by lamenting the decline, but by evolving to meet the moment. If you’re a student, young professional, or considering a mid-career shift, drop me a note if you want to talk about what a modern accounting career looks like (especially in a transformation-oriented environment). I'm all for it. 💪 #Accounting #CPA #Finance #Leadership #TalentPipeline #FutureOfWork #California #CBA #PublicAccounting #LicensureReform #CareerDevelopment #ForgeOptima

64

12 Comments

Excited to share William Spengler's conversation with Paul Barnhurst (The FP&A Guy) on his podcast FP&A Tomorrow! They covered: > The surge in demand for accounting & finance talent > What CFOs are really looking for in FP&A hires > Why technical skills (Power BI, Tableau, SQL) + storytelling matter more than ever > How candidates can stand out in today’s noisy job market > The future of recruiting in the age of AI The episode emphasizes that FP&A success today requires both technical and relational skills: mastery of BI/reporting tools, strong financial fundamentals, and the ability to communicate actionable insights simply. On the career side, networking and proactive outreach are more valuable than relying on automated systems or certifications alone. If you’re in FP&A, accounting, or finance leadership, this one’s packed with insights you can use right away. View the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/emzXRXuu

13

1 Comment

FP&A dashboards are detailed, precise, and totally useless. It’s like checking yesterday’s weather to pick today’s outfit. Doesn’t help, right? If execs ignore your reports, don’t blame them. Blame yourself. You’re stuck telling stories about the past instead of helping shape the future. Great FP&A teams don’t report history. They influence decisions. Here's how you fix it immediately: 1️⃣ Audit your dashboards. If a metric never influenced a single decision, cut it. Now. Dashboards must guide decisions, not document history. 2️⃣ Tie dashboards directly to your CEO’s goals. Every metric must clearly answer: "Does this help the CEO create value?" If not, remove it. 3️⃣ Stop reporting isolated numbers. Metrics don’t exist alone. Revenue grew but what happened to margins? Sales jumped but how’s cash flow? Pair metrics strategically, always connecting the dots. 👇 Comment below: What’s ONE useless metric you’ll cut from your dashboard immediately? #StrategicFinance #FPandA #CFOInsights

49

23 Comments

Vendor spend is one of the biggest levers Finance teams can pull—but only if you have the right visibility and planning structure in place. Join Taylor Josephs for the upcoming webinar "The Vendor Planning Playbook for Modern Finance" on Wednesday, December 10, designed to help modern FP&A teams take control of vendor planning with clarity, accuracy, and speed. In this session, you’ll learn: -Why vendor planning matters and how leading Finance teams are approaching it today -How Cube centralizes vendor data to give you a single source of truth -Building vendor expense models directly in Cube -Multi-scenario modeling of vendor spend and its impact on budgets and forecasts -How to tie vendor planning into key workflows like annual planning, forecasting, and approvals Whether you’re preparing for planning season or looking to level-up your vendor management process, this session will equip you with a practical framework you can start using immediately. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eyjdQZyn

34

A professional services firm transformed their FP&A operations through AI-powered reporting, moving from days-long Excel processes to real-time querying during strategy meetings. The result? Finance teams now focus on strategic analysis rather than data aggregation, truly becoming "analysts of the future" who drive corporate strategy beyond the balance sheet. Ready to transform your finance function? Read the full success story: https://bit.ly/4m1vovc #CrossCountryConsulting #ABetterExperience #AITransformation #AIinFinance #FinancialReporting

6

The Modern CFO in 2025: Evolving with the Times The CFO role is evolving rapidly in 2025, blending financial expertise with strategic leadership. Today’s CFOs are not just number crunchers—they’re value creators and key decision-makers. More companies, especially those backed by private equity, seek CFOs who can drive growth, enhance operational performance, and strengthen competitive positioning. Technology is also at the forefront. Modern CFOs are expected to leverage AI, BI, and data analytics for smarter financial decisions while prioritizing cybersecurity. Being tech-savvy is no longer optional—it’s essential for staying ahead. With businesses expanding globally, CFOs must also think beyond borders. A global perspective and a deep understanding of international compliance are crucial in today’s interconnected economy. Moreover, leadership skills are more important than ever. CFOs need to communicate effectively, build relationships with stakeholders, and lead through change with emotional intelligence and adaptability. In short, today’s CFO is a dynamic, strategic, and tech-driven leader who can navigate complexity while building strong connections. What changes have you noticed in the role?

35

4 Comments

Reo Groups New Finance & Accounting Salary Guide for 2025/26 If you are a finance leader about to embark on annual reviews, this is a great guide to benchmark real and live data collated across multiple data sources. Link in the comments.

9

1 Comment

Most FP&A folks think reporting is THE WORK. Michael Dion says nope. Reporting is just the paper trail The real job? 🚀 Increase revenue 💸 Cut costs 📈 Make your boss look like a genius Those are the only three things that move your finance career. On the latest episode of FP&A Today, Mike — founder of Mike’s F9 Finance and automation evangelist — breaks down why: 🌟 Beautiful reports don’t get you promoted 🌟 Automation is the baseline, not the win 🌟And if your value isn’t visible to leadership... your job’s at risk 🎧 A must-listen for anyone serious about staying relevant (and rising) in finance. Link in the comments 👇 #FinanceCareer #FPA #CFO #FinanceLeadership #Datarails #FPAToday #F9Finance

20

5 Comments

Culture. Culture. Culture Caught up with a Director of FP&A I placed recently, and his first month has been brilliant. When I asked what’s made it such a good start, the general takeaway was culture. Everyone goes out of their way to help you succeed. Super supportive environment, no politics, and everyone’s on the same page. On top of that, they pay really well, have fantastic benefits, and they’re a profitable, progressive FTSE 250 with autonomy. It shows, because this business barely loses people. When we recruit for them, it’s never because someone’s stormed out or burnt out. It’s usually a promotion, a newly created role, or that natural 3–5 year movement. We’re never going to replace because of a toxic culture. It’s a reminder that if you want to get recruitment right, start with culture. If people keep leaving and you don’t know why, it’s culture. If you’re throwing money at salaries to paper over the cracks, it won’t work. Build a place people actually want to stay. Recruitment gets a lot easier after that. 📈 Want to know what makes a good culture? Ask your team. Everyone says the same things to me. I ran an event a couple of years ago on Employee Value Proposition. Might be a good time to re-run this...

31

4 Comments

A majority of FP&A teams have adopted AI tools to some degree, according to a survey of 258 FP&A professionals by Drivetrain. For finance departments, current and anticipated trends are starting to put a premium on hiring AI specialists that aren’t necessarily finance professionals, according to the report. New roles like AI analyst and AI systems expert are expected to become staples in finance teams within the next two to three years, researchers said. https://lnkd.in/ew2QdGPV

12