How Founders Mistake Models Only for Fundraising and What They Should Do With Ilyas Anis

How Founders Mistake Models Only for Fundraising and What They Should Do With Ilyas Anis

Paul Barnhurst speaks with Ilyas Anis, CFO and Chartered Financial Modeler, about using financial models to build stakeholder confidence, drive operational decisions, and tell a clear business story. Ilyas shares insights on integrating AI, avoiding common modeling pitfalls, and the importance of scenario analysis and three-statement models. Ilyas Anis is Finance Lead at Turning Point Brands Canada and Founder of IMnS Associates. He has 15+ years of experience in financial modeling, valuation, and governance across multiple industries. An FCA, CPA, AFM, and FMVA®, he is also a board advisor and AI enthusiast. Expect to Learn * Models build trust, not just numbers * Connect finance with operations for better decisions * AI is a helpful junior analyst, but human judgment matters * Scenario analysis and storytelling are essential in models Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “Stakeholders don’t pay you for getting the right thing. They pay for the confidence.” – Ilyas Anis * “Financial models should open every Monday morning, they shouldn’t die after fundraising.” – Ilyas Anis Ilyas Anis highlights how financial models go beyond numbers to build trust, enable strategic decisions, and communicate a clear business story. He emphasizes the role of AI as a supportive tool, the importance of connecting finance with operations, and practical strategies for building models that deliver actionable insights for stakeholders. Follow Ilyas: Website: https://imnsassociates.com/ [https://imnsassociates.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyasanis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyasanis/] Follow Financial Modeler's Corner: LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/] Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984 [https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984] Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation [https://fminstitute.com/afm/] today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast” Visit http://www.fminstitute.com/podcasthttps://bit.ly/497oAqW [https://bit.ly/497oAqW] and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register. In today’s episode: [00:00] – Trailer [02:35] – Early Career Horror Stories [04:28] – Storytelling in Models [09:52] – Fundraising vs Operational Models [12:39] – Connecting Finance & Operations [18:36] – Revenue Models as Foundation [25:29] – AI in Modeling [27:38] – Automating Dashboards [34:30] – Rapid-Fire Modeling Best Practices [42:03] – Final Advice

FP&A Strategy for Finance Leaders to Scale a Sports Business Like a Startup with Tim Naddy

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Snyder sit down with Dr. Tim Naddy, CFO of the Savannah Bananas, to discuss the unique world of finance in a sports and entertainment organization. Tim shares how he manages FP&A for a fast-growing, multi-team baseball league, balancing operational efficiency with fan engagement, budgeting for multiple teams, and ensuring the internal finance function supports the entire organization’s growth. Tim is the CFO of the Savannah Bananas, a wildly innovative and entertaining baseball organization. With experience in public accounting, higher education, and consulting, Tim brings a unique perspective on financial management, teaching, and operational strategy. He has also authored a book for creatives and non-finance professionals on strategic financial management, helping others understand how to transform ideas into sustainable business ventures. Expect to Learn: * How FP&A functions in an unconventional sports and entertainment organization * Budgeting and financial planning across multiple teams and events * Managing risk, contracts, and operational logistics for traveling events * Lessons on aligning finance with organizational growth and fan engagement * How innovative business models and creativity intersect with FP&A Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: * “Finance isn’t a stumbling block, it’s a support function that ensures internal teams can succeed.” – Dr. Tim Naddy * “You don’t need to be from an area to support a team, you just need to feel the vibe.” – Dr. Tim Naddy Dr. Tim Naddy provides a behind-the-scenes look at managing FP&A for the Savannah Bananas, balancing operational efficiency with creative fan engagement. He highlights how finance supports growth across multiple teams and events, ensuring budgets, logistics, and resources are aligned. Listeners gain insights into innovative financial management, practical FP&A strategies, and the importance of adaptability in dynamic, non-traditional organizations. Follow Tim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtimnaddy221b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtimnaddy221b/] Website: https://www.kaleidoscope.com/?utm_source=partner_fpandaguys&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=interviewhttps://www.houndtalint.com/ [https://www.houndtalint.com/] Earn Your CPE Credit For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com [http://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 [05:07] – Bananas Brand Story [08:12] – Teaching & Book [11:14] – CFO Misconceptions [13:14] – FP&A Process & League [18:12] – Revenue & Ticketing [26:00] – Logistics & Operations [32:28] – Team Management [46:51] – Banana Ball Rules [54:42] – FP&A Advice & Closing

AI in Finance for CFOs: Scaling Confusion Without a Unified Platform with Scott Leshinski

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Scott Leshinski, President of OneStream Software, to discuss the company’s recent acquisition by Hg Capital. Scott explains how OneStream’s unified platform is transforming finance workflows, the role of AI in enterprise finance, and how finance teams are learning to trust and use these advanced tools. Scott Leshinski is the President of OneStream Software, with experience in corporate finance at GE Capital, co-founding Bluestone International, and leading finance technology transformations at Huron Consulting Group. He joined OneStream in 2021 and was promoted to President in 2023 after driving strong growth in AI initiatives. In this episode, you will discover: * The impact of OneStream going private under Hg Capital * How unified platforms improve financial planning and reporting * AI and machine learning are enhancing forecast accuracy and efficiency * Importance of transparency, traceability, and trust in AI outputs 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/ [https://www.onestream.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hussain786/https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-leshinski-bb5736b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-leshinski-bb5736b/] Follow Glenn: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii] Follow Paul: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy] Follow QFlow.AI: Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg [https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg] Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai [https://qflow.ai/future-finance/], 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: [00:23] – Guest Intro [01:32] – Acquisition & AI-First Strategy [03:57] – Long-Term Growth Opportunities [05:18] – Scott’s Career Journey [08:38] – Need for Unified Platform [10:13] – OneStream Overview [13:29] – Practical Enterprise Impact [17:11] – Unified Platform for AI [21:01] – Agentic AI & High Accuracy

The Mistakes in Structure and Data Thinking That Break Models with Mark Proctor

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) is joined by guest Mark Proctor. Together, they discuss the intricacies of financial modeling and data analysis, with a focus on building efficient models and leveraging automation in Excel. Mark shares his deep expertise on why structure is key, how to automate tedious tasks, and how Excel continues to evolve to meet the demands of modern financial professionals. Mark Proctor is a seasoned financial professional with a background in accounting and finance, an Excel MVP, and the founder of Excel Off The Grid, a platform dedicated to improving efficiency and effectiveness in Excel. With decades of experience, Mark's insights are invaluable for anyone looking to optimize their use of Excel for financial modeling and beyond. He has helped countless professionals streamline their work through better data structure and automation techniques. Expect to Learn * Financial modeling vs. data analysis * Automation in Excel with Power Query & Pivot * Why VLOOKUP is outdated and modern alternatives * Building flexible, stakeholder-friendly models * Reducing manual and repetitive Excel tasks Here are a few quotes from Mark Proctor: * "Hard-coding is the enemy of a flexible financial model. Once you start hard-coding, you lose the ability to see what's really driving the model." - Mark Proctor * "One of the key takeaways from bad models is that manual adjustments should always be documented and trackable." - Mark Proctor As Excel continues to evolve with powerful features like dynamic arrays and advanced automation, the tools discussed in this episode are essential for anyone looking to keep pace with the future of financial modeling. Mark’s emphasis on mastering the basics and thinking structurally will help you work faster and more effectively. Follow Mark: * Website - https://exceloffthegrid.com/ [https://exceloffthegrid.com/] * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstephenproctor/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstephenproctor/] Follow Financial Modeler's Corner: LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/?viewAsMember=true https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/] Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984 [https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984] Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation [https://fminstitute.com/afm/] today and receive 15% off by using the special show code “Podcast” Visit http://www.fminstitute.com/podcasthttps://bit.ly/497oAqW [https://bit.ly/497oAqW] and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register. In today’s episode: [00:00] - Trailer [01:54] - Financial Modeling Horror Stories [04:55] - Lessons from Bad Models [06:28] - Mark's Career Journey and Background [12:59] - Data Analysis vs. Financial Modeling [19:17] - Excel as a Data Analysis Tool: Key Innovations [22:55] - Automation in Excel and Practical Tips [33:59] - The Importance of Mastering Excel Basics [44:19] - Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks

The Future of FP&A with AI for Finance Professionals to Move Beyond Excel Analysis with Derek Baker

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst chats with Derek Baker, the Head of Strategic Finance at Circle, a growth-stage SaaS company. Derek shares insights from his experience in building strategic finance functions, scaling finance teams, and using AI to optimize financial reporting. Derek Baker is the Head of Strategic Finance at Circle, a growth-stage SaaS company focused on building an all-in-one platform for online communities. He has built the Strategic Finance function from the ground up, covering areas like pricing, sales compensation, investor due diligence, and AI-powered financial reporting. Prior to Circle, Derek co-founded The FP&A Hub with Paul Barnhurst and Liran Edelist to support finance professionals. His career spans FP&A roles across SaaS, marketplace, and biotech startups. Expect to Learn: * How AI is transforming financial reporting and analysis in FP&A. * The role of business partnering in aligning FP&A with strategic decisions. * Derek's transition from spreadsheets to AI-driven financial models. * How FP&A evolves as companies scale. Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: * “Spreadsheets are great for MVP models, but AI and data warehouses are the future for repeatable, scalable analysis.” – Derek Baker * “AI can manage context better than prompts, and this is what drives its power in finance.” – Derek Baker Derek shares that the future of FP&A is all about embracing technology and innovation. He emphasizes that it's no longer just about spreadsheets and traditional methods; it’s about leveraging AI and data to drive smarter financial decisions. By focusing on both the strategic and technical sides of finance, professionals can better align with business goals and create more impactful outcomes. Follow Derek: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-d-baker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-d-baker/] Website: https://www.kaleidoscope.com/?utm_source=partner_fpandaguys&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=interviewhttps://community.thefpahub.com/home [https://community.thefpahub.com/home] Earn Your CPE Credit For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com [http://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 & Derek’s Background [06:00] – What Does Great FP&A Look Like? [12:00] – Scaling Finance Functions in Startups [17:00] – The Role of AI in FP&A [22:00] – Building an AI-Powered Financial Reporting System [28:00] – Why Data Architecture is Key to AI Success [33:00] – The Future of Financial Modeling with AI [40:00] – Automating Monthly Finance Reports Using AI [45:00] – Data Integration and Financial Modeling for Future Growth [50:00] – Insights on Scaling FP&A Teams in Tech Startups [53:00] – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways