FP&A Unboxed

How Finance Pros Influence Decisions Using Storytelling and Better Questions with Soufyan Hamid

Want to find out how your FP&A function stacks up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalised insights. 👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment [https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment] ********************************************************************** In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk] is joined by Soufyan Hamid [https://www.linkedin.com/in/soufyanhamid/], a global expert in storytelling and finance business partnering with over 17 years of experience. Soufyan is the founder of The Finance Circle [https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefinancecircle/] and creator of the Financial Storytelling Program, followed by over 400 finance professionals worldwide. He helps FP&A teams enhance their ability to communicate insights effectively, making finance relevant to business decision-making. With a large following of 82,000 on LinkedIn, Soufyan has become a leading voice in reshaping how finance professionals tell their stories. Soufyan shares valuable insights on the importance of storytelling in finance, especially for FP&A professionals. He discusses how to shift from reporting numbers to influencing decisions and how finance leaders can align their work with business strategy. Additionally, he explains the practical application of his storytelling framework for effective communication in finance. This episode is essential for finance professionals looking to elevate their communication skills, increase their strategic influence, and remain relevant in an ever-changing business environment. Key Takeaways * The Importance of Communication in Finance: Finance professionals need to master the art of storytelling to make their insights accessible and impactful to non-financial stakeholders. * Mindset Shift for FP&A: Transitioning from just reporting numbers to understanding business needs and influencing decisions is critical for finance leaders. * Financial Storytelling Framework: Soufyan shares his "Three What" framework: What, So What, and Now What, as a practical tool to structure and communicate finance insights effectively. * Building Strategic Influence: To become a strategic partner in business, finance professionals must focus on understanding the business operations and communicating with the goal of influencing decision-making. * The Role of Storytelling Across Finance: Storytelling isn't just for FP&A but is crucial for all finance functions, including tax, accounting, and treasury, to engage their audience and add value. Noteworthy Quotes * "Communication is not about speaking; it’s about understanding what's needed for others and putting yourself in their shoes." – Soufyan Hamid * "Finance is not a goal; it’s a tool to help decision-making." – Soufyan Hamid * "Storytelling is about filtering what to say and what not to say. It's about making your communication relevant and impactful." – Soufyan Hamid * "Finance professionals need to think about the future of the business, not just the numbers." – Soufyan Hamid * "The key differentiator in the future will be human skills, not technical expertise." – Soufyan Hamid Key Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to the guest – Soufyan Hamid 02:40 – The importance of communication in finance 04:39 – Shifting the mindset from accounting to business partnering 07:41 – The “curse of knowledge” in finance communication 11:18 – How FP&A professionals can better understand the business 20:11 – Real-life example: Using storytelling to pass a difficult budget approval 23:37 – Transitioning from auditing to FP&A and the challenges faced 28:17 – Why strong analysis is still the foundation of storytelling 31:40 – Why finance leaders still need storytelling in the AI era 38:55 – Asking better questions instead of just giving answers ********************************************************************** FOLLOW OUR GUEST SOUFYAN HAMID ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soufyanhamid/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/soufyanhamid/] The Finance Circle: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefinancecircle/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefinancecircle/] FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk] Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/ [https://aksharconsulting.com/] FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON: Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/ [https://aksharconsulting.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting] X: https://x.com/AksharBusiness [https://x.com/AksharBusiness] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting? [https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099 [https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099]

How FP&A Fails Forecasting Due to Poor Communication and Overreliance on Technology with Gary Simon

Want to find out how your FP&A function stacks up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalised insights. 👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment [https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment] ********************************************************************** In this insightful episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk] is joined by Gary Simon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-simon-36403a18/], the Chief Executive of FSN Publishing Ltd. [https://fsn.co.uk/] and Leader of the Modern Finance Forum for CFOs on LinkedIn, with over 60,000 senior finance members. Gary is also a sought-after thought leader, lecturer, and expert in financial systems and business strategy, and has authored multiple books on financial software and information systems. Gary has a rich history of consulting at the highest levels, including as a senior partner at Deloitte [https://www.linkedin.com/company/deloitte/], where he worked with large multinational companies, public sector organisations, and financial institutions. In this episode, he shares his expertise on the evolution of FP&A, the role of CFOs in today's fast-paced business world, and the transformative impact of technology on finance functions. He also provides practical insights for finance leaders looking to drive innovation and align finance with broader business strategy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the finance world looking to stay ahead of industry changes, develop leadership skills, and improve business decision-making. Key Takeaways 1. Transforming the CFO’s Role: Technology, automation, and data-driven decision-making are reshaping the CFO’s role. 2. Leading FP&A into the Future: The next wave of FP&A innovation lies in embracing AI and automation to streamline operations and deliver greater business value. 3. Aligning Finance with Business Strategy: Finance leaders need to integrate finance functions with the wider business strategy to drive long-term success. 4. Building a High-Impact Finance Team: Success in today’s world requires building a finance team with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. 5. The Modern Finance Forum: Gary shares his experiences leading the Modern Finance Forum, where CFOs collaborate on best practices, insights, and future trends in finance. Noteworthy Quotes * "The role of the CFO has evolved; it’s no longer just about reporting the numbers, it’s about strategic influence." – Gary Simon * "To truly transform FP&A, we need to think beyond automation and look at how AI can empower better decision-making." – Gary Simon * "A great finance leader isn’t just good with numbers—they need to understand the business and drive change." – Gary Simon * "It’s not enough for finance to just support the business; it needs to lead the business." – Gary Simon * "In a world full of change, the ability to learn continuously is one of the most important skills for any finance professional." – Gary Simon Key Timestamps 00:00 – Coming up next & Call to Action 01:37 – Introduction to guest – Gary Simon 03:12 – Gary’s career journey and the evolution of the CFO role 04:50 – The digital transformation of the finance function 05:32 – The impact of AI and automation on FP&A 11:49 – How to build a high-performing finance team 19:00 – Aligning FP&A with business strategy for greater value 32:14 – Advice for aspiring CFOs and finance leaders 37:44 – How to stay ahead in an ever-evolving finance landscape 43:50 – Final thoughts: Leadership, technology, and strategy in finance ********************************************************************** FOLLOW OUR GUEST GARY SIMON ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-simon-36403a18/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-simon-36403a18/] The FSN Modern Finance Forum: https://fsn.co.uk/ [https://fsn.co.uk/] FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk] Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/ [https://aksharconsulting.com/] FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON: Website [https://www.escocommunity.com]: https://aksharconsulting.com/ [https://aksharconsulting.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting] X: https://x.com/AksharBusiness [https://x.com/AksharBusiness] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting? [https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099 [https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099]

FP&A Mindset for Accountants to Avoid Failure & Thrive with AI & Influence with Dhawal Parvatikar

Want to find out how your FP&A function stack up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalized insights. 👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment 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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhawal-parvatikar-520b771a/] FP&A Professionals Institute https://www.linkedin.com/company/fpa-professionals/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fpa-professionals/] FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/] Website: https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/ [https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/] FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON: Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/ [https://aksharconsulting.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting] X: https://x.com/AksharBusiness [https://x.com/AksharBusiness] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting? [https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting?]

FP&A in Crypto for Finance Leaders to Drive Turnarounds and Influence Boards with Alwyn and Megan

Want to find out how your FP&A function stack up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalized insights.  👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment [https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment] 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: Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting X: https://x.com/AksharBusiness TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting?

The Finance Transformation for CFOs to Replace Excel with Aimplan and Power BI with Manoj Jain

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 [https://bit.ly/power-bi-financial-ananlysis-training] 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojfinance/] FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk] Website: https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/ [https://aksharconsulting.co.uk/] FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON: Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/ [https://aksharconsulting.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting] X: https://x.com/AksharBusiness [https://x.com/AksharBusiness] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting? [https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]