Welcome to the Finance & Technology Podcast!
This is a show where we dive into all things Technology for Finance teams.
We interview other finance techies, finance leaders and industry legends who share their stories, strategies, and insights to help you build and grow your career in finance.
Our host & chief finance techie is Simon Ritchie.
Our producer and co-host is Pip Ash
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The transformative potential of AI in Finance with Marie Speakman
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 • Duration 39:03
Today, we're diving into the fascinating space of AI for finance teams with Marie Speakman. Marie is a trailblazer. She transitioned from a role where she was the European CFO. She worked her way right up the, up the ranks of finance and was a CFO for many years. And now she spends her days consulting with finance teams on how to embrace AI to automate and transform their ways of working.
She's got over 15 years in finance, in a number of different roles. She's founded her own accounting practice many years ago and currently spends her time working with lots of tech providers, like us, like me, and she's been really fantastic in that and working with her clients who are businesses. And also she's got a real big passion to help fractional CFOs. Those are CFOs who tend to work a day kind of as consultants, going around helping multiple businesses in a fractional, a part -time basis. So going around and helping multiple. And so that, and that's a, that's a tricky role and to do well as a fractional CFO, you really want to have great tech to automate a lot of the work so that you can just drop in, uh, see what's going on, add value.
So we talked about the journey to AI. So she gave her recommendations on how to transition, where to start. We talked about the right tools and software. She's really big on this. So we talked about her kind of ideal stack, what tools to look for. We dived into a few specific areas and she gave us some great recommendations.
The key takeaways, she really thinks, and I agree that the role of finance is evolving and we're more and more going to become strategic partners for the business. We need to embrace automation because there's a massive advantage. We automate the routine tasks. We don't need to do those anymore. We become more strategic and then we can just dive in and sort out the systems as needed. But the future of finance is more strategic. Marie teases us on a couple of great softwares that she is excited about that are coming that are still in sort of early phases. So that was fantastic. Don't miss out. This is a really fantastic episode that could redefine your career in finance. So tune in and enjoy. Thanks very much.
Finance Trailblazers: Leading and Coaching with Susan Power
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 • Duration 28:30
In this episode, I talked with Susan Power.
Susan is the founder and CEO of Power Up Leadership. This is a fantastic consultancy that she started six years ago after a very successful career in the corporate world.
At PowerUp Leadership they're all about executive coaching and leadership development. They work with clients and help them to train their teams on how to be better leaders and managers. For this episode today, I thought it was great to have a chat with Susan about how finance can be more of a business coach and how finance teams can redefine their role to be seen as a business coach and not just a scorekeeper.
It's not just about tallying the numbers, but it's about helping to present some data and insights, but really also then ask the question and help our business counterparts to get to this moment of clarity. So Susan was fantastic. We talked through what it is to be a coach, some of the key techniques, the steps, the things that she goes through with every one of her coaching clients.
Some of the key questions that she asks to help them get to this moment of clarity so they can get a solution to a problem that they've been wrestling with and that they wouldn't have been able to get to on their own. She thinks that this is really the way that we can be, we can transform that, she said, she suggested that this is the way that we can transform from being just an average performer to an absolute exceptional finance person and key member of the team.
She says that this is the way that we can transform our impact from being an average, from being average to really being exceptional. Susan says that this is the way that we can transform our impact from being average to being truly exceptional. It's a really fantastic conversation. Susan is an absolute expert in the field. And so I am really delighted that we can get this recorded and out for you.
It's a really great conversation. Susan is an absolute expert in the field, very knowledgeable. And so I was delighted to be able to have this conversation today. I hope you enjoy.
Chapters
Introduction and Background
FP&A talk with Tejas - the most energetic man in FP&A
Season 1 · Episode 2
Friday, November 24, 2023 • Duration 44:23
In this episode, Simon talks to Tejas Parikh, the finance planning and analysis transformation specialist. He's got a finance background, he's commercially minded and in love with technology.
Tejas is the founder and lead consultant at his very own consulting business, Akshar Business Consulting. Tejas has worked with a diverse range of companies, including GE Healthcare, Vodafone, Unilever and more. In this episode, he shares some fabulous stories about his life and experience in finance. Posting depreciation journals where the asset balances went up. 🤯 That's a geeky accounting joke because depreciation takes asset balances down not up. 🤓 Yeah that's right. 😆🤙
We talks about how to be good in FP&A, and finance in general, it's about working smarter and not harder. Embrace tech to do the hard work for you. The best way to get promoted is to create more bandwidth by automating as much as possible so you can get into the business strategy.
He shares his power pose memory, creating an investor paper in record time and dancing around the office in London. He also shares some of his FP&A rules and top tips like anything which takes more than 45 minutes can and should be automated. And if you don't learn today, you're gonna have a disaster tomorrow.
Tejas is one of the most energetic and charismatic people I've ever spoken to. And I know you're gonna enjoy this episode and I hope you'll be laughing along with us.
ENJOY!
Useful links
Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siritchie/
Sponsor: https://www.blox.so/
INTRODUCING the Finance & Technology Podcast
Season 1 · Episode 1
Wednesday, November 22, 2023 • Duration 03:02
Welcome to the Finance & Technology Podcast.
This is a show where we dive into all things Technology for Finance teams. We interview other finance-techies, finance leaders and industry legends who share their stories, strategies, insights to help you build & grow your career in finance.
What if I told you that a role in finance didn't have to be about babysitting the numbers?
I believe in a world where finance people no longer need to spend their days manually keying numbers, copying and pasting in spreadsheets, or sending reports that nobody looks at.
Where finance people can harness technology to automate and streamline their world, everything is fully integrated.
You have full confidence so you can spend your time generating insight and doing strategic finance.
For those of you who don't know us, we're Simon and Pip. Simon is the founder of Blox. He's a chartered accountant who used to work in finance, but he's a techie at heart. He created Blox to help millions of businesses to automate and streamline planning and forecasting, so it's a strategic value add rather than a tick box for the board of directors.
And I'm Pip, The producer of the show. I'll be working behind the scenes, but you'll hear from me now and again.
I got into finance because I love numbers. I studied for years to learn about accounting. But when I started my first role, I felt underprepared. There was all sorts of software to learn and so much manual painstaking work, manually tagging bank transactions and lots of manually updating spreadsheets. I just didn't understand the finance technology landscape, what we used and why, or how to make it better.
We want to help everybody to see what technology is available and what new technology is coming.
I believe that finance teams are currently behind the curve in terms of technology adoption. They are overworked and just trying to keep up with month-end and key controls. CFOs are having to do more with less people. There is some fantastic technology out there and it's becoming affordable and easy for those who are ready to step forward and grab it.
Unlocking Financial Success: Financial Modelling Master Class with Carolina Lago
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 • Duration 43:47
In this episode we're joined by Carolina Lago.
She is an expert in financial modelling. She's got a finance background and she's currently working as a consultant and trainer to help corporates and individuals to improve their financial modelling skills. This episode is all about the financial modelling essentials. I thought Carolina was a fantastic person to help us dive into some of the basics of financial models. What is a financial model? What are the different things that you can do with a financial model?
Who should be building financial models? Who should know how they work and some tips and tricks. And she was absolutely fantastic. She shared her insights, her recommendations, also her things that you should really look out for and avoid. So this show is just packed full of golden nuggets to help you when you are making a big decision. If you really want to understand the finances and the data around a big decision, then this is the episode for you.
Of course, at the end, I threw some fun questions at her just to keep her on her toes. But she was absolutely fantastic. And I hope you enjoy the episode. Thanks.
Chapters
Introduction and Background
Carolina's Training Course
The Importance of Financial Modeling
Using Emojis to Describe Business Ventures
Types of Financial Models
What is Financial Modeling?
Essentials of a Good Financial Model
Common Financial Models
Who Should Build Financial Models?
Avoiding Hard-Coded Values in Models
Using Consistent Design and Structure
The Value of Future-Proofing Models
How Finance Teams can support Sales Leaders to smash their targets: Powerful reporting, forecasting and planning with Bhavik Vashi
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 • Duration 49:58
In this podcast episode, I speak to Bhavik Vashi, We go way back, we used to work together! I thought he'd be a great guest to bring on - Currently Managing Director for Carta in APAC - the focus for this week is to hear from a Next Generation Sales leader about what makes a difference and how Finance teams can support the mission.
Carta is an impressive B2B software company. They are commonly known as a cap table or an equity management company.
Bhavik discusses his journey from his start at KPMG in accounting to his current role as a Sales leader and General Manager.
He shares insights on what makes him successful - such as leadership cadence, major meetings and metrics that help him stay on top of the business.
Bhavik also emphasizes the importance of a strong finance business partner who understands the context of the business and empowers the sales leader to make informed decisions.
We dive into essential tech tools for sales leaders.
Bhavik discusses the importance of an “abstraction layer” - most people might call that "The Spreadsheet", the place where you bring together data from multiple systems, and connect both operational and financial data.
Bhavik is a rising star - Carta is an impressive company and this episode does not disappoint.
Enjoy.
Chapters
Introduction and Background
What Inspires and Motivates
Surprising Personal Interest
Transition from Accounting to Sales
Role of a Managing Director
Key Meetings and Ceremonies
Key Metrics and Sales Forecasting
Decoding the Future: A Dive into Predictive Analytics with Nick Vandesype
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 • Duration 27:43
In this podcast episode, I speak to Nick Vandesype, Co-Founder and CEO at Predikt - Nick is an AI strategy and advanced analytics professional with a background in financial analysis, financial modelling, and data science.
Nick started his career at Deloitte Before deciding to blaze his own trail and work on Predikt.
Predikt is a new startup pioneering innovative technologies and building predictive analytics solutions for finance teams.
What is Predictive Analytics you say - well... that's why we recorded this episode.
Nick understands the topic so well that he makes something really complex sound so simple. It's impressive actually.
Nick's superpower in working with finance teams is storytelling, using data and analytics to create digestible and actionable insights.
Enjoy the episode.
Chapters
Introduction and Setting
Background and Journey
Overview of Predictive Analytics
Predictive Analytics in the AI Landscape
Benefits and Applications of Predictive Analytics
Superpower in Working with Finance Teams
Emerging Trends in Predictive Analytics
Piece of Advice
Topics to Learn
Introduction to Predikt and Call for Alpha Customers
How to Get in Touch
Explanation of Digital Twin
Conclusion
Useful links
Host:
The Ultimate Finance Tech Stack with Alex Falcon Huerta
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 • Duration 44:21
In this podcast episode, we are joined by Alex Falcon Huerta, the Founder of her own Accountancy practice, Soaring Falcon Accountancy, where she helps ambitious Tech businesses to launch into new markets. If that wasn't enough she launched a second business based in Sri Lanka, and has built a following on linkedin where she shares advice and authentic moments from her journey.
In this episode we talk about the right “Finance Tech Stack” - Alex discusses the importance of embracing technology in finance, and shares her lessons and recommendations on what solutions you need, and what tools she recommends.
She is a Digital accountant (Cloud First) and uses technology to streamline her work with clients and enable her to follow her other passion - Travel.
I thought Alex was a great person to talk about because she helps to put in a Tech Stack from scratch - often moving things from ad hoc spreadsheets and emails into systems.
When she started her career everything was still running on paper - so she's been involved in the transition from physical books, to desktop based solutions, to Cloud.
Overcoming Resistance to Technology Adoption and Alex shares Success Stories of Technology Implementation, Exploring New Technologies she's excited about for Finance, Favourite Productivity Hacks, and tech Products she's excited about that improve her day to day as a Founder & CEO.
Alex is hilarious, really amazing approach to finance & work, she's building 2 really impressive businesses but is super humble and authentic.
She also talks about a new group she's launching with some partners called the "Global Women's Accounting Influencers" Group
The FP&A Journey: Insights & Expertise with Paul Barnhurst (The FP&A guy™️)
Season 1 · Episode 6
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 • Duration 38:59
In this episode, Simon speaks to Paul Barnhurst. Paul (also known as The FP&A Guy) is an expert in finance planning and analysis (FP&A). He's a finance tech influencer with over 85,000 followers on LinkedIn - #impressive
He's been referred to (by himself) as the Kim Kardashian of FP&A. He's a bit of a joker as well.
Today, we dive deep into FP&A. Paul's definition of FP&A is all about helping the business spend the next dollar in the best way. We dive into FP&A trends like:
FP&A's increasing commercial focus.
How and why FP&A is a great breeding ground for the next generation of CFOs
How scenario modelling is becoming increasingly important as we dive into an ever-changing world.
We talk tech, we dive into Excel, FP&A solutions, whether now is the time to ditch Excel and try some fresh ideas.
Simon also asked him some very random and awesome questions - e.g. If he had one wish, what would he do? What would he improve? Paul's favourite power pose memories? favourite chart? his best spot to work?
Stay tuned for an amazing episode. Enjoy!
Chapters
Introduction and Background
Definition of FP&A
Day-to-Day of FP&A
Financial Modelling vs FP&A
Trends in FP&A
Excel vs FP&A Solutions
Impact of Automation and AI on FP&A
Accounting Vendors vs Best-of-Breed Approach
Improvements in Systems and Processes
Modern Tech CFO : The role of a CFO with Johnny Bray, CFO Vistair Systems
Season 1 · Episode 5
Thursday, December 14, 2023 • Duration 38:48
In this podcast, Simon is joined by Johnny Bray, the CFO at Vistair Systems based in Bristol in England. Vistair is an ambitious tech business growing fast. Johnny started there over six years ago as their commercial finance, in commercial finance, then promoted to head of finance.
Vistair is an ambitious tech business that is growing fast. Johnny started at Vistair as commercial finance manager, then became head of finance and is now the CFO. He has a diverse skill set and experience that extends beyond the traditional finance focus. He’s responsible for HR, legal and even facilities.
The early parts of his career was spent at Grant Thornton as an audit manager, gaining valuable experience auditing a diverse set of businesses. Interesting fact, in 2016, Johnny was recognized as one of Accountancy Age's young professionals, being named among the top 35 under 35. He also serves as the director of a community land trust, contributing to development of affordable houses in his area, South Devon in the UK.
He shares some fabulous stories in this episode of his life and experience in finance, starting out in audit and loving it. I didn't think it was possible to love a role in audit, but there you go, that's just me. He talks about what the role of CFO is like. He debunks the myths and shares why he loves the role. He encourages finance people to think more widely, not just focus on the finance, the numbers, but really get into the head of your stakeholders, deeply understand them, whether they're internal or external.
We had a really good chat about tech and his belief that tech is a great investment in actually investing in your people. You free them up so they're more productive and that allows them to work on more strategic activities, which is much better value for the business. So here it is, stay tuned to gain insights into the multifaceted career of a CFO. I hope you enjoy.
Join us for insightful fun conversations with other finance techies, finance leaders and industry legends talking all things finance and technology. We'll be sharing key lessons to help you understand how to leverage technology to give you the edge. We'll help you stay up to date on key trends and new technology, and also talk about how to sell it internally so you can get the backing you need. Because you should not be wasting all your time doing boring, mundane work. You're made for much more than that!!
So please follow along, whether you're an experienced finance person, tech junkie, or just getting started in your finance journey. Be sure to subscribe.
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