Hosted by Tejas Parikh, FP&A Unboxed is your go-to podcast for mastering Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) with Excel. Each episode unpacks real-world challenges, best practices, and expert insights into financial strategy, budgeting, and forecasting. Tejas and his expert guests—CFOs, FP&A leaders, and finance professionals—share actionable advice to help you streamline reporting, optimize financial processes, and leverage Excel like a pro. Whether you're looking to enhance your finance team's efficiency, improve decision-making, or embrace technology in FP&A, this podcast delivers unfiltered discussions and practical takeaways to power your financial success.
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Hosted by Tejas Parikh, FP&A Unboxed is your go-to podcast for mastering Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) with Excel. Each episode unpacks real-world challenges, best practices, and expert insights into financial strategy, budgeting, and forecasting. Tejas and his expert guests—CFOs, FP&A leaders, and finance professionals—share actionable advice to help you streamline reporting, optimize financial processes, and leverage Excel like a pro. Whether you're looking to enhance your finance team's efficiency, improve decision-making, or embrace technology in FP&A, this podcast delivers unfiltered discussions and practical takeaways to power your financial success.
The Four Pillars Every CFO Needs (and why FP&A is THE Growth Engine) with Steve Rosvold
In this episode of FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh talks with Steve Rosvold about how finance roles are changing and what skills finance professionals need to succeed today. They go over how FP&A is becoming more important in business decisions, what makes a great CFO, and how finance professionals can move beyond reporting numbers to influencing strategy.
Steve Rosvold, the founder of CFO. University, shares lessons from his career as a CFO and explains the key areas that finance professionals should focus on to grow in their roles. He also talks about how technology and data are affecting finance and what professionals can do to stay ahead.
If you work in FP&A, finance, or want to become a CFO, this episode has useful advice on building a strong finance career, improving decision-making, and becoming a key part of your company’s success.
Key Takeaways
The Role of FP&A is Changing – Finance teams today do more than just budgeting and reporting. They help companies make better decisions and prepare for the future.
How FP&A is Becoming More Strategic – Companies now rely on FP&A teams to understand trends, manage risks, and plan for growth.
Skills Finance Professionals Need – It’s not just about knowing numbers. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are just as important.
How to Build a Great Finance Team – What to look for when hiring and how to help team members improve and grow in their roles.
The Impact of Technology in Finance – Automation and data analytics are changing how finance teams work, and professionals need to keep up with these changes.
Where FP&A is Headed – What the future looks like for finance teams and how professionals can prepare.
Noteworthy Quotes
"Finance is no longer just about tracking numbers. It plays a big role in shaping business decisions." – Steve Rosvold
"Good finance professionals don’t just analyze data, they help businesses make smarter choices." – Tejas Parikh
"If you want to grow in FP&A, don’t just focus on spreadsheets. Learn how to communicate and influence decisions." – Steve Rosvold
"Finance teams that stay close to the business will always add more value." – Tejas Parikh
"Understanding numbers is important, but understanding people is what makes a finance leader stand out." – Steve Rosvold
Key Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro Clip & Call to Action
[00:01:39] Steve’s Background and Career Journey
[00:03:00] Why CFO University Was Created
[00:03:37] The Four Key Areas Every CFO Should Focus On
[00:06:28] The Four Pillars of CFO University
[00:09:53] From Crisis to Growth: A Controller’s Transformation
[00:12:30] The Role of Finance in Business Growth
[00:15:19] A Real-Life Story of a Finance Team Making an Impact
[00:20:56] The Most Important Skills for Finance Professionals
[00:25:59] Why Finance Professionals Should Focus on Communication & Leadership
[00:31:51] FP&A: The CFO’s Growth Engine in a Data-Driven Era
[00:43:10] The Future of FP&A and Where It’s Headed
[00:45:38] Certifications & Training Programs That Can Help in FP&A
[00:51:27] Final Thoughts & Where to Learn More
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FP&A Evolution for Finance Pros to Replace Excel & Reporting with Predictive Tech and EQ - Andy Cox
In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh from Akshar Business Consulting Ltd speaks with Andy Cox, the founder of Optimum Value Limited. They discuss the evolution of finance business partnering, particularly in the context of rapidly changing business environments driven by technology and data. Andy shares his extensive experience in the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors, emphasizing the shift in finance roles from traditional reporting to strategic business support.
Andy highlights the need for finance professionals to adapt to changes, embrace technology, and develop their emotional intelligence to succeed as true business partners. If you're a finance professional, this episode offers an in-depth look at how finance business partnering is evolving and what steps you can take to ensure you stay ahead in your career.
Key Takeaways
Embracing Technology – Automation and AI are shifting finance roles from reporting to offering strategic insights.
Leadership and Culture – Strong leadership fosters a culture of empowerment and collaboration, as demonstrated at Microsoft.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) – EQ is crucial for building relationships and influencing business decisions.
The Power of Data – Data science is transforming financial decision-making, enabling finance professionals to add greater value.
Being Brave and Bold – Stand by your convictions, ask the right questions, and make bold recommendations.
The Future of FP&A – FP&A roles will focus more on business partnering and data-driven insights over the next 3-5 years.
The Back Office is Broken: Daniel Paik on the $10M Fix Hiding in Plain Sight
In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh speaks with Daniel Paik, a former CFO and the founder of CuroWork. They discuss how back-office teams, including finance, can transform from cost centers into value creators, and how leveraging data and strategic initiatives can help drive business growth. Daniel shares insights from his career, highlighting the importance of understanding time management, automation, and the need for back-office teams to be aligned with business objectives.
Daniel provides a fresh perspective on optimizing back-office operations and how he successfully implemented these strategies at his own company, resulting in impressive revenue growth and operational efficiency. He also touches on how finance professionals can contribute to business growth and how the shift in mindset is essential for success.
If you work in finance, FP&A, or lead a back-office team, this episode offers valuable advice on how to shift the focus from routine tasks to strategic work that directly impacts the bottom line.
Key Takeaways
Transforming Back Office to Value Creator – How back-office teams can go from being seen as cost centers to contributing directly to business growth.
The Role of Data in Back Office Efficiency – How tracking and managing time spent on tasks helps identify inefficiencies and prioritize growth.
Leadership’s Role in Shaping Strategy – The impact of leadership on back-office teams’ understanding of business strategy and alignment.
Automating and Standardizing Back Office Work – How automation and standardization can free up time for more strategic work.
FP&A Mindset for Accountants to Avoid Failure & Thrive with AI & Influence with Dhawal Parvatikar
Season 1 · Episode 16
Monday, September 15, 2025 • Duration 41:54
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.
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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
FP&A in Crypto for Finance Leaders to Drive Turnarounds and Influence Boards with Alwyn and Megan
Season 1 · Episode 15
Monday, September 1, 2025 • Duration 54:50
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.
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.
Strategic FP&A for CFOs to Transform Decision-Making and Predict Retention with Kevin Flaming
In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh speaks with Kevin Flaming, Chief Financial Officer at Elder HQ, a role he has held for nearly six years. Kevin shares his unique journey from auditor and accountant to CFO, highlighting his passion for using finance as a strategic partner to drive business success. They discuss how FP&A plays a pivotal role in guiding business decisions, the importance of aligning finance with operational realities, and the power of storytelling in influencing stakeholders. Kevin also shares fascinating insights on leveraging AI to transform customer insights and the evolving role of FP&A in agile, fast-paced businesses.
This episode is packed with real-world examples and practical advice for finance professionals seeking to elevate their role and impact within organizations.
Key Takeaways
Strategic Finance: Finance guides the business like a radar and rudder, not just a back-office function.
Data Integration: Combining operational and financial data drives deeper insights and better decisions.
Aligned KPIs: Simple, clear KPIs aligned across departments prevent silos and promote success.
Storytelling: Translating data into relatable stories influences cross-functional leaders.
Agile FP&A: Frequent performance reviews enable early issue detection and quick adjustments.
Early Leadership: Strategic finance leadership early on boosts valuation and readiness.
AI Insights: AI helps predict customer behavior and reduce churn proactively.
Curiosity: FP&A pros must stay curious, dive deep, and challenge assumptions.
The FP&A Blueprint for Leaders to Build From Scratch in PE Spin-Offs with Gowthaman Balendra
In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh speaks with Gowthaman Balendra, the Head of FP&A at Verian Group. With over 7 years of experience in senior finance roles, Gowthaman shares his journey from a senior finance manager to heading the FP&A function at a fast-paced, private equity-backed company.
Gowthaman shares the key challenges he faced in the first 90 days of his new leadership role, his approach to building a data-driven FP&A function, and his perceptions into the evolving role of finance professionals in today’s fast-paced business environment. He discusses the importance of aligning financial strategy with business goals, the value of automation in FP&A, and building strong relationships with C-suite executives. This episode is packed with actionable insights for finance professionals aiming to become strategic partners within their organizations and to lead FP&A teams toward success.
Key Takeaways
Strategic Finance: Finance guides the business like a radar and rudder, not just a back-office function.
Data Integration: Combining operational and financial data drives deeper insights and better decisions.
Aligned KPIs: Simple, clear KPIs aligned across departments prevent silos and promote success.
Storytelling: Translating data into relatable stories influences cross-functional leaders.
Agile FP&A: Frequent performance reviews enable early issue detection and quick adjustments.
Actionable Forecasting: Forecasts should connect directly to strategy and department goals.
Early Leadership: Strategic finance leadership early on boosts valuation and readiness.
Soft Skills for FP&A Experts to Master Business Influence & Love Mondays with Ron Monteiro
In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh from Akshar Business Consulting Ltd speaks with Ron Monteiro, CPA, CMA Speaker, Facilitator, and Coach at Clear Concept Inc., and Founder of KiCT and has over 15 years of experience in senior finance roles. He’s worked at Kraft Foods, Campbell Soup, and Kruger Products, moving from analyst to Director of FP&A and VP of Finance. Ron is also a coach, consultant, and author of the book Love Mondays,
Ron shares insights into the importance of a growth mindset, how to foster relationships across functions, and how finance professionals can become more effective business partners. Ron discusses the importance of soft skills, such as leadership and communication, in addition to technical skills. He emphasizes how these qualities allow finance professionals to build confidence and make better business decisions.
Key Takeaways
Growth Mindset: The importance of embracing change, even for naturally introverted finance professionals.
Balancing Soft Skills & Technical Skills: Why a successful FP&A professional must have both.
The Role of Confidence in Leadership: How to work on soft skills and have a presence in meetings.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Why it's critical to build relationships with other departments to gain a holistic understanding of the business.
Making Bold Decisions: How to present well-informed, impactful recommendations that drive business growth.
How to Lead Change: Effective strategies for implementing change and gaining buy-in from teams.
Noteworthy Quotes
"You can’t make decisions in a vacuum. You need the full picture from every part of the business." – Ron Monteiro
The Finance Transformation for CFOs to Replace Excel with Aimplan and Power BI with Manoj Jain
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
Noteworthy Quotes
"Finance isn’t just about counting the dots; it’s about joining them and connecting the entire business." – Andy Cox
"You need to have the right mindset to help your organization grow, and technology is there to help support that growth." – Andy Cox
"It’s about asking the right questions, not having all the answers." – Andy Cox
"Embrace change and technology—it’s the future of the finance profession." – Andy Cox
"The real value comes when finance professionals stop just reporting and start recommending the next steps for the business." – Andy Cox
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Coming up next and Call to Action
[00:01:11] Guest Introduction & Overview of Optimum Value Limited
[00:02:11] Andy's Career Journey: From TMT Sector to Finance Business Partner
[00:09:30] Importance of Understanding How Business Functions Work Together
[00:12:33] The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Finance
[00:15:45] How Technology and Automation Shape the Future of Finance
[00:20:14] How Marketing and Finance Can Work Together
[00:23:09] The Role of Data Science in Finance
[00:32:25] Balancing Financial Controls with Strategic Decision-Making
[00:37:10] Building Relationships and Understanding Internal Customers
[00:42:56] Key Tips for Developing Stronger Financial Business Partnerships
[00:47:00] Predictions for the Future of FP&A and Finance Business Partnering
The Importance of Shifting Mindsets – Changing the way back-office teams view their roles and focusing on adding value to the company’s growth.
Practical Steps to Optimize Back Office Operations – Daniel shares his approach to transforming back-office functions and achieving impressive results.
Noteworthy Quotes
"The back office is not just a cost center. It’s a value creator that can drive business growth." – Daniel Paik
"Data is the foundation that helps back office teams transform from being reactive to being proactive in driving business outcomes." – Daniel Paik
"We need to shift the mindset of back office teams to think about how they can help the business grow, not just keep it running." – Tejas Parikh
"When you understand where your team is spending their time, you can start making decisions that drive efficiency and growth." – Daniel Paik
"Leadership's job is to inspire and create a culture where back-office teams can help drive the company forward." – Daniel Paik
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Coming up next and Call to Action
[00:01:15] Guest Introduction & Overview of CuroWork
[00:01:45] Daniel’s Journey from CFO to Founder of CuroWork
[00:05:07] The Challenges Back Office Teams Face
[00:09:30] Aligning Back Office with Business Strategy
[00:12:20] Shifting the Mindset of Back Office Teams
[00:15:20] Standardization and Automation in Back Office Operations
[00:17:30] Real-Life Examples of Optimizing Back Office Work & What is Strategy?
[00:22:33] Measuring Success and Impact in Back Office Teams
[00:31:55] System of Records & The Future of Back Office Operations
[00:34:27] How CuroWork Helps Optimize Back Office Functions
[00:39:52]...
“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
AI Insights: AI helps predict customer behavior and reduce churn proactively.
Curiosity: FP&A pros must stay curious, dive deep, and challenge assumptions.
Noteworthy Quotes
"Having a personal strategy is crucial – write it down, define your mission, and break it into actionable goals." – Gowthaman Balendra
"Data inputs are the foundation of your analysis. Garbage in, garbage out." – Tejas Parikh
"In FP&A, you are the gatekeeper of the single source of truth in the business." – Gowthaman Balendra
"The role of FP&A is not just about reporting numbers but about telling the story behind those numbers." – Gowthaman Balendra
"The future of FP&A is about making data-driven decisions in real time, not waiting for reports." – Gowthaman Balendra
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Coming up next & Call to Action
[00:01:10] Guest Introduction: Gowthaman’s career and leadership journey
[00:04:08] The challenges of building an FP&A function from scratch
[00:07:30] Personal career strategy and how it guides decision-making
[00:11:00] Key differences between senior finance roles and FP&A leadership
[00:17:00] First 90 days: Assessing the FP&A function and setting priorities
[00:21:30] Quick wins for building credibility in a new leadership role
[00:25:00] Understanding data inputs: The importance of clean data
[00:28:00] The importance of automation and its role in FP&A
[00:32:30] How to become a strategic finance business partner
[00:36:00] The future of FP&A in 3 to 5 years: Virtual analysts and live data
[00:49:45] Skills and Certification looking to acquire at the Start of FP&A
[00:53:52] Closing thoughts: Building strong relationships and adding value
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"Soft skills are just as important as technical skills, especially for leaders in finance." – Ron Monteiro
"Change is inevitable, but the ability to adapt to it and lead through it is what separates great finance professionals from good ones." – Ron Monteiro
"To be successful in FP&A, you must embrace the gray areas, not just the black and white." – Ron Monteiro
"You have to be confident enough to challenge the status quo and present your recommendations, even in the face of resistance." – Ron Monteiro
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Coming up next and Call to Action
[00:01:19] Guest Introduction & Ron’s Career Journey
[00:03:00] How Ron transitioned from accounting to FP&A
[00:07:45] The importance of soft skills in leadership and finance
[00:12:30] The value of cross-functional collaboration for finance professionals
[00:17:15] Building relationships and trust across departments
[00:22:00] Implementing change and managing resistance in teams
[00:28:30] Leading with confidence: the key to being a successful FP&A leader
[00:30:38] Ron’s advice for aspiring FP&A professionals
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