In this episode of Careers in Finance, we sit down with Paul Barnhurst—also known as The FP&A Guy—to explore what it means to build a career in Financial Planning & Analysis. From his early days in procurement to leading FP&A functions across multiple companies, Paul shares how the role has evolved into one of the…
Financial Analysis in FP&A: Top 14 Resources to Build Your Skills What separates good FP&A analysts from great ones? Beyond technical knowledge, it’s a toolkit of analytical skills, modeling expertise, and innovative approaches that drive strategic decision making. Today’s FP&A professionals must deliver deeper insights faster than ever before. Whether you’re beginning your journey or…
What is the Difference Between Liquidity and Solvency? Liquidity vs. solvency comes up often in financial analysis, and for good reason — they highlight two very different questions. Can the company pay its bills this month? And can it stay in business over the long haul? Liquidity is about having enough cash or near-cash assets…
How Automation is Reshaping Financial Strategy Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping corporate finance, moving beyond simple automation to become a powerful strategic partner. Discover how AI is fundamentally changing financial decision-making in this Deep Dive episode of Corporate Finance Explained (FinPod). Explore the AI transformation in finance, from AI-powered forecasting and dynamic financial modeling…
10 Must-Have FP&A Skills to Develop in 2026 Can your FP&A skills stand up to the demands of 2026? Excel mastery was once enough — but now, finance leaders expect rapid, actionable insights that guide strategic decisions at a moment’s notice. The pressure is on FP&A analysts to quickly interpret data, clearly communicate its implications,…
Cash Flow vs Net Income: Why the Difference Matters Two companies report the same net income. But one has cash to grow, and the other is borrowing to stay afloat. Why? If you’ve ever assessed financial health using just the income statement, you’ve likely seen this disconnect. Cash flow and net income both measure performance,…
Tune in for expert Cash Flow Management and Liquidity Strategy insights vital for Business Survival and sustainable Business Growth. This Corporate Finance Explained episode delivers essential Corporate Finance principles, focusing on Managing Cash Flow effectively for optimal Financial Health. Learn crucial Financial Management tactics. We analyze Cash Flow Forecasting techniques, strategic Scenario Planning for Finance,…
In this special episode of CFI’s FinPod, we’re joined by our co-founder Scott Powell and founder of “The FP&A Guy,” Paul Barnhurst, to explore how AI, automation, and evolving skill sets reshape careers in FP&A, capital markets, and investment banking. We discuss how tools like ChatGPT are already changing workflows, why Python and Excel are…
How FP&A Analysts Leverage Different Types of Variances In FP&A, your ability to explain what’s behind financial shortfalls and overruns is just as important as the numbers themselves. Understanding different types of variances helps you identify planning assumptions that didn’t materialize, adapt forecasts based on emerging trends, and track how business expectations evolve over time. …
Understanding Intrinsic Value vs. Market Value in Finance Two investors evaluate the value of a company. One calls it undervalued. The other says it’s overvalued. Who’s right? The answer could depend on whether they’re thinking in terms of intrinsic value or market value. These terms are often mentioned together, but they describe fundamentally different perspectives….
