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….
How Do Investors, Analysts, and Companies Decide What a Business is Really Worth? In this deep dive episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we unpack the fundamentals of corporate valuation—from enterprise value vs. equity value to the tools used by top professionals. You’ll learn how to use DCF analysis, comparable company analysis (CCA), and…
What is the Current Ratio vs Quick Ratio? Definitions and Importance Current ratio and quick ratio are two key liquidity ratios that provide complementary perspectives on a company’s short-term financial health. Both ratios assess a company’s short-term cash position and its ability to handle immediate financial needs and obligations. Liquidity ratios, such as the current…
Why Cost Management is a Core FP&A Responsibility Cost management plays a direct role in shaping a company’s financial performance over time. When costs start to climb or margins tighten, the pressure often lands on the FP&A team to determine what changed, why it happened, and what can be done about it. When margins shrink…
Finance professionals who effectively integrate generative AI with their expertise gain a significant advantage in today’s market. But where do you start? With so much information available, finding the right resources can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated a top 10 list of CFI’s most valuable AI in finance content. Each resource delivers specific insights…
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Shape the Corporate Landscape, But What Makes a Deal Successful? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we break down the M&A lifecycle, from valuation and financial modeling to financing strategies and post-merger integration. Through real-world case studies—including Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox and Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard—we explore…
Thinking of Starting Your Own Business After a Career in Finance or Accounting? In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we talk to Bob Wang—CPA, entrepreneur, former Deloitte leader, and fractional CFO—about his journey from audit to acquisition and everything in between. Bob shares how he built and sold his first accounting firm,…
ROA vs ROE: Two Ways to View Return-on-Investment (ROI) ROA (Return on Assets) and ROE (Return on Equity) are two distinct financial ratios that measure a company’s performance from different angles. While both use net income as their starting point, they provide financial analysts with separate perspectives: ROA evaluates how effectively a company uses its…
