FinPod

In this episode of FinPod, we dive into the intricacies of debt and capital expenditure (CAPEX) modeling in financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Follow along as Duncan shares insights on modeling debt accurately, emphasizing the importance of setting up a lender of last resort and avoiding hard caps on revolving credit lines. Explore the nuances of forecasting CAPEX and its integration into...

In this special episode of the CFI Member Spotlight, host Anna Talerico sits down with finance professional Josh McLean, a Finance Director at Nike and currently participating in their innovative Finance Leadership Rotational Program. Anna explores Josh's high-impact career, including his roles as an author, board member, mentor, startup advisor, and investor. His dedication to lifelong learning a...

Join us in the latest episode of the "What's New at CFI" podcast as we discuss artificial intelligence and how it can help users to manage complex formulas in Excel. In this discussion, we shed light on the increasing demand for AI integration in financial analysis.  We discuss practical examples of using AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to simplify and optimize Excel formulas. Learn how these AI...

  In this episode of FinPod, we discuss FP&A for new analysts with expert Carl Seidman. Carl has over 20 years of experience in management consulting and FP&A advisory. In this conversation, he highlights the growing demand for FP&A in Fortune 500 companies and the shift towards proactive finance roles. Carl addresses how to enter the FP&A field without a specialized degree, emphas...

  In this episode of FinPod, co-founder Scott Powell and colleague Asim Khan speak with Danielle Stein Fairhurst, a renowned financial modeler, author, and Microsoft MVP. She shares her journey into financial modeling, driven by her love for finance and Excel, and shares her modeling core concepts.. Danielle discusses common mistakes modelers make, the importance of simplicity, and her contributio...

Join us in the latest episode of the "What's New at CFI" podcast as we delve into the intricacies of financial planning and analysis, specifically focusing on the inclusion of contractors in financial models in today's evolving job market landscape.  We highlight key differences between forecasting for employees and contractors, emphasizing the importance of understanding cash flow timing nuances....

In this episode of FinPod, hosts Asim Khan and Ryan Spendelow dive deep into the world of banking regulations. Join them as they discuss the intricacies of Basel III and its significance in risk management. Unravel the historical context behind the Basel Accords and understand how Basel III emerged as a response to the 2008 global financial crisis. Asim and Ryan discuss the critical differences be...

In this episode of FinPod, host Anna Talerico chats with Vijay Maharaj, CFI's Director of FP&A, to discuss his career journey and what it's like to work in FP&A.  Discover how Vijay’s path through economics led him to a career in financial planning and analysis. Get a glimpse into a day in the life of a Director of FP&A, including the balancing act of data management, forecasting, and...

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan sits down to discuss data visualization with Sebastian Taylor. They cover best practices for creating effective visual representations of data, from choosing the right charts to crafting impactful stories. To communicate data effectively, learn the importance of understanding your audience and focusing on key messages.  Sebastian shares valuable tips on de...

In this episode of FinPod, Asim Khan & Glenn Hopper talk about AI-enhanced financial analysis. They discuss the power of ChatGPT in democratizing data and how this technology can help improve workflows and analysis. Learn more about AI's impact on roles in investment banking and accounting and how to use generative AI to work more effectively. 

In this special episode of FinPod, host Anna Talerico shines a CFI member spotlight on Stephen Moerane, a remarkable individual whose journey has come full circle within the CFI community.  Stephen's story begins as a CFI learner and progresses to a CFI team member. Listen in as Anna and Stephen discuss his inspiring transition from non-finance roles to a career in finance and his journey to becom...

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, to talk about the final components of the FP&A model Duncan's been developing for our FP&A courses. Duncan shares how dashboards and data visualization techniques can transform traditional financial analysis into compelling stories.  Learn the importance of effectively presenting data using colorful visualizat...

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, as they discuss financial statement aggregation and analysis. Follow along as Duncan walks us through consolidating financial statements using advanced Excel functions.  Discover the significance of breaking down current and deferred taxes, balancing income statements, and mastering cash flow projections. Learn the be...

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, as they delve into the world of headcount forecasting and analysis. This engaging discussion explores essential strategies for forecasting a company's employees and associated costs. Discover how to forecast salaries, bonuses, and benefits while maintaining a comprehensive view of cash flow and income statements. Lear...

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, to discuss FP&A model design, revenue forecasting, and the power of proper formatting. Duncan shares insights on creating visually appealing and easy-to-follow models using the latest Excel features, such as binary switches and conditional formatting. Discover how to enhance your models with up and down arrows to...

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, to discuss Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). Duncan shares insights into the importance of model design in finance, emphasizing the significance of careful planning and structuring for effective decision-making. Learn how to efficiently gather inputs using modern tools like Power Query and how keyboard sho...