FinPod

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we introduce our newest specialization, Accounting for Financial Analysts, which is designed for financial analysts who are looking to master essential accounting skills. This practical program covers the critical accounting concepts analysts encounter regularly, from dissecting financial statements and calculating essential ratios to understanding u...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we chat with Mark Allbee, VP of Finance and Operations at Roko Labs. Mark shares his journey from Big Four accounting at KPMG, where he specialized and built key skills, to leading finance in dynamic startups. He details his transition to FP&A, tackling budgeting and reporting while navigating the unique demands of the startup world.  Mark’s rea...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod , we discuss the latest course in the FP&A Specialization, FP&A Professional Model Protection and Presentation . This course is the third in a series designed to equip financial professionals with advanced modeling skills. It focuses on essential practices for protecting and presenting financial models, making them more efficient and secure fo...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Jack McCullough, the founder and CEO of the CFO Leadership Council. Jack has had a diverse career that began with earning an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and includes being a former CFO, a published author, and podcast host. His journey began in public accounting, later transitioning to leadership roles at tech startu...

In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we speak with CFI member Shawn Jahromi, an experienced project manager and entrepreneur with a unique journey from electrical engineering to digital transformation. Shawn holds a Master's in Business Administration and earned the FMVA Certification from CFI, both of which have been pivotal in shaping his career. He began his career with a degree i...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Duncan McKeen, a seasoned equity research analyst turned financial modeler and educator at CFI. Duncan's career journey is an inspiring example of adaptation and perseverance, starting in mechanical engineering before transitioning into finance. Duncan shares how he leveraged his sector expertise in mining to break into equity resea...

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we dive into the latest addition to our course lineup, Comparable Valuation Fundamentals . Our expert instructors discuss designing the course specifically to make valuation concepts more accessible for learners without extensive finance backgrounds. You’ll hear about the decision to use fictional companies for easier digestion of the fundamentals an...

In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we feature Charaf Bourhalla, a seasoned finance professional who has built a career with major firms like KPMG and Kimberly Clark, eventually becoming Head of Consolidation at Nestle Skin Health.  He holds several key certifications, including the FMVA from CFI, ACCA with a focus on IFRS, and the PMP from PMI. Charaf offers insights into his journ...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss the newly released course, FP&A Professional: Model Roll Forward and Analysis. This course is the second in a three-part series designed to enhance Excel skills while focusing on essential monthly workflows for FP&A professionals. Listeners will learn best practices for managing files, rolling models forward, and incorporating both...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we talk to Alex Yuditski, a growth investor at Bessemer Venture Partners. Starting with a pivot in college from history to economics, Alex’s path led her from investment banking at Regions Bank and William Blair to working on pre-IPO growth equity deals at Blue Owl Capital. Now at one of the top venture firms globally, Alex focuses on Series B and b...

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we’re excited to introduce our latest course, "Intro to Bank Valuations." We’ve designed this course to simplify the world of bank valuation models by focusing on practical methodologies like the asset value approach, comparables, and the dividend discount model.  We dive into why mastering bank financial statements and Basel III regulations is a pre...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we welcome Kristen Kelly and Jennifer Saarbach, founders of The Wall Street Skinny . Through their podcast, social media platforms, and other channels, they've built a highly regarded brand dedicated to demystifying the complex world of finance and helping others break into the industry. Kristen and Jennifer share their journeys of transitioning int...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod , we dive into the complexities of calculating diluted shares, including how various factors—such as stock options, convertible debt, and restricted stock—affect a company’s share count. We explain how failing to account for potential shares that could be issued (like employee stock options or convertible debt) can lead to overvaluing a company’s equi...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Iain Main, who has built a career working across global markets. Iain began his journey at BDO, where he trained as a Chartered Accountant and gained valuable experience in London and Vancouver. His career later took him to Omnicom, where he worked in FP&A, partnering with CFOs and CEOs across 25 countries, gaining deep insights...

In this episode of What's New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss accounting for leases, focusing on the key differences between operating and finance leases under US GAAP and IFRS. We explain the recent changes in accounting standards and how they impact financial analysts when comparing companies using different reporting frameworks. We cover essential topics like how to treat lease liabilities and ass...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Zane Tarence, Partner and Managing Director at the investment banking firm, Founders Advisors. Zane has over 20 years of experience guiding businesses through high-stakes deals and has built a high-performing firm known for its sector specialization and strategic expertise. Starting his career as a software engineer at IBM, Zane too...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss the power of AI for finance, focusing on AI-powered scenario analysis and its impact on financial modeling. We explain how AI is not just enhancing traditional scenario analysis but also making it more efficient, detailed, and accessible for finance professionals at all levels. The conversation breaks down key components of scenario analys...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we talk with Ashok Manthena about his experiences at companies like Google, Gap, and Ingersoll Rand, highlighting the unique opportunities and challenges in finance functions.  The conversation explores the impact of AI on finance processes, automation, predictive analytics, and generative AI. Ashok provides insights into how AI transforms finance t...

In this episode of FinPod’s What’s New at CFI, we explore the critical role of workflow efficiencies for analysts working in Business Intelligence (BI) and data analysis. Join us as we unpack practical strategies, tools, and best practices that can streamline your day-to-day tasks, from data gathering and cleaning to analysis and reporting. Whether you're a seasoned analyst or just starting in the...

In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we sit down with Genaro Arredondo who shares his colorful journey navigating a career in finance – starting from his roots in Chile to becoming a Director of Corporate Development at global credit bureau, Equifax.  Genaro discusses his experience majoring in accounting at university, navigating early-career roles at top firms like EY and Deloitte,...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss our newly launched course on reading and analyzing insurance company financials. We break down the complexities and unique characteristics of insurance financial statements, comparing them to those of banks and industrial companies. We also discuss concepts like deferred acquisition costs, unearned premiums, and the specific accounting cha...

In this episode of FinPod, we discuss our new course on purchase price allocations in M&A accounting. This course addresses common challenges and confusion around acquisition accounting, particularly with deferred taxes and transaction fees. The course breaks down these complex topics into manageable chunks using hands-on Excel exercises. We emphasize the importance of learning by doing, guidi...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Carolina Lago, who has extensive experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and corporate finance. Carolina shares her career journey from studying business to becoming a leader in FP&A, emphasizing how the role has evolved from mere financial planning to a strategic focus on guiding companies' futures. She discuss...

In this episode of What’s New at CFI on FinPod, we discuss the newly refreshed course, "Math for Finance Professionals," which covers essential concepts like simple and compound interest, discounted cash flows, and statistical measures using Excel. This course equips finance professionals with the foundational skills necessary for a variety of roles in finance  & banking. Tune in to learn more...

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Brian Egger, Global Head of Financial Modeling at Bloomberg LP. Brian brings a wealth of experience from his time at Goldman Sachs and Bloomberg, where he has developed and led the Bloomberg Interactive Calculator financial modeling platform.  Brian talks about the complexities of equity research, such as his analysis on Las Vegas a...