Future Finance Podcast

In this podcast Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy, and Glenn Hopper, delve into the transformative world of Finance by emphasizing the impact of Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the Finance Profession.

AI Strategy for CFOs Is a Wild West Without Governance Turn AI Into a Portfolio System – Dave Trier
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

AI Strategy for CFOs Is a Wild West Without Governance Turn AI Into a Portfolio System – Dave Trier

Dave Trier is CEO of ModelOp, leading the company with a focus on customer value, product innovation, and enterprise execution. With over 20 years of experience across AI, data science, analytics, cloud, and enterprise software, Dave is a patent-holder and trusted partner to CIOs, CTOs, and AI leaders. Prior to becoming CEO, he shaped ModelOp’s product strategy and held senior roles at Think Big Analytics, Powered by Action, and Accenture Technology Labs. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame. 


In this episode, you will discover:

  • How to industrialize AI delivery across an enterprise

  • Managing risk, governance, and compliance for AI implementations

  • Measuring AI ROI using financial, feedback, and usage metrics

  • The CFO’s role in AI oversight and rationalizing AI investments

  • Key lessons for change management and process discipline in AI adoption

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Why Unified Systems are More Important Than Ever in the Era of AI with OneStream CEO Scott Leshinski
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

Why Unified Systems are More Important Than Ever in the Era of AI with OneStream CEO Scott Leshinski

Scott Leshinski is the President of OneStream Software, where he leads OneStream’s growth and innovation. With a background in corporate finance at GE Capital, co-founding Bluestone International, and working at Huron Consulting Group, Scott has a wealth of experience in driving major tech transformations. He joined OneStream in 2021 and was promoted to President in 2023 after helping the company achieve impressive growth. 


In this episode, you will discover:

  • What OneStream's acquisition by Hg Capital means for its future

  • The benefits of using a unified platform in finance

  • How automation is improving financial processes

  • The evolving role of automation in financial planning and decision-making

  • How OneStream’s tools are helping businesses become more agile and efficient

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AI Agents Are Replacing Finance Workflows While Revenue Gets More Complex with Ali Hussain
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

AI Agents Are Replacing Finance Workflows While Revenue Gets More Complex with Ali Hussain

Ali Hussain is the CEO and co-founder of Tabs, where he leads the development of AI-native solutions designed to automate the billing, collections, and revenue recognition process. With a background spanning product leadership at Google, strategy consulting at BCG, and public policy, Ali is at the forefront of the next wave of finance technology.


In this episode, you will discover:

  • How AI is transforming revenue management in finance

  • The importance of data context in AI-powered tools

  • Why traditional finance systems fail to address modern revenue models

  • How Tabs automates billing, collections, and revenue recognition

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AI in Financial Modeling for Analysts to Improve Accuracy and Speed with David Ingraham
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

AI in Financial Modeling for Analysts to Improve Accuracy and Speed with David Ingraham

David Ingraham is the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, a financial reporting and accounting platform that integrates powerful AI directly into Excel. With nearly 20 years of experience in private equity, David has worked on deals totaling over $1.5 billion. He is also passionate about educational initiatives, serving as board president of Aim High, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free summer education to nearly 2,000 students annually.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why are finance professionals slow to adopt AI despite its potential

  • How AI should be treated as a teammate, not a replacement

  • Why context is everything in AI models, especially in Excel

  • The limitations of AI in finance and how to work around them

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 How Finance Teams Can Overcome AI Fear and Build Real Use Cases That Work with Josh Schauer
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

How Finance Teams Can Overcome AI Fear and Build Real Use Cases That Work with Josh Schauer

Josh Schauer is the CFO at insightsoftware, where he leads financial strategy and operations. He previously served as SVP of Finance from 2020 to 2024 and led Financial Planning and Consolidation at Longview before its acquisition by insightsoftware. Josh has extensive experience in FP&A, consolidation, and finance transformation, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why are finance teams slow to adopt AI despite knowing its importance

  • Why AI should be treated as a teammate, not a replacement

  • How poor data and broken processes limit AI’s value

  • Practical use cases for AI in FP&A, including variance analysis

  • How scenario planning can be done faster using AI

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AI Governance for CFOs to Control Board Risk and Lead Strategic Transformation with Shannon Nash
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

AI Governance for CFOs to Control Board Risk and Lead Strategic Transformation with Shannon Nash

Shannon Nash is a global C-suite leader, CPA, attorney, and board director with over 30 years of experience across finance, technology, and governance. She is a Partner at Alpha AI, where she helps organizations strengthen AI governance and strategic decision-making. Shannon has served as CFO at companies like Wing, Reputation.com, and Inside Source, and currently sits on multiple boards, including SoFi Bank and NetScout Systems.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why finance professionals must continuously retool in the age of AI

  • How AI is changing the role of CFOs and decision-making

  • The importance of AI governance at the board level

  • How to manage AI investment alongside “AI sprawl.”

  • What key questions boards should be asking about AI

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How Finance Leaders Can Stop AI Failure and Adopt Augmented Intelligence with John Thomas
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

How Finance Leaders Can Stop AI Failure and Adopt Augmented Intelligence with John Thomas

John Thomas is the Founder and CEO of the Global Institute of Data Science (GIDS), a consulting and professional development organization focused on helping organizations successfully implement AI and data science initiatives. He serves as a Fractional Chief AI Officer for Fortune 500 companies and teaches AI and machine learning courses at Caltech CTME and UC San Diego Extended Studies.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why 85% of AI projects fail and how to avoid 

  • The difference between AI hype and real implementation

  • How augmented intelligence improves human decision-making

  • Why asking the right questions about AI models matters most

  • How AI can help with risk analysis and financial decision-making

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How Finance Leaders Can Stop AI Failure and Adopt Augmented Intelligence with John Thomas
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How Finance Leaders Can Stop AI Failure and Adopt Augmented Intelligence with John Thomas

John is the Founder and CEO of the Global Institute of Data Science (GIDS), a consulting and professional development organization focused on helping organizations successfully implement AI and data science initiatives. He serves as a Fractional Chief AI Officer for Fortune 500 companies and teaches AI and machine learning courses at Caltech CTME and UC San Diego Extended Studies.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why 85% of AI projects fail and how to avoid 

  • The difference between AI hype and real implementation

  • How augmented intelligence improves human decision-making

  • Why asking the right questions about AI models matters most

  • How AI can help with risk analysis and financial decision-making

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How Modern Finance Teams Are Automating Billing and Revenue Workflows with AI Tools - Riya Grover
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

How Modern Finance Teams Are Automating Billing and Revenue Workflows with AI Tools - Riya Grover

Riya Grover is the Co-founder and CEO at Sequence. Sequence, backed by a16z with $40M raised, is building the first agentic platform for accounts receivable. The company helps B2B businesses automate quoting, billing, invoicing, and revenue recognition, especially for complex pricing and custom contracts. Prior to Sequence, Riya founded Feedr, a venture-backed company that exited to Compass Group in 2020. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics and Management from Oxford University.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why building a two-sided marketplace is incredibly difficult

  • How modern B2B pricing models break traditional billing systems

  • The difference between deterministic systems and generative AI in finance

  • Why human-in-the-loop design is critical for financial AI agents

  • What the future finance tech stack will look like in the next five years

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Claude AI Replaces ChatGPT and Copilot in Finance to Automate Workflows without Planning Tools
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

Claude AI Replaces ChatGPT and Copilot in Finance to Automate Workflows without Planning Tools

Paul and Glenn discuss their firsthand experiences with AI-driven tools, from tracking expenses and managing journal entries to building financial models. They also dive into the ways small and medium businesses are utilizing AI-powered Excel agents to streamline their financial processes without the need for expensive, traditional planning tools.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • The impact of AI agents in finance and how they simplify workflows.

  • Personal experiences with Claude and Copilot in real-world finance tasks.

  • How to integrate AI into your finance team’s daily tasks.

  • The benefits and challenges of AI-powered automation in finance.

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How SMBs Can Fix Bookkeeping to Build Trustworthy Data and Scale Finance with Kevin & Drew
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

How SMBs Can Fix Bookkeeping to Build Trustworthy Data and Scale Finance with Kevin & Drew

Kevin A.Thomas, CFA, is the founder of Omniga and a seasoned strategic finance leader focused on scaling digital businesses. Kevin is passionate about rebuilding the back office to help businesses make smarter decisions, faster. Drew Hyatt is the Co-Founder and CTO of Omniga. He plays a key role in architecting Omniga’s infrastructure, translating complex workflows into scalable technology for finance teams. 


In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why clean books are the foundation for strong financial decisions

  • The hidden risks in small business bookkeeping and how to fix them

  • The difference between replacing tasks and supporting human judgment

  • How to expand from bookkeeping to full finance strategy support

  • How to structure a finance workflow that scales with your business

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AI Adoption Is Surging but Finance Pros Are Falling Behind Due to Bad Data and Poor Strategy in 2026
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

AI Adoption Is Surging but Finance Pros Are Falling Behind Due to Bad Data and Poor Strategy in 2026

Paul and Glenn discuss how individuals have become far more comfortable using AI tools in their own work, while companies as a whole have moved much more slowly. Topics include ongoing data quality problems, hesitation around governance and security, and why many organizations still struggle to integrate AI into core systems and workflows. They also share their thoughts on notable developments from 2025, including OpenAI’s shift toward consumer use, Microsoft Copilot’s mixed results, Google Gemini’s rapid improvement, and Nvidia’s continued growth.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • How AI adoption differs between individuals and organizations

  • Why poor data quality still limits many finance teams

  • What recent changes from OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia suggest

  • Where Microsoft Copilot works well today and where it falls short

  • Why automation and basic app-building are becoming more important

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How Finance Pros Can Fix Broken Reporting and End the Monday Morning Problem with Ian Wong
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

How Finance Pros Can Fix Broken Reporting and End the Monday Morning Problem with Ian Wong

Ian Wong is the co-founder and CEO of Summation, an AI-powered decision platform built to help enterprise leaders better understand how their businesses are performing. Before Summation, Ian co-founded Opendoor and served as CTO through its journey to going public. He was also Square’s first data scientist, where he built early fraud and risk systems. Ian holds degrees in electrical engineering and statistics from Stanford University and brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise and business leadership experience.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • What the “Monday Morning Problem” is and why it slows down decision-making

  • Why dashboards and ad hoc reports often fail finance leaders

  • The risks of relying on generic AI tools for financial analysis

  • How decision-grade analytics differ from conversational AI

  • What the coming “query flood” could mean for data infrastructure and costs

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What Finance Professionals Must Fix Before AI and ERP Transformations Fail with Cindy Vindasius
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

What Finance Professionals Must Fix Before AI and ERP Transformations Fail with Cindy Vindasius

Cindy Vindasius is a CPA and MBA with over 30 years of experience guiding high-growth technology and manufacturing companies through complex ERP, finance transformation, and AI-readiness initiatives. As the founder of Vindasius Advisory, she has led 12 ERP implementations, 8 IPO and M&A, and numerous SOX compliance projects. Her clients include industry leaders such as Tesla, Apple, 23andMe, and TenX. Through her ERP Preparedness Master Workshop and executive advisory programs, Cindy helps CFOs and CIOs align systems and processes for scale, resilience, and efficiency.


In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why 70% of ERP implementations fail and how to avoid common missteps

  • What ERP readiness really means, and why it's often overlooked

  • How AI-native ERPs compare to legacy systems in real-world implementations

  • Why scalable data governance and documented processes are essential

  • How Cindy’s ERP Preparedness Master Workshop helps teams succeed

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DualEntry's Co-founder Santiago Nestares shares why Mid-Market CFO are ditching Legacy ERPs
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

DualEntry's Co-founder Santiago Nestares shares why Mid-Market CFO are ditching Legacy ERPs

Santiago Nestares is the CEO and co-founder of DualEntry, an AI-native ERP platform. Before DualEntry, he co-founded Benitago, a leading Amazon brand aggregator. His experience running a multi-entity, high-growth business exposed the inefficiencies in traditional finance systems, inspiring him to build a next-gen ERP solution from scratch.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why legacy ERP systems are fundamentally broken, and how AI changes the game

  • How DualEntry enables 24-hour ERP data migration

  • The role of AI in journal entries, reporting, and reconciliation

  • How auditors are embracing automation and AI for compliance and accuracy

  • Why ERP systems must evolve beyond just being "AI-enabled" to truly AI-native

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How NetSuite uses AI and how the NetSuite Connector is a Game Changer for accountants with Joe and Ranga
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

How NetSuite uses AI and how the NetSuite Connector is a Game Changer for accountants with Joe and Ranga

Joe Friedman is the Senior Director of AI Innovation at Oracle NetSuite, driving efforts to integrate practical AI across finance and operations. With over 15 years at NetSuite, Joe focuses on converting AI into measurable productivity gains. Ranga Bodla is the Vice President of Field Engagement and Marketing at Oracle NetSuite, with more than 20 years in enterprise software. He leads industry strategy across verticals, helping businesses convert innovation into performance.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why NetSuite believes ERP is the core of AI transformation in finance

  • How the new MCP connector integrates AI agents like Claude and ChatGPT

  • Practical AI use cases: from variance analysis to journal entry creation

  • Why clean ERP data is essential for effective AI outcomes

  • How companies can start AI initiatives without high risk or cost

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Why AI Projects Fail for Finance Teams and How Power BI and Clean Data Fix It with Khaled Chowdhury
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

Why AI Projects Fail for Finance Teams and How Power BI and Clean Data Fix It with Khaled Chowdhury

Khaled Chowdhury is a data expert and founder of Data Crafters, helping businesses, especially in finance, build clear data strategies in the age of AI. With a background in FP&A, Khaled’s unique journey spans from finance director to certified data professional, with expertise in tools like Power BI and Fabric. He’s been recognized globally for his contributions to the data world, empowering organizations to make data-driven decisions. Khaled’s experience bridges finance, technology, and business leadership.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Khaled’s journey from finance to data analytics and AI

  • The importance of data clarity and the common mistakes companies make

  • Why AI and data-driven decisions require a strong foundation

  • How AI can both enhance and challenge business decision-making

  • Practical advice on how companies should prioritize AI investments and data management

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AI ERP Innovation for Financial Executives to Disrupt Legacy Software with Franz Faerber
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

AI ERP Innovation for Financial Executives to Disrupt Legacy Software with Franz Faerber

Franz Faerber is the Co-founder and CTO of Everest Systems, a next-gen AI-native ERP company. Before Everest, Franz spent over 26 years at SAP, where he served as Executive VP of Technology and was the original architect behind SAP HANA, one of the most advanced in-memory databases in the world. His work helped transform data processing and analytics for thousands of global enterprises. Now, at Everest, he is on a mission to revolutionize ERP from the ground up, embracing AI and agile development to tackle the inefficiencies of traditional systems.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • Why the ERP space is finally ready for disruption, and how Everest is leading that charge.

  • How Everest built a fully functional inventory management system in just four months without writing a single line of code.

  • The role of AI in accelerating ERP development, reducing costs, and enabling mass personalization.

  • Why Franz believes the future of ERP lies in integration, automation, and adaptability.

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Modern AI-ledgers for Accounting and Finance Teams to Replace QuickBooks and Automate the Books with Jeff Seibert
Paul Barnhurst Paul Barnhurst

Modern AI-ledgers for Accounting and Finance Teams to Replace QuickBooks and Automate the Books with Jeff Seibert

Jeff Seibert is the founder and CEO of Digits, an innovative accounting platform that helps businesses manage their finances with real-time insights. Before starting Digits, Jeff co-founded Crashlytics, a mobile performance analytics company that was acquired by Twitter in 2013. He went on to lead Twitter's consumer product team and later appeared in the Emmy Award-winning Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. A self-taught programmer, Jeff has been a part of the startup world for years and has invested in over 100 companies, earning recognition as one of Insider's Top 100 Seed VCs.

In this episode, you will discover:

  • How Jeff’s passion for coding started at age 13.

  • The story behind founding Digits and solving slow financial systems.

  • How Digits provides real-time financial data to businesses.

  • Why traditional accounting systems fail and how Digits overcomes it.

  • Jeff’s vision for AI and automation in the future of accounting.

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