Helping FP&A professionals and teams become the partners their businesses rely on.
I'm Paul Barnhurst, The FP&A Guy. After 12+ years in the seat at companies including American Express, Solera, and DigiCert, I went independent to teach FP&A, research the tools shaping finance, and share the honest advice I wish I'd had earlier in my career.
New here?
Meet The FP&A Guy
No fluff. No hype. Just real-world FP&A, beard included at no extra charge.
- 12+ years in corporate FP&A
- 115K+ LinkedIn followers
- FPAC · FPAP · AFM · Microsoft MVP
Choose Your Path
Who is The FP&A Guy built for?
Four audiences. Each path leads to real training, resources, or services built specifically for that group.
For Finance Professionals
I want to build my FP&A skills.
FP&A courses, AI training, and resources for analysts, modelers, and finance professionals growing their craft.
- Digital FP&A and AI courses
- FP&A Best Practices virtual course
- FP&A certification comparison
- Podcasts, blog, Excel files, and guides
For Finance Leaders & Teams
I need to upskill my finance team.
Corporate FP&A training and advisory for finance leaders building stronger FP&A capability, storytelling, and AI readiness.
- Corporate FP&A training programs
- Business partnering and storytelling
- AI training for finance teams
- FP&A software selection support
For PE & VC Investors
I need a read on the FP&A software market.
Independent diligence and market intelligence drawn from 300+ vendor conversations across roughly 150 FP&A and finance tools.
- Deal flow & target identification
- Competitive landscape mapping
- Technical & commercial diligence support
- State of the FP&A Market briefings
For Software Vendors
I want an honest read on my positioning.
Independent FP&A market research and advisory for software companies that want a clear-eyed view of how they fit in the finance buyer's world.
- Market research and advisory
- Positioning and category analysis
- Buyer-side perspective on your product
- Finance software quick pitches
What Makes Us Different
How is The FP&A Guy different from other FP&A education?
Three things separate The FP&A Guy from generic finance training: trust, authenticity, and a relentless focus on what actually works in the seat.
Built on trust
Honest answers, even when uncomfortable. Independent perspective on FP&A software, certifications, and AI tools — never bought.
Authentic, not corporate
A real FP&A practitioner who's been in the seat. Plain language, practical examples, and zero finance-speak.
Practical, not theoretical
Every lesson tied to real FP&A work — built from 12+ years of doing the job at American Express, Solera, and DigiCert.
The Podcast Network
What are the best FP&A podcasts to follow?
Three globally ranked shows covering the practitioners, modelers, and AI workflows shaping modern finance. Press play on any of them right here.
Practical conversations with FP&A leaders on what actually works inside modern finance teams.
There's a reason Paul's podcasts are some of the highest-rated in the world — he finds world-class guests and always offers varying perspectives. — Chris Reilly, Founder, Financial Modeling Education
Deep dives into modeling craft, technique, and the people building the world's best financial models.
An engaging host and moderator, Paul brings insight, humor, and a unique perspective that leaves listeners with a sharper understanding of financial modeling. — Brian Egger, Global Head of Financial Modeling, Bloomberg LP
Co-hosted with Glenn Hopper. How AI is rewriting the finance function, week by week.
Paul and Glenn are awesome — funny, educational. I expect this to help me meaningfully run a better company. — EssaouirAB, Apple Podcasts Listener
Services
What services does The FP&A Guy offer?
Four service lines, all built on practitioner experience and independent perspective.
01 / LEARN
FP&A Courses & Training
Self-paced FP&A and AI courses plus corporate team training, built from real FP&A work.
Explore FP&A courses02 / RESEARCH
Market Research & Advisory
Independent perspective on the FP&A software market for vendors, buyers, and investors.
Explore market research03 / INVEST
PE & VC Intelligence
Deal flow and diligence support drawn from 300+ vendor conversations across the FP&A tools landscape.
PE & VC services04 / SELECT
FP&A Software Selection
Hands-on guidance helping finance teams pick the right planning, AI, or modeling tools.
FP&A software selectionWhy finance professionals trust The FP&A Guy
Reach across the global FP&A community.
Audience figures self-reported by The FP&A Guy. Updated 2026.
FP&A Certifications
Which FP&A certification should you get?
A quick comparison of the four leading FP&A certifications. For the full breakdown, see the in-depth comparison guide.
| Certification | Issuing Body | Best For | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPAC | AFP — Association for Financial Professionals | Senior FP&A professionals; the established standard | Broad FP&A competencies; technology & analysis |
| FPAP | CFI — Corporate Finance Institute | Practical, desk-ready FP&A skills | Forecasting, modeling, scenario planning, communication |
| AFM | FMI — Financial Modeling Institute | Modeling specialists | Advanced financial modeling craft |
| CGFPA | FPI — FP&A Institute | Global / international finance professionals | Globally oriented FP&A practice |
Keynote: Blueprintt FP&A Summit 2026, São Paulo
Sharing the state of FP&A — what's changing in tooling, AI adoption, and the skills finance teams need next — with finance leaders from across Latin America.
See upcoming FP&A events →About Paul
Who is Paul Barnhurst, The FP&A Guy?
Paul Barnhurst is The FP&A Guy. After 12+ years in FP&A roles at American Express, Solera, and DigiCert, he went independent for one reason: most FP&A education didn't sound like FP&A actually feels in the seat.
So he built something different. Practical FP&A training. Honest podcasts. An independent voice for finance professionals who'd rather learn from someone who's been there than read another whitepaper.
No corporate scripts. No vendor agendas. Just real FP&A taught straight — and yes, the beard stays.
Credentials & experience
Industry roles
FP&A experience
Wall of Love
What people say about The FP&A Guy
Real words from finance professionals, course participants, and podcast guests.
Came for the content, stayed for the beard. A true champion of good modelling!
Who thought finance could be fun? Paul transforms complex financial topics into engaging and entertaining conversations on his podcast. A must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding.
There's a reason Paul's podcasts are some of the highest-rated in the world — he's amazing at what he does, finds world-class guests, and always offers varying perspectives. Must-listen if you work in finance.
Without a doubt the Best-Practices FP&A Course was the best course I ever had. I learned a lot and I can't wait to use what I learned in my company.
As featured in & recognized by
Free Resources
Free FP&A resources to start with
Independent comparisons and guides used by thousands of finance professionals every month.
FP&A Certification Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of the leading FP&A certifications to help you pick the one that fits your goals.
Compare FP&A certificationsAI Finance Program Comparison
Where to invest your AI for finance learning time — with clear views of program scope, depth, and outcomes.
Compare AI finance programsFP&A Software Selection
Independent guidance helping finance teams choose the right planning, AI, or modeling tools — no vendor sales pressure.
Get FP&A software selection helpFAQ
Frequently asked questions about The FP&A Guy
Quick answers to the questions finance professionals, teams, vendors, and investors ask most often.
Who is The FP&A Guy?
Does The FP&A Guy work with PE or VC firms?
Which FP&A certification should I get?
What are the best FP&A podcasts to listen to?
Does The FP&A Guy offer corporate training?
Is FP&A software selection guidance available?
How can I subscribe to The FP&A Guy newsletter?
What does The FP&A Guy do?
What is FP&A?
Latest Insights
Recent FP&A articles and podcast episodes
Fresh content from the blog and podcast network.
Upcoming Events
Where can you see Paul live?
Workshops, keynotes, webinars, and podcast recordings — all in one place.