Effective Communication and Strategic Thinking for FP&A Professionals with Carl Seidman

In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst, aka “The FP&A Guy,” talks about financial planning and analysis (FP&A) with Carl Seidman. They discuss how technology, strategic thinking, and effective communication are reshaping FP&A roles, making them more agile and impactful than ever.

Carl Seidman is an FP&A advisor, educator, and fractional CFO with over two decades of experience in financial strategy, business storytelling, and leadership development. Founder of Seidman Financial, Carl helps organizations build robust FP&A capabilities and fosters the development of professionals through learning programs and mastermind groups.

Expect to Learn:

• How the FP&A profession is transitioning from backward-looking analysis to strategic business partnering.
• The growing importance of communication and influence in advancing FP&A careers.
• Insights into scenario planning and anticipating disruptions in uncertain times.
• The role of technology and tools like Excel and generative AI in enhancing FP&A processes.
• Tips for becoming a more effective presenter and influencer in professional settings.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "Critical thinking and communication are the two most essential skills for FP&A professionals." - Carl Seidman
• "FP&A professionals must move beyond technical skills to focus on strategy and influence." - Carl Seidman
• "Excel is still powerful, but integrating it with modern tools can unlock even greater efficiency." - Carl Seidman

Carl shared actionable insights and practical advice that can help FP&A teams navigate the complexities of today's business environment. As FP&A transitions from traditional analysis to becoming a vital strategic partner, professionals must cultivate critical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to influence decisions. 

Plan Smarter with Workday:

Workday Adaptive Planning empowers organizations with AI-driven insights, advanced data visualization, and powerful reporting tools. Make smarter decisions faster and elevate your budgeting, forecasting, and modeling. Learn more at http://www.workday.com/fpaguy

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LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/carlseidman

Website - https://seidmanfinancial.com/

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Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

World-class Digital FP&A Course Bundle: 

Signup for over ten hours of video content with 4 different courses and 8 modules on FP&A topics including: Business Partnering, Data Analysis, Financial Modeling Design Principles, and Modern Excel. Use code Podcast to save 25%. What are you waiting for signup now: https://bit.ly/4decOf3

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[02:29] - What Great FP&A Looks Like

[07:12] - The Evolution of FP&A Roles

[17:27] - Communication as a Key Skill

[21:05] - The Role of Feedback

[30:05] - The Power of Presentation

[34:39] - Influence and Strategy

[41:28] - Anticipation and Scenario Analysis

[47:06] - LinkedIn Learning Course

[49:24] - Rapid-Fire Questions