In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst and co-host Carolina Lago explore their experiences with financial modeling and the Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) certification. They discuss the value of these certifications, the challenges of studying for them, and how these programs can improve financial modeling skills. They also provide helpful tips and insights into preparing for the Chartered Financial Modeler (CFM) certification. Carolina is a financial modeling and ...
Jul 01, 2025•46 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Jon Acampora to discuss the ever-evolving world of financial modeling, focusing on Excel. Jon shares about the importance of creating user-friendly models and the impact of Excel Esports on financial modeling skills. The conversation covers best practices for building efficient models, lessons from Excel competitions, and how new technologies like Power Query and AI are shaping the future of modeling. Jon is the fo...
Jun 24, 2025•55 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Drew Blazsik to dive into the evolving world of financial modeling in academia. Drew brings a fresh perspective on how students can better grasp complex concepts using structured, interactive learning. The conversation touches on practical teaching methods, the common pitfalls students face, and why blending creativity with structure is key to mastering the three-statement model. Drew Blazsik is an assistant profe...
Jun 17, 2025•53 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , Alyona Mysko shares her journey from a PwC auditor to a fintech founder creating FuelFinance, a no-code financial planning tool tailored for startups and small businesses. She discusses common financial modeling challenges faced by first-time founders, the complexities of the manufacturing and fashion industries, and the importance of simplifying financial models for better decision-making. Alyona emphasizes the power of effective communication and...
Jun 10, 2025•48 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Scott Powell, co-founder and board member of the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI), to discuss the principles and pitfalls of financial modeling. The conversation centers around how overcomplication, legacy models, and misused functions can undermine even the most polished models, and how thoughtful planning, stakeholder consideration, and service-oriented teaching can significantly enhance modeling effectiveness....
Jun 03, 2025•49 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst talks with Narek Grigorian, a seasoned financial modeler and investment professional with deep experience across real estate, energy, and biotech sectors. Narek shares candid stories about the worst financial model he ever worked on, one that looked polished but was fundamentally flawed, missing key components like taxes, depreciation, and tenant turnover. He explains how these mistakes can mislead decision-makers and why it’s cr...
May 27, 2025•46 min
In this special episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by CFO and startup finance educator Lauren Pearl for a storytelling session that’s equal parts funny and terrifying. They walk through “The Currency Catastrophe,” a true finance horror story about a global company, a junior analyst, and a massive mistake involving currency conversions. As the story unfolds, Paul and Lauren react, unpack what went wrong, and share their own war stories from years working in finan...
May 20, 2025•36 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Maria Zlobina, a finance professional with over a decade of experience in Big Four audit, FP&A, and business partnering roles across the US, Australia, and Russia. The conversation explores the importance of understanding the purpose behind financial models, the challenges of inheriting others’ models, and the value of continual learning in finance. Maria also shares insights into the Advanced Financial Modeler cert...
May 13, 2025•46 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Ian Schnoor, Executive Director of the Financial Modeling Institute. The conversation focuses on the growing role of financial modeling in uncertain markets, the expanding reach of FMI, and the importance of structure, clarity, and accreditation in building better business decisions. Ian shares practical insights from his global work, recent collaborations, and lessons from building multiple businesses. Ian Schnoor is th...
May 06, 2025•50 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Arta Ramaj, co-founder of 360 Finance, for a discussion into the real-world challenges and nuances of financial modeling. Arta shares her journey from a geography degree to a thriving career in finance and entrepreneurship. Together, they explore the art and science of building robust financial models, the entrepreneurial mindset, and the evolving role of finance as a strategic business partner. Arta Ramaj is the co-fou...
Apr 29, 2025•46 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) welcomes David Perla, Vice Chair of Burford Capital and a pioneering voice in the legal finance industry. David discusses how financial modeling plays a central role in evaluating and funding high-stakes litigation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how his team monetizes legal risk with structured financial strategies. From managing long litigation timelines to leveraging Monte Carlo simulations and AI ...
Apr 22, 2025•45 min
In this special episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) welcomes Karan Sood, a global pricing expert with over a decade of experience in revenue management and pricing strategies. Karan shares his knowledge on the impact of tariffs on global trade and pricing models. He talks about the complexities of tariffs, offering advice on how businesses can effectively manage the financial implications and adapt their pricing strategies during these uncertain time...
Apr 15, 2025•42 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy ) welcomes Carl Olson, a seasoned finance leader with over two decades of experience in FP&A, consulting, and startup finance. Carl discusses the nuances of financial modeling in both startups and large companies, sharing war stories, practical frameworks, and the lessons learned from building models that drive real business decisions. Whether it's simplifying startup forecasts or navigating layers of co...
Apr 08, 2025•43 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Dave Hallwood, a finance director and certified financial modeler, for a practical and candid conversation about real-world modeling in the retail industry. From managing day-to-day operations in a fast-growing fashion retail group to navigating insolvency and restructuring, Dave shares the hard-earned lessons that have shaped his approach to modeling, decision-making, and leadership. Dave Hallwood is the Finance Dir...
Apr 01, 2025•48 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Myles Arnott, co-founder of Full Stack Modeller and founder of Clarity Consultancy Services. Myles shares his 25+ year journey in Excel, his philosophy of keeping things simple, and how structured design and tools like Power Query have transformed his approach to modeling. He also opens up about taking the FMI Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) exam and co-building a global modeling community. Myles Arnott is a CMA-qualifi...
Mar 25, 2025•49 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Emma Chieppor, founder of Excel Dictionary, a social media-driven Excel education platform with over 9 million followers. Emma shares her journey from being an actuary to becoming one of the most influential Excel educators online. She discusses the power of Excel, the challenges of running a business, and how short-form content transformed Excel learning for millions. Emma Chieppor started her career as an actuary befor...
Mar 18, 2025•40 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy ) welcomes Sean Mooney, a senior financial consultant specializing in automated financial modeling for professional services. Sean shares his journey from accounting to financial modeling, the challenges of revenue forecasting for law firms, and the power of Excel automation. Sean Mooney is the founder of SJ Finance, a consultancy specializing in financial modeling automation for professional services firms...
Mar 11, 2025•40 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst (aka the FP&A Guy) sits down with Frank David, an expert at the intersection of corporate strategy, clinical medicine, and biotech research. They discuss the unique challenges of financial modeling in the biopharma industry, the importance of understanding patient populations, and how drug development strategy influences financial decision-making. Frank David is the Founder and Managing Director of Pharmagellan, a consulting...
Mar 04, 2025•51 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner , host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Babatope Agbeyo, a corporate trainer with extensive experience in financial modeling, Excel, and valuation. Babatope shares about his "SIMPLE" modeling framework, experiences in financial advisory at Deloitte, and lessons from training over 3,000 professionals globally. He also discusses his passion for keeping financial models structured, logical, and error-free. Babatope Agbeyo is a financial modeling expert and...
Feb 25, 2025•36 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Andres Klaric, the co-founder and co-CEO of Fuse. In their conversation, Andres discusses common financial modeling mistakes, how startup models differ from corporate M&A models, and what investors truly look for when evaluating projections. He also shares firsthand experiences on navigating the fundraising process, balancing work ethic with personal life, and the strategic approach to scaling a company. Andres Klar...
Feb 18, 2025•44 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst sits down with financial educator and author Brian Feroldi. They discuss the fundamentals of stock investing, financial modeling, and how to identify high-quality companies. Brian shares insights from his investing journey, his investing checklist, and his thoughts on valuation, competitive advantages, and the role of financial models in investment decisions. Brian Feroldi is a financial educator, investor, and author dedicated ...
Feb 11, 2025•44 min
In this episode of Financial Modelers Corner , host Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy , looks into the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on financial modeling. The discussion explores how AI is reshaping the industry, the challenges and opportunities it brings, and what financial modelers can expect in the coming years. Kenny Whitelaw-Jones who is the founding partner at Gridlines joins the show. As a leading expert in project finance modeling, Kenny has played a pivotal role i...
Feb 04, 2025•46 min
In this episode, host Paul Barnhurst aka The FP&A Guy looks into Excel expertise with Joel Steendam. Joel shares his global experiences, technical know-how, and practical advice to improve Excel proficiency and financial modeling outcomes. Their conversation covers Excel tools, design principles, and the importance of curiosity and cultural awareness in professional success. Joel Steendam is a global Excel expert and educator with a passion for helping professionals create better financial m...
Jan 28, 2025•51 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Tim Vipond who is a seasoned finance professional and co-founder of the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI). They discuss financial modeling nightmares, strategy’s vital role in modeling, and the importance of avoiding shortcuts. Tim also shares his unique entrepreneurial journey and offers practical advice for improving modeling and strategic decision-making. Tim Vipond began his career as an investment banking ana...
Jan 21, 2025•44 min
In this special solo episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner , host Paul Barnhurst, known as the FP&A Guy, takes the spotlight to share his personal journey from a corporate financial analyst to an influential voice in financial modeling and FP&A. This episode is packed with career highlights, trends in financial modeling, and a mix of humor to kick off the new year. With over a decade of experience in corporate FP&A, Paul is a Microsoft MVP, a globally recognized trainer, and the foun...
Jan 14, 2025•30 min
In the second part of "The Great Debate," expert financial modelers from around the globe discuss controversial and thought-provoking questions about the art and science of financial modeling. The discussion focuses on the enduring relevance of Excel, the role of AI and Power BI in shaping the future of modeling. This episode highlights the nuances, complexities, and future of financial modeling as a discipline. This episode features Giles Male , co-founder of Full Stack Modeler and an Excel MVP...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, host Paul Barnhurst talks about data integration, focusing on how finance professionals can streamline data processes and optimize workflows. The conversation also explores the balance between spreadsheets and specialized tools in financial modeling. He provides practical guidance for professionals navigating data challenges in the modern financial landscape. Adam Rakich is an experienced professional in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) software and data integration so...
Dec 31, 2024•54 min
In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst aka The FP&A Guy talks about the electrifying world of Excel Esports at the Financial Modeling World Cup (FMWC) in Las Vegas. This special episode captures the energy and innovation of the event, showcasing interviews with top competitors, including Excel MVPs and data enthusiasts, while exploring how Excel competitions push the boundaries of modeling expertise. The episode features Josh Aharonoff: Microsoft MVP, "Your CFO Gu...
Dec 24, 2024•45 min
This episode takes you to the heart of the Financial Modeling World Cup (FMWC) 2024, hosted at the HyperX Gaming Arena in Las Vegas. Known as the "Excel Esports Championship," this unique event blends competitive financial modeling with the energy of live sports entertainment. From electric arenas to engaging case competitions, discover how Excel enthusiasts and world-class modelers push the boundaries of what's possible in financial modeling. This episode features an exceptional lineup of guest...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In this episode of Financial Modelers Corner , host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) welcomes Charles Keepman, a seasoned financial modeler and valuation expert, to discuss the intricacies of financial modeling, best practices, and common pitfalls. They explore real-world scenarios, discuss the value of creating dynamic models, and delve into the art of valuing companies, focusing on how different industries and stages of business impact modeling strategies. Charles Keepman has spent years ...
Dec 10, 2024•47 min
