How FP&A Fails Forecasting Due to Poor Communication and Overreliance on Technology with Gary Simon

FP&A Unboxed

May 13, 2026•46 min•Season 1Ep. 17

--:--

Listen in podcast apps:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Download

Listen to this episode in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episode description

Want to find out how your FP&A function stacks up against the best in class? Take our FREE FP&A Assessment and get personalised insights. 👉 https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment

**********************************************************************

In this insightful episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by Gary Simon, the Chief Executive of FSN Publishing Ltd. and Leader of the Modern Finance Forum for CFOs on LinkedIn, with over 60,000 senior finance members. Gary is also a sought-after thought leader, lecturer, and expert in financial systems and business strategy, and has authored multiple books on financial software and information systems.

Gary has a rich history of consulting at the highest levels, including as a senior partner at Deloitte, where he worked with large multinational companies, public sector organisations, and financial institutions. In this episode, he shares his expertise on the evolution of FP&A, the role of CFOs in today's fast-paced business world, and the transformative impact of technology on finance functions. He also provides practical insights for finance leaders looking to drive innovation and align finance with broader business strategy.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the finance world looking to stay ahead of industry changes, develop leadership skills, and improve business decision-making.

Key Takeaways

Transforming the CFO’s Role: Technology, automation, and data-driven decision-making are reshaping the CFO’s role.
Leading FP&A into the Future: The next wave of FP&A innovation lies in embracing AI and automation to streamline operations and deliver greater business value.
Aligning Finance with Business Strategy: Finance leaders need to integrate finance functions with the wider business strategy to drive long-term success.
Building a High-Impact Finance Team: Success in today’s world requires building a finance team with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
The Modern Finance Forum: Gary shares his experiences leading the Modern Finance Forum, where CFOs collaborate on best practices, insights, and future trends in finance.

Noteworthy Quotes

"The role of the CFO has evolved; it’s no longer just about reporting the numbers, it’s about strategic influence." – Gary Simon
"To truly transform FP&A, we need to think beyond automation and look at how AI can empower better decision-making." – Gary Simon
"A great finance leader isn’t just good with numbers—they need to understand the business and drive change." – Gary Simon
"It’s not enough for finance to just support the business; it needs to lead the business." – Gary Simon
"In a world full of change, the ability to learn continuously is one of the most important skills for any finance professional." – Gary Simon

Key Timestamps

00:00 – Coming up next & Call to Action

01:37 – Introduction to guest – Gary Simon

03:12 – Gary’s career journey and the evolution of the CFO role

04:50 – The digital transformation of the finance function

05:32 – The impact of AI and automation on FP&A

11:49 – How to build a high-performing finance team

19:00 – Aligning FP&A with business strategy for greater value

32:14 – Advice for aspiring CFOs and finance leaders

37:44 – How to stay ahead in an ever-evolving finance landscape

43:50 – Final thoughts: Leadership, technology, and strategy in finance

**********************************************************************