Future Finance
Future Finance is a podcast that delves into the transformative world of finance hosted by Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy, and Glenn Hopper, emphasizing the impact of technology and artificial intelligence within the finance profession. Each episode brings listeners the latest news on AI and financial technology, insightful discussions, expert analyses, and forward-thinking ideas, exploring how AI and technological innovations are reshaping corporate finance as we know it. The podcast will become a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving intersection of technology and finance
Anthropic’s $81 Billion Loss Isn’t the Whole Story: What Finance Teams Should Read
In this highlight episode of Future Finance, hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst discuss Anthropic's reported IPO plans, AI revenue growth, and the financial risks shaping the industry. They explore the company's reported S-1 filing, computing costs, and what its financial performance could mean for the future of AI profitability.
Expect to Learn
What Anthropic's reported IPO filing reveals about financial and AI-related risks.How revenue growth and computing costs affect AI profitability.Why principal-versus-agent accounting changes reported revenue.What AI company valuations reveal about market expectations.Glenn and Paul...
Anthropic's S1 Explained: Revenue, Compute Costs, and What Finance Teams Should Watch
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst discuss Anthropic's reported IPO plans, financial performance, and the future of AI profitability. They explore the company's reported S-1 filing, rapid revenue growth, infrastructure costs, and the risks of investing in AI companies.
Glenn and Paul also explain how different revenue accounting methods affect financial reporting, whether current AI valuations are sustainable, and what finance professionals can learn from the industry's growth.
Expect to Learn
What Anthropic's reported IPO filing reveals about AI risks.How rising AI revenue...Stop Chasing AI Models. Build Better Processes With Glenn
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss how AI is reshaping finance technology, whether traditional SaaS platforms are at risk, and how CFOs should approach software decisions. They explore when to buy existing solutions, build custom workflows, or use AI to improve finance processes without replacing core systems.
In this episode, you will discover:
How AI is changing the finance tech stack and challenging traditional SaaS.When finance teams should buy software or build custom solutions.What the Finance Stack Survey reveals about AI adoption.Why agentic AI...How to Choose Finance Software Without Waiting for AI to Settle with Glenn Hopper
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss how AI is changing the finance technology stack and what it means for CFOs deciding whether to buy new software, build custom solutions, or improve their existing systems. They explore whether AI could disrupt traditional SaaS platforms, where agentic AI is delivering value, and why core financial systems remain essential.
In this episode, you will discover:
Why AI is changing finance technology without replacing core systems.What the Finance Stack Survey reveals about AI adoption.The difference between agentic AI and traditional...Stop Chasing Every AI Model and Build Better Finance Processes with Glenn Hopper
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss why finance professionals should stop chasing every new AI model and focus instead on building strong processes, durable skills, and better workflows. They also explore the race toward AGI, AI guardrails, and how quickly the technology landscape is changing.
Paul and Glenn explain that the real advantage is not knowing every new model or benchmark. It is knowing how to use AI effectively, understand processes, and build systems that can adapt as the tools continue to evolve.
In this...
AI Is Accelerating Faster Than Humans Can Keep Up: What Should Finance Pros Do
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss the accelerating pace of AI development and why trying to keep up with every new model is becoming a losing battle. They explore what finance professionals should focus on instead, including AI workflows, process design, data, governance, and automation.
Paul and Glenn also discuss how AI is changing the way finance teams work. As tools become more capable, they believe the lasting advantage will come from knowing how to structure processes, give clear instructions, manage AI-powered workflows, and apply human judgment where it...
AI Can Give You the Right Answer to the Wrong Question with Matija Nakić
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst sit down with Matija Nakic, CEO and Co-founder of Farseer, to discuss how AI is changing financial planning, enterprise software, and decision-making. Matija shares why asking the right questions matters, how AI can accelerate planning workflows, and why strong data foundations remain essential.
Matija Nakic is the CEO and Co-founder of Farseer, an AI-native SaaS platform for business modeling, planning, and analysis. With a background in computer engineering, an MBA, and experience across B2B enterprise software, she progressed from developer to product...
AI, Decision Culture, and the Future of Enterprise Finance with Matija Nakic
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst sit down with Matija Nakic, CEO and Co-founder of Farseer, to discuss how AI is changing financial planning, enterprise software, and decision-making. Matija shares why asking better questions matters, how finance teams can build stronger AI workflows, and where Excel still fits in modern planning.
Matija Nakic is the CEO and Co-founder of Farseer, an AI-native SaaS platform for business modeling, planning, and analysis. With a background in computer engineering, an MBA, and experience across B2B enterprise software, she has progressed from...
Why CFOs Should Lead AI Adoption Instead of Leaving It Solely to IT
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Glenn Hopper about his new book, The AI-Ready CFO, and what finance leaders need to do to successfully adopt AI. Glenn explains why CFOs must take a leadership role in AI strategy, how finance can balance innovation with risk management, and why successful AI implementation starts with data readiness, process improvement, and strong governance.
In this episode, you will discover:
Why CFOs should lead AI adoption.How finance can balance AI, speed, and risk.Why data readiness is essential before AI implementation.How to...The CFO Should Own AI, Not IT | Glenn Hopper on The AI-Ready CFO
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Glenn Hopper about his new book, The AI-Ready CFO, and how finance leaders can successfully navigate AI adoption. Glenn explains why CFOs need to take ownership of AI strategy, how to balance speed with risk, and why strong governance, data readiness, and change management are essential for building trust in AI.
In this episode, you will discover:
Why CFOs need to play a leading role in AI adoption.How finance teams can balance AI speed with governance and risk management.Why data readiness and...Why Better Workflows Matter More Than Better Prompts
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss AI fatigue and why finance professionals should focus less on chasing new models and more on using AI effectively. They share practical ways to improve AI results through better instructions, reference files, context, and data foundations.
In this episode, you will discover:
Why AI fatigue is becoming a real challenge.Why prompting alone is no longer enough.How context and reference files improve AI results.Why clean data and clear KPIs matter.How finance teams can start using AI more effectively.<...
How Finance Pros Should Manage Data Context and Token Forecasting
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss AI fatigue, better ways for finance teams to use AI, and the growing challenge of forecasting AI costs. They explore why finance leaders should focus less on chasing new models and more on building the data, context, and workflows needed to get real value from AI.
In this episode, you will discover:
Why finance teams should stop chasing every new AI model.Why context is becoming more important than prompting alone.How better KPIs and data foundations improve AI results.How...Better Data vs Better AI: What Really Matters for Finance with Alex Curran
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper welcome Alex Curran, CEO of Aptitude Software, to discuss AI-native ERP, the changing role of CFOs, and how finance teams can prepare for AI adoption. Alex explains why strong data foundations, flexible architecture, and real-time finance systems are becoming essential.
Alex Curran is the CEO of Aptitude Software, a company with decades of experience building finance solutions for complex organizations. After more than 12 years at Aptitude, Alex became CEO in late 2023 and now leads the company’s focus on AI-native finance technology, including th...
The AI Data Pioneer: Building the Future of Finance with Alex Curran
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper welcome Alex Curran, CEO of Aptitude Software, to discuss the future of finance systems, AI-native ERP, and how organizations can prepare their finance functions for a rapidly changing technology landscape. Alex shares how finance teams can move beyond outdated systems, improve data foundations, and use AI to enable faster, more informed decision-making.
Alex Curran is the CEO of Aptitude Software, a company that has spent over 40 years building finance solutions for complex organizations. After joining Aptitude over 12 years ago, Alex progressed through multiple leadership roles...
AI, Power BI, and the Future of Finance Work with Rob Collie
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper welcome Robert Collie to discuss artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the future of work. Robert shares his journey from helping build Power Pivot and Power BI at Microsoft to founding P3 Adaptive. He explains how AI is changing the role of finance and data professionals, why strong data foundations still matter, and why continuous learning is essential in an AI-driven world.
Robert Collie is the founder and CEO of P3 Adaptive, a Microsoft analytics and AI consulting firm. During his 13 years at Microsoft, he helped...
AI Is Already Changing Data Jobs: Why You Must Create More Value Now with Rob Collie
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper welcome Robert Collie, founder and CEO of P3 Adaptive, for a conversation about artificial intelligence, data analytics, and how finance professionals can prepare for the future of work. Robert shares his journey from helping build Power BI at Microsoft to founding P3 Adaptive and explains why AI is creating both disruption and new opportunities for finance and data professionals.
Robert Collie is the founder and CEO of P3 Adaptive, a Microsoft analytics and AI consulting firm. During his 13 years at Microsoft, Robert helped lead the...
Why Forecasting Is Not Broken, but Your Data Systems & AI Misuse Are the Problem with Alex Brower
In this episode of Future Finance, host Paul Barnhurst and co-host Glenn Hopper are joined by guest Alex Brower, co-founder and CEO of QFlow.ai, to explore why forecasting problems often begin with the data layer. They discuss data plumbing, semantic alignment, Model Context Protocols (MCPs), vibe coding, and how finance and go-to-market teams can work from shared definitions to improve forecast quality and analysis.
Alex Brower is the co-founder and CEO of QFlow.ai, helping finance and go-to-market teams connect data, improve forecast accuracy, and boost analyst productivity by up to five times. He previously led...
How to Align Marketing and Finance and Fix the Plumbing Problem with Alex Brower
Future Finance host Paul Barnhurst and co-host Glenn Hopper are joined by Alex Brower, co-founder and CEO of QFlow.ai, to unpack why forecasting often breaks down even when teams have plenty of data. The discussion focuses on how finance and go-to-market teams can work from shared inputs, improve planning accuracy, and use AI without losing the structure needed for reliable decisions.
Alex Brower is the co-founder and CEO of QFlow.ai, helping finance and go-to-market teams connect data, improve forecast accuracy, and boost analyst productivity up to five times. He previously led finance and marketing at...
AI Is Making Mistakes in Finance for CFOs to Fix Data Problems and Improve Analysis with Nick & Jain
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Nick Jain and Daniel Settel, co-founders of Eagle Rock CFO. They discuss how AI is changing FP&A, why finance teams still need human expertise, and how their platform helps CFOs automate financial analysis while improving decision-making.
Nick Jain is a Harvard MBA and former CEO, CFO, and investor with experience at McKinsey, Bain Capital, and multiple high-growth companies. Daniel Settel is a Stanford engineer, Harvard MBA, former investment professional at Primecap Management, and co-founder of a venture secondary marketplace. Together, they founded...
How to Save Time in FP&A Using Structured AI Analysis with Nick and Dan
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Nick Jain and Daniel Settel, co-founders of Eagle Rock CFO, to discuss how AI is reshaping FP&A and fractional CFO services. Nick and Dan explain how their AI-powered system combines structured data processing, automation, and financial expertise to help companies analyze complex financial data faster, reduce manual workload, and uncover hidden value in their operations.
Dan and Nick are co-founders of Eagle Rock CFO, a financial advisory firm helping mid-size businesses grow faster and improve profitability. They combine AI and...
AI in Finance for CFOs to Stop Reporting Work and Drive Profit Decisions with Ron Nachum
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Ron Nachum, Founder of Sapien, an AI-native company building systems that understand and act on enterprise financial data. Ron shares how his team is redefining finance operations using AI agents that go beyond dashboards and chatbots to actively analyze, optimise, and recommend actions across business functions.
Ron Nachum is the Founder of Sapien, an AI-native platform that helps companies run finance and operations through intelligent systems built on top of ERPs, spreadsheets, and enterprise data. With a background in applied AI research at...
How Companies Are Losing Millions While Being Data Rich with Ron Nachum
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Ron Nachum, Founder and CEO of Sapien, to discuss how AI agents are transforming financial operations and decision-making for companies. Ron shares how Sapien leverages AI to unify siloed financial data, automate workflows, and provide actionable insights, helping companies unlock millions of dollars in hidden value while enabling employees to focus on strategic work.
Ron Nachum is the founder and CEO of Sapien, an AI-native platform that deploys agents to understand and act on messy, siloed data across ERPs, data warehouses...
AI Strategy for CFOs: Manage AI Like an Investment Portfolio and Prove ROI with Dave Trier
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Dave Trier, CEO of ModelOp, to discuss how enterprises can govern, manage, and operate AI at scale. Dave shares insights on implementing AI responsibly, tracking ROI, managing risks, and creating an enterprise-wide AI portfolio that drives value while ensuring compliance and governance.
Dave Trier leads ModelOp with a focus on customer value, product innovation, and enterprise execution. With over 20 years in data science, AI, analytics, cloud, and enterprise software, he brings technical expertise and a pragmatic leadership style, helping CIOs, CTOs, and AI...
AI Strategy for CFOs Is a Wild West Without Governance Turn AI Into a Portfolio System – Dave Trier
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Dave Trier, CEO of ModelOp, to explore the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI at scale in enterprises. Dave shares how organizations can manage AI responsibly, measure ROI, and move from scattered pilots to a disciplined, industrialized approach. He also discusses the critical role of CFOs in AI oversight, change management, and creating measurable business value from AI initiatives
Dave Trier is CEO of ModelOp, leading the company with a focus on customer value, product innovation, and enterprise execution. With over 20...
AI in Finance for CFOs: Scaling Confusion Without a Unified Platform with Scott Leshinski
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Scott Leshinski, President of OneStream Software, to discuss the company’s recent acquisition by Hg Capital. Scott explains how OneStream’s unified platform is transforming finance workflows, the role of AI in enterprise finance, and how finance teams are learning to trust and use these advanced tools.
Scott Leshinski is the President of OneStream Software, with experience in corporate finance at GE Capital, co-founding Bluestone International, and leading finance technology transformations at Huron Consulting Group. He joined OneStream in 2021 and was prom...
The Broken Revenue Systems and AI Agents Rebuilding Contract to Cash with Ali Hussain
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper speak with Ali Hussain, CEO and co-founder of Tabs, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing finance workflows. Ali discusses the limitations of legacy finance systems, the challenges of modern revenue models, and how AI is automating the full contract-to-cash cycle for finance teams.
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...
Why Unified Systems are More Important Than Ever in the Era of AI with OneStream President Scott Leshinski
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Scott Leshinski, President of OneStream Software, to discuss OneStream's recent acquisition by Hg Capital and the exciting changes it brings to the company’s approach to finance technology. Scott shares how OneStream’s focus on a unified platform is reshaping the finance space, and how integrating smart technology into financial workflows is making a real difference for businesses today.
Scott Leshinski is the President of OneStream Software, where he leads OneStream’s growth and innovation. With a background in corporate finance at GE...
AI Agents Are Replacing Finance Workflows While Revenue Gets More Complex with Ali Hussain
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper speak with Ali Hussain, CEO and co-founder of Tabs, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing the revenue process for finance teams. Ali discusses how the traditional ERP systems have left revenue management behind, and how Tabs is changing the game by automating the full contract-to-cash cycle. He shares his insights on the complexity of revenue management, AI’s role in financial systems, and why understanding the data context is key to success in AI-powered finance tools.
Ali Hussain is the CEO and co-founder of Tabs, where he...
AI in Excel for Finance Pros to Improve Accuracy Using Incremental Workflows with David
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper talk with David Ingraham, founder and CEO of HyperPerfect. David explains why AI works best in finance when it is used step by step, with clear context and human review. He also shares why Excel is still central to finance work and how better AI tools can help teams move faster without losing control.
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...
AI in Financial Modeling for Analysts to Improve Accuracy and Speed with David Ingraham
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by David Ingraham to discuss how AI is transforming the world of finance, particularly in Excel, and why it's essential to treat AI as a partner rather than a tool to simply execute commands. David, the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the AI-finance intersection, including the importance of context and understanding AI’s limitations.
David Ingraham is the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, a financial reporting and accounting platform that integrates powerful AI directly into Ex...
AI is a Teammate for Finance Leaders to Replace Fear and Drive Strategic Value with Josh Schauer
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Josh Schauer to discuss how AI is being adopted in finance and why many teams are still hesitant. They explore the gap between knowing AI is important and actually using it, along with the challenges around data quality, risk, and accuracy expectations.
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 prior to its acquisition by insightsoftware in 2020. Josh...
How Finance Teams Can Overcome AI Fear and Build Real Use Cases That Work with Josh Schauer
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Josh Schauer to explore how AI is being adopted in finance and why many teams are still hesitant. They discuss the gap between understanding AI’s importance and actually using it, along with the challenges around data quality, risk, and expectations of accuracy.
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 ex...
AI Governance for Board Directors to Fix Risk Exposure with Actionable Tools - Shannon Nash
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Shannon Nash to discuss how finance roles are evolving and how AI is changing the way businesses operate. They talk about Shannon’s career journey, the importance of understanding operations, and how companies are handling AI at different levels.
Shannon Nash is a CPA, attorney, and experienced C-suite leader. She has worked as CFO at companies like Wing, Reputation.com, and Inside Source. She is now a Partner at Alpha AI, focusing on AI governance for executives and boards.
...AI Governance for CFOs to Control Board Risk and Lead Strategic Transformation with Shannon Nash
In this episode of Future Finance, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Glenn Hopper and special guest Shannon Nash to explore how AI is transforming the role of finance leaders and boardrooms. The conversation dives into AI adoption, governance, and the shift from traditional finance responsibilities to more strategic, decision-driven roles.
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...
How Augmented Intelligence Will Replace AI Hype in Finance with John Thomas
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst are joined by John Thomas Foxworthy, the founder and CEO of the Global Institute of Data Science (GIDS). John discusses the role of augmented intelligence in the future of AI, particularly in finance, and shares his insights from his book The Augmented Intelligence Revolution: How Leaders Win in the AI Century.
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...
How Finance Leaders Can Stop AI Failure and Adopt Augmented Intelligence with John Thomas
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper explore how leaders can cut through the hype around artificial intelligence and focus on real-world impact. The conversation dives into why so many AI initiatives fail, how cognitive biases affect AI adoption, and why finance professionals must learn to ask better questions before deploying models.
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...
The Human-in-the-Loop AI Is the Future of Finance Automation with Riya Grover
In this highlights episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper chat with Riya Grover about how AI is transforming order-to-cash workflows. Riya shares insights into billing automation, revenue operations, and the evolving role of finance teams. She also discusses her entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of Sequence, the first agentic AR platform, which is revolutionizing B2B pricing and contracts.
Riya Grover is the Co-founder and CEO of Sequence, an AI platform automating accounts receivable for B2B companies. Backed by a16z with $40M raised, Sequence streamlines quoting, billing, invoicing, and revenue recognition...
How Modern Finance Teams Are Automating Billing and Revenue Workflows with AI Tools - Riya Grover
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Riya Grover to explore how AI is transforming order-to-cash workflows. The conversation explores billing automation, revenue operations, and the evolving role of finance teams. Riya shares her entrepreneurial journey and how Sequence is building the first agentic AR platform. This episode is packed with practical insights for modern finance leaders navigating AI adoption.
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...
Claude AI to Automate Bookkeeping with Real Business Workflows
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss their latest experiences in the finance world. They explore how tools like Claude and Copilot are transforming workflows, and Glenn shares how he tackled personal finance challenges, from tracking expenses to handling journal entries. Glenn also highlights a real-world example of using these tools for bookkeeping and expense tracking, giving listeners insights into how these technologies can streamline financial tasks.
In this episode, you will discover:
How tools are changing workflows in finance and accountingReal-world use of tools for bookkeeping and expense trackingThe...Claude AI Replaces ChatGPT and Copilot in Finance to Automate Workflows without Planning Tools
In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper explore how AI tools like Claude, Copilot, and Excel agents are transforming financial workflows in 2026. As the finance industry continues to evolve, AI is playing an increasingly crucial role in automating routine tasks, improving accuracy, and boosting efficiency.
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...