FP&A Unboxed

About FP&A Unboxed

Hosted by Tejas Parikh, FP&A Unboxed is your go-to podcast for mastering Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) with Excel. Each episode unpacks real-world challenges, best practices, and expert insights into financial strategy, budgeting, and forecasting. Tejas and his expert guests—CFOs, FP&A leaders, and finance professionals—share actionable advice to help you streamline reporting, optimize financial processes, and leverage Excel like a pro. Whether you're looking to enhance your finance team's efficiency, improve decision-making, or embrace technology in FP&A, this podcast delivers unfiltered discussions and practical takeaways to power your financial success.

Publisher

Tejas Parikh

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Mar 2025

Latest episode

8 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

22 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Jun 2026

   The Audit Career Trap for Accountants to Break Into FP&A Using Transition Strategy with Asif Masani

   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 (https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment) ********************************************************************* In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk) is joined by Asif Masani (https://www.linkedin.com/in/asifmasani/), a Finance Professional, Author, Educator, and Program Director at FP&A Professionals Institute (https://www.linkedin.com/company/fpa-professionals/). With experience spanning audit, banking, FP&A, and the EdTech industry, Asif has built a strong reputation for helping finance professionals transition into FP&A through practical learning, personal branding, and career-focused education. Asif shares his journey from spending over three years in audit to discovering FP&A almost by accident, eventually moving into strategic finance and leadership roles across large corporations and mid-sized organisations. He reflects on the defining moments that shaped his career, the differences between working in large enterprises versus smaller companies, and why business partnering and strategic thinking are becoming increasingly important for finance professionals. The discussion also explores practical advice for accountants and auditors looking to transition into FP&A, including the importance of mindset, financial modeling, data visualisation, and understanding how finance outputs drive business decisions. Asif further shares real-world examples of scenario analysis, pricing strategy insights, automation, and how finance teams can shift from operational execution to strategic influence. This episode is essential for finance professionals looking to transition into FP&A, strengthen their strategic capabilities, and build long-term career resilience in a rapidly evolving finance landscape. Key Takeaways Transitioning from Audit to FP&A: Asif explains how dissatisfaction with audit work pushed him to explore new career paths, eventually leading him into FP&A despite initially knowing very little about the function. Importance of Mindset: Successful transitions into FP&A begin with believing the move is possible. Professionals from accounting, audit, engineering, and even non-finance backgrounds can build successful FP&A careers. Core Skills for FP&A: Financial modelling, data visualisation, and business understanding are identified as the three critical skills finance professionals should develop to become strong FP&A practitioners. Large Companies vs Mid-Sized Organisations: Large organisations provide specialization and structure, while mid-sized companies offer broader ownership, greater business exposure, and more strategic responsibility. Business Understanding Creates Value: Finance professionals must understand how reports and analysis are ultimately used by stakeholders in order to become true business partners rather than just report generators. Strategic Impact Through Insights: Asif shares how identifying low conversion rates and misuse of financial aid programs in an edtech company led to pricing experiments and strategic business changes. Automation Creates Strategic Capacity: Automating repetitive reporting, budgeting, and commentary tasks frees finance teams to spend more time on strategic initiatives and value-adding projects. Building Personal Visibility Matters: Personal branding and visibility on platforms like LinkedIn not only create external opportunities but also improve visibility and influence within organisations. Career Resilience in the AI Era: Asif highlights how increasing technological shifts and AI-driven productivity changes are making continuous upskilling and visibility more important than ever for finance professionals. Noteworthy Quotes “Mindset is the first thing. You have to convince yourself that transitioning into FP&A is possible.” – Asif Masani “FP&A requires three key skills: financial modelling, data visualisation, and understanding the business.” – Asif Masani “Most accounting professionals stop after sending the report. FP&A begins when you understand what decision the business will make using that report.” – Asif Masani “Automation allows finance teams to free up time for more strategic and business-facing work.” – Asif Masani “Your job is to provide insights and recommendations. The business may not act on all of them, and that’s completely normal.” – Asif Masani “Visibility matters. Building your personal brand makes you more resilient in a changing job market.” – Asif Masani Key Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to guest – Asif Masani 06:10 – Differences between working in large corporations versus mid-sized organisations 07:22 – The inspiration behind Asif’s FP&A books and helping professionals transition careers 11:21 – Practical advice for accountants and auditors moving into FP&A 13:20 – Financial modelling, Power BI, and data visualisation as essential FP&A skills 16:06 – Real-world examples of scenario analysis and strategic business impact 21:53 – Pricing experiments and conversion insights from the edtech industry 23:15 – Shifting FP&A teams from operational reporting to strategic influence 27:04 – Importance of personal branding, visibility, and LinkedIn for finance professionals FOLLOW OUR GUEST ASIF MASANI ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asifmasani/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/asifmasani/) FP&A Professionals Institute: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fpa-professionals/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/fpa-professionals/) FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk) Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/ (https://aksharconsulting.com/) FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON: Website (https://www.escocommunity.com): https://aksharconsulting.com/ (https://aksharconsulting.com/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/): https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting (https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting) X: https://x.com/AksharBusiness (https://x.com/AksharBusiness) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting (https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099 (https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099)

2. 

   1 Jun 2026

   FP&A Leaders Struggling with Low Impact to Become Strategic Decision-Makers with Raghuram Krishnan

   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 (https://bit.ly/fpand-a-maturity-assessment) ********************************************************************* In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh is joined by Raghuram (Raghu) Krishnan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/raghuram-krishnan-9348124/), Senior Director, Financial Planning & Analysis and Site Council Chair at Adobe (https://www.linkedin.com/company/adobe/), a seasoned finance leader with over a decade of experience progressing from individual contributor roles to leading global finance operations. Raghu currently heads one of the most successful and high-performing teams within the CFO organisations, overseeing strategic initiatives, automation, and business partnering across multiple geographies. Raghu shares his experience building a high-performing finance organisation that balances operational efficiency with strategic relevance. He discusses how technology, process optimization, and culture combine to create credibility and impact within the business. He also shares insights on developing people, fostering a partnering mindset, and using AI and predictive modelling to drive finance transformation. This episode is essential for finance professionals and leaders looking to scale teams effectively, implement transformative processes, and become trusted strategic partners within their organisations. Key Takeaways Leadership and Vision: Setting a clear vision from the beginning is critical. Raghu emphasizes defining the purpose of your finance organisation beyond traditional shared services, aiming for a centre of excellence that adds real business value. Building Credibility Through Value: Operational efficiency, accurate forecasting, and consistent delivery build credibility with business leaders. Trust and reliability in finance outputs make the organisation a strategic partner rather than just a reporting function. People and Culture Matter: Attitude is paramount, followed by techno-functional skills and a partnering mindset. Raghu focuses on internal growth, coaching, and aligning the right people to the right roles to maximize impact. Business Partnering is Key: Moving beyond reporting to become storytellers of the numbers allows finance teams to influence business decisions. Building strong relationships with business leaders and other functions (like tax and accounting) is critical to providing relevant insights. Technology and Automation: Leveraging tools like Power BI, SQL, Python, and AI enhances productivity and enables teams to take on more work without increasing headcount. Automation complements human judgment, not replaces it. Strategic Relevance vs Operational Efficiency: A high-performing finance team must balance both. Raghu uses zero-based budgeting, predictive modeling, and strategic initiatives to ensure finance remains relevant while running efficiently. Future of FP&A: Upskilling and preparing teams to handle dynamic business environments is essential. AI and predictive modeling are seen as productivity enhancers rather than headcount reducers, allowing finance to focus on higher-value strategic work. Noteworthy Quotes "Most important is vision as a leader. Second is clarity around what are you trying to deliver for the organisation and what are you trying to solve for them." – Raghu Krishnan "Focus on value, not headcount. Everything else is operational." – Raghu Krishnan "Attitude is critical. Skills can be taught, but mindset is foundational." – Raghu Krishnan "We want problem solvers, not gatekeepers. Finance should enable the business, not block it." – Raghu Krishnan "If the business seeks your input, you’ve earned the right to be a true partner." – Raghu Krishnan Key Timestamps 00:25 – Introduction to guest – Raghu Krishnan 07:12 – Impact of team inclusion in decision-making and evolution of operating model 10:39 – Standardization, technology adoption, and creating a techno-functional team 19:58 – Balancing strategic relevance with operational efficiency across geographies 25:08 – Hiring approach: internal growth, attitude, and partnering mindset 32:26 – Future of finance roles with AI, predictive modeling, and upskilling teams 36:24 – Importance of first 20 hires and leadership vision for team direction ********************************************************************* FOLLOW OUR GUEST RAGHURAM KRISHNAN ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raghuram-krishnan-9348124/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/raghuram-krishnan-9348124/) Adobe: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adobe/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/adobe/) FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk) Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/ (https://aksharconsulting.com/) FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON: Website (https://www.escocommunity.com): https://aksharconsulting.com/ (https://aksharconsulting.com/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/): https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting (https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting) X: https://x.com/AksharBusiness (https://x.com/AksharBusiness) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting? (https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099 (https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099)

3. 

   25 May 2026

   Excel vs AI Confusion for Finance Pros to Make Better Decisions Using Simple Models - Carl Seidman

   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/fp-and-a-maturity-assessment (https://bit.ly/fp-and-a-maturity-assessment) (https://bit.ly/fp-and-a-maturity-assessment) ------------------------------------------------------------------ In this episode of the FP&A Unboxed Podcast, host Tejas Parikh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk) is joined by Carl Seidman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlseidman/), a renowned expert in financial modeling and business strategy. Carl is the founder of Seidman Financial (https://seidmanfinancial.com/), where he works with clients to enhance their financial modeling and analytics capabilities. With over two decades of experience in financial strategy, Carl has helped numerous companies transform their approach to budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning. Throughout the episode, Carl dives deep into the importance of financial modeling in today's fast-paced business environment. He discusses how companies can leverage models to drive decision-making, improve forecasting accuracy, and create value from data. Carl also shares his insights on common mistakes businesses make when creating financial models and how to avoid them. This episode is essential listening for finance professionals looking to enhance their financial modeling skills, adopt best practices, and integrate advanced analytics into their decision-making processes. Key Takeaways The Power of Financial Modeling: Financial models are critical tools that help businesses make data-driven decisions, predict future performance, and manage risk. Common Mistakes in Financial Modeling: Many companies overlook key assumptions and fail to account for uncertainty in their models, which can lead to inaccurate results. Advanced Techniques in Financial Modeling: Carl explores advanced strategies such as Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity analysis to enhance the robustness of financial models. Aligning Finance with Business Goals: Financial models should not only serve as technical tools but also align with broader business strategies and objectives. Practical Advice for Finance Professionals: Carl shares actionable tips for finance teams looking to improve their modeling skills and implement best practices across their organizations. Noteworthy Quotes "A financial model is only as good as the assumptions you put into it." – Carl Seidman "When building models, it’s crucial to understand the business context and the drivers of success, not just the numbers." – Carl Seidman "Financial modeling is about making better decisions, not about making perfect predictions." – Carl Seidman "The most powerful models are those that are adaptable and flexible enough to handle real-world complexity." – Carl Seidman "Finance should not just report the numbers; it should help shape the future of the business." – Carl Seidman Key Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to guest – Carl Seidman 02:24 – Carl’s background and journey into financial modeling 04:38 – The importance of financial modeling in business strategy 06:05 – Common mistakes in financial models and how to avoid them 14:43 – Advanced techniques for improving financial models 26:55 – Aligning financial models with business goals 28:48 – Practical advice for aspiring financial modelers 35:24 – The future of financial modeling and how to stay ahead 44:42 – Final thoughts: The evolving role of finance in decision-making ------------------------------------------------------------------ FOLLOW OUR GUEST CARL SEIDMAN ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlseidman/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlseidman/) Seidman Financial: https://seidmanfinancial.com/ (https://seidmanfinancial.com/) FOLLOW OUR HOST TEJAS PARIKH ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasparikh/?originalSubdomain=uk) Website: https://aksharconsulting.com/ (https://aksharconsulting.com/) FOLLOW FP&A UNBOXED PODCAST ON: Website (https://www.escocommunity.com): https://aksharconsulting.com/ (https://aksharconsulting.com/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/): https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/aksharconsultingltd/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting (https://www.instagram.com/aksharbusinessconsulting) X: https://x.com/AksharBusiness (https://x.com/AksharBusiness) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting? (https://www.tiktok.com/@aksharbusinessconsulting?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099 (https://www.youtube.com/@aksharbusinessconsultinglt8099)

Who has been a guest on FP&A Unboxed

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dhawal Parvatikar
• Alwyn Jones
• Megan Walbyoff
• Manoj Jain
• Gemma Doran

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

11,506

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

38

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

0

Contact FP&A Unboxed

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.