In this episode of FinPod, we discuss a recently published course on ESG risk management. We explain the evolution of ESG from environmental health and safety to corporate sustainability and social responsibility, emphasizing its current role as a management framework for addressing environmental, societal, and governance risks. We cover fundamenta…

Shiv interviews Craig Dupper, Founder of Elan Growth Partners. In this episode, Craig shares his firm’s Partner Equity investing strategy, which includes a value growth and enhancement approach. Shiv and Craig discuss the key areas founders should address to take their business to the next level and where their company might be underinvesting. Lear…

In this episode, we welcome Onyedika Nwoji, who has completed two CFI certifications. Onyedika shares his journey from working as a monitoring and evaluation analyst at an NGO to becoming a skilled data analyst. He discusses his decision to focus on upskilling with CFI and the valuable knowledge he gained from the FMVA and BIDA programs. Onyedika e…

In this episode, we talk with our Chief Content Officer about the new "Accounting for Business Combinations and Other Equity Investments" course. Designed to meet the growing demand for accounting knowledge for finance professionals we cover topics including full consolidation for majority ownership, equity method accounting for significant influen…

Shiv interviews Mark Kearney, Fractional CFO of Ascent CFO Solutions. In this episode, Shiv and Mark discuss how finance can be used as a strategic lever inside companies and should become part of their broader planning process. They discuss when companies usually bring in a fractional CFO and the patterns Mark sees as he works with these businesse…

In this episode, we chat with Glenn Hopper, an instructor at both Duke University and CFI, author and CFO. Glenn’s book, “Deep Finance: Corporate Finance in the Information Age,” solidified his position as a thought leader on the impact of AI on finance roles. In our conversation, Glenn shares his unconventional path to finance, starting as a journ…

In this episode of FinPod, join us for a conversation with CFI FMVA holder Landon Cortenbach as he shares his professional journey from aspiring sports agent to experienced CFO. Landon's career trajectory spans from public accounting to pivotal roles at renowned companies like Beats by Dre and Magic Leap. He discusses the crucial skills that contri…

Shiv interviews Jason Caplain, Co-Founder and General Partner of Bull City Venture Partners. In this episode, Jason shares why his firm values founders above an idea or business, and walks listeners through a tried-and-tested approach to assessing entrepreneurs and their teams. Founders will take away Jason’s tips on raising capital and leveraging …

In this episode of FinPod, we dive into the intricacies of debt and capital expenditure (CAPEX) modeling in financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Follow along as Duncan shares insights on modeling debt accurately, emphasizing the importance of setting up a lender of last resort and avoiding hard caps on revolving credit lines. Explore the nuances…

In this special episode of the CFI Member Spotlight, host Anna Talerico sits down with finance professional Josh McLean, a Finance Director at Nike and currently participating in their innovative Finance Leadership Rotational Program. Anna explores Josh's high-impact career, including his roles as an author, board member, mentor, startup advisor, a…

Join us in the latest episode of the "What's New at CFI" podcast as we discuss artificial intelligence and how it can help users to manage complex formulas in Excel. In this discussion, we shed light on the increasing demand for AI integration in financial analysis. We discuss practical examples of using AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to simplify…

Shiv interviews Chip Baird, Managing Partner at GreyLion Capital. Shiv and Chip take a deep dive into GreyLion’s core LIFT (Leadership, Investment, Flexibility, Technology) strategy for optimizing companies to increase enterprise value. Learn how to identify critical leadership gaps and hold new hires accountable, and how a flexible approach to cap…

In this episode of FinPod, we discuss FP&A for new analysts with expert Carl Seidman. Carl has over 20 years of experience in management consulting and FP&A advisory. In this conversation, he highlights the growing demand for FP&A in Fortune 500 companies and the shift towards proactive finance roles. Carl addresses how to enter the FP&A field with…

In this episode of FinPod, co-founder Scott Powell and colleague Asim Khan speak with Danielle Stein Fairhurst, a renowned financial modeler, author, and Microsoft MVP. She shares her journey into financial modeling, driven by her love for finance and Excel, and shares her modeling core concepts.. Danielle discusses common mistakes modelers make, t…

Join us in the latest episode of the "What's New at CFI" podcast as we delve into the intricacies of financial planning and analysis, specifically focusing on the inclusion of contractors in financial models in today's evolving job market landscape. We highlight key differences between forecasting for employees and contractors, emphasizing the impo…

In this episode of FinPod, hosts Asim Khan and Ryan Spendelow dive deep into the world of banking regulations. Join them as they discuss the intricacies of Basel III and its significance in risk management. Unravel the historical context behind the Basel Accords and understand how Basel III emerged as a response to the 2008 global financial crisis.…

In this episode of FinPod, host Anna Talerico chats with Vijay Maharaj, CFI's Director of FP&A, to discuss his career journey and what it's like to work in FP&A. Discover how Vijay’s path through economics led him to a career in financial planning and analysis. Get a glimpse into a day in the life of a Director of FP&A, including the balancing act …

Shiv interviews Anna Talerico, CEO at Corporate Finance Institute and Operating Partner at Arthur Ventures. Learn how capital-efficient companies can make better hiring decisions by focusing on what role they really need to fill. How can companies clearly define those roles and how do they go about finding the best-fit candidates? Plus, when should…

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan sits down to discuss data visualization with Sebastian Taylor. They cover best practices for creating effective visual representations of data, from choosing the right charts to crafting impactful stories. To communicate data effectively, learn the importance of understanding your audience and focusing on k…

In this episode of FinPod, Asim Khan & Glenn Hopper talk about AI-enhanced financial analysis. They discuss the power of ChatGPT in democratizing data and how this technology can help improve workflows and analysis. Learn more about AI's impact on roles in investment banking and accounting and how to use generative AI to work more effectively.…

In this special episode of FinPod, host Anna Talerico shines a CFI member spotlight on Stephen Moerane, a remarkable individual whose journey has come full circle within the CFI community. Stephen's story begins as a CFI learner and progresses to a CFI team member. Listen in as Anna and Stephen discuss his inspiring transition from non-finance role…

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, to talk about the final components of the FP&A model Duncan's been developing for our FP&A courses. Duncan shares how dashboards and data visualization techniques can transform traditional financial analysis into compelling stories. Learn the importance of effectively …

Shiv interviews Mark Buffington, CEO at BIP Capital and Managing Partner at BIP Ventures. Learn why the concept of permanent capital from a multistage fund might be a better long-term approach to funding a startup. Mark explains how not all measurements of success are based on the financials, and how that might look different for different companie…

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, as they discuss financial statement aggregation and analysis. Follow along as Duncan walks us through consolidating financial statements using advanced Excel functions. Discover the significance of breaking down current and deferred taxes, balancing income statements, …

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, as they delve into the world of headcount forecasting and analysis. This engaging discussion explores essential strategies for forecasting a company's employees and associated costs. Discover how to forecast salaries, bonuses, and benefits while maintaining a comprehen…

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, to discuss FP&A model design, revenue forecasting, and the power of proper formatting. Duncan shares insights on creating visually appealing and easy-to-follow models using the latest Excel features, such as binary switches and conditional formatting. Discover how to e…

On this episode, Shiv interviews Adam Solomon, Partner at Thoma Bravo. Shiv and Adam discuss how Thoma Bravo’s focus on market-leading companies impacts their approach to evaluating assets and value creation. Hear how one of the biggest PE firms in the world approaches due diligence, performance metrics, profitable growth, and founder relationships…

In this episode of FinPod, host Asim Khan is joined by Duncan McKeen, CFA, FMVA, to discuss Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). Duncan shares insights into the importance of model design in finance, emphasizing the significance of careful planning and structuring for effective decision-making. Learn how to efficiently gather inputs using modern t…

Shiv interviews Matthew Stevens, Founder of Stevens.VC. Shiv and Matt discuss the business fundamentals that founders and investors should be focusing on in early-stage companies. Hear how to add value and prepare for future investment by professionalizing your business operations, why a deep understanding of your market is critical to success, and…

Shiv and Dan discuss how the first 100 days can shape the outcome of private equity deals and explain the actions investors, founders and business leaders can take to set a business on the path to growth. Tune in for expert advice on when to start value creation planning, how to focus your efforts and resources on the most impactful strategies, and…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Chirag Shah, Growth Partner at Wavecrest Growth Partners. Chirag and Shiv discuss the wide variety of value creation levers that Wavecrest uses to grow their portfolio companies. Learn how to identify the most effective growth levers for each company, and how to scale revenue by optimizing pricing, sales strategy, cross-se…

Shiv interviews Joanna Arras, Partner at Baird Capital in the US venture fund.Joanna and Shiv discuss the challenges and opportunities for both founders and investors in the current venture landscape. Learn about how to balance growth and capital efficiency, the impact of the right capital raising strategy and how to select the right investment par…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Ripan Kadakia, Partner at ZMC. Ripan and Shiv discuss ZMC’s aim to serve portfolio companies through a strategy that includes business development, talent acquisition and technology. Learn about ZMC’s focus on macro trends to identify long-term investment opportunities, and hear case studies of growth in challenging circum…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Dirk Sahlmer, Head of Origination at saas.group. Dirk and Shiv discuss how saas.group’s investment approach differentiates them from traditional PE firms and influences their value creation framework. Learn about saas.group’s focus on profit margins rather than quick flips, their criteria for identifying companies with lon…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Kevin Mosley, General Partner at Jurassic Capital. Kevin and Shiv take a deep dive into Jurassic Capital’s B2B SaaS Benchmarks Report and explore how founders, investors and business leaders can use this data to achieve their growth objectives. Learn about the vital metrics every SaaS company should be tracking, how your c…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Narbe Alexandrian, founder and CEO of Define Capital. Shiv and Narbe discuss the options investors and founders have for their deal structure and capital stack. Learn about how Define Capital builds long-term partnerships with companies, their approach to valuations and risk, and hear how the current economic environment i…

Take a look at some of the highlights from the 2023 season of the Private Equity Value Creation podcast. In these bite-sized value creation insights from firms including Hg Capital, B Capital Group and JMI Equity, you’ll learn about tried-and-tested strategies for portco hiring, financial management, sales processes and much more.…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Hanny Akl, Transaction Advisory Services Practice Leader at Warren Averett, David LeGrand, Member (Partner), Tax and Transaction Advisory at Warren Averett, and Zach Crowe, Partner at Morris, Manning and Martin. Hanny, David, Zach and Shiv walk you through the essential legal and finance work it takes to set your business …

Shiv Narayanan interviews Lauren Bonner, Managing Partner at MBM Capital. Shiv and Lauren discuss how to sustainably scale enterprise value in companies where VC funding has dried up. Learn about MBM Capital’s playbook for investing in these companies, including how they evaluate potential investments, an approach for guiding companies towards prof…

On this episode Shiv Narayanan interviews Sunil Grover, Managing Partner at True Blue Partners. Sunil and Shiv discuss how True Blue Partners’ corporate finance perspective helps early-stage AI companies scale. Learn how they identify founders and companies that are best suited for their approach, why product-market fit is so vital, and how they co…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Andrew Pierno, Co-Founder at XO Capital.Andrew and Shiv discuss XO Capital’s highly-targeted investments into small, PLG, single-purpose SaaS companies, and how their thesis contrasts with typical VC attitudes.Learn about why micro-investing presents such a blue ocean opportunity, how Andrew’s technical capabilities inform…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Krista Morgan, General Partner at Stage Fund.Krista and Shiv discuss the challenges many companies experience in high-pressure VC models, and how Stage’s alternative investment approach offers a solution for founders and investors.Learn about Stage’s process for finding efficiencies and rebuilding revenue generation to get…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Justin Johnson, Director of the Investment Team at Camber Partners. Justin and Shiv discuss how Camber Partners sources, evaluates, and adds value to companies with a product-led growth focus. Learn why PLG is such a popular approach among SaaS companies, and how Camber is leveraging AI, machine learning and a proprietary …

Shiv Narayanan interviews Cody Lee, Vice President in Summit Partner’s Peak Performance Group. Cody and Shiv discuss why marketing is a function no portco (and no investor) can afford to ignore, and what you need to know about portco marketing in the current environment. Learn about a realistic approach to data-driven marketing strategy, common are…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Allen Duan, General Partner at B Capital Group.Allen and Shiv discuss how B Capital Group’s role as minority investors influences their approach to value creation and how they leverage the experience of advisors and partners.Learn how you can guide companies towards growth through team and organization, capital advisory, s…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Matt Gallagher, Portfolio CRO at Hg Capital. Matt and Shiv discuss how the Hg portfolio team prioritize revenue growth strategies that will move the needle most in the first months after an investment. Learn about the importance of due diligence as a foundation for scale and the metrics you should review to assess performa…

Shiv Narayanan interviews George Rossolatos, CEO and Managing Partner of Canadian Business Growth Fund. George and Shiv discuss how CBGF’s investment philosophy and evergreen fund are a rewarding alternative to companies choosing rapid growth at all costs. Learn how longer holding periods can be the basis of sustained, profitable growth and better …

Shiv Narayanan interviews Vinny Prajka, Partner at JMI Equity. Vinny and Shiv discuss how portfolio companies can increase efficiency and grow sustainably with a more focused approach to sales. Hear how JMI use customer segmentation to target sales efforts, reduce churn and increase average sales price. Learn how to implement this approach in your …

Shiv Narayanan interviews AJ Gandhi, CGO at Marlin Equity Partners.AJ and Shiv discuss how Marlin Equity Partners’ team of operating professionals create value in their portcos with a hands-on approach to revenue growth. Learn about the sales and marketing structures that are the foundation to scaling but are often underdeveloped, and hear how Marl…

Shiv Narayanan interviews Mariza Warshawsky, Partner at Assembly Group. Mariza and Shiv discuss Assembly Group’s tried-and-tested process to source and hire for key roles for PE-backed software companies. Learn how the experts recommend laying the groundwork for a successful search, and how to secure the best candidates in a competitive market. Get…