Latest news with #FP&A
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Bain & Company releases brief on the future of financial planning
Middle East. Bain & Company has released a brief, The Future of Financial Planning Is Autonomous, which explores how generative AI and intelligent agents are transforming the way companies plan, forecast, and allocate capital. According to the brief, traditional budgeting cycles are too slow and rigid for today's volatile markets. AI-native agents embedded in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are enabling companies to update forecasts continuously, adjust budgets automatically, and deliver real-time strategic insights to leadership teams. These systems mark the beginning of a new era of intelligent, autonomous finance. More than 25% of finance teams now use some form of machine learning in quarterly planning, with adoption rates for generative AI accelerating rapidly. Generative AI enables faster and more accurate forecasting by synthesizing signals from unstructured data and providing scenario-based insights. Agentic AI takes it a step further by autonomously managing end-to-end forecasting workflows. The brief also details how leading organizations like Microsoft are embedding AI agents into core FP&A functions, from forecasting and variance analysis to reconciliation and reporting, significantly reducing cycle times and boosting responsiveness. Bain outlines three clear paths to modernizing planning: streamlining existing processes, enhancing them with AI, or fully reinventing the operating model. Companies like Eaton and Hilti are profiled as early leaders who have embraced integrated, agile planning models, delivering both speed and strategic agility. About Bain & Company Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 65 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a platinum rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 1% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Seismic's CFO-CRO partnership sustains growth after profitability
This story was originally published on To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily newsletter. Seismic, a sales enablement software platform used by large go-to-market teams, is closing in on $400 million in annual recurring revenue and has already reached profitability. Behind that highly sought-after mark is an in-sync CFO-chief revenue officer relationship between Evan Goldstein and Hayden Stafford. Goldstein, who joined Seismic as CFO in 2022 after leadership roles at Genentech and Salesforce, is a first-time finance chief focused on creating what he calls 'structured chaos'— supporting innovation while enforcing financial rigor. Stafford, the company's CRO and an enterprise sales veteran with prior stints at IBM, Salesforce and Microsoft, joined around the same time. Though they didn't work together directly during their shared time at Salesforce, at Seismic, they've built a model for high-growth SaaS leadership that's based on collaboration, transparency and shared ownership of growth and profitability. 'In many ways, [collaboration with leadership] is like parenting,' Goldstein said. 'Disagreements rise to the top, and we have to present a united front. Hayden and I have invested in the relationship, and that's made us far more effective at managing any tension and keeping the organization moving forward.' Laying the groundwork One of Goldstein's priorities as CFO was rebuilding Seismic's finance organization, moving it beyond accounting to become a forward-looking strategic partner. 'The culture here was very accounting-driven,' he said. 'I'm not knocking accountants, but you need a broader set of skills to really support decision-making at scale.' He brought in a new controller, head of FP&A, a procurement lead and a VP of finance to unify the organization and embed it more deeply in go-to-market operations. 'FP&A's role is to be an effective business partner,' Goldstein said. 'It's about using data to help executives make better decisions.' Those decisions include everything from sales capacity modeling and deal structure analysis to headcount forecasting and pricing alignment. 'We've worked closely with the CRO to structure deals, analyze sales capacity, model headcount and understand what's driving bookings growth,' Goldstein said. Stafford said the finance team's integration with sales has made them more than just gatekeepers. 'I sell to nobody more than [Goldstein],' Stafford said. 'But the way to 'sell' a CFO is not to just page in when you need something; that's the used car salesman mindset. The proper way is relationship selling, establishing trust and building a genuine relationship.' Upgrading the finance tech stack also played a role in Seismic's journey to profitability. Goldstein said he implemented Workday Adaptive Planning to help cut forecast turnaround times and introduced Zip to overhaul procurement. 'Procurement was the function most on fire when I joined,' he said. 'Now it's seamless, and we've seen strong ROI from day one.' Developing alignment where it matters One of the most impactful outcomes of the CFO-CRO relationship at Seismic has been a more disciplined approach to revenue operations. This includes commission planning for sales representatives whose deals involve deferred revenue recognition or extended payment terms, where commissions might otherwise be paid well before the company receives the cash. In order to develop this system, both executives say joint ownership is required. Seismic now uses a standardized commission model, with few exceptions agreed upon by both finance and sales leadership. 'Commissions can create a massive waterfall effect if you're not careful,' Goldstein said. The system was designed collaboratively with sales leadership and built for field alignment and fiscal control. 'Evan came in with the law,' Stafford said. 'But [Goldstein] is not a 'no' CFO. He says no some of the time and yes some of the time. That's what a good, commercially oriented CFO is like.' 'I think of the CFO and CRO as having two very different lenses,' Stafford added. 'The CFO's world can be black and white — profit, loss, make or miss the plan. The CRO's can be extremely dynamic and volatile. I'm looking two quarters out. He's thinking three years out.' That difference in horizon often creates tension, but both say that tension is both necessary and productive. 'We work hard to resolve issues quickly, keep each other informed and make sure the organization sees that we're rowing in the same direction,' Goldstein said. Even during recent market pressure, the company preserved its President's Club and top-performer rewards, which Stafford said was evidence of Goldstein's commitment to rewarding sales representatives. 'We didn't cut our top performers' club,' Stafford said. 'I never had to defend it. Evan was already and always behind it.' Building for profitability and flexibility While much of Goldstein's work over the last three years has focused on financial infrastructure, the goal wasn't just to survive volatility; it was to build a company that could grow on its own terms. 'My overarching goal is to create a durable growth company,' he said. 'If we build that, the outcome, whether it's going public, being acquired or taking additional investment, will take care of itself.' 'Sales wants to close deals quickly and more resources in the field. Finance wants predictability, visibility and control. The truth is, you need both.' Evan Goldstein CFO, Seismic SOX compliance is the last major hurdle before Seismic is IPO-ready, Goldstein said. 'That's a significant investment of time and money,' he said. 'But it's something you can complete in six to 12 months. If we decided to go this year, we could move on it.' The long-range planning process brings together Goldstein's finance and Stafford's revenue team and requires alignment on long-term strategy with near-term execution. The team refreshes its three-year plan annually, breaks it into quarterly goals and aligns on metrics like rep productivity, customer economics and bookings efficiency. 'Sales wants to close deals quickly and have more resources in the field,' Goldstein said. 'Finance wants predictability, visibility and control. The truth is, you need both. That's why this relationship works.' For Goldstein, that balance — between pressure and alignment, growth and discipline — is exactly what defines a successful contemporary CFO. 'You want R&D to experiment and try new things,' he said. 'But you also need to protect the financial interests of the company. We've been able to strike that balance.' Recommended Reading How LegitScript's CFO and CTO are building systems to scale smarter
Business Wire
04-08-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ZoomInfo Appoints Graham O'Brien Chief Financial Officer
VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZoomInfo (NASDAQ: GTM), the Go-To-Market Intelligence Platform, announced that Michael Graham O'Brien, the Company's interim Chief Financial Officer, has been named Chief Financial Officer, effective August 1, 2025. 'Graham's successful track record at ZoomInfo, his proven leadership, financial and operating discipline, and strong financial and accounting expertise make him the right leader for this role,' said Henry Schuck, ZoomInfo Founder and CEO. Mr. O'Brien commented, 'I look forward to continuing to work with the board of directors and the executive team as we drive customer success and value, expand upmarket, and reaccelerate revenue growth while prioritizing profitability and growing free cash flow per share.' Mr. O'Brien has served as the Company's Interim Chief Financial Officer since September 2024. Prior to this, Mr. O'Brien held various roles at the Company with increasing levels of responsibility since December 2017, and most recently served as Vice President of FP&A since January 2023. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. O'Brien held accounting positions at RainKing Solutions from 2016 to 2017, and with Kaseya from 2008 to 2016. Mr. O'Brien holds a B.S. in accounting from Lehigh University and is a licensed CPA in the District of Columbia. Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results In a separate press release issued today, ZoomInfo issued its second quarter 2025 financial results. A conference call is scheduled to begin today, August 4th, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time). To participate in the live conference call via telephone, please register here. Upon registering, a dial-in number and unique PIN will be provided to join the conference call. The call will also be webcast live on the Company's investor relations website at https:// where related presentation materials will be posted prior to the conference call. Following the conference call, an archived webcast of the call will be available for one year on ZoomInfo's Investor Relations website. About ZoomInfo ZoomInfo (Nasdaq: GTM) is the Go-To-Market Intelligence Platform that empowers businesses to grow faster with AI-ready insights, trusted data, and advanced automation. Its solutions provide more than 35,000 companies worldwide with a complete view of their customers, making every seller their best seller. ZoomInfo is a recognized leader in data privacy, with industry-leading GDPR and CCPA compliance and numerous data security and privacy certifications. For more information about how ZoomInfo can help businesses with go-to-market intelligence that accelerates revenue growth, please visit
Associated Press
30-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Best Financial Planning & Analysis Course (2025): Corporate Finance Institute Recognized as Leading FP&A Certification Provider in Report by Expert Consumers
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 30, 2025) - Expert Consumers has recognized the Corporate Finance Institute® (CFI) as a leading provider of FP&A certification for professionals seeking practical, career-oriented training. The Financial Planning & Analysis Professional (FPAP™) certification was highlighted for its comprehensive curriculum, real-world applications, and accessibility to learners worldwide. Top Financial Planning & Analysis Course Addressing the Growing Demand for FP&A Skills The role of FP&A has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by the increasing need for real-time financial insights and strategic decision support in businesses. Finance professionals are now expected to combine technical skills with strategic thinking - interpreting data, building forecasts, and advising leadership on financial outcomes. CFI's FPAP™ program was recognized for directly addressing this shift. According to Expert Consumers, the curriculum is designed to equip learners with hands-on expertise in corporate planning, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. It also places particular emphasis on Excel-based modeling, a core requirement for FP&A professionals in both emerging and established markets. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Key Features of the FPAP™ Certification Curriculum Focus Expert Consumers notes that the FPAP™ certification stands out for its practical approach to complex financial planning topics. The curriculum moves beyond theory, focusing on the daily responsibilities of FP&A teams, such as: These components are critical as finance departments face increasing pressure to provide timely, actionable insights to executive leadership. Career Impact and Industry Relevance According to CFI's learner data, professionals who complete the FPAP™ certification frequently report improvements in their financial modeling capabilities, forecasting accuracy, and leadership readiness. The program is designed to support career growth for analysts, managers, and senior finance professionals working in FP&A, corporate finance, and strategy roles. As businesses continue to prioritize data-driven decision-making, the need for skilled FP&A professionals is expected to rise. The FPAP™ program provides a structured learning path to help finance professionals close the skills gap between traditional accounting knowledge and modern financial planning requirements. Click here to view the complete curriculum of CFI's FPAP™ course. For a more detailed review, please visit About Corporate Finance Institute Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) is a global leader in online finance training and certification, serving over 2.8 million learners in more than 170 countries. Founded in 2016, CFI provides practical, industry-relevant education in areas such as financial modeling, banking, capital markets, data analysis, and fintech. Its mission is to empower finance professionals with the skills and tools needed to succeed in the financial industry. About Expert Consumers delivers news and insights on consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Expert Consumers may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided. Contact: Drew Thomas ( [email protected] ) To view the source version of this press release, please visit
National Post
29-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Vena Recognized as a Leader With Outstanding Overall Rating in 2025–2026 Performance Management Vendor Landscape Matrix from BPM Partners
Article content Article content Article content TORONTO — Vena, the only Complete FP&A platform powered by agentic AI and purpose-built to fully amplify the Microsoft technology ecosystem, today shared its eight total Outstanding and Excellent rankings in the new 2025–2026 Performance Management Vendor Landscape Matrix (VLM) produced by BPM Partners, the leading independent authority on business performance management. Vena was ranked as an all-around Outstanding provider, the highest possible ranking, with a score of 4.69 out of 5, signaling its ongoing success in providing customers with a holistic financial planning solution that meets their needs. Article content In addition to its overall ranking, Vena was a Top-rated provider in the Budgeting and Planning and Customer Support categories with scores of 4.85 and 4.62 respectively, well above competitors in both categories. The company also earned Excellent rankings in the following five categories: Performance and Scalability, Financial Reporting, Financial Consolidation, Finance Self-Sufficiency and Ease of Use. Article content The VLM found Vena's key strengths to be its intuitive interface, the platform's flexibility, the low total cost of ownership and its integrated business planning and AI-powered capabilities. Article content In BPM's report, 73% of survey respondents ranked the use of AI in CPM as either important or very important, showcasing Vena's future-forward focus and emphasis on providing customers solutions that integrate with the platforms they already know and trust. Vena is leading the way in FP&A with its agentic AI deployments and integrations, including industry-first reporting and analytics agents as well as Vena Copilot for Microsoft Teams, an integration that brings these powerful tools directly into business workflows and collaborations. Article content 'Our VLM score jumped from 4.54 last year to 4.69 this year—concrete proof that Vena's AI-powered, customer-oriented approach is resonating more than ever with customers around the world,' said Hugh Cumming, CTO of Vena. 'We are particularly honored by the continued recognition for our integration capabilities. During times of volatility, a business needs better information flow and increased agility. Vena's integration and AI features help finance teams make more strategic decisions faster.' Article content Finance teams are facing more pressure to provide fast and accurate information, reflected in 67% of VLM respondents saying pre-built templates were important or very important to them when evaluating a vendor's platform. In addition to its native integration with the Microsoft technology ecosystem, Vena offers a quick startup time and easy adoption no matter the industry, thanks to its robust library of 50+ pre-built templates that include everything from Power BI dashboards to employee growth kits. Article content 'The VLM is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to purchase, upgrade or replace a performance management system,' said Craig Schiff, President and CEO of BPM Partners. 'We currently track more than 50 vendors that provide software to address one or more aspects of business performance management and related business intelligence. Only the most active vendors competing for and successfully delivering BPM solutions are included in the VLM report, and Vena is certainly making its mark.' Article content From high-growth startups to global enterprises, finance and operations teams are turning to Vena to unify their planning in a single platform that's fast to deploy, flexible to use and powered by the tools finance teams already trust—Excel, Power BI, Teams and more. With agentic AI, real-time analytics and a seamless Microsoft-native user experience, Vena empowers finance leaders to go beyond the numbers and make confident, insight-driven decisions that move their business forward. To learn how companies are planning with confidence using Vena, visit our Customer Stories. Article content To download a copy of the 2025–2026 Performance Management Vendor Landscape Matrix (VLM) report produced by BPM Partners, click here. About Vena Vena is the only agentic AI-powered FP&A platform purpose-built to harness the full power of the Microsoft technology ecosystem for finance teams everywhere. Vena amplifies Microsoft's world-leading productivity tools, cloud technology and AI innovation to make FP&A, operational planning and adjacent strategic processes more flexible, efficient and intelligent. Thousands of the world's leading companies rely on Vena to power their planning. For more information, visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
