How to Become a Finance Athlete with Zach Rial
Watch the Video
Show Notes
Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst. In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst dives into the evolving role of FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) within organizations. The discussion focuses on the shift towards a more strategic and operations-focused approach to finance, exploring how modern finance professionals can become indispensable business partners. The conversation also touches on the concept of a "finance athlete" and the importance of being versatile and adaptable in today's dynamic business environment. This week’s guest is Zach Rial, the Senior Director of Finance and Strategy at Peak, a travel company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. With a background in finance, holding a bachelor's degree from Utah State and an MBA from the University of Utah, Zach brings a unique perspective to FP&A, blending operational insights with financial strategy. Known for his hands-on approach to finance, Zach shares his journey from operations to senior finance roles, emphasizing the importance of understanding the business from the ground up. Here is a summary of the key points from the discussion:
- What defines great FP&A and why partnerships are crucial for financial success.
- The concept of a "finance athlete" and how it applies to modern finance roles.
- The importance of intellectual curiosity and its role in driving business insights.
- How to manage tough conversations in the workplace with transparency and trust.
- The evolving role of finance professionals in strategic decision-making and operations.
Quotes:
Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode
"Great FP&A is about great partnerships. It’s understanding the business, what drives different departments, and being a great partner to make things better." - Zach Rial
"A finance athlete is someone who says, ‘I do finance,’ and that means many different things. It’s about helping the business in whatever way is needed." - Zach Rial
"I consider myself an unusual finance person because I approach finance from an operations perspective—always asking, ‘What does this mean for the business?’” - Zach Rial
"Finance is finance. Whether it's a software company or consumer goods, if you understand what drives the business, you can adapt and succeed." - Zach Rial
Recommended by LinkedIn
World-class Digital FP&A Course Bundle:
Signup for over ten hours of video content with 4 different courses and 8 modules on FP&A topics including: Business Partnering, Data Analysis, Financial Modeling Design Principles, and Modern Excel. Use code Podcast to save 25%. What are you waiting for signup below: https://bit.ly/4decOf3
Follow Zach:
Follow Paul:
Join the #1 Planning & Analytics Community created by and for FP&A Professionals. use the promo code TheFPandAGuy for an exclusive 25% discount on your first-year membership.
Earn CPE credit through Earmark for listening to this episode.
Operational & Strategic CFO Mindset | HHL Doctoral Student in Quantitative Methods, PE buyout datasets
4moInteresting insights, but how can we ensure that the “finance athlete” mindset scales effectively across diverse organizations with varying needs? Is the emphasis on transparency and adaptability truly applicable to all finance roles, or does it risk oversimplifying complex organizational dynamics?
Founder of the Ultimate Financial Modeling Mastery Program.
5moAwesome. There's no better education than running your own thing. Look forward to listening.
Founder at SkillBench I Offshore Staffing Solutions for CFOs, Controllers, Accounting Firms, and Businesses
5moZach's journey from window washing to finance leadership must be truly inspiring. Would love to watch it over the weekend. Thanks for sharing Paul Barnhurst
t’s great to hear how much you admire Zach's approach to finance and communication.