FP&Ai Podcast: Ep 12: Accelerate Your Financial Analysis ft. Anthony Wilson & Donovan Moses
In this episode of the FP&Ai Podcast, Roger Knocker is joined by Anthony Wilson and Donovan Moses to explore the third vital component of the Finance Operating System: Accelerating Analysis. Now that we have addressed removing friction and automating workflows, we focus on how to transform that efficiency into high-speed, actionable intelligence for the boardroom.
The discussion centres on the "Last Mile" of finance, moving from just producing reports to delivering real-time strategic insights. We unpack how a robust systems architecture allows finance teams to pivot instantly from historical reporting to forward-looking scenario planning. By shifting the workload away from data collection, leaders can spend more time on the "Why" behind the numbers. The key takeaway: Acceleration in finance isn't about working faster; it's about building a system that delivers insights at the speed of business.
- [0:00 - 1:30] Introduction to Standardized Workflows: The team defines the importance of standardized workflows in finance, emphasizing the need for repeatable, tracked, and timely processes that ensure the right tasks are performed by the right people.
- [1:30 - 4:21]
Benefits of Workflow Automation: The discussion covers how workflows improve management visibility, accountability, and the ability to monitor progress, using a procurement process as a practical example to illustrate routing and authority limits.
- [4:21 - 7:28]
Workflows Outside of the ERP: The guests explain how teams can leverage tools like HubSpot, Google Docs, Zapier, and Smartsheet to automate non-ERP processes, such as commercial inquiries and low-risk, recurring journal entries.
- [7:28 - 9:10] Implementing Daily Checks: The team highlights the necessity of implementing daily quality checks for automated workflows to detect and resolve failures, ensuring that critical data remains accurate.
- [9:10 - 12:09] Using Forms for Validation: A key tip is shared regarding the use of data entry forms to enforce structure, validation, and quality at the source, preventing errors in shared spreadsheets.
- [12:09 - 14:15] Documenting for Success: The conversation concludes by stressing the importance of documenting processes before automating them, focusing on routine, low-risk tasks to maintain human oversight where necessary while building a more robust finance system.
