The FP&A Spectrum: Technology, Culture, and Long-Term Value - A Planning Aces Episode

In this episode of Planning Aces, co-hosts Jack Sweeney and Brett Knowles explore insights from CFOs Sandra Wallach (Amprius Technologies), David Morris (Guardian Pharmacy Services), and David Eckstein (Vanta). The discussion highlights themes around technology adoption and data-driven decision-making. Sandra Wallach emphasizes the importance of hands-on involvement, leveraging weekly meetings and direct collaboration to stay aligned with supply chain and customer needs. David Morris reflects on Guardian's long-term journey to IPO, underscoring rigorous planning processes, investment in data infrastructure, and a methodical approach to decision-making. David Eckstein examines AI’s transformative potential, advocating for measured experimentation while noting its current success in streamlining sales and operational processes. Brett Knowles identifies an overarching narrative of incremental technological adoption, comparing CFOs’ approaches to “crawl, walk, and run” stages. The episode underscores the evolving role of FP&A as a strategic partner, balancing technology with organizational culture and long-term value creation.