Automating Financial Workflows and the Role of Human Judgment with Albert Lee

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Albert Lee, FP&A leader, AI finance coach, and corporate trainer, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the finance profession. Albert shares practical insights from implementing AI in corporate finance, coaching CFOs, and training finance teams on responsible AI adoption.

Albert Lee is an FP&A leader, AI finance coach, and corporate trainer with over 13 years of experience helping finance teams embrace AI and automation. He has led FP&A functions across multinational organizations, including Merlin Entertainments and The Cookware Company, driving forecasting, profitability modeling, and process improvements across APAC. Today, Albert coaches CFOs and finance leaders through the AI Finance Club while delivering AI training for global organizations and professional finance communities.

Expect to Learn:

• Why AI should be your finance copilot
• How to build trusted AI workflows
• When to use AI vs. Power Query
• Best practices for secure AI adoption
• Key skills for the future of FP&A

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• "A strong analyst using AI becomes much stronger. A weak analyst using AI simply makes mistakes faster." - Albert Lee
• "The best FP&A professionals don't just explain the numbers, they explain what they mean and what should happen next." – Albert Lee

Albert Lee shares practical insights on using AI to enhance FP&A without sacrificing governance, accuracy, or human judgment. He reminds finance professionals that while AI can dramatically improve productivity, true business value comes from combining the right technology with strong data practices, critical thinking, and trusted business partnerships.

Follow Albert:

Website - https://axiomfpa.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-lee-fcpa-869478118/

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[00:00] – Trailer

[02:14] – Meet Albert Lee

[03:34] – Why Copilot?

[05:27] – AI Automation Journey

[09:47] – AI Training & Coaching

[19:51] – AI Challenges

[23:50] – AI Workflows

[28:18] – AI Governance

[31:23] – AI's Strengths & Limits

[39:40] – Career Advice & Wrap-up