How SaaS CFOs Can Fix FP&A Gaps to Scale Performance and Boost Profitability with Paul Lynch

In this episode, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Paul Lynch, the energetic and straightforward CEO of Centage. They dive into what makes great FP&A in today’s world and why so many companies are still stuck with outdated tools and bad habits. From growing startups to leading mature SaaS businesses, Paul shares lessons learned, mistakes made, and why data, not gut instinct, is what really drives success. You’ll hear why Excel refuses to die, how sales and finance can (and should) work better together, and why chasing growth without understanding your numbers is a recipe for disaster.

Paul Lynch has spent his career leading B2B software companies and helping them scale with better decision-making tools. He’s been CEO at Assembla and Import.io, and now heads up Centage, a modern FP&A platform. Originally from Dublin and now living in Texas, Paul brings a mix of humor, experience, and blunt truths about finance, growth, and leadership. He’s also a former whiskey salesman in South Africa, a passionate cook, and a lifelong Liverpool fan.

Expect to Learn:

• Why reporting is not just planning should be the core of FP&A.
• How poor unit economics can quietly destroy your business.
• Why hiring data people early matters more than sales or recruiters.
• The lasting dominance of Excel and what that says about innovation.
• How Paul’s early sales career in South Africa shaped his leadership style.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• “We need to stop worshipping Excel and start building tools for the next 40 years.” - Paul Lynch
• Many companies chase growth without even knowing if they’re making or losing money.” - Paul Lynch
• “The moment you think you know more than your customer, your business starts to fail.” - Paul Lynch

Paul brings energy, candor, and real-world perspective to a topic that’s often bogged down in spreadsheets and jargon. This episode is a must-listen for finance professionals who want to rethink how they use data, sharpen their business instincts, or learn from someone who’s built and led through both booms and busts. If you’ve ever questioned how to grow responsibly, build a smarter team, or move beyond Excel, Paul’s insights will challenge your thinking and leave you with practical takeaways to act on.

Corporate Finance Institute:

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Follow FP&A Tomorrow:

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624 

Follow Paul Lynch:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulglynch/

Website - https://www.centage.com/

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.theFP&A ndaguy.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/theFP&A ndaguy

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 FP&A Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[03:37] - Real-Life FP&A Example

[06:28] - Starting in Sales

[09:39] - Customer-Led Roadmaps

[11:53] - FP&A in Sales

[14:18] - Key SaaS Metrics

[16:09] - Ignoring Unit Economics

[18:26] - VC and Growth

[24:13] - Innovation in FP&A

[32:51] - Rise of Data

[35:42] - Key FP&A Skills

[38:27] - Get To Know You