The Power of Teaching in FP&A to Influence Executives & Bridge Communication Gaps with Carl Seidman

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul and Glenn are joined by Carl Seidman to explore a powerful but often overlooked role in finance: being a teacher. Drawing from decades of experience across consulting, education, and finance leadership, Carl discusses how FP&A professionals must learn to teach, whether it’s helping executives see the story behind the numbers, guiding junior staff, or translating finance for cross-functional teams. The episode is packed with practical advice, personal stories, and thoughtful insights about how teaching, influence, and communication shape success in finance.

Carl Seidman is a seasoned management consultant, fractional CFO, and educator. With over 20 years of experience advising companies from startups to Fortune 500s, Carl also teaches at Rice University and runs finance training programs for corporate teams. He brings a unique blend of technical mastery, business strategy, and teaching skill, making him the perfect voice to discuss why FP&A must go beyond the spreadsheet and into the realm of influence.

Expect to Learn:

• Why teaching is an essential skill for every FP&A professional
• How to tailor your message to different audiences, from analysts to executives
• Why oversharing details can derail your influence
• How to spot when your audience is confused (and how to pull them back in)
• Practical strategies for teaching finance without using jargon or acronyms

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• “The best presenters speak to the audience’s needs, not their own ego.” - Carl Seidman
• “FP&A is often the bridge, translating finance for operations and operations for finance.” - Glenn Snyder

Carl Seidman reminds us that the heart of FP&A isn’t just analysis, it’s communication, clarity, and connection. Through teaching, finance professionals can elevate their impact, build trust, and drive real business understanding. This episode reinforces that the most effective finance leaders don’t just present data, they help others make sense of it.

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Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy

Follow Carl:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/carlseidman

Website: seidmanfinancial.com

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

[02:30] - Meet Carl Seidman

[04:48] - What Does “FP&A as a Teacher” Mean?

[08:20] - Teaching Early in Your Career

[19:33] - Who Does FP&A Need to Teach?

[25:54] - Teaching Financial Impact

[29:19] - Ditch the Jargon

[35:44] - Spotting Confused Audiences

[41:59] - Teaching for Long-Term Growth

[43:58] - Celebrity on a Deserted Island