Best Practice Tips to Successfully Implement FP&A Software with James Myers

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul welcomes James Myers, a financial systems and planning expert known for helping organizations modernize their FP&A functions. Drawing from years of experience implementing planning, modeling, and consolidation tools, James breaks down what makes FP&A software implementations succeed or fail. From understanding when your system has reached its limits to managing change and choosing the right implementation partners, James shares the steps every finance leader should take to avoid expensive mistakes.

James Myers has led multiple large-scale planning system implementations for global organizations. He specializes in modeling and financial planning solutions that help companies reduce reliance on spreadsheets, improve collaboration, and achieve scalable performance management. His consulting work spans industries including manufacturing, technology, and retail, where he focuses on aligning processes, people, and systems for long-term success.

Expect to Learn:

• The signs your FP&A system is broken and ready for replacement
• How to select the right planning or modeling tool for your company size
• The real cost behind system implementation (and how to plan for it)
• Why clean data and cross-functional collaboration are essential
• Best practices for RFPs, vendor selection, and proof of concept testing

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• “Reducing reliance on Excel isn’t about killing it, it’s about freeing up your team to think strategically.” - James Myers
• “The role of FP&A is to be a true value partner to the business—combining data, strategy, and people.” - James Myers

James Myers reminds us that FP&A transformation is less about tools and more about mindset. By focusing on vision, data quality, and collaboration, finance teams can build systems that scale with their companies instead of holding them back. If you’re preparing for a software upgrade or implementation, this episode will help you do it right the first time.

Campfire: AI-First ERP:

Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation,

close management, and more, all in one unified platform.

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

Follow James:

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

Follow Glenn:

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

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

[00:00] - Trailer

[01:58] - What Makes Great FP&A

[03:17] - Signs Your Current System is Broken

[07:03] - The Hidden Cost of Excel Dependency

[08:16] - How to Choose the Right FP&A Tool

[13:35] - Setting a Vision Before Selecting Vendors

[22:52] - RFP and Demo Best Practices

[30:36] - Negotiating the Best Deal Without Cutting Corners

[36:35] - Why Change Management Matters Most

[47:00] - Implementation Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

[52:40] - Final Thoughts: Building the Future of FP&A