How To Make FP&A Software Tools Work For You And The Future Of FP&A With Ben Pierce

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst talks with Ben Pierce, General Manager of Workday Adaptive Planning, to discuss the evolving landscape of FP&A, the challenges of planning software, and the future of finance in an AI-driven world. Ben shares his career journey, from semiconductor engineering to leadership roles in the FP&A software industry, and dives into his vision for how AI is transforming the way businesses plan and make decisions.

Ben Pierce is an experienced executive with over two decades of experience in the enterprise software industry. Currently, he leads Workday Adaptive Planning’s global strategy, growth, and innovation efforts. Prior to joining Workday, Ben held senior roles in several companies, including River Logic, Tidemark, and IBM, where he honed his expertise in analytics, financial software, and business leadership. His career has been shaped by his passion for leveraging technology to improve business operations and drive impactful change.

Expect to Learn:

1. Why Ben believes the future of FP&A is in AI and analytics
2. The importance of challenging the business with actionable insights
3. How to make FP&A tools work for you, not just as a data repository
4. What to consider when choosing and implementing FP&A software
5. The balance between strategic planning and flexible budgeting processes

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. "A great FP&A partner doesn’t just provide data, they come to the table with a point of view and push you to do better." – Ben Pierce
2. "At the end of the day, it’s not about the tool, it’s about the implementation and how you engage with it." – Ben Pierce

Ben Pierce offers invaluable insights into FP&A, emphasizing the need for technology to not only streamline processes but also enhance decision-making capabilities. His advice on selecting the right FP&A tools and the importance of having a supportive implementation partner is essential for any finance team looking to modernize their planning processes.

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Free Trial of Workday

Try Workday Adaptive Planning free for 30 days - https://forms.workday.com/en-us/sales/adaptive-planning-free-trial/form.html?locale=enus&aud=ada&stage=ce&size=all&pblr=wd&assettype=oth&productfocus=pl&utm_medium=evnt&utm_source=evlv&step=step1_sales_contact

Follow Ben:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpierce23/

Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/workday/

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

Earn Your CPE Credit

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

In Today’s Episode

[02:50] – From Engineering to Software Leadership

[04:56] – What Makes Great FP&A

[09:23] – The Importance of Customer Success

[12:05] – How to Choose the Right FP&A Tool

[13:33] – Advice for Moving to the Vendor Side

[16:03] – The Future of AI and FP&A

[18:12] – Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Analytics

[21:04] – The Role of Zero-Based Budgeting

[25:46] – Best Practices for Annual Budgeting

[28:06] – Handling Headcount Planning Challenges

[32:28] – Getting the Most Out of FP&A Software

[36:52] – Closing Thoughts and Final Advice