The Future of Financial Modeling could not be a more controversial and important debate that needs to be had in the industry. There is a lot of hype around where the technology is heading and how soon we will see AI building financial models.
The reality is not always so clear.
In this special debate episode, host Paul Barnhurst, aka The FP&A Guy, is joined by an all-star panel of modeling experts to tackle some of the most contentious questions in the financial modeling world.
The Future of Financial Modeling is a topic that keeps coming up amongst industry experts and one that will continue to be a hot topic as the technology become more advanced and really changes the way accounting, finance and financial modellers do their work.
This lively discussion promises insights, entertainment, and plenty of surprises as the panellists bring their expertise and humor to the table. Together, they bring decades of experience, fresh perspectives, and a shared passion for the art and science of financial modeling.
Powerhouse Panel of Experts
- Derek Baker, FP&A professional and co-founder of the FP&A Hub
- Lance Rubin, CEO of Model Citizn and Chief Excel Officer at Excel Cloud
- Diarmuid “Dim” Early, founder of Early Days Consulting
- Craig Hatmaker, retired founder of Beyond Excel and advocate for modern modeling techniques
- Dr. David Brown, finance professor at the University of Arizona and founder of the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge
- Danielle Stein Fairhurst, Sydney-based financial modeling trainer, author, and Microsoft MVP
- Ian Bennett, leader of PwC’s global financial modeling practice and Master Financial Modeler
- Craig Thompson, former investment banker now innovating in software at Aleph
I’ll fetch the Spotify podcast episode to see what information is available about it.## Podcast Summary: The Great Debate on AI, Excel, and the Future of Financial Modeling
Panelists & Their Perspectives:
Lance Rubin (CEO of Model Citizn, Chief Excel Officer at Excel Cloud)
- Emphasised that Excel’s modern tools like Power Query and LAMBDAs are preparing the groundwork for AI to transform model building
Danielle Stein Fairhurst (Financial modeling trainer, author, Microsoft MVP)
- Argued that while AI can process data efficiently, it fundamentally lacks the creativity and business acumen essential for financial modeling
Dr. David Brown (Finance professor, University of Arizona)
- Championed Excel’s enduring relevance, noting it forms the foundation of the financial system and its adaptability ensures longevity
Derek Baker (FP&A professional, co-founder of FP&A Hub)
Diarmuid “Dim” Early (Founder of Early Days Consulting)
Craig Hatmaker (Retired founder of Beyond Excel)
Ian Bennett (Leader of PwC’s global financial modeling practice)
Craig Thompson (Former investment banker, software innovator at Aleph)
Key Debate Topics:
- Financial models as decision-making tools – Whether they’re essential for business decisions
- Excel’s future – Will it survive or be replaced by emerging technologies?
- New tools adoption – The value of learning Power BI, Power Query, and Python for financial modeling
- Controversial techniques – Debate around circular references and dynamic arrays
- AI replacing modelers – Timeline and likelihood of AI taking over human modeling roles
Key Quotes
- “Excel’s modern tools, like Power Query and lambdas, are setting the stage for AI to change how we build models.” – Lance Rubin
- “AI can process data, but it lacks the creativity and business acumen needed for financial modeling.” – Danielle Stein Fairhurst
- “Excel is the foundation of the financial system, and its adaptability ensures it will last for years to come.” – Dr. David Brown
Expect to learn about the role of financial models in decision-making, the future of Excel, the impact of Power BI, Power Query, and Python, and whether AI will replace human modelers.
Don’t fall too far behind on the debate on the Future of Financial Modeling by keeping this Podcast saved in your favourites or library.
Visit the links below to follow the panellists and dive deeper into the discussion!
Follow Ian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianbennettpwc/
Follow Derek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-d-baker/
Follow Lance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financial-modelling/
Follow Diarmuid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diarmuidearly/
Follow Craig H: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-hatmaker-4449879/
Follow David: https://www.davidclaytonbrown.com/
Follow Danielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellesteinfairhurst/
If you want to stay up to speed with the Future of Financial Modelling, consider joining the Future of Finance Lab held each fortnight. The session will particularly focus on this topic and is free to join.
Below is a link to some past sessions.
