Future Finance

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss the AI landscape and how CFOs and finance leaders should approach AI in 2026. Reflecting on the developments of 2025, they explore how AI adoption is progressing at the individual and company levels and discuss the surprises and challenges they've encountered in the AI space.Paul and Glenn discuss how individuals have become far more comfortable using AI tools in their own work, while companies as a whole have moved much more slowly. Topics include ongoing data quality problems, hesitation around governance and security, and why many organizations still struggle to integrate AI into core systems and workflows.In this episode, you will discover:The current state of AI adoption by individuals and companies.Surprising shifts in AI companies like OpenAI and Microsoft in 2025.The growing role of specialized AI models and their potential impact on industries like finance.Predictions for the future of AI in 2026, including advancements in LLMs and robotics.Glenn and Paul discussed the evolving AI landscape and its impact on finance, offering insights into key developments and predictions for 2026. They highlighted the challenges, growth, and opportunities AI presents for finance leaders and businesses.Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[00:15] - Reflections on AI in 2025[05:07] - Paul’s Surprises on AI’s Progress[11:05] - OpenAI’s Consumer Focus[13:23] - Predictions for Specialized Models[14:51] - AI and Robotics[17:20] - Small vs Large Models[18:28] - Closing Thoughts on AI in Finance

In this first episode of Future Finance for 2026, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper take time to reflect on how AI actually showed up in finance over the past year, and what that means going forward. Without a guest, the conversation focuses on real experiences, observations, and lessons from working directly with finance teams, CFOs, and operators who are navigating AI adoption day to day.Paul and Glenn discuss how individuals have become far more comfortable using AI tools in their own work, while companies as a whole have moved much more slowly. Topics include ongoing data quality problems, hesitation around governance and security, and why many organizations still struggle to integrate AI into core systems and workflows. They also share their thoughts on notable developments from 2025, including OpenAI’s shift toward consumer use, Microsoft Copilot’s mixed results, Google Gemini’s rapid improvement, and Nvidia’s continued growth.In this episode, you will discover:How AI adoption differs between individuals and organizationsWhy poor data quality still limits many finance teamsWhat recent changes from OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia suggestWhere Microsoft Copilot works well today and where it falls shortWhy automation and basic app-building are becoming more importantPaul and Glenn share concrete examples from Excel, Outlook, reporting, and close processes. They also emphasize that banning AI use is no longer realistic and that clear guidelines matter more than strict restrictions.Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance.Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[02:47] – How Individuals vs. Companies Used AI in 2025[06:12] – OpenAI, Monetization, and Market Signals[09:27] – Google Gemini’s Turnaround[15:56] – Big Models vs. Specialized Tools[21:21] – Consumer AI and Platform Control[26:26] – Real Copilot Use Cases in Excel[35:28] – What Finance Professionals Should Focus on in 2026[39:31] – What Finance Leaders Need to Do Now[41:45] – Automation, Vibe Coding, and What’s Next[43:07] – Final Thoughts and Closing

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Sasha Orloff, CEO of Puzzle, to discuss the future of accounting and how AI is poised to transform the finance industry. Sasha Orloff shares his journey from founding LendUp and Mission Lane to building Puzzle, an innovative accounting software platform designed to solve the industry’s most pressing challenges. Sasha Orloff is the CEO of Puzzle, a modern accounting software platform focused on building the future of finance. Before Puzzle, Sasha Orloff founded LendUp and Mission Lane, which both scaled to hundreds of millions in revenue. He has a deep background in finance, technology, and AI, and his insights are helping to shape the next wave of innovation in the industry.In this episode, you will discover:The challenges of traditional accounting systems and outdated softwareHow AI and predictive analytics can streamline financial tasks and improve decisionsThe need for an evolving general ledger and the role of blockchain in enhancing transparencyHow AI reduces errors and provides more accurate insights for finance professionalsThe future of accounting and how AI will enable faster, smarter decision-makingSasha Orloff explains how Puzzle is addressing the foundational issues with traditional accounting software by focusing on trust, transparency, and flexibility. He also shares his thoughts on the importance of building the right data infrastructure to enable AI-driven insights in finance.Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance.Follow Sasha:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashaorloff/Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/puzzlefin/Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[01:00] - Meet Sasha Orloff[03:30] - The Problem with Traditional Accounting Software[06:00] - The Future of the General Ledger and Data Transparency[10:30] - How AI Enhances Finance and Accounting Tasks[12:45] - Blockchain’s Role in Financial Trust[17:30] - The Role of AI in Business Decision-Making[20:00] - How Puzzle is Revolutionizing Financial Software[27:00] - AI and the Democratization of Data Science[33:00] - Lightning Round: Fun Personal Questions

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst are joined by Ian Wong, co-founder and CEO of Summation, a cutting-edge AI platform designed to help enterprise leaders navigate complex data and make smarter business decisions. Ian shares his journey from CTO at Opendoor to founding Summation, inspired by his frustration with the inefficiencies of traditional reporting and analysis systems.Ian Wong is the co-founder and CEO of Summation, an AI-powered decision platform built to help enterprise leaders better understand how their businesses are performing. Before Summation, Ian co-founded Opendoor and served as CTO through its journey to going public. He was also Square’s first data scientist, where he built early fraud and risk systems. Ian holds degrees in electrical engineering and statistics from Stanford University and brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise and business leadership experience.Expect to Learn:The Monday Morning Problem and its impact on business operationsHow AI can eliminate tedious data analysis processesThe difference between traditional BI tools and the AI-powered platform SummationThe importance of real-time, decision-grade data for enterprise leadersJoin hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:Follow Ian:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-wong/Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summation-hq/Follow Paul: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[01:01] - The Monday Morning Problem and Decision-Making[03:46] - The time and effort spent on manual data analysis[08:48] - Ian’s Motivation Behind Summation[10:40] - What Makes Summation Different[12:48] - The Importance of Accurate Data in Finance[13:53] - Wrapping Up and Farewell

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Ian Wong, co-founder and CEO of Summation, to talk about one of the most frustrating challenges in finance and analytics: getting timely, trustworthy answers to basic business questions. Ian shares the story behind what he calls the “Monday Morning Problem” and explains why finance teams often spend weeks chasing insights that arrive too late to matter. The conversation explores the limits of dashboards, the risks of AI hallucinations in finance, and what decision-grade analytics really means.Ian Wong is the co-founder and CEO of Summation, an AI-powered decision platform built to help enterprise leaders better understand how their businesses are performing. Before Summation, Ian co-founded Opendoor and served as CTO through its journey to going public. He was also Square’s first data scientist, where he built early fraud and risk systems. Ian holds degrees in electrical engineering and statistics from Stanford University and brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise and business leadership experience.In this episode, you will discover:What the “Monday Morning Problem” is and why it slows down decision-makingWhy dashboards and ad hoc reports often fail finance leadersThe risks of relying on generic AI tools for financial analysisHow decision-grade analytics differ from conversational AIWhat the coming “query flood” could mean for data infrastructure and costsIan explains how Summation helps finance and operations teams move from manual data stitching to faster, more reliable insights. The discussion also covers AI hype versus reality, why trust matters so much in finance analytics, and how leaders can think more clearly about where AI fits into real business workflows.Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance.Follow Ian:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-wong/Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summation-hq/Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[01:58] – Meet Ian Wong[05:25] – The “Monday Morning Problem”[09:23] – What Empathetic Leadership Really Means[13:15] – How Enterprise Research Really Works[16:34] – The Monday Morning Numbers Meeting[21:25] – A Balance Sheet That Still Doesn’t Balance[25:53] – Where AI actually helps finance teams[28:27] – The AI Hype Question of 2025[33:07] – Moving into Personal Questions

In this episode of The Future Finance Show, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Cindy Vindasius, an expert in accounting and process transformation with over 30 years of experience in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. Cindy, the founder and CEO of her advisory practice, shares her expertise on ERP implementations, system transformations, and how AI is reshaping the finance landscape. They discuss her experiences with ERP failures, her new online course for ERP readiness, and the challenges companies face when navigating ERP transformations and adopting AI tools.Cindy Vindasius is a CPA and MBA with over 30 years of experience guiding high-growth technology and manufacturing companies through complex ERP, finance transformation, and AI-readiness initiatives. As the founder of Vindasius Advisory, she has led 12 ERP implementations, 8 IPO and M&A, and numerous SOX compliance projects. Her clients include industry leaders such as Tesla, Apple, 23andMe, and TenX. Through her ERP Preparedness Master Workshop and executive advisory programs, Cindy helps CFOs and CIOs align systems and processes for scale, resilience, and efficiency.Expect to Learn:Why legacy ERP systems are fundamentally flawed in designCindy’s journey into ERP transformations and system implementationsThe complexity of ERP migrations and why they’re often harder than expectedHow AI is changing ERP systems and the finance industryCindy’s ERP readiness course, which helps businesses prepare for successful ERP transformationsJoin hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:AI Readiness Assessment: Take the free 3-minute AI Readiness Assessment to clearly identify your strengths and weaknesses across Finance and Operations: https://cindy-tooq6nwx.scoreapp.com/AI First Vendor Evaluation Checklist:Evaluate smarter and avoid costly mistakes with this AI First Vendor Evaluation Checklist packed with key criteria: https://www.vindasius.com/opt-inFollow Cindy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-vindasius/Website: https://www.vindasius.comFollow Paul: LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[00:29] - Cindy’s Background and ERP Experience[03:30] - The Challenges of ERP Implementations[07:00] - AI’s Role in Changing ERP Systems[10:10] - Lessons from AI-Native ERP Platforms[12:00] - Cindy’s ERP Readiness Course[16:30] - Closing Thoughts and Thanks

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by systems and finance transformation expert Cindy Vindasius to explore why so many ERP implementations fail, and what companies can do to fix that. They discuss the often-overlooked groundwork needed before selecting a system or deploying AI tools, and why jumping straight to automation without strong data and processes is a recipe for chaos. Whether you're planning an ERP rollout or modernizing finance operations, this conversation is packed with practical guidance for long-term success.Cindy Vindasius is a CPA and MBA with over 30 years of experience guiding high-growth technology and manufacturing companies through complex ERP, finance transformation, and AI-readiness initiatives. As the founder of Vindasius Advisory, she has led 12 ERP implementations, 8 IPO and M&A, and numerous SOX compliance projects. Her clients include industry leaders such as Tesla, Apple, 23andMe, and TenX. Through her ERP Preparedness Master Workshop and executive advisory programs, Cindy helps CFOs and CIOs align systems and processes for scale, resilience, and efficiency.In this episode, you will discover:Why 70% of ERP implementations fail and how to avoid common misstepsWhat ERP readiness really means, and why it's often overlookedHow AI-native ERPs compare to legacy systems in real-world implementationsWhy scalable data governance and documented processes are essentialHow Cindy’s ERP Preparedness Master Workshop helps teams succeedThis episode highlights the often-missed foundations of ERP and AI success: preparation, clarity, and scalability. Cindy Vindasius shares the roadmap finance leaders need to transform systems from a source of chaos into a driver of growth.Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance.AI Readiness Assessment: Take the free 3-minute AI Readiness Assessment to clearly identify your strengths and weaknesses across Finance and Operations: https://cindy-tooq6nwx.scoreapp.com/AI First Vendor Evaluation Checklist:Evaluate smarter and avoid costly mistakes with this AI First Vendor Evaluation Checklist packed with key criteria: https://www.vindasius.com/opt-inFollow Cindy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-vindasius/Website: https://www.vindasius.comFollow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[01:36] – Meet Cindy[04:33] – ERP Beginnings[07:43] – AI-Native ERP Landscape[11:41] – AI in Finance[15:25] – ERP Readiness Course[21:36] – Data Migration Issues[25:53] – ERP vs AI Readiness[29:44] – Outsourcing Pitfalls[30:46] – Rapid-Fire & Fun[32:57] – Closing Thoughts

Santiago Nestares, co-founder and CEO of DualEntry, previously scaled Benetago to over $100 million. He shares insights about the limitations of legacy ERP systems and the issues of consultant lock-in. Discussing DualEntry's AI-native platform, he highlights its ability to perform rapid data migrations in under 24 hours. Santiago emphasizes the contrast between AI-native designs and traditional models, which often complicate implementations. He offers a fresh perspective that positions ERP transitions as smooth experiences rather than painful procedures.

Santiago Nestares, co-founder and CEO of DualEntry, shares his journey from scaling Benitago to addressing legacy ERP frustrations. He discusses the revolutionary AI-native design of ERP systems that eliminates the burdensome migration processes. Nestares contrasts AI-native solutions with traditional, superficial AI add-ons, emphasizing speed and user experience. He also explains how DualEntry enhances compliance and reduces risks through automated auditing. Ultimately, Santiago highlights the transformative potential of AI in modern finance.

Joe Friedman, Senior Director of AI Innovation at Oracle NetSuite, and Ranga Bodla, Vice President of Field Engagement and Marketing, discuss the evolving role of AI in finance. They highlight how clean ERP data enhances AI outcomes and introduces the MCP connector, which allows for secure integration with external LLMs like ChatGPT. The duo explains the benefits of an AI-native interface and open platforms, showcasing practical use cases that revolutionize financial reporting and decision-making. Their insights reveal how AI is transforming finance operations into a system of action.