In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Josh Schauer to explore how AI is being adopted in finance and why many teams are still hesitant. They discuss the gap between understanding AI’s importance and actually using it, along with the challenges around data quality, risk, and expectations of accuracy.

Josh Schauer is the CFO at insightsoftware, where he leads financial strategy and operations. He previously served as SVP of Finance from 2020 to 2024 and led Financial Planning and Consolidation at Longview before its acquisition by insightsoftware. Josh has extensive experience in FP&A, consolidation, and finance transformation, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why are finance teams slow to adopt AI despite knowing its importance
• Why AI should be treated as a teammate, not a replacement
• How poor data and broken processes limit AI’s value
• Practical use cases for AI in FP&A, including variance analysis
• How scenario planning can be done faster using AI

Josh emphasizes that AI is not a shortcut. It works best when built on strong data, clear processes, and a thoughtful approach. While the pressure to adopt AI is real, the focus should be on using it in a practical way that improves decision-making and productivity without compromising accuracy.

Follow Josh:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-schauer-51b18b115/

Website: https://insightsoftware.com/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

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

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future 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:

[01:35] – Josh Schauer Background

[03:02] – AI in Finance & Accounting for Dummies

[05:57] – AI as a Teammate, Not a Threat

[07:09] – AI as a Thought Partner

[10:01] – Why Finance Teams Struggle with AI

[11:51] – Evolution of FP&A

[14:30] – RevOps & Finance Alignment

[16:41] – AI Use Cases in Finance

[19:20] – Agentic AI & Future Direction

[22:31] – Process, Data & AI Limitations

[28:52] – AI Questions & Closing

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Shannon Nash to discuss how finance roles are evolving and how AI is changing the way businesses operate. They talk about Shannon’s career journey, the importance of understanding operations, and how companies are handling AI at different levels.

Shannon Nash is a CPA, attorney, and experienced C-suite leader. She has worked as CFO at companies like Wing, Reputation.com, and Inside Source. She is now a Partner at Alpha AI, focusing on AI governance for executives and boards.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why career paths are not linear anymore
• Why finance leaders need to understand operations
• How AI is being used across companies
• The gap between AI usage and leadership awareness
• What CFOs need to manage when it comes to AI
• Key questions boards should ask about AI

AI is becoming part of everyday business, but many companies are still catching up when it comes to managing it properly. Understanding where AI is used and how it’s controlled is becoming essential for leaders.

Follow Shannon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonknash/

Podcast: https://www.noboxesjustverses.com/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

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

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future 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:

[01:03] – Shannon Nash Background

[05:54] – Why Switching Careers Is the New Normal

[09:00] – Finance Leaders & Operations Mindset

[08:33] – From AI Tools to AI Strategy

[14:26] – The Challenge of Catching Up with AI

[20:00] – How Boards Should Approach AI Oversight

In this episode of Future Finance, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Glenn Hopper and special guest Shannon Nash to explore how AI is transforming the role of finance leaders and boardrooms. The conversation dives into AI adoption, governance, and the shift from traditional finance responsibilities to more strategic, decision-driven roles.

Shannon Nash is a global C-suite leader, CPA, attorney, and board director with over 30 years of experience across finance, technology, and governance. She is a Partner at Alpha AI, where she helps organizations strengthen AI governance and strategic decision-making. Shannon has served as CFO at companies like Wing, Reputation.com, and Inside Source, and currently sits on multiple boards, including SoFi Bank and NetScout Systems.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why finance professionals must continuously retool in the age of AI
• How AI is changing the role of CFOs and decision-making
• The importance of AI governance at the board level
• How to manage AI investment alongside “AI sprawl.”
• What key questions boards should be asking about AI

AI is rapidly evolving from a tool that supports workflows to one that actively drives decisions. As Shannon highlights, this shift requires stronger governance, better alignment between leadership and operations, and a proactive approach from both CFOs and boards. The future of finance will belong to those who can balance innovation with control and strategy with execution.

Follow Shannon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonknash/

Podcast: https://www.noboxesjustverses.com/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

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

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future 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:

[02:37] – Shannon Nash Background

[04:53] – Career Journey & Non-Linearity

[09:00] – Finance Leaders & Operations Mindset

[11:44] – AI & Alpha AI

[17:47] – AI Across Companies

[24:32] – AI Governance & Board Questions

[31:31] – AI in Decision-Making

[35:26] – Shannon’s Podcast

[42:22] – AI Questions & Closing