How FP&A Teams Can Improve Decision-Making with Scenario Planning & Financial Models - Michael

Why It Matters

Integrating AI with disciplined, modular financial models gives FP&A teams faster insights and reduces costly missteps, a competitive edge for both startups and large enterprises.

Key Takeaways

• AI will become standard layer for data cleaning and model building
• FP&A must balance model detail with usability, avoiding transactional overload
• Long development cycles demand patience; rapid VC growth can limit architecture
• Small businesses face same planning complexities as enterprises but lack resources
• Kaleidoscope aims to redesign modeling tools with AI‑driven, modular architecture

Summary

The episode of FP&A Unlocked features Michael Gould, founder of Kaleidoscope and former Anaplan CTO, discussing how scenario planning and financial models are evolving under AI pressure.

Gould stresses that AI will soon be embedded in every planning platform to automate data ingestion, cleaning, and even formula generation. He warns that FP&A professionals must master the trade‑off between model granularity and usability, avoiding the temptation to model at the transactional level.

He recounts building Anaplan’s core calculation engine in a Yorkshire barn, a four‑and‑a‑half‑year effort before landing the first customer, and notes how venture‑capital‑driven growth forced short‑term feature prioritization over long‑term architecture. Kaleidoscope, his sixth attempt at a planning tool, is designed as an AI‑driven, modular system that learns from those lessons.

For finance teams, the message is clear: adopt AI‑enhanced tools, invest in scalable model design, and resist the rush to customize at the expense of a robust foundation—especially critical for small firms where a bad decision can exhaust cash reserves.

Original Description

FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading Tools

FP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure.

Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcase

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Michael Gould, a technology entrepreneur and founder of Kaleidoscope, about his extensive experience in financial planning and modelling. Michael shares insights from his 40+ years in the industry, including his work with Anaplan, and discusses how modern finance teams can break free from the limitations of spreadsheets and legacy systems.

Michael Gould is a technology entrepreneur and software engineer with over 40 years of experience in financial planning and modeling systems. After studying Mathematics and Computation at the University of Oxford, Michael co-created Adaytum, a leading business planning platform, and later founded Anaplan, a globally successful enterprise planning platform that became a British tech unicorn. Today, he is the founder of Kaleidoscope, focusing on rethinking financial modeling for modern teams and continuing to pioneer innovations that drive better decision-making in business. .

Expect to Learn:

The challenges and complexities of modern financial modelling

How Kaleidoscope is helping businesses move beyond spreadsheets

Michael's journey from IBM to Anaplan and now Kaleidoscope

The importance of understanding business processes in financial modelling

How AI is impacting the financial modeling landscape

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

“The key to financial modeling is representing the complexity of a business without over-simplifying it.” – Michael Gould

“AI is a powerful tool, but it’s the data context that drives the real value.” – Michael Gould

Glenn explains that career growth in FP&A is no longer about following a fixed path or relying on credentials. It comes from building relationships, gaining real experience, and understanding how the business works. He also highlights that strong professionals go beyond numbers by connecting financial results to real business drivers and supporting better decisions.

Follow Michael:

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

Website: https://www.kaleidoscope.com/?utm_source=partner_fpandaguys&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=interview       

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 FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[00:00] – Trailer

[06:00] – Challenges of Multi-Dimensional Modelling

[12:00] – Transitioning to Anaplan

[15:00] – Kaleidoscope’s Mission to Help Small Businesses

[21:00] – The Role of AI in Financial Modelling

[27:00] – The Future of Financial Modelling

[33:00] – Key Learnings from the Entrepreneurial Journey

[39:00] – How AI is Changing Financial Decision-Making

[45:00] – Overcoming the Data Challenges in Finance

[51:00] – Final Thoughts on Innovation and Future Trends in Finance

[57:00] – Conclusion and Key Takeaways