In Episode 47 of Planning Aces, Jack Sweeney and resident thought leader Brett Knowles explore the evolving role of FP&A through the lens of three forward-looking CFOs. Dan Zhang (ClickUp), John Rettig (Bill), and Josh Schauer (insightsoftware) share how they’re driving enterprise agility, leveraging AI to eliminate inefficiencies, and rethinking capital allocation. From Zhang’s battle against “SaaS overload” to Rettig’s “prove-it mentality” and Schauer’s daily forecasting, each CFO reveals a distinct approach to enabling smarter, faster decision-making. Their insights offer a compelling look at how modern FP&A leaders are transforming strategy execution in real time.
“You can’t wait for a perfect ROI model. If you do, you’ve already lost the race.”
— Brett Knowles, Planning Aces
Brett Knowles’ Key Takeaways
Brett Knowles emphasizes that FP&A is now on the front lines of AI adoption—playing a critical role in shaping strategy, improving agility, and eliminating hidden inefficiencies. He notes how AI is disrupting traditional organizational structures, requiring faster forecasting cycles and sharper capital alignment. Across the episode, Knowles spotlights a new FP&A cadence, the rise of “leap of faith” investments, and the need for finance leaders to evolve from gatekeepers to AI champions.
John Rettig of Bill highlights how AI is no longer optional—it’s now central to capital allocation, process automation, and long-term strategic planning. From streamlining reconciliations to enabling predictive analytics, AI is redefining finance’s role. Rettig introduces a “prove-it mentality” for AI investments: set milestones and iterate rather than wait for perfect ROI metrics. He underscores FP&A’s growing influence in shaping how companies prioritize innovation, allocate resources, and embed AI across the business.
Josh Schauer of insightsoftware champions “agile forecasting,” a daily approach that boosts visibility, enables rapid decision-making, and supports confident board communication. He shares how AI has reshaped M&A due diligence—now requiring scrutiny over whether products are AI-built, replaceable, or replicable. Schauer calls for finance leaders to take a leap of faith with AI, balancing imperfect ROI calculations with an understanding of what’s in the best interest of the business. His insights signal a new standard of operational agility.
Dan Zhang describes how ClickUp’s all-in-one platform helps eliminate the “hidden tax” of fragmented SaaS tools. By consolidating workflows and data across over 30 applications, ClickUp improves execution speed and strategic visibility—two essential ingredients in the AI era. Zhang explains that AI is a natural tailwind for ClickUp because the company already owns its data and workflow orchestration. She underscores the strategic role of FP&A in bridging data, speed, and decision-making across the business.