Incoming Statements

In this episode of Incoming Statements, host Eli Geschwind sits down with Oscar Palacio, Partner of Business Transformation at CrossCountry Consulting. They explore the challenges accounting teams face when technology, process, and people don’t connect—and why the root cause often isn’t what it seems.Oscar shares why most teams use only a fraction of their accounting platforms' capabilities. He explains how misconfigured systems, training gaps, and overlooked features create manual work and missed opportunities. By leading cross-functional workshops, Oscar helps companies uncover hidden issues and build practical solutions that fit their real processes. He emphasizes the importance of trust, clear roles, and hands-on collaboration to get everyone moving in the same direction.The conversation turns to AI in finance. Oscar lays out a simple framework for choosing where to start, stressing that data quality comes first. He shows how the right approach to technology—paired with honest process review—can help accounting leaders move from manual fixes to strategic impact.

In this episode of Incoming Statements, host Sam Isaac sits down with Anthony Alvernaz, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Numeric. They explore why true automation in accounting depends on building accurate, connected data pipelines before layering on artificial intelligence or new workflows. Anthony explains how accounting teams face both technical and cultural hurdles—messy data, broken connections, and legacy habits—that stand in the way of streamlining the month-end close and audit process.Anthony shares how modern accounting tools must balance speed with accuracy. He argues that automation should never come at the expense of traceability or trust. For Anthony, the real work is giving accountants the right mix of automation, transparency, and control so they can focus on analysis, not just data entry. He sees the future of accounting as a combination of technical, process-minded professionals who use better data to tell a fuller story about their business.Throughout the conversation, Anthony brings a product leader’s perspective to the real challenges inside finance organizations. He emphasizes the need for a design that respects both the complexity of accounting and the people who do the work. For Anthony, the greatest progress comes from staying close to users, questioning assumptions, and making sure technology supports the people at the heart of every close.

Controllers are no longer just guardians of compliance. They can be growth catalysts. In this episode of Incoming Statements, guest host Eli Geschwind sits down with Thomas Neel, Controller at Celigo, to explore how finance leaders can drive revenue through smart systems, data, and process ownership.Thomas shares how controllers who take charge of core systems like NetSuite and CPQ can unlock hidden revenue opportunities. He walks through the power of cross-functional trust, why people must come before process, and how his team turned legacy pricing rules into new revenue streams. His journey shows how accounting can shift from cost center to strategy partner.The conversation also looks ahead. Thomas explains why teams should act more like data scientists than bookkeepers, how automation and AI are reshaping the controllership function, and why true revenue impact starts with a disciplined, program-management mindset.

In this episode of Incoming Statements, Anthony Alvernaz sits down with Ajay Vashee, General Partner at IVP and former CFO of Dropbox. Ajay discusses his career path, sharing insights into his time at Dropbox and his transition to venture capital. He emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven companies and measurable metrics in achieving long-term success.Ajay explains how Dropbox's mission to simplify file sharing guided its early growth. He highlights the value of setting ambitious goals while remaining adaptable to market changes. He notes that companies should regularly check if their goals align with current market conditions and adjust as needed.Ajay also shares his perspective on the importance of attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. He stresses the need to provide clear communication and mentorship in helping teams grow and thrive. He closes with advice for building durable companies that can weather any storm.

In this episode of Incoming Statements, host Anthony Alvernaz speaks with Sruthi Lanka, CFO of Public. With a unique background transitioning from software engineering during the financial crisis to finance leadership, Sruthi shares her perspective on how data and finance should be intertwined in modern financial operations.Sruthi discusses her philosophy that data warehousing should be central to finance teams, enabling daily financial visibility instead of traditional monthly reporting cycles. She explains how Public captures business metrics daily, and why she prioritizes hiring team members who demonstrate curiosity, technical expertise, and collaborative problem-solving skills.The conversation explores the incremental impact of AI on finance operations, Public's AI-powered investment assistant "Alpha," and Sruthi's approach to building flexible financial systems that can adapt to uncertainty. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the importance of first-principles thinking and building systems that support operational decision-making rather than just satisfying external stakeholders.

In this episode of Incoming Statements, Anthony Alvernaz talks with Colin Anderson, co-founding partner of Friends & Family Capital and former Palantir Technologies CFO, about building exceptional finance teams during periods of hypergrowth.Colin shares his journey at Palantir, where he helped scale the company from 100 to over 2,000 employees and $20 billion in valuation. He explains his philosophy on hiring mission-driven people with high "CPU" rather than specific experience, and the importance of creating data systems with "hygiene and legibility" that can answer any business question.The episode explores how finance functions serve as a support role to create a quantitative lens for the business, helping transform blind spots into clear insights. Colin emphasizes the value of purpose-driven work and how stories backed by data create the most compelling business narratives.

In this episode of Incoming Statements, Anthony Alvernaz sits down with Chris Canoles, Head of Strategy at Numeric, to explore what really defines a successful auditor—and why it’s not just about numbers. Chris shares how early obsessions with tracking stats on Nintendo games revealed a natural pull toward data, but it was the human connection that truly shaped his career.Through stories ranging from frozen warehouse audits to high-growth IPO environments, Chris highlights the critical role of professional judgment, authenticity, and trust-building in modern accounting. He explains how blending technical skills with genuine rapport turns auditors from checklist-followers into valued partners.Chris reflects on how his experience with startups and innovative companies reframed his thinking around risk, growth, and opportunity. Today, at Numeric, he’s helping reshape the future of accounting by putting people, not just processes, at the center of financial operations.

Going public is a milestone—but getting there takes serious groundwork. On this episode of Incoming Statements, host Anthony Alvernaz sits down with Joanna “Jo” Lynch and Jordan Teitelbaum from Connor Group to unpack what IPO readiness really looks like behind the scenes.They break down the key elements every company needs to get right: accurate historicals, scalable close processes, and thoughtful system design. The trio also dives into the realities of scaling finance operations under pressure, where automation and strong controls aren’t optional—they’re expected.Jo and Jordan share what separates companies that thrive post-IPO from those that stall out. From the importance of early planning to the value of audit relationships and risk-based thinking, this conversation gets into the tactical and the strategic. If your team is even thinking about an IPO, this one’s worth a listen.

In this episode of Incoming Statements, host Anthony Alvernaz sits down with Jason Pikoos, Managing Partner of Technology & Innovation at Connor Group, to explore the challenges and opportunities in finance automation. Jason shares his perspective on how teams often over-index on software solutions instead of focusing on the true capabilities of their existing technology. He stresses the importance of understanding what a tool can do rather than just how to use it.They dive into the shift from transactional accounting to strategic decision-making, highlighting how automation frees up teams for higher-value work. Jason outlines the risks of accumulating too many disconnected tools, which often create complexity instead of efficiency. Instead, he advocates for a mindset shift—optimizing what’s already in place before adding new technology.The conversation also touches on AI adoption, automation’s impact on finance teams, and why professionals need to rethink how they engage with technology. Jason offers insights on AI governance, skill development, and how finance teams can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.

In this episode of Incoming Statements, host Anthony Alvernaz sits down with Nate Carbrey, VP and Global Corporate Controller at Paddle, to explore the evolving role of finance leadership. Nate shares his perspective on scaling finance operations, the impact of AI-powered automation, and what it takes to build an efficient close and reporting process.The conversation dives into how AI-driven tools, like those offered by Numeric, are reshaping finance workflows. Nate discusses how automation helps finance teams streamline reporting, reduce manual work, and improve accuracy. He also shares lessons learned from his experience leading global teams and navigating complex financial processes at Paddle.Whether you're a finance leader looking to optimize operations or an accounting professional curious about automation's role in modern finance, this episode offers valuable insights. Tune in to hear Nate’s take on the future of finance and how technology is driving efficiency at every level.