In this episode, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) sits down with Dan Cotoia and Anh Tran, two accomplished finance professionals who recently completed the FP&A Certificate Program from Wharton Online in collaboration with Wall Street Prep. They share their reasons for enrolling, how the program supported their career growth, and what aspiring FP&A professionals can expect. From personal career pivots to practical tools and concepts, this conversation offers a clear and relatable look at the value of formal training in today’s finance landscape.

Dan Cotoia is a Senior Finance Director in the pharmaceutical industry with 18+ years of FP&A experience across commercial finance, R&D, and cost accounting.Anh Tran is a finance professional with a background in investment banking and regulatory finance, recently returning to corporate finance after completing the Wharton FP&A Certificate Program.

Expect to Learn:

Why Dan and Anh chose the Wharton FP&A Certificate over other programs
What makes the program stand out, from live interaction to practical content
Key takeaways they applied directly to their jobs
How much time you’ll actually spend on the coursework
How the program supports career transitions and networking
The role of AI and Power Query in modern FP&A training

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

“The AI module helped me see where FP&A is heading. It’s not just Excel anymore.” - Dan Cotoia
“It’s not just about learning concepts, it’s about connecting with others who live FP&A every day.” - Anh Tran

Dan Cotoia and Anh Tran shared honest, practical experiences about completing the Wharton FP&A Certificate Program.Their stories show how structured learning and the right tools can make a real difference in everyday finance work.

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Follow Dan:

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

Follow Anh:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anh-tran-fpna-ccar-ppnr/

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Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com

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

FP&A Certificates:

FP&A Certificates is where finance professionals go to level up, stand out, and grow their careers. Built by FP&A experts for the FP&A community, this platform features the top certificate programs from Wharton Online, FPAC, CFI, FMI, and more. It’s...

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