In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Alex Fabry, the founder and managing partner of KFA, a private investment and advisory firm focused on scaling businesses in Saint Louis. Alex takes us through his journey from FP&A to private equity, sharing his valuable experiences working at firms like Saber, BCG, and Charles Bank Capital Partners. Their conversation explores how FP&A can serve as a stepping stone to leadership and investment roles, and the key skills that helped Alex succeed in both corporate finance and private equity.

Alex Fabry is the founder and managing partner of KFA, a private investment and advisory firm focused on growing and scaling businesses in Saint Louis. Before founding KFA, Alex started his career in FP&A roles at Saber, where he supported multi-billion dollar business units, managed complex budgets, and played a pivotal role in the $1.2 billion sale of Active Network to Global Payments. Alex also has experience as a Vice President at Charles Bank Capital Partners, where he worked closely with CEOs and CFOs on value creation projects within the $18 billion firm. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Expect to Learn:

How FP&A provides a solid foundation for leadership and investing roles.
The significance of automation in improving FP&A efficiency and enabling more strategic analysis.
Why private equity and FP&A require different skill sets but can work in tandem to drive business growth.
Key skills FP&A professionals need to transition into private equity.
The value of relationships and trust in both FP&A and private equity environments.

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

“The real value of FP&A is in helping businesses make decisions, not just report numbers.” - Alex Fabry
“In private equity, the CFO needs to be your business partner; without strong collaboration, it's difficult to create value.” - Alex Fabry
“The best business partners focus on them, not you. It’s about supporting the business in its goals.” - Alex Fabry

Alex shared thoughtful and practical insights into the evolving role of FP&A in driving business success and the transition to private equity. He highlighted the importance of automation and strategic analysis in improving financial operations, the value of building strong business relationships, and how FP&A professionals can leverage their skills to thrive in the private equity space. Alex’s journey serves as a valuable playbook for those looking to navigate the complexities of both FP&A and private equity, emphasizing the need for adaptability, operational efficiency, and a keen understanding of the bigger business picture.

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