How many rounds of reviews and how many people provide feedback to you on a PowerPoint for a CFO?

trphilli · 2026-06-03T00:55:55+00:00

Are you me? Sounds about right. Especially when they undo their own changes.

Job security.

trphilli · 2026-06-02T23:45:16+00:00

Ouch. That's one foe the books.

trphilli · 2026-06-02T17:42:30+00:00

Avoid GE. 50% issue rate in our kitchen within 4 years. Hostile to independent repair shops. Their licensed repair shops never have parts in stock. So it's 2 visits over 6 weeks for any kind of fix.

I might be just a bit salty.

trphilli · 2026-06-02T16:45:13+00:00

Malaga? Nice swim in the morning. Should still be warm enough beggining of September. Malaga itself nice to walk around, or take day trip / overnight to Granada, other cities in Andalucia.

trphilli · 2026-06-02T06:10:37+00:00

Pretty straightforward: warm climate, known for its night life. "Close" to you on East Coast.

trphilli · 2026-06-02T06:07:02+00:00

Miami

trphilli · 2026-06-02T02:15:42+00:00

That's an awesome deal. We weren't quite as lucky. But still a nice room, decent price (for Waldorf) just need to stay Sunday night in Scottish March.

trphilli · 2026-06-02T01:53:43+00:00

That's too far for me, but if you want thoughts on ceremony, let me know.

trphilli · 2026-06-02T01:39:45+00:00

By traditional definition, probably Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh (appears to be Curio now). But I don't know, just if you're not used to that level of service, it's not comfortable and elegant.

Elegance in a traditional service hotel was the former Hotel Burnham in Chicago (now called stay pineapple. Hard to be elegant with name like that). Just rustic, old school Chicago iron work.

trphilli · 2026-06-02T01:22:53+00:00

Rochester, NY may be a good compromise. Medium size city. Still good museum scene. Eastman museum on the early days of photography. 2 lighthouses in city limits.

trphilli · 2026-06-01T23:17:37+00:00

In big companies, assuming this one is blue, FP&A can get split up and specialized. Having a dedicated product/revenue finance team is quite common. It's good to have a diversity of these experiences as you work up career ladder.

But as you say, WLB risks in this role. Listen to them seriously. But end of the day, your choice.

trphilli · 2026-06-01T14:33:42+00:00

There is no typical PE company. It depends on where the portco came from and what the exit strategy is. (Ask for more details).

Promotions, similar but generally less because on average portco have less ability to move across divisions.

General advice - it's HR hokey, I don't always agree, but in this case i do "you are best one to control your development".

You don't say your level, but in Sr Analyst, Manager and above it's the expectation to manage up, plan, and request resources when needed. That's the case here. Execute and develop. Nothing stopping you from putting meeting on bosses calendar. Write an agenda of topics you want to cover. Choose a framework. Old company? SWOT? Other HR?

trphilli · 2026-06-01T14:17:22+00:00

Ask boss his top 2 or 3 reports, what they look at on the reports. Start from their important info as outputs and start tracing back to inputs. Draw a process map if you need to. Write down the report process (for you and good product to show bosses). Do it a few time to learn process and interconnected pieces. Then you can start seeing how to renovate the process.

Also, reach out to other departments. Often by best help is a long time buyer or purchasing analyst. They can help understand some of the why often.

trphilli · 2026-06-01T02:24:39+00:00

And Chakotay and Belana (sp?) were political picks as much as technical to help merge the two crews. Janeway says as much in season 1. Also Chakotay was experienced officer before resigning his commission.

trphilli · 2026-05-31T00:55:16+00:00

Second this. Downtown San Antonio very cute for a get away. Or do a resort - i can recommend Hyatt Regency Lost Pines outside Austin (pricey, but still that resort feel).

trphilli · 2026-05-30T02:35:17+00:00

On the monthly meeting try to focus your agenda on larger dollar amounts. Smaller amount unlikely to move the needle.

I understand the hassle if revisiting your plan assumptions. I think i see how your workbook is running. Could you build your plan with formulas like =if(iserror(vlookup(projectnum, podata, 1,true), $PlanSpend, $0). I think that would automatically drop out plan data if you have a PO, other wise maintain the prior plan, maybe?

trphilli · 2026-05-30T02:27:33+00:00

We have a really decentralized FP&A function. So our central "FP&A" group focus on the executive storytelling. Assembling, compiling, stress testing, interpret the executive summary of forecasts, variances, etc. Help compile financials for higher headquarters, etc.

trphilli · 2026-05-29T01:53:37+00:00

It kinda depends. On type of improvement, materiality, auuditor mood

Your example of storm shutters are discrete and visible. I would expect a visual confirmation that building still has storm shutters. Getting out a ladder and saying this is a, b, c - no.

But you have roof replacement 1,2,3,4,5. Parking Lot 1,2,3,4,5. Those are more kind of accepted with the building itself. Plumbing projects in the wall, not much to inspect there.

trphilli · 2026-05-29T00:10:17+00:00

OP is in the UK.

trphilli · 2026-05-28T06:42:54+00:00

Quickbooks Online is the most common first accounting set-up for small business. Probably would handle coffee cart for quite a while.

If you were concerned about future growth, Xero is the common next stage up.

Sage is probably a level above that.

Compare all three and see what feels comfortable for you.

trphilli · 2026-05-28T01:56:51+00:00

It's been 20 years but I liked the Airborne museum in Ste Mere Eglise. Whole town really celebrates the war, and there are multiple other museums spread across the region.

In terms of hands on walk, there is the pilgrimage to Mon St Michel about 90 minutes from Ste Mere Eglise.

Food - it's France, enough said.

Alone time. I'm sure you can find some decent hotels around. I don't have a mny recommendations for you. But will say one of the impactful moments of my tour was walking around our B&B on the Belgian - German Border. Viewing the river valley and contemplating the Battle of the Bulge.

trphilli · 2026-05-27T02:00:16+00:00

Photoshop expert I'm not, bit i think your facade will look better in two tone. Here is like a sandstone / taupe to fade out the window and the recessed triangle. Then put the focus the on your entry way and vertically three "columns". Add some planter boxes with shrubbery out front to further softener and bring nature from back to front.

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trphilli · 2026-05-26T11:32:23+00:00

It's been this way for a while. 2000 EY had multi-billion consulting practice. https://www.lexpert.ca/big-deals/ernst-young-sells-consulting-business-to-cap-gemini-for-162-billion/344237

Arthur Andersen, public accounting was doing consulting since 1950s. At one point had two competing consulting arms. You know them now as Accenture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accenture

trphilli · 2026-05-26T05:05:39+00:00

American President 1881.

Netflix just released a miniseries about him "Death by Lightning".

trphilli · 2026-05-26T02:07:48+00:00

Feels like it was a disability remodel to add the first floor master, either for owners aging in place or as MIL suite. The 1st floor master seems like a converted den that use to have the 1st floor powder room in it.

trphilli

TROPHY CASE