How Founders Mistake Models Only for Fundraising and What They Should Do With Ilyas Anis

Episode notes

Paul Barnhurst speaks with Ilyas Anis, CFO and Chartered Financial Modeler, about using financial models to build stakeholder confidence, drive operational decisions, and tell a clear business story. Ilyas shares insights on integrating AI, avoiding common modeling pitfalls, and the importance of scenario analysis and three-statement models. Ilyas Anis is Finance Lead at Turning Point Brands Canada and Founder of IMnS Associates. He has 15+ years of experience in financial modeling, valuation, and governance across multiple industries. An FCA, CPA, AFM, and FMVA®, he is also a board advisor and AI enthusiast. Expect to Learn Models build trust, not just numbers Connect finance with operations for better decisions AI is a helpful junior analyst, but human judgment matters Scenario analysis and storytelling are essential in models Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Stakeholders don’t pay you for getting the right thing.

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