How Founders Mistake Models Only for Fundraising and What They Should Do With Ilyas Anis
The FP&A Guy Network · 2026-06-02 · 45 min
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.