Middle market businesses often struggle with slow closes, shadow processes, and reporting that lags weeks behind real operations. In this episode, Michael Cohen, Managing Director at Stalliant, reveals how his finance-and-engineering hybrid team helps private equity–backed companies cut costs, accelerate reporting, and even drive revenue growth, often using the tools they already own. From replacing risky Excel workarounds to clarifying where AI really belongs in finance, this conversation is a roadmap for operators under pressure to deliver.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: Why finance needs engineering DNA
01:30 – Michael Cohen’s journey from Big Four to data-driven finance
04:15 – Why IT & finance don’t speak the same language
06:30 – Common reporting problems in $10M–$100M middle market companies
09:20 – Separating AI hype from useful automation in finance
13:40 – How Stalliant blends engineering + CFO expertise
15:15 – Shadow processes: examples, risks, and red flags
17:30 – Where finance leaders should actually start (hint: not new ERP)
19:25 – Case study: Custom manufacturer unlocks $500K+ in savings
25:10 – Overcoming skepticism: winning over CEOs & PE firms
29:50 – Why Excel (with Power Query) still wins in middle market finance
32:15 – When (and when not) to use LLMs in finance
33:40 – Who Stalliant works with (ideal client profile)
34:30 – Closing thoughts

Keywords:

Stalliant, Michael Cohen, middle market finance, private equity reporting, shadow processes, finance automation, Power Query finance, Excel integration, financial data engineering, PE-backed companies, CFO automation strategy, reporting efficiency, finance MVP, AI in finance

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