Many businesses have yet to discover the full benefits of evolving their planning process to include complete and accurate rolling forecasts. With so many external factors that affect the bottom line for these businesses creating rolling forecasts is a sound way to ensure strategic decisions are made.

Artificial Intelligence is going to be a highly impactful technology in the coming years.  Yet, like most forms of automation, the major benefits are going to be efficiency related. The strategy is a function best suited for the human mind. Of course, technology can play a role, but the only way technology can replace human thinking is if we as humans choose to step aside… and I, for one, am betting on the humans.

Being a business partner requires a specific skillset. Furthermore, specific conditions should be in place to increase the chance of success. In the article, Anders Liu-Lindberg describes two main option for the implementation of the concept of FP&A Business Partnering.

The world of financial planning and analysis has observed changes of such magnitude that they cannot be described by our traditional statistical and analytical models.

In this article, Niels van Hove argues that while effective integrated FP&A can thrive in the right company culture, the FP&A process itself can influence and shape that culture. He calls for FP&A leaders to articulate goals that include clear expectations on behaviours. Doing so will not only improve effectiveness but also enable FP&A to play an active role in improving employee attitudes and satisfaction.

There are three critical roles in every balanced FP&A Team: the Architect, the Analyst, the Story Teller.  How balanced is your FP&A organisation?