This is the first part of a three-part series on the business value that data science and analytics can provide to enterprises.

Numbers may be the prime element within FP&A. FP&A is relied upon to provide numbers like operating income, net cash flows, and earnings per share. Do numbers like these and others mean anything?

While FP&A professionals work in a field of numbers, language is a critical component of our profession. Far too often there is loose use of terminology in corporate finance.

Prediction is an important part of the work that FP&A practitioners do.  This work has many challenges.  One way to address these challenges is by minimizing the negative.

Managing a successful FP&A (Finance) department requires balancing the right blend of People, Processes and Technology.  Of course, this construct is nothing new, we’ve all heard this many times before.

The FP&A professional’s part in leadership is vital and important to the decision-making process and direction of your business.  Make it your mission to provide the most relevant data to your “customers.”  Explain in non-finance terms, the results, implications, and impact of decisions.  This is your area to own, so be cool, calm and collected, and communicate with confidence!