Every month the Managing Director or Country Manager has to report the business results to the CEO or internal board. Depending on the corporate structure, there are different narrative reports, each with a different focus. This defines the role of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) and the information that needs to be collected for future growth. Two opposite cases will make the same point.

There is a lot of hype these days about the concept of FP&A Business Partnering. At FP&A Trends Group, we introduced the concept of xP&A Business Partner. Who is it and why is this role important?

There is a lot of hype these days about the concept of FP&A Business Partnering. However, only 25% of FP&A’s time is spent on value-adding activities such as decisions support and business partnering (as per FP&A Trends Survey 2020).

High uncertainty was the other name for 2020, and FP&A's have been going through massive challenges and transformations to adjust to the New Normal. What are the top 10 Financial Planning and Analysis trends to watch in 2021 and beyond?

In his 26-minute presentation, Paul Ashley Head of Applications, Lloyds Development Capital Limited, explained how the company has successfully implemented a digitised approach to business partnering, financial forecasting, and the private equity valuation process. 

The increasing levels of business partnering and integration, new opportunities in functions outside finance are becoming possible. Having personally witnessed some successful cross-functional movements by FP&A professionals, I am a strong believer in the capability as well as the value of such movements.