Most professionals working in the FP&A discipline have degrees in finance or accounting and previously worked as accountants or auditors. The transition from such backend core finance functions to a highly business focused partnering function is one that requires certain shifts in mind-set as well as skillset. Below is a discussion attempting to highlight some of the key ones.
The 3rd Toronto FP&A Board meeting, with senior FP&A practitioners from industry-leading firms in staid industries — such as financial services, retail, manufacturing, mining, hospitality, consumer products, insurance; and, even, technology companies, took place on the 24th of September.
In short, the finance business partner is an experienced, well-rounded, and dynamic professional who can step into any organization and quite quickly deliver long-term value.It is important that we identify and apply the term Finance Business Partner in the hiring process to clearly communicate and align our business needs and expectations of the candidates.
Design thinking is a creative and practical approach to problem-solving. It involves the creation of multiple options which are then scrutinised through varying viewpoints and lenses to determine the most effective solution.
For most marketing managers doing the annual budget is a bore or waste of time. With most transactional services outsourced and financial management centralised in the home country of the company, local financials spend more and more time with planning, budgeting and forecasting.
The Sydney FP&A Board meeting was held on the 18th of July 2019 at the boardroom of Michael Page’s Sydney offices overlooking the Sydney harbour on a beautiful winter’s day.