In this article, I will share several challenges and dilemmas in building a strong FP&A department and also describe how they can be overcome. I‘ve gone through this process in 3 different companies as a Head of FP&A, so I can give my observation and say what are the crucial conditions to make the FP&A department successful and to minimise the ambiguity. 

Networking; the mere mention of the word is enough to strike fear into the heart of many finance professionals. Perhaps we view it through a prism of insincerity; repeating to ourselves that finance is a technical role and hard work and ability will get me where I need to go.

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?

To be successful, organisations need to have good communication between functions. Although interconnected, they usually have different objectives. There are some best practices that organisations should keep in mind to have smooth cooperation between departments.

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. 

Throughout my career, I have interviewed hundreds of candidates for dozens of roles, most of which were in FP&A. After evaluating the performance of these professionals personally, I was able to assess the qualities that either led them to their success or not, and it boiled down to three relatively straightforward criteria.