In this series of blogs, we are looking at the changes that need to occur within an FP&A department in order to cope with the impact of today’s analytic technologies. This blog covers the role of the FP&A Architect.

The cloud holds some exciting prospects for the development of cash flow planning. It will bring access to Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics on a scale previously only accessible to data scientists.

In this uncertain, technology-driven world, surveys conducted by the FP&A Trends Group and not only have identified three trends shaping FP&A Technology in 2022: Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics, Driver Based Planning (DBP) and Integrated Analytic Platforms.

In times of uncertainty, the failings of systems and measures are brought sharply into focus. Managing profitability often requires a complete re-think of how an organisation plans and the supporting systems that can help sustain profits in both the short and long term. That’s the subject of this paper.

In this series of blogs, I will be looking at a number of areas that FP&A departments must address if they are to add value to the organisations they serve in this technology-driven age.  In this blog I’ll cover the reasons why change is essential.

At the end of the day, FP&A isn’t a technical department. Its role is to develop the operating and financial plan and help the organisation to achieve set goals. It is therefore very important to receive technical support and advice from qualified professionals. This support will be much more helpful if it considers finance and planning specifics. In other words, the technology specialist should be a part of Finance or, even better, the Planning department itself. This role can be called a “Finance Technology Officer” or FTO.