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.

xP&A is more than an attempt to ‘fix’ the planning process. It is a complete transformation of the FP&A function to continually challenge the status quo, to educate, shape and influence management decisions on how the organization achieves its goals.

Scenario management plays a vital role in a world of irrelevant budgets and inaccurate forecasts.

In recent years, organisations all over the world have been undergoing a rapid digital transformation. New tools and technologies are opening up the possibility of more collaborative business processes, including planning.

FP&A Storytelling has been one of the biggest trends in FP&A over the last few years as executives and C-level leaders want to know how their company is performing, what segments are performing well or not so well, and why so. 

Without a digital FP&A process supported by modern technology, finance leaders may find it nearly impossible to deliver on strategic goals. Digitizing FP&A speeds up data access and insights and fosters collaborative partnership between finance and operational leaders to respond to disruptions and deliver on overall business objectives.

The International FP&A Board now restarts face-to-face events, continuing our mission of learning the latest trends in FP&A through discussion and collaboration. The meeting of the Zurich FP&A Board will discuss what lessons the pandemic has taught us. 

The International FP&A Board now restarts face-to-face events, continuing our mission of learning the latest trends in FP&A through discussion and collaboration. The meeting of the Geneva FP&A Board will discuss what lessons the pandemic has taught us. 

In this issue, we explore whether Bogsnes’ words ring true. We have collected two insightful video case studies from KPMG and Danone; an article on the advantages of Beyond Budgeting over traditional approaches; and an article explaining how BB can turn one of the most despised business processes into one we can look forward to.

Danone is one of the largest multinationals in the world.

How does a company of this size and reach transform its approach to a core business process?

What lessons can we learn from Danone’s implementation of Rolling Forecast?