Most entrepreneurs are a financial black hole because they’ve never started a company before or run one. So, you don’t have any history on them to analyze. Even when you do it will be so current you can’t even trust the figures because they are totally new. This situation is pretty similar to where investors in WeWork just found themselves. 

It has been a good tradition for three years to hold the last FP&A Board of the year in Singapore. In November 2019, we had the 7th Singapore meeting to discuss the Beyond Budgeting philosophy.

The 8th FP&A Trends Digest is already here! This time we will look into how FP&A can create value, what is needed to improve the budgeting process and why financial modelling is different from predictive analytics. We are also excited to share with you a recording from the “Power of Driver Based and Predictive FP&A” webinar.

During 2019 I have contributed articles to FP&A Trends that have addressed financial planning.  The articles have addressed financial planning from the perspectives of financial statements, fields of study, and business functions.  The purpose of addressing financial planning from these perspectives is to provide insights into usage. Usage of financial planning is important because it begins a process of improving financial health.  Improving financial health can be achieved when finance professionals use financial planning.

For all planners, forecasters, analysts and political junkies, here is an unbiased assessment of the two main parties’ plans as we undergo a frenetic and emotionally charged General Election campaign. 

The second Washington D.C.​ FP&A Board will take place on the 12th March 2020 to debate the popular subject of the FP&A Analytical Transformation.

The second Houston FP&A Board will take place on the 10th March 2020 to debate the popular subject of the FP&A Analytical Transformation.

Over the years I’ve learnt a few things about implementing performance measurement systems in practice. These suggestions apply equally whether we are talking about key performance indicators, scorecards or dashboards.

Decision making requires a formal process to ensure that sound bases are taken into consideration and to ensure accountability and control. It is applicable to the different types of (material) decisions i.e. investments, developments, catalogue or contract pricing, reorganisation, etc. It is more flexible and specific than the forecast methodology (budget, rolling forecast, etc.). 

At the fifth Committee meeting, Kevin McConnell, Intelligent Technologies Solution Strategy at SAP, shared an interesting presentation about using Machine Learning for better results in FP&A. In the video, Kevin talks about the evolution of Machine Learning and how machine learning automation works.