Making predictions is an important part of our work as FP&A practitioners. Its importance is due to need but need can be hindered due to incomplete knowledge.

Boston FP&A Board will meet on 12 June 2018 for the third time to debate on the hot subject of the FP&A Business Partnering.

One important skill finance professionals are never taught during their formal education is the power of personal engagement with operations and using these relationships to deliver bottom-line value. There is too much focus on models, processes, procedures and systems without regard to the fact that all these have to be developed, operated and interpreted by people. 

Many businesses have yet to discover the full benefits of evolving their planning process to include complete and accurate rolling forecasts. With so many external factors that affect the bottom line for these businesses creating rolling forecasts is a sound way to ensure strategic decisions are made.

Artificial Intelligence is going to be a highly impactful technology in the coming years.  Yet, like most forms of automation, the major benefits are going to be efficiency related. The strategy is a function best suited for the human mind. Of course, technology can play a role, but the only way technology can replace human thinking is if we as humans choose to step aside… and I, for one, am betting on the humans.

Being a business partner requires a specific skillset. Furthermore, specific conditions should be in place to increase the chance of success. In the article, Anders Liu-Lindberg describes two main option for the implementation of the concept of FP&A Business Partnering.

Chicago FP&A Board Feedback Form - 9 October 2025

We are always working towards improving the quality of the FP&A Board meetings and would value your feedback.

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The implementation of an Integrated Planning concept enables companies to achieve a competitive edge over their rivals which goes further than a reduction of administrative planning expenditure and creation of more time for analysis.

In March 2018, we held another meeting in Boston which was dedicated to achieving analytical transformation.

This time the Dubai FP&A Board engaged in the discussion about FP&A analytical challenges and the ways to overcome them.