Dear colleagues,

Business Partnering has become the defining skill for modern FP&A professionals. According to the latest FP&A Trends Survey, 50% of organisations now prioritise it. This isn’t just a shift in job descriptions; it reflects a growing recognition that finance must be more than a reporting function. FP&A professionals are expected to challenge thinking, provide strategic direction and ensure financial insights translate into real business impact.

In this issue, we explore what it takes to meet these new demands. How can AI enhance, rather than replace, the human side of Business Partnering? What frameworks help FP&A professionals communicate with greater influence? Why is empathy emerging as a critical tool for shaping decisions?

As expectations for FP&A grow, so does the need to refine how we engage, advise and lead. I hope the insights from selected content will help you strengthen your FP&A Business Partnering.

Drive impact, stay ahead!

Best regards,

Larysa Melnychuk, CEO and Founder
FP&A Trends Group & International FP&A Board

Artificial Intelligence alone is not the ultimate solution. As companies adopt advanced technologies, the greatest value emerges from a partnership between humans and AI — where finance professionals lead, and AI enhances their capabilities. This collaboration is redefining FP&A Business Partnering, merging machine intelligence with human insight to drive smarter decisions and greater strategic impact.

Our recent FP&A Trends Insights Paper explores AI’s transformative role in FP&A, highlighting its benefits, practical implementation strategies, and what the future holds for finance professionals in an AI-driven world.

Read the full paper here.

By Ivan Mitringa, Worldwide CFO Displays and Client Peripherals at Dell Technologies, Singapore FP&A Board Ambassador

Not all successful business partners are extroverts. In fact, introverts bring unique strengths to FP&A business partnering, including deep analytical thinking, careful listening and thoughtful problem-solving. However, traditional networking and influencing techniques often cater to extroverted styles, leaving many introverted professionals searching for a more natural approach.

Read this article for a practical guide on how introverts can excel in business partnering.

By Michael Gordon, Senior Director Finance - Penguin Computing at Penguin Solutions

Successful FP&A business partnering hinges on strong relationships and clear communication. But influencing decisions and driving real impact can be challenging without the right approach. The CLUE framework helps finance professionals navigate these challenges by enhancing collaboration, building trust, and making insights more actionable.

Read this article to get a CLUE on how to strengthen your business partnering approach and drive better decision-making.

By Kristina Bow, Senior Director of FP&A at Optum

Data alone doesn’t drive decisions — people do. Empathy is the missing piece that transforms FP&A from a support function into a strategic business partner. By understanding stakeholders’ needs and challenges, finance professionals can bridge the gap between insight and action.

Read this article to learn why empathy is a game-changer for FP&A and how to incorporate it into your business partnering approach.

FP&A Trends digital events are vendor-agnostic and complimentary. If you are not able to join the live session, you can register to receive the recording later.

19 March 2025

In an uncertain world, agility is essential—and a well-structured FP&A ecosystem is the foundation for effective scenario management and therefore agility.

Register for this Digital Nordic & Benelux & UKI FP&A Circle to explore how FP&A teams can enhance their practices by integrating key elements—people, culture, data, models, processes, technology, and analytics—to build an agile FP&A ecosystem for scenario management.

26 March 2025

What does it take to drive successful transformation?

Register for this FP&A Trends Webinar to explore Four Layers that can help FP&A teams shape strategies, navigate complexity, and drive sustainable success.

2 April 2025

Are you ready to make FP&A trends actionable? Rising uncertainty means 63% of organizations can’t predict beyond six months. In this climate, FP&A teams must shift from simply identifying trends to implementing concrete strategies that harness these insights.

Register to discover the top 5 FP&A trends for 2025 and practical ways to streamline decision-making.

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