Dear colleagues,

The promise of Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, yet practical implementation continues to lag. For many FP&A teams, Excel remains the primary planning tool, still used by 45% of organisations. A relatively small segment has started leveraging advanced technologies: only 8% currently utilise Machine Learning in forecasting, and just 18% have begun experimenting with Generative AI, according to the 2025 FP&A Trends Survey.

However, early adopters are already seeing substantial benefits, including accelerated forecasting cycles, enhanced scenario planning capabilities, and more opportunities for strategic analysis. For these forward-thinking teams, AI is no longer a distant concept — it's becoming a daily competitive advantage.

In this issue, we continue our series on the pillars of best-in-class FP&A by spotlighting on Technology and Analytics, with a particular focus on AI. Featured content includes the Finance Leaders Survey Report and insightful articles on agent-based forecasting, real-world GenAI use cases, and AI-powered cost strategies.

Best regards,

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

Finance leaders are facing more pressure than ever — but they are also gaining new tools to lead with clarity. In the 2025 Global Finance Leaders Survey, 751 CFOs, VPs, and Directors of Finance shared how they’re shifting priorities, investing in AI, and building more resilient teams.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How AI is enabling smarter planning and faster decisions
• The role of digital savviness in building high-performing finance teams
• How leaders are automating tasks to create more time for strategy
• What sets leadership approaches apart and how each is using AI to stay competitive

With AI, finance teams are cutting down on manual work and making space for the kind of thinking that moves businesses forward.

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By Gaby Makstman, Director, Finance at Mars

AI is rapidly changing what’s possible in finance, but to really benefit, teams need more than tools — they need clarity of purpose. This piece focuses on how FP&A professionals can evolve their skills, mindset, and influence to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.

Read this article to discover how leading teams are moving from experimentation to execution, building AI confidence while staying anchored in finance fundamentals.

By Durga Srinivas Perisetti, Senior Director of FP&A and Operations Analytics at Juniper Networks

As hype around Generative AI grows, many finance teams are still asking whether it is truly ready for real-world use. This case study from Juniper Networks answers that question with clear, measurable outcomes — and lessons learned from early adoption.

Read this article to see how one FP&A team applied GenAI to streamline workflows, reduce time spent on manual tasks, and shift focus toward strategic analysis — all without waiting for a “perfect” solution.

By Sahil Kamani, Senior Financial Controller at Elli

In a time when finance teams are expected to do more with less, the ability to make thoughtful cuts without undermining performance has become a core leadership skill. AI is helping FP&A shift from reactive budget slashing to smarter, data-driven cost decisions.

Read this article to explore how automation and insight-driven forecasting allow finance leaders to free up resources for long-term impact — while avoiding the trap of cutting too deep, too fast.

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.

17 September, 2025

In high-stakes meetings, facts alone don’t win. Stories do. But too often, FP&A professionals default to dashboards, not narratives — even when the goal is influence, not explanation. This webinar explores how the most effective FP&A teams craft clear, strategic stories that shape decisions at the top.

Join this session to rethink the role of storytelling in FP&A — not as a soft skill, but as a core leadership capability.

24 September, 2025

Most FP&A teams are built for analysis, not for influence. But as expectations shift from reporting to insight, the traditional org chart no longer fits. This webinar breaks down the five distinct roles that leading FP&A teams are adopting to deliver speed, strategy and stronger business partnership.

Register for this webinar to challenge your current team model and explore how modern FP&A is evolving.

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