Dear colleagues,

In our previous digest issue, we explored why FP&A’s true value no longer lies in analysis alone, but in the ability to influence. Skills like business partnering, communication, and strategic confidence are what distinguish a finance function that is heard from one that is heeded. Yet skills by themselves are not enough — they must be organised into roles that define how teams actually work.

This digest closes the series on the pillars of best-in-class FP&A by looking at how those human capabilities take shape in practice. From Analyst and Architect to Data Scientist, Storyteller, and Influencer, today’s FP&A teams succeed not through individual talent, but through the balance and interaction of roles. Below you will find our recent insights paper and real-world case studies on how modern FP&A teams are built to stay relevant, create impact, and lead transformation.

Best regards,

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

High-performing FP&A teams operate like well-composed orchestras — each role distinct, yet perfectly attuned to the others. Their strength lies not in individual brilliance, but in how curiosity, design, analytical depth, clarity, and influence come together as a single performance.

Read this paper to learn how clearly defined FP&A roles transform scattered responsibilities into a coherent framework for influence and decision support.

By Liping Qi, CFO at MicroSurgical Technology

Relevance in finance is not a given — it has to be earned. As technology reshapes the profession, the danger is not that FP&A lacks talent, but that it lacks adaptability. The strongest teams evolve their roles continually, ensuring they remain aligned to both business needs and emerging tools.

Read this article to understand what role design looks like in practice, and why modern FP&A requires a constant refresh of responsibilities, skills, and collaboration patterns.

By Evgenia Elezova, Head of Regional Finance at Lindström

Titles don’t create influence; behaviour does. Many controllers remain locked in transactional routines, but with the right development path they can transform into trusted partners. The Lindström case shows how deliberate role evolution — backed by leadership support — can reposition finance as an enabler of growth.

Read this case study to learn how shifting responsibilities and expectations can elevate controllers from number-keepers to true business partners.

By Rudie van Dijk, Group FP&A Director at TIP Group

Shifting from traditional FP&A to advanced, business-partnering FP&A requires more than new tools; it requires redefining roles and reshaping how teams work. Transformation means unlearning old routines and creating space for new responsibilities to emerge.

Read this case study to explore how one organisation redesigned its FP&A team for maturity — and what lessons any finance leader can take from the journey.

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.

8 October, 2025

Traditional forecasting often leaves you reacting to change instead of anticipating it. That’s why more finance teams are adopting Scenario Management - not just as a process, but as a mindset - to build true planning agility into their FP&A approach.

Register for this webinar to see how senior finance leaders are using scenario management to model different versions of the future, so you can respond faster, test assumptions with confidence, and guide smarter decisions across the business.

22 October, 2025

When static forecasts fall short, FP&A teams need more than numbers — they need insights that guide smarter decisions. Predictive techniques help finance teams test assumptions, run scenarios, and deliver forward-looking insights that improve speed, accuracy, and alignment with business goals.

Join this session to see how leading teams are building predictive capabilities into everyday decision-making.

5 November, 2025

AI is no longer a future trend—it’s already transforming the finance landscape. This webinar is designed to help you start smart. Whether you're just exploring AI or unsure how to take the first step, you'll get practical advice, use cases, and lessons learned from senior finance practitioners.

Register for this webinar to explore how to take your first steps with AI in FP&A - clearly explained, easy to follow, and ready to put into practice.

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