Dear colleagues,

During our International FP&A Board meetings and our interactive webinars, Extended Planning & Analysis (xP&A) holds a prominent place on the agenda.

xP&A, also known as Integrated FP&A, isn't a new concept in finance. It is based on the idea that planning and analysis go beyond just finance and its traditional accounting practices to all functions of the entire organisation.

This shift requires organisations to rethink how they plan and manage resources, with FP&A overseeing the different planning activities, lending support and challenging conclusions. While transitioning to xP&A makes sense in these uncertain times, it's a journey that many companies aren't fully prepared for. The 2023 FP&A Trends Survey shows that only 12% of respondents have fully embraced xP&A, 24% have started working with different departments on it, and 16% are considering the move.

Moving to xP&A is a continuous path of improvement and requires the development of relevant knowledge and skills. That's why we have collected content on the topic of Extended Planning and Analysis in this digest issue.

Enjoy your xP&A journey!

Best regards,

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

In times of growing uncertainty, slow and disjointed planning processes are no longer sufficient. Extended Planning & Analysis empowers organisations with increased visibility, quicker insights, and enhanced planning capabilities.

Check out these useful resources that explain how Extended Planning and Analysis (xP&A) can help to achieve better performance.

Moving to xP&A does not happen overnight, as it is a continuous journey of improvement. It requires a complete rethink of how a company plans and makes decisions.

To help you streamline the successful transition towards Extended Planning and Analysis, FP&A Trends Group has produced a white paper that delves into the intricacies of this transformative planning approach and what are the essential steps required for a successful transition to xP&A.

Read the paper to discover the benefits of xP&A and unlock its potential for your company's planning and decision-making processes.

By Allan Knight

In a world where change is the only constant and uncertainty lurks around every corner, traditional financial planning methods are often ill-equipped to navigate the challenges. What if there were a way to break free from the confines of a more conventional approach and embrace a future-forward strategy? Enter xP&A, a revolutionary concept that promises to transform the way organisations plan and analyse their financial future.

Read this article, in which Allan Knight, Senior Finance Manager at T-Mobile, shares insights on how a best-in-class approach to xP&A can drive incremental value for your company.

By Bryan Lapidus

The emergence of xP&A has redefined how organisations approach their financial strategies. Bryan Lapidus, Director of FP&A Practice at the (AFP), delves into the essence of xP&A and the crucial skills that fuel its success. As finance professionals adapt to the changing landscape, these skills are the keys to unlocking xP&A's full potential.

Read this article to gain a deeper understanding of these essential skills and how they can drive your xP&A process to new heights.

By Evgeniy Polonski

Leica Microsystems, a leading microscope manufacturer, learned from experience that the traditional planning cycle was insufficient in a disrupted environment. Breaking free from traditional cycles and moving towards Integrated FP&A allowed them to bring their strategy to deployment.

In this short video, Evgeniy Polonski, former Global FP&A Director at Leica Microsystems, outlines the key steps they undertook to reach their strategic goals with the help of multi-faceted integration. He also emphasises the role of FP&A Business Partners as integrators and shares the crucial lessons learnt throughout the integration process. Watch it now to learn more insights.

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.

18 October 2023

For five years in a row, the FP&A Trends Survey has shown that only one-third of FP&A's time is spent on value-adding activities, such as generating insights and supporting decision-making. So, what is the formula for Value Adding FP&A? Why is it important, and how can we get there?

Register for this webinar to get the answers to these questions. Senior finance practitioners from Ecolab, Alexion Pharmaceuticals and OneStream will share their practical insights.

8 November 2023

Curious about the fundamental principles behind Real-Time and Continuous Planning, and interested in implementing this cutting-edge system within your organization?

Join this webinar where experienced finance professionals from PepsiCo and Canada Post / Postes Canada will share their insights and practical knowledge, shedding light on how to successfully embrace and execute these state-of-the-art methodologies.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy regarding the usage of your data by FP&A Trends. Contact us at privacy@fpa-trends.com if you have any questions or concerns.

All referenced trademarks are the property of their respective owners.