financial planning and analysis Archives - CFO

Using M&A to Redefine FP&A’s Role

Using M&A to Redefine FP&A’s Role

CFOs can use a transaction event as a lens to focus on driving change in FP&A.

By Bob Nannini and Lukas Hoebarth | April 11, 2022

Using Automation to Supercharge FP&A Teams

Using Automation to Supercharge FP&A Teams

For teams that still heavily rely on Excel, it’s time to look at tools and solutions to help streamline finance operations.

By Michael Poveda | March 10, 2022

CFOs Want FP&A to Marshal Value Creation

CFOs Want FP&A to Marshal Value Creation

FP&A teams should spend less time explaining the numbers and more time working with the business to manage them.

By Michael Heric, Steve Beam, and Anup Juneja | February 18, 2021

The 12 Key Principles of Financial Planning and Analysis

Management Accounting

The 12 Key Principles of Financial Planning and Analysis

The Institute of Management Accountants offers principles for building an FP&A foundation, establishing accountability, and more.

By David McCann | July 22, 2019

Middle Managers’ Poor Decisions Slash Profits

Middle Managers’ Poor Decisions Slash Profits

Having finance team members support business unit stakeholders drains EBITDA, says Gartner; instead, align them with specific types of decisions to be made.

By David McCann | December 21, 2018

Highest Priority for Finance Today: FP&A

Highest Priority for Finance Today: FP&A

Financial planning and analysis tops even strategic planning among the finance processes that CFOs want to improve.

By David McCann | October 4, 2018

Usage of Variance Analysis Is, Well, Variable

Usage of Variance Analysis Is, Well, Variable

While it's not debatable that variance analysis is an important FP&A tool, companies differ in how they apply it.

By Thomas E. Conine Jr. and Michael B. McDonald IV | April 23, 2018

Interim CFO Firm Succeeds by Keeping Sights Narrow

Interim CFO Firm Succeeds by Keeping Sights Narrow

Veteran life-sciences CFOs leverage their specialized expertise to run their own outsourced finance services business.

By David McCann | December 8, 2017

Why You Should Take the “F” Out of FP&A

Why You Should Take the “F” Out of FP&A

A purely financial focus leads to damaging short-termism, KPMG says. Instead, put the focus on longer-term integrated business planning.

By David McCann | September 28, 2017

How to Reduce Investment Decision Complexity

How to Reduce Investment Decision Complexity

Streamlined investment decision processes clarify the judgments required to make decisions and facilitate enhanced accountability.

By Gregory V. Milano | February 1, 2017

Will Automation Take Over Senior Finance Jobs?

Will Automation Take Over Senior Finance Jobs?

Some finance executives think their positions could be replaced by technology, a new poll suggests.

By David McCann | January 11, 2017

Disappointed with FP&A? Ramp Up Tech Spending

Disappointed with FP&A? Ramp Up Tech Spending

Investing in today's analytics tools will easily pay for itself in staff time saved and better-quality analysis, AFP study finds.

By David McCann | October 7, 2016

Budgeting Inflexibility Cripples Bottom Line

Budgeting Inflexibility Cripples Bottom Line

Companies should vary the budgeting model used for particular business units and functions, research shows.

By David McCann | August 25, 2016

Effective Planning May Require Deep Finance Changes

Effective Planning May Require Deep Finance Changes

Three out of four CFOs now have process improvement initiatives underway.

By Mary Driscoll | August 24, 2016

Metric of the Month: Sales Forecast Errors

Metric of the Month: Sales Forecast Errors

If finance is wielding blunt forecasting tools, whether for inventory cost or revenue, the whole picture can crack.

By Mary C. Driscoll | May 17, 2016