Howie Lau, CPA’s Post

What makes a great FP&A candidate? 🔍 Key skills hiring managers value: ✔️ Analytical mindset: Ability to break down complex data ✔️ Communication: Clear, concise, and impactful reporting ✔️ Technical proficiency: Mastery in Excel and financial modeling ✔️ Problem-solving: Innovative solutions for financial challenges ✔️ Attention to detail: Precision in forecasting and budgeting These skills are crucial for driving financial success in any organization. What skills do you find most important in FP&A? #FinancialPlanning #Hiring #FP&A

Totally agree! I see this all the time as well—FP&A is evolving, and so should the hiring criteria. While Excel is still part of the job, it’s business acumen and the ability to turn data into actionable insights that really move the needle. I’ve had similar conversations with finance leaders who tell me how much more valuable their teams became when they stopped prioritizing Excel mastery and started focusing on hiring strategic thinkers with a solid grasp of modern tools. We’re in 2024, and the future of FP&A is about agility, collaboration, and leveraging AI-powered technologies to stay ahead. Time to let go of the "Excel wizard" obsession and build teams that can truly drive the business forward!

CFOs, are you struggling to find the perfect FP&A talent? ( Focus on these factors when hiring ) I've had the privilege of working with countless FP&A teams across various industries, and here's what I've learned: 1- Data mindset over finance knowledge: While a strong financial background is essential, a data-driven mindset is equally crucial. Look for candidates who can analyze complex data sets and extract meaningful insights. 2- Strategic thinking is essential: FP&A professionals should be able to see the bigger picture and understand how their work aligns with the company's overall strategy. They should be able to anticipate future trends and proactively plan for them. 3- Storytelling skills matter: Data is useless without a compelling narrative. Look for candidates who can effectively communicate complex financial information to stakeholders at all levels, from the boardroom to the front lines. 4- Prioritize curiosity over credentials. A curious mind is always hungry for new insights and can adapt to changing business needs. Look for candidates who are passionate about learning and are always seeking to improve their skills. Want to build a winning FP&A team? Focus on these factors when hiring. Let me know if you have any questions. —————————————- 📥 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲: Download my work in PDF format by visiting my profile ➡️ [https://lnkd.in/dsNJG6aG] and clicking (𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐅𝐏&𝐀 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬). Your journey toward financial excellence begins. —————————————- 🤝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 ⤵

Excel skills are certainly important in FP&A, but using data to inform decisions, business partnering and story telling are the value add that makes FP&A a critical business function.

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How do you know when to make your first FP&A hire? Tricky question. And it's not one that's answered with a specific revenue, headcount, or funding milestone. In my experience, you should look to make a finance hire when you start facing questions like: - Should we focus on acquiring new customers or reducing churn? - Is our pricing strategy working, or are we leaving money on the table? - How can be build better compensation models to create the right incentives?  - Where should we allocate our resources for maximum growth? When you're asking these questions, you've hit an inflection point, and it's time to look for a strategic finance leader who can help you answer them (and many more). I've watched hundreds of businesses evolve. Here's the pattern: at the beginning, growth is growth. You want customers, revenue, momentum—any way you can get it. Your decisions are straightforward, and basic accounting gets the job done. But soon it gets interesting. As you scale, you start seeing patterns. Your product gets more sophisticated. Marketing starts creating bigger waves. Each hire becomes more strategic. Suddenly, growth isn't just about "more"—it's about "how." This is the moment when bookkeeping isn't enough anymore. You need your first strategic FP&A, someone who can: - Look at data on customer and market behavior and tell you where to focus - Analyze business data from several departments to optimize your growth strategy - Find unique patterns in your data, that no-one else can find - Turn all this data into clear decisions The evolution is natural: from "we need growth" to "we need smart growth." From "get more customers" to "get the right customers." From "hire fast" to "hire strategically." This is when you need strategic finance—when growth becomes a puzzle that needs solving, not just a number that needs increasing. Follow me for more FP&A insights.

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🔍 Looking for a top-notch FP&A candidate? Here's what hiring managers prioritize! In the fast-paced world of finance, hiring managers are on the lookout for candidates who bring more than just technical skills to the table. It's about a blend of analytical prowess, strategic thinking, and effective communication. Let's dive into the key skills that make a Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) candidate stand out. First and foremost, analytical skills are non-negotiable. Hiring managers seek individuals who can not only crunch numbers but also interpret them to provide actionable insights. This involves proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and variance analysis. But it's not just about the numbers; it's about what the numbers mean and how they can drive business decisions. Strategic thinking is another critical skill. FP&A professionals must understand the broader business context and align their analyses with the company's strategic goals. This requires a deep understanding of market trends, competitive landscapes, and internal business operations. The ability to foresee potential challenges and opportunities is invaluable. Communication skills cannot be overlooked. An FP&A candidate must be able to convey complex financial information in a clear and concise manner to stakeholders at all levels. This includes creating compelling presentations and reports that tell a story, not just present data. Effective communication ensures that insights lead to informed decision-making. At ZETA CONSULTING, we specialize in identifying and placing exceptional Finance and Accounting leaders for your portfolio companies. Our expertise ensures that you find candidates who not only meet but exceed these critical skill requirements. What skills do you think are essential for an FP&A role? Share your thoughts in the comments! For more insights or to connect with top talent, visit www.zetaconsulting.net #Finance #Hiring #FP&A

One thing I've learned from speaking with finance leaders is that you can have exceptional technical ability for FP&A, but if you can't develop, long-lasting and strategic relationships, you will fall behind. Having an exceptional business partner means: 1. Cross-function collaboration - Inter-departmental meetings with a purpose 2. Joint planning sessions - Supporting department heads with accurate forecasts 3. Integrated business planning - Aligned business strategy If you need a strategic advisor to take your finance function to the next level, hire a finance business partner. On this topic, I'm working with a Private Equity-backed SaaS business that is looking for a #2 to the CFO to take the lead on strategic initiatives. Alternatively, send me a message if you're thinking of hiring for your finance team. #FPandA #BusinessPartner #Growth

Hey recruiters! My contract recently ended and i’m diving into the world of FP&A with three months of hands-on experience under my belt. I’ve hit the ground running by driving accurate financial reporting and helping shape strategic decisions. In my short time, I’ve already led projects to streamline internal reporting processes and implemented new tools to boost decision-making. I may be new to this field but I’m eager to learn and grow alongside your team. Let’s connect and explore how I can bring fresh insights and enthusiasm to your FP&A efforts! #FP&A #FinancialReporting #Strategy