![what-is-fp&a-blog-scribble what is fpa blog scribble](https://www.jedox.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/what-is-fpa-blog-scribble.png)
What is FP&A?
In this post we will take a closer look at FP&A – what the meaning of FP&A is, where you should start and how your company can benefit from it.
From different use cases to the solution for current challenges – learn how the finance department can take advantage of Financial Planning and Analysis and how an FP&A software can support your efforts.
What is FP&A? – Definition
FP&A is short for Financial Planning & Analysis and is the intersection between finance and corporate management. It comprises all management measures for coordination within the finance division, and the intersection between finance and the service division. One of the most important objectives of Financial Planning & Analysis is to safeguard liquidity, i.e. the company’s ability to meet its payment obligations at all times. Financial planning, budgeting and forecasting are the primary instruments used to ensure liquidity. FP&A also includes financial consolidation. It enables precise group reports, fast financial statements and comprehensive financial control. In addition to maintaining liquidity, maximizing profits or increasing shareholder value is another goal. Consequently, FP&A coordinates the company’s financial resources in such a way that investments in performance will lead to an increase in value.
What are the use cases in the company?
- Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting
Planning, budgeting and forecasting are the three key components of Enterprise Performance Management (EPM). - Reporting & Analysis
Reporting provides valuable information for the company and raises important questions. The analysis aims to answer the questions raised in the reporting. - Predictive Forecasting
The predictive forecast is an extension of the classic business forecast. It makes it possible to find new causal relationships and look as the path ahead for the company. - Financial Consolidation
Financial Consolidation describes the combination of various types of annual financial statements into consolidated financial statements that met a variety of legal requirements. - Ad-hoc Reporting
Fast, clear and yet precise. Ad-hoc reporting is a modern form of information exchange within a company. - Zero-Based Budgeting
Zero-based budgeting is a method that starts from zero for each budgeting period. This approach calls for justification of all expenses instead of only the new ones. - Top-down and Bottom-up planning
Corporate planning is an important aspect of success for any organization. Two of the most common planning methods are top-down and bottom-up.
Where does FP&A start?
FP&A starts with corporate financial planning, which is the foundation of economic success for any company. This involves drawing up detailed plans based on specific financial objectives. This enables the controller to capture, analyze and plan all the important financial aspects of the company. Financial planning also includes an analysis of the actual situation. The controller generally includes past events in the analysis. Once the actual situation has been analyzed, the controller compares it with the target situation, which is based on specific financial objectives. This results in a financial forecast. On the basis of this analysis, Financial Planning & Analysis builds up the financial planning of future revenues and expenditures. All objectives and results that can be derived from the financial planning process are then recorded in a financial concept.
How can finance solve current challenges?
The impact of digital transformation is visible in business models and markets. This is noticeable in every organization of nearly every size and type. There is a need to identify and drive forward new initiatives that support changing strategic goals due to digital transformation. In companies that do not yet use an EPM software, financial processes are still performed manually. The finance team often uses Excel spreadsheets for all budgeting, forecasting, modeling and reporting activities. Subsequently, organizational collaboration struggles. As a result, finance spends a lot of time creating budgets and forecasts so that they are out of date by the time the plans are completed. Due to this obstacle, the finance department can provide the basics, but then has limited time for any value-added activities to support decision makers in making better-informed decisions faster to create better strategy.
The benefits of Enterprise Performance Management in FP&A
Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) is one of the central management tasks in a company. It summarizes the systematic, strategy-oriented management of corporate performance. This includes all processes and methods required to manage a company: all financial strategy processes such as planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting and analysis. Consequently, EPM represents a particular benefit for FP&A, as it provides automation for multiple processes.
Advantages for finance:
- Controllers play a greater role in the integrated planning process
- Less support and training required for the finance team
- Controllers can create more accurate forecasts
- Uncertainty is reduced across the entire process
Digital EPM solutions generate immediate benefits because they:
- Automate data entry
- Minimize manual intervention
- Reduce the reporting burden
Save time and create added value:
- The analysis of deviations
- The production of rolling forecasts
- Cash flow modelling
- The knowledge gain that affects financial performance
Why use FP&A software?
Numerous budgeting and planning processes can be simplified company-wide by using an FP&A software. Using a unified digital solution enables today’s controllers to become tomorrow’s decision makers. Financial Planning and Analysis solutions give controllers insight into accurate and more up-to-date data. Tight integration with Microsoft Excel enables users from other areas to create their own reports and act independently of the finance department when collecting data and information.