FP&A Analyst Jobs & Career Guide

Search hundreds of FP&A Analyst jobs across the country. Search FP&A Analyst Jobs

What’s in this guide?

By financejobs.net Staff Writer

Our career guides are produced by staff writers in conjunction with our expert career coaches. We may earn a referral fee from some links.

What is an FP&A Analyst?

An FP&A Analyst, or Financial Planning and Analysis Analyst is an entry-level position focused on budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing financial data. FP&A Analysts are integral to the financial heartbeat of an organization, providing the analysis and data necessary to guide corporate strategies and financial practices.

Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) is the cornerstone of strategic decision-making in any corporation. It’s the bridge between the historical financial data and the future direction of the company. FP&A professionals are the architects who translate financial information into actionable insights, allowing businesses to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and capitalize on growth opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Financial Forecasting and Modeling
    • Develop detailed financial models to predict future revenues, expenses, and profitability. This involves using historical data and market trends to create forecasts that help the company plan its financial future.
  2. Budgeting
    • Participate in the budgeting process, helping to set budgets for various departments. They monitor spending and analyze variances between the budgeted and actual figures, providing reports that help departments stay on track financially.
  3. Variance Analysis
    • Conduct variance analysis to understand the reasons behind financial deviations in the actuals versus the forecasts or budgets. This analysis helps identify areas where the company may be over or under budget and the underlying reasons for it.
  4. Performance Reporting
    • Prepare regular financial reports that detail the company’s financial status and the outcomes of various projects and initiatives. These reports are essential for stakeholders to understand how the company is performing against its financial goals.
  5. Strategic Analysis
    • Provide strategic analysis and recommendations based on financial data. This could include identifying cost-saving opportunities, evaluating the financial viability of new projects, or proposing changes to enhance profitability.
  6. Supporting Senior Management
    • Assist senior management in making informed business decisions by providing accurate financial information and analysis. This might include presenting findings in meetings or through formal presentations.

Day to Day of an FP&A Analyst

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM:

  • Review Inbox and Calendar: Check for urgent emails, meeting requests, and deadlines for the day.
  • Review Industry News: Briefly scan financial news or industry publications to stay updated on relevant trends that might impact the company’s financial performance.

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM:

  • Monthly Close Support: Assist senior FP&A colleagues with month-end closing tasks like reconciliations, data verification, and ensuring timely reporting. (This might be more prominent towards the end of the month).
  • Project Meeting: Participate in a project meeting to discuss progress on a specific FP&A initiative, such as budgeting for a new product launch or analyzing the profitability of a specific customer segment.
    • Present your findings or analysis from the previous day’s work.
    • Take notes on next steps and deadlines assigned during the meeting.

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM:

  • Financial Modeling and Analysis: Focus on a specific financial modeling task related to forecasting, budgeting, or variance analysis.
    • Download and analyze financial data (revenue, expenses, costs) relevant to your assigned project.
    • Build or update financial models in Excel or specialized software to forecast future performance or analyze past trends.
    • Prepare visualizations like charts or graphs to communicate your findings effectively.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM:

  • Lunch Break

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM:

  • Budget or Forecast Review Meeting: Prepare for a meeting to present your initial budget or forecast to relevant stakeholders (e.g., product managers, sales team).
    • Rehearse your presentation, ensuring clarity and conciseness in explaining your assumptions and methodology.
    • Gather any additional data or supporting materials needed for the presentation.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM:

  • Budget or Forecast Presentation: Present your initial budget or forecast to stakeholders.
    • Address questions and concerns raised during the presentation.
    • Be prepared to defend your assumptions and explain any potential risks or uncertainties identified in your analysis.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM:

  • Ad-hoc Tasks and Collaboration: Address any ad-hoc requests from other departments for financial data or analysis.
    • Collaborate with colleagues in sales, marketing, or product development to support their financial needs and integrate their plans into the overall financial model.

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM:

  • FP&A Team Meeting: Participate in a regular FP&A team meeting to discuss ongoing projects, share best practices, and address any team challenges.

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM:

    • Finalize reports or presentations due the next day.
    • Attend internal training sessions or online webinars to stay updated on new financial modeling techniques or industry trends.

How to Become an FP&A Analyst

This role is considered a jumping off point in your corporate finance career. The requirements for becoming an FP&A analyst are:

  • A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field
  • Familiarity and ideally proficiency in key financial software, particularly Excel and possibly more advanced tools like SAP, Oracle, or business intelligence platforms like PowerBI.
  • Some relevant work experience through internships or other entry-level positions

The typical career path for FP&A professionals often involves moving into senior analyst, manager, or director roles within FP&A or transitioning to other finance areas. Many FP&A analysts might only spend a few years in the analyst role before seeking promotions or exploring different career paths within finance.

There are many CFOs that started their careers in the FP&A team. Here are a few:

  • James M. Kilts, Former CEO of The Gillette Company and AIG: While James Kilts’ career trajectory ultimately led him to the CEO position, his strong financial foundation began in FP&A. He started his career at Procter & Gamble in their FP&A department, gaining valuable experience in financial analysis and planning. This experience undoubtedly played a significant role in his subsequent rise to leadership positions within major corporations.

  • Charles R. Nossi, Former CFO of IBM: Charles Nossi’s career path at IBM is a prime example of how FP&A expertise can lead to the highest ranks of the corporate finance world. Nossi started his career at IBM in the finance organization, and his strong analytical skills and understanding of financial planning and analysis were instrumental in his rise to the CFO position.

How Much Does an FP&A Analyst Earn?

The average salary for an FP&A Analyst is $67,544. Slightly behind the similarly entry level position of financial analyst. For more insights visit our guide to FP&A Analyst salaries.