The Power of Partnerships in Finance With Andrew Jepson

Welcome to FP&A Tomorrow, where we discuss financial planning and analysis, examining its current state and future prospects, with your host Paul Barnhurst.

In today’s episode, Paul engages with Andrew Jepson, to discuss the world of Financial Planning and Analysis.

Andrew, founder of the FBPteam, has over 20 years of experience in financial planning and analysis, starting his career as an auditor and evolving into a sought-after business partner and trainer. As a passionate advocate for professional development, Andrew has authored a book on business partnering, facilitated numerous training programs worldwide, and is dedicated to elevating the capabilities of finance professionals.

Here is a concise summary of the key points from the discussion:

• The great FP&A professionals go beyond just reporting numbers—they anticipate future trends and needs. This proactive approach is crucial for providing real value to the organization.
• Transitioning from a focus on being right to being effective is vital. Andrew shares his personal journey of learning to communicate better and build stronger relationships within the business.

• Business partnering involves working cohesively with other departments to solve real business problems and achieve strategic goals. Andrew outlines a framework for becoming an effective business partner, emphasizing understanding the business, effective communication, and building strong relationships.

• Time management, perception of finance, and systems and processes are common barriers to effective business partnering. Andrew provides practical advice on how to navigate and overcome these challenges.

• Mental Health and Work-Life Balance and the importance of seeking professional help. This episode highlights the need for self-awareness and taking care of one's mental health to maintain a successful career in finance.

Quotes:

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode 

• "You do have time. What you've got to decide is what you choose to do at that time.”-Andrew Jepson
• "It's not what you say, it's how you say it. Your energy, all that sort of stuff."-Andrew Jepson
• "I think FP&A has a spectrum from average to really good. I think the average FP&A person is generally just pumping out numbers to their organization."-Andrew Jepson

In this episode, Andrew shares his journey from auditor to business partner and offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of FP&A. Remember to prioritize your mental health and continuously seek ways to improve your processes and time management.

Link to courses:

FP&A Business Partnering (thinkific.com)

Modern Microsoft Excel (thinkific.com)

Follow Andrew:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/financebusinesspartnering/

Website - https://www.thefbpteam.com/

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

In today's episode:

[01:01] - Introduction

[01:43] - Guest Introduction

[02:35] - Defining Great FP&A

[03:34] - Anticipation in FP&A

[05:21] - Andrew’s Career Journey

[08:10] - Importance of Business Partnering

[11:45] - Key Skills for FP&A Professionals

[15:45] - Transitioning from Being Right to Being Effective

[28:10] - Common Themes in FP&A Struggles

[43:17] - Rapid Fire Session

[50:01] - Get to know the Guest

[53:15] - Conclusion