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How can business help solve society’s biggest challenges? Welcome to Take on Tomorrow, the award-winning podcast from PwC that examines the biggest problems facing society and the role business can—and should—play in solving them. Hosts Femi Oke and Lizzie O’Leary talk to industry innovators, tech trailblazers and visionary leaders from around the globe about timely topics: from the climate transition to AI and data; and from the future of food to how we build, move and power the world.
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Episode 145: What happens when your FP&A team operates in isolation from the people actually running your business? Nothing good. The gap between finance and operations isn't just an organizational issue—it's a strategic vulnerability that could be costing your company significant competitive advantage.
Bridging this divide creates transformative opportunities. When finance professionals develop deep partnerships with operations teams, forecasting becomes dramatically more accurate, resource allocation improves, and the organization gains agility to respond to market changes. This alignment doesn't happen accidentally—it requires intentional leadership and cultural development focused on building mutual trust.
A well-aligned FP&A team operates as a true strategic partner rather than just a reporting function. They maintain a forward-looking mindset using forecasting, scenario analysis, and sensitivity testing to guide decisions instead of merely reporting historical results. Processes become streamlined, data grows more accurate, and finance professionals proactively engage with department leaders to translate strategy into measurable financial plans.
The alternative? Disconnected financial plans, unrealistic budgets, inefficient resource allocation, and the inability to respond quickly to changing market conditions. Operations may pursue initiatives that don't reflect financial constraints, while finance imposes limitations without understanding operational needs. Communication breakdowns reduce trust, weaken decision-making, and ultimately erode competitiveness.
Ready to transform this relationship in your organization? Start by developing a common language that translates finance terms into operational impacts. Build trust by providing insights that help operations succeed rather than just highlighting problems. Know the micro-details of the metrics you analyze, and be willing to step away from your desk to understand what's really driving performance. Remember: finance leaders have both the ethical and fiduciary responsibility to move the business forward through powerful partnerships.
Episode outline:
- The benefits of properly strategically aligning your FP&A team,
- What happens when FP&A is not aligned, and
- A few steps to get started.
Please connect with me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii
For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy: financeleaderacademy.com.
Chapters
1. Aligning FP&A with Operations (00:00:00)
2. Benefits of Strategic Alignment (00:02:30)
3. Well-Aligned FP&A Team Characteristics (00:05:33)
4. Building Trust and Partnership (00:07:04)
5. Dangers of Misalignment (00:09:34)
6. Steps to Get Started (00:11:13)
7. Professional Responsibility and Leadership (00:14:19)
244 episodes
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