Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Business Partnering (AF-054) Training Course

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Business Partnering

Finance teams are increasingly expected to do more than report numbers. Business leaders want finance partners who can explain what drives performance, challenge…

5 daysClassroom or online

49Upcoming dates

12Cities

£2,750Fees from

Course overview

Introduction

Finance teams are increasingly expected to do more than report numbers. Business leaders want finance partners who can explain what drives performance, challenge assumptions, model options and help them make better decisions quickly.

This Financial Planning and Analysis Business Partnering training course develops the technical and interpersonal skills needed to move from score-keeping to decision support. Participants strengthen their planning, forecasting, driver-based modelling and variance analysis, and learn to translate financial insight into clear recommendations for operational managers.

Equal attention is given to the partnering side of the role: understanding the business, building credibility, asking the right questions, influencing without authority and presenting insight in a way that leads to action. Participants leave with a personal plan to raise the impact of their finance function.

Course Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

Describe the modern FP&A role and the capabilities of an effective finance business partner
Build driver-based plans and rolling forecasts linked to operational measures
Carry out insightful variance analysis that explains causes and recommends actions
Develop scenario and sensitivity models to support business decisions
Design management reports and dashboards that focus attention on what matters
Use questioning, listening and influencing skills to engage business leaders
Present financial insight clearly and persuasively to non-financial audiences
Create an action plan to strengthen the finance partnering model in their organisation

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

FP&A analysts and managers
Management accountants and financial controllers
Finance business partners and commercial finance teams
Budget and planning professionals
Finance directors seeking to develop their teams
Business analysts supporting performance management
Accountants moving into decision-support roles

Training Methodology

The course mixes practical modelling exercises in spreadsheets with role-plays, presentation practice and group discussion. A running case study places participants in the role of a finance partner to a business unit, where they build forecasts, analyse results, prepare insight packs and present recommendations to a simulated leadership team.

Target Competencies

Driver-based planning and forecasting
Variance and performance analysis
Scenario modelling
Management reporting design
Stakeholder influence and partnering
Financial storytelling

Course outline

1Day One: The FP&A Business Partner Role

Evolution of Finance: From transaction processing to decision support
Business Partnering Models: Embedded, centralised and hybrid approaches
Capabilities of Effective Partners: Technical, commercial and interpersonal skills
Understanding the Business: Value drivers, operating models and key decisions
Building Credibility: Trust, independence and constructive challenge
Self-Assessment: Identifying personal strengths and development areas
Case Study: Diagnosing the relationship between finance and a business unit

2Day Two: Planning and Forecasting

Planning Cycle Design: Strategic plans, annual budgets and rolling forecasts
Driver-Based Planning: Linking financial outcomes to volumes, prices and productivity
Rolling Forecasts: Frequency, horizon and level of detail
Forecast Accuracy: Measuring bias and improving reliability
Collaborative Forecasting: Gathering assumptions from operational managers
Modelling Good Practice: Structure, transparency and error prevention
Practical Exercise: Building a driver-based rolling forecast model

3Day Three: Analysis That Drives Decisions

Variance Analysis: Price, volume, mix and efficiency effects
From Variances to Insight: Finding root causes and asking better questions
Profitability Analysis: Customer, product and channel perspectives
Scenario and Sensitivity Analysis: Testing assumptions and preparing options
Investment and Business Case Support: Evaluating proposals objectively
Using Analytics Tools: Visualisation and self-service data exploration
Workshop: Analysing a quarter's results and preparing recommended actions

4Day Four: Influencing and Communicating Insight

Stakeholder Mapping: Understanding the priorities of different leaders
Effective Questioning: Uncovering assumptions and business realities
Influencing Without Authority: Building agreement and handling disagreement
Designing Management Reports: Less data, more insight
Financial Storytelling: Structuring a clear message from complex numbers
Handling Difficult Conversations: Challenging plans and delivering bad news
Role-Play: Partner meeting with a sceptical operations director

5Day Five: Raising the Impact of FP&A

Process Efficiency: Reducing time spent on data preparation
Technology and Automation: Planning platforms, data integration and AI support
Performance Management Frameworks: KPIs, targets and review meetings
Measuring Finance Partner Effectiveness: Feedback and value indicators
Building the Team: Skills development, coaching and career paths
Personal Action Plan: Applying course learning in the first ninety days
Final Presentation: Delivering an insight pack to a simulated leadership team

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Business Partnering course?

The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.

When is the next Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Business Partnering course?

The next public date is 7 - 11 Dec 2026 in Frankfurt. There are 49 upcoming dates in total.

Where is this course held?

Upcoming sessions run in Frankfurt, London, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Geneva, Istanbul, Madrid, Munich.

Can I take Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Business Partnering online?

Yes. Every date can also be joined live online in a virtual classroom with the trainer, for £1,280 per participant. Choose "Live online" in the dates table when you register.

How much does the course cost?

Fees start from £2,750 per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.

Do participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.

Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?

Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.

Course information last updated 14 November 2026.

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Business Partnering

Course overview

Introduction

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Training Methodology

Target Competencies

Course outline

Dates and fees

Frequently asked questions

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