FP&A Skills Redefined: Why Soft Skills Matter as Much as Technical Expertise

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When you think of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), spreadsheets, forecasts, and financial models will likely come to mind. However, over the years, the FP&A role has evolved far beyond just crunching numbers. Today, success in this position requires mastering soft FP&A skills just as much as technical expertise.

Strong communication, emotional intelligence, and active listening are now essential for effectively navigating the different stakeholders and priorities that FP&A professionals encounter daily.   

This blog dives into the growing importance of soft FP&A skills, exploring how they complement technical expertise and benefit both the professional and the organization. We’ll also provide actionable tips to help FP&A professionals develop these crucial skills and maximize their impact.   

The Evolving Role of FP&A 

FP&A professionals are now central to collaboration and communication, partnering with departments like operations, marketing, and sales. They bridge financial and strategic goals, engage stakeholders, and focus on data-driven decisions.

This expanded role demands strong interpersonal skills to influence, align, and connect diverse priorities. To succeed, they must evolve from technical experts to strategic advisors who unite numbers with people.

Develop FP&A Soft Skills

To thrive in the dynamic FP&A landscape, developing the following soft skills and integrating them into your everyday interactions is critical.

Active Listening   

Listening isn’t just about hearing what someone says. Active listening requires fully understanding and processing stakeholders’ needs, concerns, and goals. FP&A professionals often work with people from various functions, including marketing teams, HR leaders, and department heads, all with unique priorities.

By listening actively, FP&A professionals can: 

• Ensure that stakeholders feel valued and understood.   

• Address concerns before they escalate.   

• Build trust and collaboration across teams.
  

For example, during a budget negotiation meeting, truly listening to a department head’s concerns might help uncover critical priorities that could reshape financial recommendations.

Emotional Intelligence   

Stakeholder interactions often involve conflicting priorities. Emotional intelligence (EI)—recognizing and managing your emotions while empathizing with others—is critical to handling these situations.

Strong EI allows FP&A professionals to: 

• Manage difficult conversations effectively.   

• De-escalate tension when there’s misalignment.   

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive environment where all voices are respected.

Imagine that a marketing manager and a product manager want more budget allocation for their teams. An FP&A professional with high emotional intelligence might balance these competing needs by addressing the rationale behind each request and arriving at a solution that aligns with overall business goals.

Insightful Questioning   

FP&A isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about asking the right questions to uncover insights. Thoughtful, insightful questioning helps FP&A professionals see the big picture and make more accurate financial recommendations.

Some techniques for asking better questions include: 

• Focusing on open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses.   

• Exploring “why” and “what if” scenarios to better understand stakeholders’ priorities and goals.   

• Asking questions from the lens of the organization as a whole.

For instance, a question like, “How will this budget help us achieve our long-term growth strategy?” can shift a conversation from focusing on short-term demands to prioritizing strategic outcomes.

Persuasion and Influence   

FP&A professionals must often present findings to stakeholders, recommend actions, or guide decisions. Strong persuasion and influence are essential to ensuring your insights result in meaningful outcomes for the business. 

Key factors for effective persuasion include: 

• Tailoring your message to resonate with each audience.   

• Demonstrating how your recommendations align with the organization’s goals.   

• Addressing objections with both data and empathy. 
  

For example, a CFO hesitant to invest in new technology might be swayed by a data-backed argument illustrating cost savings and ROI, paired with reassurance that the investment aligns with the company’s broader financial goals.  

Advantages of Developing Soft Skills in FP&A

Combining soft skills with technical expertise doesn’t just elevate individual performance—it drives lasting organizational success.   

Make Improved Decisions   

When FP&A professionals successfully collaborate with stakeholders and gather input across departments, they provide more holistic insights. This leads to decisions that better align with the company’s financial and strategic goals.   

Develop Stronger Relationships Across Teams   

Building trust through attentive listening and clear communication fosters stronger relationships between FP&A and other departments. This trust encourages collaboration and stronger stakeholder buy-in.    

Build Credibility and Influence   

FP&A professionals who master the art of persuasion and manage dynamics with emotional intelligence establish themselves as credible advisors to leadership and colleagues. This, in turn, reinforces their role as a vital part of the strategic decision-making process.   

Creating Impact with Soft Skills   

Success in FP&A is no longer about just “running the numbers.” Technical expertise may help uncover insights, but soft skills ensure those insights lead to action. To truly stand out, FP&A professionals must lean into communication, empathy, and influence—skills that drive collaboration and decision-making in today’s fast-paced business environment.   

When an FP&A team excels in both hard and soft skills, the organization ultimately reaps the greatest benefit. Decisions become more informed, departments work cohesively, and financial goals are sustainably achieved.    

If developing these skills feels overwhelming, remember that growth happens one step at a time. Whether through training, mentorship, or practicing authentic communication, there’s always room to improve.

Unlock the Full Potential of Your FP&A Team with FP&A Skills

If you’re ready to elevate your business and gain deeper insights into the drivers of profitability and growth, the Wiss FP&A Team is here to help. Our experts combine technical excellence with the soft skills essential for fostering collaboration and driving results.

Contact us to unlock a clearer financial picture and confidently steer your business toward a thriving future. Let’s achieve success together—starting today!

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