You’ve spent years mastering accounting or audit…
But every time you apply for an FP&A role, you’re either ignored, rejected, or told you lack experience.
Now if that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
We spoke to FP&A professionals who’ve successfully made the leap—from audit desks and accounting teams to high-impact FP&A roles
They shared the 7 biggest challenges they faced… and exactly how they overcame them.
Let’s break them down one by one.
1. Mindset Shift
Let’s start with the biggest internal hurdle The mindset shift.
If you’re coming from audit or accounting, you’re trained to look backward. To review, verify, and ensure compliance.
But FP&A flips that.
You need to look forward. Think strategically.
Ask, What’s next? What if?
Swati Bagri put it best: ‘In audit, I followed rules. In FP&A, I had to understand the business decisions behind the numbers.’
This shift isn’t easy, but it’s essential
💡 How to overcome it: To develop the FP&A mindset, start reading business news, strategy reports, and listen to quarterly earnings calls. You’ll train yourself to think beyond the numbers
2. Understanding the Business
Numbers tell a story. But only if you understand the characters and context.
One of the biggest shifts FP&A professionals face is realizing that finance alone isn’t enough.
You have to understand why decisions are made in sales, operations, marketing. Even if they don’t seem financial at first.
Dhawal Parvatikar said, “I had to shift from identifying problems to providing solutions. Talking to non-finance managers changed everything.”
Rohit Daiya echoed this: “Hands-on project work helped me connect finance with strategy”
💡 How to overcome it: Start small. Set up coffee chats with colleagues from other departments. Ask what drives their decisions. You’ll be surprised how quickly your FP&A lens sharpens.
3. Skill Gaps
FP&A isn’t just about knowing finance. It’s about applying it to drive decisions.
That means mastering skills like financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, data storytelling and management reporting.
Ali Hassan, CMA , FMVA shared, “Certifications were expensive, and mentors were rare. I had to learn alone, mostly through LinkedIn and late-night practice.”
It’s tough. But not impossible
💡 How to overcome it: Pick one skill at a time, maybe financial modeling or dashboarding. And commit to 30 days of practice. Consistency beats intensity when you’re building FP&A skills.
4. Cultural & Process Adaptation
Coming from accounting’s rigid structure, many feel lost in FP&A’s fast, fluid, and often ambiguous environment.
Vivek Sharma ACCA said, “I had to move from structured teams to managing tasks solo, across time zones.”
Arpit Chandak added, “In FP&A, decisions happen fast—and you need to keep up.”
It’s a culture of speed, ownership, and constant iteration.
💡 How to overcome it: Start practicing self-management: plan your week, set clear priorities, and reflect often. FP&A rewards initiative more than instructions
5. Tools & Technologies
FP&A runs on tech. And for many, the tools were completely new.
Coming from audit,
Jun Nichole Villanueva, CPA said, “The volume of data was overwhelming. I had to learn how to connect and trust the tools.”
Abhinav Aggarwal shared how steep the learning curve was: “Expectations have changed. Today, new joiners are expected to deliver within weeks.”
Mastering tools like Power BI, Anaplan, or even just advanced Excel isn’t optional.
💡 How to overcome it: Pick one tool used in FP&A. Spend just 15 minutes a day on it for the next month. You’ll be amazed how quickly you go from lost to confident
6. Communication & Presentation Skills
Knowing the numbers isn’t enough—you have to communicate them.
Ron Monteiro, CPA, CMA admitted, ‘”My biggest hurdle was the confidence to interact with cross-functional teams and executives.”
Arpit Chandak added, “I had to learn how to make complex data simple for non-finance folks.”
In FP&A, clarity is power. Your insights are only as good as your ability to explain them
💡 How to overcome it: Practice breaking down financial terms into plain English. Use analogies, visuals, and always ask yourself. Would a non-finance person get this?
7. Breaking In Without Experience
This is the challenge everyone asks about: How do I get into FP&A with zero direct experience?
Vivek Sharma ACCA said, “Most people don’t highlight the analytical work they’ve already done.”
Swati Bagri added, ‘Sometimes You might need to step down in title. Like going from manager to senior analyst to step into FP&A.’
Dhawal Parvatikar emphasized networking: “My first break came from someone I once audited.”
The truth?
It takes all. Getting in takes strategy, humility, and hustle.
Update your resume to showcase FP&A-friendly skills like analysis, reporting, or cross-functional projects. Then start reaching out to FP&A folks on LinkedIn.
Referrals change the game.
So there you have it.
7 real challenges that stand between you and your FP&A career…
And more importantly, the exact strategies professionals used to overcome them.
Yes, it’s tough. But if you’re willing to shift your mindset, build new skills, and network with intent. You can break-in
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And if you’re ready to learn FP&A skills, check out the links for free resources on FP&A https://fpnaprofessionals.com/
I’ll see you in the next article!
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The CGFPA program is designed by CFOs and FP&A industry experts to equip you with:
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At FP&A Professionals Institute our mission is to help 1 million professionals master finance and FP&A skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, we offer comprehensive programs to help you excel.
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