The role of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) is evolving fast. Today’s finance teams aren’t just reporting numbers — they’re expected to shape strategy, guide decision-making, and provide clarity in uncertain times. For CFOs, this shift means one thing: you need FP&A teams that are resilient, engaged, and adaptable.

Here’s how finance leaders can build teams equipped to meet the challenges of today — and tomorrow.

Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected

Markets move quickly. Priorities can change overnight. Whether it’s an unexpected acquisition, a sudden cash-flow crunch, or a major external shock, FP&A must be ready to pivot without missing a beat.

Resilience comes from building depth into your team. That means:

• Cross-training staff so knowledge isn’t concentrated in one or two people.
• Creating transparent processes and documentation that anyone can step into.
• Shifting away from the “knowledge hoarding” mentality, where individuals guard expertise to feel indispensable.

When teams are resilient, they keep delivering even when leaders or specialists are pulled into urgent projects. And when your team shines under pressure, so does your leadership.

Engagement: Aligning Growth With Purpose

Resilient teams also tend to be engaged teams — and engagement grows when employees see their own goals reflected in the company’s.

For CFOs and FP&A leaders, this means going beyond project assignments and KPIs. Ask team members:

• What skills do you want to develop?
• What kind of projects excite you?
• Where do you see your career heading?

Then look for ways to align those aspirations with business needs. That could mean assigning someone to a cross-functional project, giving them exposure to leadership presentations, or supporting them with targeted training.

Of course, engagement also requires honest conversations. Sometimes expectations need to be level-set. But even then, employees who see that their leaders genuinely care about their development are more motivated, loyal, and productive.

Adaptability: Leading With Flexibility

No two team members are alike — and no leader can use a one-size-fits-all approach. Adaptive leadership means meeting people where they are:

• Empowering experienced staff to take ownership and run with it.
• Providing guidance and explanation to newer team members learning the ropes.
• Offering review and coaching for those in between.

What doesn’t work? The “sink or swim” approach. Setting employees up for failure hurts them, the team, and the business. True leadership success isn’t about proving yourself — it’s about enabling your people to succeed.

FP&A as a Growth Engine

When FP&A teams are resilient, engaged, and adaptive, they become more than a reporting function. They:

• Navigate unexpected challenges without losing momentum.
• Bring stronger insight and influence into decision-making.
• Drive business value through proactive, strategic analysis.

Udexx Advisory: Building Finance Teams for the Future

At Udexx Advisory, we partner with finance leaders to elevate FP&A from reporting to strategy. Whether it’s helping to strengthen processes, introducing enabling technologies, or coaching leadership teams, our goal is the same: to build finance functions that adapt, engage, and thrive.

Because in today’s business landscape, the difference between keeping up and leading often comes down to the strength of your FP&A team.