Financial planning and analysis refer to forecasting, analyzing, budgeting, and reporting financial data of an organization to guide decision-making. Such data-driven decisions strengthen the financial position and profitability of the company. With this said, financial planning and analysis is a complex process involving huge data sets and rapidly changing scenarios. Allocating this work to a regular finance team may not be sufficient. It requires dedicated attention from a senior-level executive like CFO.

CFO is a top-level manager responsible for managing the financial affairs of a company. They have a bird’s eye view of the entire company and can thus assume the responsibility of financial planning & analysis (FP&A). However, a full-time CFO can prove to be expensive. For this reason, CFO office services are  now becoming popular. Outsourcing CFO operations helps save costs and time spent searching for and training a full-time CFO. 

This article discusses the components of CFO Office services and how they can improve FP&A. Let’s dive in.

What Do CFO Office Services Include?

CFO Office services provide overarching guidance to the financial operations of a company. They encompass the following activities.

• Overseeing Management Accounting and Corporate Accounting
• Ensuring checks and balances in the accounting system
• Tracking budget to control expenses and meet revenue goals
• Evaluating the financial feasibility of projects to ensure a positive ROI
• Complying with reporting requirements
• Managing investor relations 
• Acting as a liaison between stakeholders

How Can CFO Office Services Improve FP&A?

FP&A includes setting financial goals, gathering reliable data, analyzing information to develop relevant indicators, and developing a financial plan. CFO services play a role in FP&A in the following ways.

Data Collection and Processing

The first step in any analysis process is to identify the data to be collected and then process it. CFO have dedicated professionals having expertise in data operations. They ensure integrity in the data collection process. Internal and external data are presented in a consolidated manner. Better data equals better analysis. 

Unity of Direction

CFO office professionals take a multi-dimensional approach to the planning process. They take inputs from different departments. Such planning results in an outcome that is agreed upon by all. It ensures that all efforts in the organization are targeted towards a common objective.

Better Scenario Planning

Firms providing CFO services have vast experience across industries. They are thus more aware of best and worst-case scenarios. The impact of different scenarios on the company’s financial metrics is studied. Plans are made accordingly to be better prepared for emergencies.

Use of Technology

Modern organizations have to deal with mountains of data. The use of AI tools makes it easier to interpret such data. CFO teams also have IT experts who can help automate data analysis and financial forecasting. Such systems, once established, have long-term benefits. An effective IT system can also improve reporting processes resulting in timely and accurate reports.

Track Threats and Opportunities

Timely identification of challenges enables firms to prepare in advance. Spotting opportunities provides the first mover advantage. CFO teams’ proficiency and new perspectives ensure no market movement is missed. Based on such an analysis, budget allocations are made. CFO teams have no vested interest in the company, so their insights are unbiased. 

Conclusion

To summarize, CFO Office services provide a firm with a team of specialized persons handling different duties rather than just one full-time CFO. As a result, it improves every step of FP&A, from data collection to developing insights. Moreover, the contract with such CFO teams can be expanded as & when companies’ needs evolve. If your business also needs such flexibility and expertise, accessing the CFO Office services of TresVista is a good option.