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This includes sessions from the conference: Financial Planning & Analysis Conference 2018

Sessions Included:

Welcome and Introduction & Futuristic FP&A - People, Process, Technology and Beyond (Jul 16, 2018 12:00 PM)

Generational View in FP&A Leadership (Jul 16, 2018 01:45 PM)

Unconference Session: Forecasting Processes (Jul 16, 2018 01:45 PM)

Real Life Robotics (Jul 16, 2018 03:10 PM)

Becoming Future-Ready and Simplifying the Most Challenging Parts of Your Job (Jul 17, 2018 12:00 PM)

Welcome and Introduction & Future of Finance and the Implications on the FP&A Function (Jul 17, 2018 07:00 AM)

Sustainability - Can You Quantify Business Impact? (Jul 17, 2018 08:35 AM)

Technology - AI & Machine Learning Advanced (Jul 17, 2018 08:35 AM)

Finding, Developing and Keeping Top Talent - 3 Angles to a Common Challenge (Jul 17, 2018 09:45 AM)

Leading Change & Business Partnership (Jul 17, 2018 01:25 PM)

FP&A Now (Jul 17, 2018 01:25 PM)

Communication of Financial Results (Jul 17, 2018 03:00 PM)

Leadership in FP&A (Jul 17, 2018 04:00 PM)

Morning Announcements and Introductions & Partly Cloudy with a 30% Chance of Rain (Jul 18, 2018 07:00 AM)

Importance of Business Partnerships for Finance and FP&A Leaders (Jul 18, 2018 08:45 AM)

Economic Update (Jul 18, 2018 08:45 AM)

Power BI (Jul 18, 2018 10:10 AM)


Beginner-Level Power Pivot Training

Jul 16, 2018 7:00am ‐ Jul 16, 2018 10:10am

Identification: FPA18101

Did you know that Microsoft has quietly been turbocharging Excel by integrating industrial-strength Business Intelligence and Reporting engines into it? Did you know that these new capabilities are 100% built for YOU, and that you can be successful with them in your first day? This session will empower attendees with absolutely game-changing Excel-based tools that dramatically accelerate data-driven decisions. In the session, attendees will experience an end-to-end walkthrough of these tools, including multi-data source import, rapid data shaping and cleansing, the creation of “portable” formulas that can be re-used across all subsequent analysis, and the construction of insightful reports and dashboards.

Target Audience: This session will be geared towards anyone who performs financial planning and analysis in Excel and is looking to simultaneously make smarter decisions while eliminating repetitious, manual labor. Anyone who is responsible for forecasting, analysis, and budgeting will find this introduction (to the tools listed below) to be quite literally a life-changing event.


Minimum Requirements for Session: Attendees may opt to simply “observe and absorb” this session, or may also opt to follow along with it on their own laptops.

Attendees who opt to follow along with the session MUST bring a laptop with the proper software already installed:

• Excel 2013 with Power Pivot and Power Query installed

• Excel 2016 Professional or higher

• Excel 2010 with Power Pivot installed

Learning Objectives Include:

• Full overview of the Microsoft Power BI suite

• New tools and skills that can dramatically improve Excel based forecasting and budgeting

• Clear and tangible ROI you can take back to your business immediately

• Knowledge and assistance from a thought leader in the Power BI world (Rob Collie)


Replacing the One-Year Budget

Jul 16, 2018 7:00am ‐ Jul 16, 2018 10:10am

Identification: FPA18102

Annual Budgets? We’ve tried them.

Many management teams utilize budgeting in hopes of shaping a successful future, but they typically end up with plans that are out-of-date before they are even printed. Good news we have found better ways to achieve the goals of budgeting without the pain of the existing process. Innovative organizations have found ways to create lean, agile “Future Ready enterprises” by replacing the one year budget.

This session shows you how to Live Future Ready by:

- Rethinking the fundamental approaches to planning and control to enable forward-looking management

- Establishing accountability for results that adjust for today’s constantly changing environment

- Eliminating the prior non-value-added tasks of negotiating budget targets (replacing them with self-correcting relative measures)

- Developing proactive plans that prepare your organization to grab potential opportunities and defend potentials threats

Learning Objectives: This workshop shows you how to:

1. Build the case for changing your current budgeting process

2. Identify why the new approaches better achieve finance objectives

3. Learn from successful organizations who have already made these changes


Welcome and Introduction & Futuristic FP&A - People, Process, Technology and Beyond

Jul 16, 2018 12:00pm ‐ Jul 16, 2018 1:25pm

Identification: FPA1801

Our own Phileas Fogg of FP&A – Brian Kalish– will discuss his views on the current state of the FP&A profession and where he believes it is heading. Brian has had the good fortune to speak and work with thousands of FP&A professionals from all across the United States and around the world (47 states, 39 countries, 5 continents) to gain a uniquely in-depth understanding of the global status of the FP&A profession, what challenges the profession is facing worldwide, and how organizations are overcoming these challenges.

Learning Objectives:
• The current state of the FP&A profession
• Where the discipline may be heading
• What FP&A 2050 may look like

Generational View in FP&A Leadership

Jul 16, 2018 1:45pm ‐ Jul 16, 2018 3:00pm

Identification: FPA1802

FP&A leadership is evolving from a professional, personal and technology perspective. This session will help you learn from those on the front lines in FP&A leadership to provide their perspective, insights and learning while navigating their careers. Additionally, this session you will be able to ask your burning questions on how, when, what, and how these professionals were able to continue to progress their careers from multiple vantage points.

Learning objectives:
1. People, process and technology insights in how FP&A leadership has transformed and where it is going in the future
2. Ability to ask questions to help you understand how you can better navigate or begin your FP&A career
3. Understanding FP&A leadership best practices, knowledge, resource and other tools to help you accelerate your FP&A career.

Unconference Session: Forecasting Processes

Jul 16, 2018 1:45pm ‐ Jul 16, 2018 3:00pm

Identification: FPA1803

This session will be interactive and include an engaging discussion around the current state across industries in terms of forecast processes. We will explore current benefits of a forecast, discuss current trends around technology, timing and degree of success.

Learning Objectives include:

• Benefits of current forecast processes

• Challenges and opportunities within current process and potential solutions to address

• Trends around automation and use of advanced technologies to perform forecast

• Insights and leading edge solutions for balancing timeliness and accuracy


Real Life Robotics

Jul 16, 2018 3:10pm ‐ Jul 16, 2018 4:25pm

Identification: FPA1804

This session will provide an overview of Robotic Process Automation, including the journey to automation, challenges to overcome and experiences from automation projects. Attendees will gain a better understanding of Robotic Process Automation and be able to evaluate the potential applicability of that technology.

This session will focus on:
• Real life robotics trends in FP&A and more broadly across companies
• Lessons learned and things to look out for
• Change management aspect of migrating to this workforce model

Welcome and Introduction & Future of Finance and the Implications on the FP&A Function

Jul 17, 2018 7:00am ‐ Jul 17, 2018 8:25am

Identification: FPA1805

Digital disruption is making current business models obsolete and organizations have no option but to leverage technology and data in order to transform or become a casualty. The Finance Function faces unprecedented challenges and must drive its own transformation agenda to adopt a new business model and help drive business transformation. Speakers will shares research and insights on the impact of technology on the Finance function of the future and the imperative for organizations to adopt a new operating model for finance.

Learning Objectives:
• Understand the impact of technology on Finance and the future role of Finance.
• Apply the new Finance Operating Model for Modernizing Finance.
• Understand the Finance competencies required for the future.

Sustainability - Can You Quantify Business Impact?

Jul 17, 2018 8:35am ‐ Jul 17, 2018 9:25am

Identification: FPA1806

Sustainable development awareness and efforts continue to evolve on a global scale. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) provide a global framework and businesses play a fundamental role in delivering viable strategies for achieving the Goals. As businesses set strategic plans with long-term objectives, financial management professionals are emerging as the new super heroes of sustainable development - what is your potential role in assessing risks, quantifying progress and ensuring added value?

Learning Objectives:
Attendees will be given an overview of sustainable development topics, trends and emerging issues and the growing need for businesses to engage financial professionals in analyzing data, decision making and engaging stakeholders such as investors.
• Logical reasons for financial professional roles in ESG (Environmental Social Governance) information and analysis
• How does sustainable development apply to your business sector?
• Emerging trends, demands and opportunities
• Unique and valuable skill sets that financial management professionals bring to the table
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and introduction to the CGMA/ AICPA publication: Creating a Sustainable Future: The Role of the Accountant in Implementing the SDGs


Technology - AI & Machine Learning Advanced

Jul 17, 2018 8:35am ‐ Jul 17, 2018 9:25am

Identification: FPA1807

The goal of this session is to provide insights into the impact AI & machine learning will have on people, processes and technologies in FP&A. Also, looking at some current technologies at a high level to review application in processes, teams and overall FP&A expansion.

This session will cover:
• Current Overview of AI & Machine Learning technologies
• Deeper understanding how AI & Machine Learning impact FP&A
• Advanced understanding on application of AI & Machine in Accounting/Finance

Finding, Developing and Keeping Top Talent - 3 Angles to a Common Challenge

Jul 17, 2018 9:45am ‐ Jul 17, 2018 11:00am

Identification: FPA1808

Good news/bad news. The economy has improved, but most organizations are fighting a global talent shortage for skilled, high performing employees. As there are multiple causes, in this presentation we will cover the challenge from multiple angles.

1. Finding and sourcing good people

We cover new methods for sourcing and screening the modern workforce, applying LEAN theory to talent issues. Some of the answers are counter-intuitive, others go beyond “best practices” to future-focused “Next practices”. Learning objectives for this segment include:

• Understanding the new definition of “High Performing” talent

• Using LEAN theory to align candidates with specific jobs

• How to adjust your existing hiring process to become a competitive advantage

2. Developing staff - Fixing Performance Management Using New Tools

Simply put, most employee development and performance management systems do not perform very well. The question is whether improvements can be achieved via relatively minor changes, major overhauls, or radical shifts in how managers think about managing performance. This segment of the presentation is focused on diagnosing the flaws in performance management systems, and how to implement new processes that get better results. Learning objectives for this segment include:

• The state of the art in performance management (pros and cons)

• How to diagnose the flaws in performance management systems

• Build an action plan to get better results

3. Keeping the good ones - Avoiding Turnover and improving engagement

In this segment, engagement is reviewed from several non-HR points of view. How does the COO think engagement lines up with LEAN theory and Six Sigma? How does the CFO think engagement pays off? How does the CEO think that engagement helps with the sustainability of the organization? This segment will offer three specific tactics to overcome the disconnects. Practical methods that will be reviewed include using advanced listening skills, reducing conflict through management training, and value-based hiring methods. Learning objectives include:

• How engagement impacts organizational operations

• Metrics that CFOs use to evaluate engagement, and what metrics will be used in the future

• When engagement is not the answer – business models that reward high turnover

• How to properly communicate the value of engagement with the C-Suite

The presentation has an overall theme of “Fixing the Shortage of Top Talent”, handled with three distinct segments with overlapping content.