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Hello Reader 👋

I am no CFO, never been one, and probably will never be.

But believe me: when I was in a meeting room, there was not a single decision that was made without that people turned to me to have a sort of approval.

Maybe they were afraid of me because I'm tall and bearded, but I prefer to think that I developed an aura that made me indispensable.

It's not easy but there are behavioural tips that can make any FP&A pro as strong as a CFO.

And that's what we are seeing today 👇

(That and tons of news this week so be sure to go until the end)

So take a coffee, sit down and read FP&A Stories just like 23k other readers

This week in FP&A Stories

🔥 Have the Aura of a CFO Without Being One

If you’re waiting for a title to give you influence, you’ve already lost.

Finance doesn’t make the final call on budgets, investments, or strategy.

But the best FP&A professionals and Finance Business Partners don’t need formal authority to shape decisions.

They get in the room, take control of the discussions, and make their insights impossible to ignore.

So how do you actually do it?

Start Before the Meeting Even Begins

If the first time a business leader hears your take is in a room full of people, it’s already too late.

If you're smart, you align key stakeholders in advance.

Have an informal chat with decision-makers before the discussion. Test your message. Gauge reactions. Adjust

By the time the meeting happens, your position is already seeded in the minds of the people who matter.

Control the Conversation Early

Senior executives pay attention to the first voices in the room.

If you wait until Finance’s turn on the agenda, you’re responding, not leading.

Jump in early with an insight that frames the discussion. It will, of course, depend on the topic, but if it's a simple monthly update, don't hesitate to mention the big message of the results during the round table.

It has to be relevant, but it can already set the narrative of the whole meeting before it actually starts.

Ask the Question Nobody Else is Asking

If you’re not shaping the conversation, you’re just part of the audience.

Use killer questions that shift the entire meeting.

🔹 “What’s the biggest risk we’re not discussing?”​
🔹 “If we had to cut costs tomorrow, where would we start?”​
🔹 “What changes now that we know about ....?”

People listen to the person who forces better thinking.

Be that person.

Be the Quantifier of Everything

In every meeting, there’s a moment when someone asks, “What would that actually mean in numbers?”

That’s your job.

The person who quantifies the discussion in real-time has the most influence.

• If someone suggests a price cut, be the one to say, “At that level, we’d need 15% more volume just to break even.”
• If they debate a hiring freeze, bring clarity: “That saves €2M in costs but delays €5M in growth.”
• If a competitor launches a discount campaign, translate it: “If we match it, our margin drops by 2%. Are we ready for that?”

Think about it for a second: haven't you seen in your career people able to do that and how respected they are?

That’s how you earn a hot seat at the table!

✉️ Your Brutally Honest Feedback

I started The Finance Circle 3 years ago

But today, I need your feedback to decide the next steps.

I feel like I live in a sort bubble and miss the important points from you: do you still appreciate what you read, do you think I'm credible, etc.

All that in the pursuit of improvement and providing you with the best.

So that’s why I need you to tell me your thoughts

Can I please ask you to help me by filling in the following form?

​I want to help and give my feedback​

It’s completely anonymous, so don’t hesitate to be bold (even if you think I suck, that’s OK)

You can participate in the future of The Finance Circle

Thank you so much for your help🙏

🤠 AFP FP&A Forum in Texas

Next week, I'll be in Austin, TX to speak at AFP FP&A Forum!

That will be awesome

• more than 500 FP&A leaders
• 3 days of conference
• meeting people I've known for years but never saw

Slides are locked and sent.

I rehearsed my presentation.

Passport is ready, and my ESTA is approved.

All that's left is to have the 15-hour flight and face the jet lag.

If you're participating to the event or are simply in Austin and want to meet, don't hesitate to send me a message.

That's a wrap for this week

See you next week!​