Career Map: See Where a Finance Career Can Take You

Whether you're just starting out or setting your sights on a senior role, the Career Map shows you exactly where you can go and how to get there. Explore roles across finance, banking, and accounting, and discover the skills and certifications that will move you forward.
Earn Your Certification

Corporate Functions

FP&A

Banking Divisions

Investment Banking Capital Markets Commercial Lending Risk Management

Institutional Investors

Asset Management Hedge Funds Private Equity Wealth Management

Not sure where to start?

Career Path

Advance Your Career in FP&A

Pursue a career in FP&A with expert-led courses and resources from CFI.
  • Build core FP&A skills including financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and model building in Excel.
  • Develop in-demand skills like AI, data analysis and accounting that will help you stand out from other candidates.
  • Stand out to employers with CFI's interview prep and resume resources.
Get Started →
video cover

Explore Programs in this Field

Financial Planning & Analysis Professional (FPAP)

4.9 (26,914 Ratings)
Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals support business leaders with decision making by creating world-class financial models and delivering deep insights to improve the financial and operating performance of a company.
CFI FPAP Certificate FPAP Program Badge
  • FPAP™ certification program
  • 46 total courses (25 required)
  • Self-Paced & 100% Online

AI for Finance Specialization

4.9 (94 Ratings)
A practical, tool-based program for finance professionals and teams that want to use AI to accelerate data processing, automate manual tasks, analyze patterns faster, and find hidden insights.
AI finance specialization certificate AI finance specialization badge
  • AIFFS certification specialization
  • 8 total courses (6 required)
  • Self-Paced & 100% Online

Data Analysis in Excel Certificate

4.9 (965 Ratings)
Be the Excel wizard everyone admires! Learn to manipulate and connect data, create and visualize insights from raw data, and leverage the latest Excel tools and add-ins to enhance your productivity.
dae specialization certificate DAE Specialization Badge
  • Excel certification specialization
  • 7 total courses (5 required)
  • Self-Paced & 100% Online

Accounting for Financial Analysts Specialization

4.9 (13,936 Ratings)
A hands-on learning path for financial analysts who need to interpret and analyze financial statements across different companies, industries, and geographies.
afas specialization certificate Accounting for financial analyst(AFAS) specialization badge
  • AFAS certification specialization
  • 11 total courses (10 required)
  • Self-Paced & 100% Online

Why Choose FP&A

Read the full FP&A Article
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) offers a dynamic career path that blends financial modeling, budgeting & forecasting with significant exposure to business leadership and decision making.As an FP&A professional, you will help shape the future of businesses and gain a well-defined career path.

High Growth Field

9% projected growth over the next decade, (well above average). *Source USBLS

envelope money icon Competitive Salaries

Compensation can rise rapidly with seniority, often with six-figure salaries for leadership positions.

Impact & Influence

FP&A professionals are trusted advisors to leadership, driving decisions and directly influencing company success.

Career Progression

FP&A Analyst
Senior FP&A Analyst
FP&A Manager
Director of FP&A
VP of Finance/CFO

Gain an advantage with our FP&A Career Tools

Explore the FP&A industry and and how it fits into the world of finance.
  • Podcast interviews with FP&A professionals
  • Career insights on FP&A in the world of finance
  • Office hours with experts for FP&A career questions
Explore FPA
Test your skills and get interview ready with practical resources created by FP&A experts.
  • Top FP&A Interview Questions
  • Skills Assessments for FP&A Topics
  • Interview Tips for FP&A
Create and enhance your resume with AI assisted tools before finding a job in FP&A.
  • Resume Templates for FP&A
  • AI Powered Resume Builder
  • FP&A Job Postings (Coming Soon)
Explore FPA

Immerse Yourself in the World of FP&A

Explore FP&A-specific resources to hear from professionals, learn more about the industry, and download useful Excel templates.
Articles
Podcasts
Templates & Exercises
What is FP&A?
What is Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)? Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) teams…
Written by Tim Vipond, FMVA
10 Must-Have FP&A Skills to Develop in 2026
10 Must-Have FP&A Skills to Develop in 2026 Can your FP&A skills stand…
Written by CFI Team
Building an FP&A Career: Essential Resources for Financial Planning & Analysis Professionals
The FP&A field continues to evolve rapidly, transforming from a purely analytical function…
Written by CFI Team
Essential Skills for FP&A Managers
There are many different job roles and focus areas within the finance industry.…
Written by CFI Team
Financial Analysis in FP&A: Top 14 Resources to Build Your Skills
Financial Analysis in FP&A: Top 14 Resources to Build Your Skills What separates…
Written by CFI Team
Case Studies in FP&A: Insights From Leading Corporations
Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) plays a critical role in high-stakes business decisions,…
Written by CFI Team
Overcoming Communication Barriers: A Guide for Finance Professionals
Why Effective Communication is Critical in Finance "What we've got here is failure…
Written by Kelly Bailey
What is FP&A?
Written by Tim Vipond, FMVA
What is FP&A?
What is Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)? Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) teams…
Read more
10 Must-Have FP&A Skills to Develop in 2026
Written by CFI Team
10 Must-Have FP&A Skills to Develop in 2026
10 Must-Have FP&A Skills to Develop in 2026 Can your FP&A skills stand…
Read more
Building an FP&A Career: Essential Resources for Financial Planning & Analysis Professionals
Written by CFI Team
Building an FP&A Career: Essential Resources for Financial Planning & Analysis Professionals
The FP&A field continues to evolve rapidly, transforming from a purely analytical function…
Read more
Essential Skills for FP&A Managers
Written by CFI Team
Essential Skills for FP&A Managers
There are many different job roles and focus areas within the finance industry.…
Read more
Financial Analysis in FP&A: Top 14 Resources to Build Your Skills
Written by CFI Team
Financial Analysis in FP&A: Top 14 Resources to Build Your Skills
Financial Analysis in FP&A: Top 14 Resources to Build Your Skills What separates…
Read more
Case Studies in FP&A: Insights From Leading Corporations
Written by CFI Team
Case Studies in FP&A: Insights From Leading Corporations
Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) plays a critical role in high-stakes business decisions,…
Read more
Overcoming Communication Barriers: A Guide for Finance Professionals
Written by Kelly Bailey
Overcoming Communication Barriers: A Guide for Finance Professionals
Why Effective Communication is Critical in Finance "What we've got here is failure…
Read more
Careers in Finance | Mark Allbee
In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we chat with Mark Allbee, VP…
Written by CFI Team
Careers in Finance | Paul "The FP&A Guy" Barnhurst
In this episode of Careers in Finance, we sit down with Paul Barnhurst—also…
Written by CFI Team
Corporate Finance Explained | AI in Corporate Finance
How Automation is Reshaping Financial Strategy Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping corporate…
Written by CFI Team
Careers in Finance | A Day in the Life of an FP&A Leader with Vijay Maharaj
In this episode of FinPod, host Anna Talerico chats with Vijay Maharaj, CFI's…
Written by CFI Team
Corporate Finance Explained | High-Impact FP&A: Mastering Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Analysis
In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore the strategic power of…
Written by CFI Team
Careers in Finance | Mark Allbee
Written by CFI Team
Careers in Finance | Mark Allbee
In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we chat with Mark Allbee, VP…
Read more
Careers in Finance | Paul “The FP&A Guy” Barnhurst
Written by CFI Team
Careers in Finance | Paul "The FP&A Guy" Barnhurst
In this episode of Careers in Finance, we sit down with Paul Barnhurst—also…
Read more
Corporate Finance Explained | AI in Corporate Finance
Written by CFI Team
Corporate Finance Explained | AI in Corporate Finance
How Automation is Reshaping Financial Strategy Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping corporate…
Read more
Careers in Finance | A Day in the Life of an FP&A Leader with Vijay Maharaj
Written by CFI Team
Careers in Finance | A Day in the Life of an FP&A Leader with Vijay Maharaj
In this episode of FinPod, host Anna Talerico chats with Vijay Maharaj, CFI's…
Read more
Corporate Finance Explained | High-Impact FP&A: Mastering Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Analysis
Written by CFI Team
Corporate Finance Explained | High-Impact FP&A: Mastering Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Analysis
In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore the strategic power of…
Read more
Excel Formulas List and Cheat Sheet (With Examples)
Excel Formulas Cheat Sheet Excel formulas are the engine behind fast analysis, clean…
Written by CFI Team
Aging Report Template
Aging Report Template This aging report template will help you categorize accounts receivables…
Written by CFI Team
Project Budget Template
Transform complex financial planning into a streamlined process with our project budget template.…
Written by Jeff Schmidt
Cash Budget Template
Cash Budget Template The downloadable cash budget template below will help you plan…
Written by Jeff Schmidt
Excel Formulas List and Cheat Sheet (With Examples)
Written by CFI Team
Excel Formulas List and Cheat Sheet (With Examples)
Excel Formulas Cheat Sheet Excel formulas are the engine behind fast analysis, clean…
Read more
Aging Report Template
Written by CFI Team
Aging Report Template
Aging Report Template This aging report template will help you categorize accounts receivables…
Read more
Project Budget Template
Written by Jeff Schmidt
Project Budget Template
Transform complex financial planning into a streamlined process with our project budget template.…
Read more
Cash Budget Template
Written by Jeff Schmidt
Cash Budget Template
Cash Budget Template The downloadable cash budget template below will help you plan…
Read more

Why Learn With CFI

Expert-Led Courses On Demand

Expert-Led Courses On Demand

Learn from experienced professionals on your schedule. Build real-world skills you can apply the same day.
Structured Syllabus

Structured Syllabus

Access a curriculum built around the skills top employers want with the flexibility to learn on your own pace.
Instant Learning Support

Instant Learning Support

CFI’s AI Tutor delivers instant answers, examples, and summaries as you learn. *Full Immersion learners only.

FP&A Graduates Work in Leading Organizations

CFI’s FP&A graduates work for top firms worldwide—across industries such as technology, financial services, automotive, and consumer goods.
ford logo

Trusted by 3 Million+ professionals worldwide.

Over 75% of CFI learners report improved productivity or competency within weeks.

"Probably the best online course I’ve ever attended"

Probably the best online course I’ve ever attended. The value for money is immense. I was a bit skeptical at the beginning because I already own an MBA, I would have liked just to refresh some concepts. The program is very hands-on, it spans so many interesting topics that it makes me wonder to go deep studying them. The teachers are very clear. In answering, the customer service is quicker than amazon prime with its deliveries.

"Strongly recommend to everyone who…"

Strongly recommend to everyone who wants to receive new careers opportunities and enhance their knowledge in finance. CFI FMVA is perfect opportunity for everyone to obtain neccessary and strong background in financial modeling and valuation of companies. CFI helped me a lot with providing a financial aid and now my profile as a finance specialist is much more attractive and I receive additional confidence in my valuation skills. Thanks to everybody in the CFI team for creating such brilliant courses.
Student's photo

"Excellent Course!!!"

This course was very detailed and structured. I would definitely recommend this Certification for any budding Financial Analyst.

"Perfect for getting ahead at work!"

I love how detailed the videos are and the step by step instructions.
Student's photo

"Best Finance Institute"

This is a really practical guide to know everything about Corporate Finance. It is deep and solid enough to know how to use advanced concepts and get the best out of your work.
Student's photo

"Too good to be true!"

I have had the honor of completing the FMVA course and I am very pleased with the amount of knowledge that I have gained. The tutorship is excellent and is enhanced by detailed explanations all done in a step by step manner and video presentation to boot! There are many assignments along the way to test your ongoing development and there is no hustle to do anything. You can take your time, repeat your lessons as much as you like. This is one of the most comprehensive of courses, yet enjoyable and packed with information that otherwise may take you years to learn. I will gladly recommend this course to anyone.

Ready to Launch Your FP&A Career?

Get certified by CFI and join millions of successful finance professionals.
Start Your FP&A Career

Frequently Asked Questions

If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.
Contact Us
If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.
Contact Us
Corporate Finance Institute
Back to Website
0 search results for ‘’
People also search for: excel power bi esg accounting balance sheet fmva real estate
Explore Our Certifications
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)®
Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA)®
Capital Markets & Securities Analyst (CMSA)®
Certified Business Intelligence & Data Analyst (BIDA)®
Financial Planning & Wealth Management Professional (FPWMP)®
FinTech Industry Professional (FTIP)®
Resources
Mastering Excel Shortcuts for PC and Mac Work Smarter in Excel with Keyboard Shortcuts If you're still reaching for the mouse every few seconds, it's time to level up. The best Excel keyboard...
Financial Modeling Guidelines CFI’s free Financial Modeling Guidelines is a thorough and complete resource covering model design, model building blocks, and common tips, tricks,...
SQL Data Types What are SQL Data Types? The Structured Query Language (SQL) comprises several different data types that allow it to store different types of information...
Structured Query Language (SQL) What is Structured Query Language (SQL)? Structured Query Language (known as SQL) is a programming language used to interact with a database....
See All Resources See All
Popular Courses
Excel Fundamentals - Formulas for Finance BIDA Prep Course 3h 30min Excel Fundamentals - Formulas for Finance
3-Statement Modeling FMVA Required 6h 30min 3-Statement Modeling
Introduction to Business Valuation FMVA Required 6h 30min Introduction to Business Valuation
Scenario & Sensitivity Analysis in Excel FMVA Required 1h 30min Scenario & Sensitivity Analysis in Excel
Excel Data Visualization and Dashboards FMVA Required 3h Excel Data Visualization and Dashboards
Real Estate Financial Modeling FMVA Elective 6h 30min Real Estate Financial Modeling
See All Courses See All