The Art of Communication in FP&A: Presenting Data with Impact

The Best FP&A Professionals are Great Communicators

The real value of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) lies in turning data into insights that drive better business decisions. The best FP&A professionals, however, don’t just analyze numbers — they communicate their findings clearly and persuasively. 

Yet, many financial analysts struggle to communicate their findings in a way that resonates with stakeholders. Executives and department heads don’t just want data. They need clear, strategic takeaways about what’s happening, why it matters, and what they should do about it.

That’s why knowing your audience is critical. Finance teams may appreciate granular details, but non-financial stakeholders need a broader, business-focused perspective. FP&A professionals who can tailor their messaging to different audiences set themselves apart.

The Art of Communication
Source: CFI’s FP&A for New Analysts course

Key Highlights

  • Prioritize actionable insights by stripping away unnecessary details and highlighting the most critical takeaways that drive business decisions.
  • Structure analysis for decision-making by organizing data in a way that helps leadership quickly identify opportunities and risks.
  • Adapt communication for different audiences by using clear, relevant messaging to ensure both financial and non-financial teams understand the impact of the numbers.

Business Storytelling: Moving Beyond the Numbers

Numbers alone don’t tell a story. Financial data needs context to bring it to life. Top FP&A professionals frame their findings in a way that’s easy to understand and directly relevant to business goals. That means focusing on the “so what?”

Instead of just reporting that Q1 revenue was 10% below forecast, explain why it happened and what needs to change. Did marketing spend drop? Were supply chain costs higher than expected? Does the data signal a larger trend? Answering these questions makes financial analysis actionable.

To make your data storytelling effective, consider these key questions when presenting financial results or analysis:

  • What happened? Describe the variance or trend in clear terms.
  • Why does it matter? Explain the financial and business implications.
  • What are the key risks or opportunities? Identify what leadership should watch for.
  • What actions should be taken? Offer recommendations based on your findings.

Top FP&A analysts connect the dots between financial performance and business strategy. They help leadership see beyond the numbers and make informed decisions.

Source: CFI’s FP&A for New Analysts course

How to Present Financial Analysis with Impact

A great presentation turns financial data into a compelling narrative that guides decision-making. Use these techniques to make your financial insights more engaging and actionable:

1. Use Visuals to Tell the Story

Spreadsheets packed with data are overwhelming. Instead, use dashboards, charts, and graphs to highlight key insights. Well-designed visuals can make trends and anomalies instantly clear. 

For example, if revenue trends are declining, a simple line chart can communicate the issue far more effectively than a dense table of numbers.

The Art of Communication - Use Visuals to Tell the Story
Source: CFI’s FP&A for New Analysts course

2. Get to the Point Quickly

Executives don’t need to hear every step of your analysis. Start with the key takeaways, then provide supporting details as needed. Keep presentations concise and focused on what matters most.

3. Anticipate Stakeholder Questions

Before presenting, ask yourself: What will leadership want to know? Be prepared to explain variances, trends, and the assumptions behind your analysis. Thinking ahead ensures you provide meaningful insights, not just data.

Real-World Example: Presenting a Revenue and Cash Flow Dashboard

Imagine you’re an FP&A analyst preparing to present a revenue and cash flow dashboard to the CFO and senior leadership. Here’s how you can approach it effectively:

  • Instead of just stating revenue was lower than expected, highlight why it happened. For example, was it due to lower sales volume, pricing issues, or seasonal trends?
  • Show how revenue shortfalls impacted cash flow and what that means for future financial planning.
  • Anticipate leadership’s concerns. They need to know if you expect these trends to continue and what actions should be taken to correct them.

By focusing on insights rather than just data, you help leadership make informed decisions quickly and set yourself apart.

Communicating Financial Insights to Non-Financial Stakeholders

Not everyone speaks the language of finance. When presenting to sales, marketing, operations, or HR teams, adjust your communication style to make financial data relevant to them.

  • Instead of saying, “Operating margin declined by 2% due to cost overruns,” say:
    • “We need to control hiring and procurement costs to maintain profitability.”
  • Instead of citing EBITDA changes without context, explain what those changes mean for departmental budgets and future investments.

The goal is to translate financial data into actionable business insights that non-finance teams can understand and act upon.

Elevate Your FP&A Communication Skills

FP&A professionals who can clearly communicate financial insights play a crucial role in shaping business strategy. By translating data into actionable recommendations, they help leadership teams make informed decisions with confidence. Analysts who develop strong storytelling and presentation skills turn financial reports into meaningful insights that shape business decisions and drive strategic outcomes.

Want to improve how you present financial insights? CFI’s course, “Data Visualization & Dashboards – The Basics” is part of the FP&A Specialization. This program equips you with practical expertise in modeling, budgeting, forecasting, data analysis, and data visualization. Earning an industry-recognized FP&A Specialization certificate enhances your ability to shape the financial future of businesses and influence strategic financial decisions. 

Get started today with CFI’s FP&A Specialization!

Additional Resources

Mastering Data Storytelling: Turning Raw Data into Impactful Narratives

How to Analyze Budget Variances with 10 Essential Questions

A Day in the Life of an FP&A Analyst

See all FP&A resources

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