FP&A Career Advice and the Current State of FP&A with Glenn and Paul

Why It Matters

In a tightening job market, FP&A talent that combines practical experience, strong networks, and visible personal branding will secure the most opportunities, prompting firms and schools to adapt their hiring and curriculum strategies.

Key Takeaways

• Scenario planning requires distinct drivers, not just outcome ranges.
• FP&A careers demand continuous learning, not a single ladder.
• Certifications help early growth, but experience outweighs credentials.
• Networking and personal branding are critical in today’s tight job market.
• Volunteer finance roles showcase skills and open unexpected opportunities.

Summary

The episode serves as a state‑of‑the‑union for financial planning and analysis (FP&A), where hosts Paul and Glenn discuss career pathways, education gaps, and practical job‑search tactics. They emphasize that effective scenario planning hinges on understanding the underlying business drivers, not merely presenting best‑case, worst‑case, and base‑case ranges. Key insights include the shift from pure execution to a blend of execution and leadership as analysts mature, the scarcity of dedicated FP&A curricula in universities, and the nuanced value of certifications versus hands‑on experience. While certifications such as AFP’s FPAC can boost early‑career visibility, employers still prioritize demonstrable project work. Illustrative anecdotes feature Glenn’s volunteer stint at a food bank, where he leveraged finance skills to redesign accounting processes and secured a CFO’s attention, and Paul’s recommendation to join networks like Finance Executives International. Both stress that personal branding—through blogs, videos, or volunteer finance roles—can differentiate candidates in a market where blind applications have sub‑1% success rates. The broader implication is clear: aspiring FP&A professionals must proactively fill knowledge gaps, cultivate networks, and showcase tangible impact, while academic institutions should consider integrating FP&A modules to prepare graduates for a rapidly evolving finance function.

Original Description

FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading Tools

FP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure.

Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcase

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Glenn Snyder about the current state of FP&A, focusing on career growth, hiring challenges, and how the role continues to evolve. Glenn shares his perspective on why networking matters more than ever in today’s job market, how professionals can stand out without relying only on certifications, and what it really takes to move up in FP&A. They also discuss the shift toward strategic partnership, the importance of understanding business drivers, and how leadership and empathy shape long-term success

Expect to Learn:

Why networking is the most effective way to find opportunities

How to stand out in a competitive job market

The shift of FP&A from reporting to strategic partnership

Why understanding business drivers is critical in FP&A

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

"If you can't figure out how to get other people to move with you, your career is not going to go anywhere." — Glenn Snyder

“Leadership isn’t about telling people what to do, it’s about getting them to follow you.” – Glenn Snyder

Glenn explains that career growth in FP&A is no longer about following a fixed path or relying on credentials. It comes from building relationships, gaining real experience, and understanding how the business works. He also highlights that strong professionals go beyond numbers by connecting financial results to real business drivers and supporting better decisions.

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder/

Website: https://www.riveron.com

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[00:00] – Trailer

[02:29] – FP&A Education Gap

[06:34] – Certifications vs Experience

[09:56] – Networking for Jobs

[11:22] – Building Personal Brand

[12:16] – Volunteering & Experience

[17:45] – FP&A as Strategic Partner

[22:19] – Finance & Business Roles

[24:03] – Empathy in Leadership

[29:46] – Career Growth Strategy

[33:14] – Leadership vs Execution

[38:12] – Drivers & Scenario Planning

[44:50] – People Management Lessons

[52:44] – Ethics & Transparency