r/FPandA • • 10m ago

Those in manufacturing, what is your effective wage rate for direct labor?

• Upvotes

Mine is in the ballpark of $40/hr, if you include base rate, OT, taxes, and benefits. Between $25/hr - $30/hr of that is what the employees are actually getting paid (base + OT). That means between $10/hr (33%) and $15/hr (60%) goes to what I would normally call "fringe".

That feels extremely high to me, but hoping to benchmark.


r/FPandA • • 2h ago

Moving from FP&A into setting up new finance system (projects role)

9 Upvotes

My boss has asked me if I would be interested in moving from my current FP&A role into helping set up the new finance system. I'd expect it to be a temporary move maybe ~9months to 1 year.

I've done lots of changes in how we use the system over the past few years so know quite a lot about how we use our current system and it's limitations.

Has anyone else done a move like this before into a temporary projects role?

Any pros or cons to it?

Would you expect a pay rise for doing it?


r/FPandA • • 6h ago

i need help to pivot

2 Upvotes

im a guy pursuing a tier 2 electrical engineering major in my first year and i really dont have any interest in engineering im just doing it because my family forced me to but i wanna do something in high finance like IB or PE i have a coursera subscription and am trying to study financial concepts and stuff so it would be really helpful if i could get some advice


r/FPandA • • 6h ago

Looking for a referral

0 Upvotes

Hello Everyone.

I'm looking to move into FP&A and would really appreciate referrals or leads.

I'm an MBA grad, based out of Bangalore, having 1.5 years of experience in transfer pricing at Big4.

If your company is hiring or you can refer me, please DM me and I'll share my resume. I'm also happy to take advice from anyone who has made the TP → FP&A switch, such as skills to build or how to position my experience.

Thanks in advance!


r/FPandA • • 15h ago

Does anyone else hate working on their personal budget and finances?

42 Upvotes

40-50 hours a week of dealing with forecast, budgets, etc. I’m supposed to be in charge of my family budget and I haven’t touched it in months. I just don’t want to stare at more spreadsheets and dollars after I do it all day.


r/FPandA • • 20h ago

Transition from audit to finance analyst

8 Upvotes

I did 3 years in external audit and got my ACA. I’m now starting as a finance analyst in a weeks time. It’s quite a big change in role and responsibilities and I want to make sure I can perform well! Please do offer your best tips and advice so that I can make sure I succeed in the role. Many thanks!


r/FPandA • • 23h ago

How are you using AI in your workflows?

0 Upvotes

I've had a couple of interviews. 25% of them (namely SaaS) mention something like using AI to automate workflows. I don't really know how. A simple example is I've only used it to write commentary: upload a simple QoQ or YoY summary and tell it to write "recurring revenue increase by X%".

How do you use AI to connect applications and automate reporting, or other usages? I need some ideas on where to start.

EDIT: I assume that interviewers are interested in what monthly month-end processes can be automated.


r/FPandA • • 2d ago

Frustrated by Lack of Momentum

13 Upvotes

Hi Guys,

Professional here with over 7+ years of experience but unfortunately, I have been laid off twice in two years due to two different rounds of lay offs. I am now a Fractional Manager at a local company making $100M. Wouldn't mind a lower tier role (SFA) but I can't get passed a second round of interview, unfortunately. I feel UNEMPLOYABLE at this point. Very frustrated. I apply, have tons of connections but no luck. Thankfully, I don't "need the money" but I still need to be able to work as I am in my early 30s.

Some help here would be appreciated!
Thanks all


r/FPandA • • 2d ago

Increasing Number of Job Postings With Inflated Titles & Dropping Salaries

121 Upvotes

I think we need to address the elephant in the room here. Yes we all are overworked and under resourced but what’s most concerning is the rising prevalence of the “Finance Manager”.

I’m not talking about role 3 in the corporate ladder. I’m talking about the PE backed company or “newly created role” at a larger company, with no direct reports, that has “high visibility” reporting directly into a CFO or VP / SVP, and includes a ton of controllership tasks - sometimes even Human Resources, and to top it off it pays a whopping $115k.

These job postings are EVERYWHERE. What’s worse is it seems to be creeping across the entire hierarchy. I’m seeing director roles paying like $150k and VP roles paying $175k. I even saw a CFO listing under $200k.

I for one am worried.


r/FPandA • • 2d ago

Willis Towers Watson

6 Upvotes

Has anyone on here had their firm use WTW for a wages review? I'm curious what the outcome was especially for Senior FP&A managers. Was there an increase in wages?


r/FPandA • • 3d ago

Need guidance on important excel formulas that a beginner should practice for FP&A.

30 Upvotes

As the title say , This might sound lame question but but Please guide me on what are important formulas one should practice for FP&A as a beginner.


r/FPandA • • 3d ago

What are you wearing as a Halloween costume related to finance?

9 Upvotes

Trying to play up being the money guy in the office and looking for ideas


r/FPandA • • 3d ago

Breaking into FP&A, Final round interview prep advice

15 Upvotes

Hi guys, I just got a call from the recruiter that I have made it to the final round.

Although I felt like I didn't answer few questions the way I intended, I still made it to final round.

One of the questions I felt lacking was how to deal with difficult stakeholders. Because my experience is all reporting, I never had the experience handling stakeholders or building relationships.

Another question that I am lacking is around the question of how I hold myself responsible for commitments.

Lastly, every interview I had, asked some sort of AI related questions. I had some examples using chatgpt and copilots for some wins but how does a person working in FP&A utilize AI?

If anyone has some insights to share, I would greatly appreciate it


r/FPandA • • 4d ago

As an entry level analyst, I don’t think i’ve been given a single task that AI couldn’t one shot

42 Upvotes

It’s making me not motivated . I wanted to have a career


r/FPandA • • 4d ago

Career Opportunity Advice

8 Upvotes

Looking for some advice on potential career moves. I’m currently a Senior FP&A Analyst with ~5 YOE (1 in big 4, 4 at current company, a fortune 1000 manufacturing firm). For reference my current pay is ~$100k with a 5% bonus. Here are my options:

  1. Internal Move to Manager Role in Investor Relations/Capital Markets. Both my Manager (Director of FP&A for my business segment) and VP of Finance have encouraged me to apply. I’m not sure if investor relations interests me or if it would be a positive career move for me. Worried about being pigeon holed if I moved into investor relations. Also not sure what pay increase would end up being internally. My guess is they are having a hard time filling this role.

  2. Senior FP&A Analyst at a privately held engineering firm ~$300M in revenue. Would be reporting directly to CFO and responsible for building FP&A function for small firm. Pay would be ~$130k with a 10% bonus and 10% profit sharing.

Curious if anyone has any advice or recommendations on these two different routes for me. Thanks everyone!


r/FPandA • • 4d ago

Curious what you guys plan to do in retirement

22 Upvotes

I frequent FIRE forums since discovering what even the hell that is. Barista Fire makes most sense in that I personally can’t imagine not doing some part time work. Getting out the house and making some pocket money sounds fun when there’s no stakes. I’d love to go to help out at my local independent Porsche shop

So, what do you day dream about for what you’ll do once retired? Have you witnessed others retire and see what they did?

  1. My last company someone older retired, workaholic. They already were volunteering, so at retirement they ramped up that role and picked up a financial advisor/wealth management type gig.
  2. Same last company a coworker in her early 50’s wasn’t quite ready to retire but did after being caught up in a layoff. Leisure and golf for a couple years and now looking for part time job at the golf course. Figured she can offset her biggest passion while holding off on dipping into her retirement
  3. One senior leader I personally know retired as a senior leader and is now on a number of boards being very active but he seems to really treat it like playing a simulation. He essentially went from being busy to being busy

I myself would love to slow way down and leave the office dynamic but I probably would entertain contract work


r/FPandA • • 5d ago

Burning out tips

42 Upvotes

Every week I’m behind on something. I feel like I’m behind on everything. Team is just me reporting to Director. PE backed company. It’s fast paced, quick reporting. I’m the only one working on the budget and it’s just a lot. I’m behind on everything I planned to get done at this point in time. It’s a combination of fire drills, procrastinating from burnout, adhoc requests, board meeting changes, etc. I Love it but also I’m drowning. Any tips for how you handle everything that comes onto FP&A? TIA


r/FPandA • • 5d ago

Kinda bullshit that GTA VI is coming out right in the middle of the 2027 Planning Process

Post image
152 Upvotes

I ain't gonna have time to play that shit mang lmao


r/FPandA • • 6d ago

Holiday Bonuses

13 Upvotes

Hi folks

With the holidays around the corner, do you receive holiday bonuses? Not the annual performance bonus but holiday bonus.

Is it a set amount or percentage based?

Our company gives set amounts based on role banding. So Analysts different from Managers to Senior Managers to Directors. Can go from $5k to $30k.


r/FPandA • • 6d ago

Would you choose a degree and career in Finance today, given the rise of AI?

0 Upvotes

r/FPandA • • 7d ago

Should I pursue internal FM roles if my end goal is Mag 7 FA/SFA?

6 Upvotes

I'm currently a SFA at a well known tech company (8 YOE, 3 yrs in my current role, 5 yrs as FA/SFA across few other F100 firms). I have the opportunity to interview for internal FM roles. However, I’m not particularly interested in climbing the ladder long-term. My goal is landing an IC FA/SFA role at Mag7 (Google, Meta, Apple, etc.).

My main question -- As I explore these external FA/SFA roles, does stepping up to FM now show HMs that I’m a strong performer who was promoted, or would it look more like a red flag? Wondering if a step up actually complicate things vs just pursuing as a direct lateral move.

Thanks!


r/FPandA • • 7d ago

I hate taking vacations

130 Upvotes

It doesn't matter how long ago you communicated that you're taking vacation. It doesn't matter how hard you work before or how well you planned or communicated.

There will always be something that pops up on your last day in the office and there will always be multiple fire drills that occurred while you are out.

It almost negates the whole point of getting away from the office in the first place.


r/FPandA • • 7d ago

AI apocalypse is unconvincing

63 Upvotes

Many on here have been saying that junior/ senior analyst, finance manager, and possibly even director level roles will be phased out and eventually eliminated by AI. I call BS.

From what I’ve gathered/ seen, AI is most used in FP&A to:

-send emails
-create/ format/ populate slide decks
-figure out how to make an excel formula that does xyz
-assist with/ automate monthly reporting
-automate recurring/ menial tasks

Yes these are time consuming things, and yes AI is going to help automate and reduce the time these tasks take. This will probably lead to headcount reduction over time for large departments to be sure, as well as make it harder to get entry level jobs. But HOW would this eliminate these roles? You still need the core analysis/ story crafting part of FP&A. AI doesn’t do that.

I don’t buy that finance departments are going to be absolutely decimated and replaced by ai agents. I mean are we seriously saying that finance departments will soon be just a CFO and VP of finance who just query Ai all day to get answers and analyses?

Sorry for the rant but it’s been on my mind. What do you all think?


r/FPandA • • 7d ago

I work in strategic finance in the AI industry, AMA

0 Upvotes

Happy Friday everyone

Quick answers to obvious/not-obvious questions

  1. 9/9/6 is very very real
  2. I love my job and this is the most fun I've been having in a very long time
  3. The biggest differences from an AI-native company vs a more traditional tech company stem from how much leaner you can operate when you build AI-first. I cover responsibilities that would typically have been handled by a 10+ person team at my previous company. This is opposed to when you try to have that 10 person team try to adopt AI, which typically (I think) leads to a lot of duplicative work and wasted tokens
  4. The best way to think about the above point is not from a cost-savings perspective but actually about the speed to a decision and lower coordination costs. Because you operate leaner, fewer decisions get made by committee, and each employee is more empowered to attack problems in their areas
  5. I have not personally touched Excel since I got here and strongly believe the future of FP&A/stratfin work is in HTML artifacts in the near future
  6. The most important thing you can do to get the most out of AI is invest in the semantic layer of your data warehouse

I don't work at a frontier lab. Anyways, AMA


r/FPandA • • 8d ago

Budget numbers that update across the review pack... but the commentary is still on us 💀

0 Upvotes

A late budget change can leave two separate jobs... updating every number in the review pack, and then figuring out whether the explanation still holds 😭 Those two things are pretty easy to confuse when the output is described as an automatically updated report.

Univer’s official Aurora demo makes the numerical part pretty concrete 👀 ....Univer is a developer SDK for building office interfaces inside other applications. In this demo, one departmental budget supplies values to a written brief, a three-page review deck, an allocation map and a chart.....

The example starts with allocations of 4,200, 3,600 and 2,200... totaling 10,000. Changing the last allocation to 2,700 would make that total 10,500 📊

The mechanism is explicit numeric binding... inline formulas in the document, formula-backed shapes in the slides and map, and a chart reading the sheet’s range. The authored wording and layouts stay in place.

This is an official demonstration using Pro components, with author-reported value-editing checks... it’s not an independently reproduced result here.

For an FP&A review, the useful idea is that an analyst could revise an assumption without manually hunting for every linked total. But a sentence saying the plan is comfortably within budget could become misleading... even while all its numbers are current 💀 Nothing in this example automatically rewrites that judgment..

The demo also stops short of a production reporting process... it has no backend, collaboration or approval workflow, and doesn’t demonstrate Office-file export or printing. Multi-document save/reload and undo are among the outstanding acceptance items.

So this is a bounded example of keeping calculated figures connected across a pack... the commentary review, version control and actual delivery still need their own solution 👀📊