FP&A Career Development with Asif Masani
Your host, John Sanchez, interviews Asif Masani, a seasoned FP&A professional with over 13 years of experience in finance and FP&A, having worked with top organizations like Citibank, Pfizer, and Coursera. Asif is also an acclaimed author and a trainer with successful courses on Udemy.
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n this episode, we delve into six crucial areas that every FP&A professional should know:
1. Evolution of FP&A Training: Asif shares his journey from conducting a live webinar with 70-80 attendees to creating an on-demand training program on Udemy that has grown from a 2-hour course to a comprehensive 20-hour curriculum. We discuss how making training affordable has expanded its reach.
2. Building Context in Virtual Presentations: Learn strategies for enhancing engagement in virtual meetings. Asif and John speak about the importance of providing context before diving into the presentations, ensuring clarity and retention.
3. Effective Communication with Non-Finance Individuals: Asif suggests practical strategies for translating complex financial data into actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders. We talk about using familiar metrics and direct, relatable language.
4. Cultural Nuances in Communication: The discussion turns to the challenges of adapting communication styles to fit different cultural contexts. Asif shares his experiences working with teams across the US, Europe, and the Middle East and emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural norms.
5. Traditional vs. Nonlinear Career Paths in Finance: Asif reflects on his nontraditional journey in FP&A, highlighting the unexpected opportunities and career pivots that have shaped his professional life.
6. Top Skills for FP&A Professionals: We zero in on the three essential skills Asif believes every FP&A professional should cultivate: understanding the business, converting data into actionable insights, and building relationships with different teams.
This episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice for both newcomers and seasoned professionals in FP&A. Tune in to learn how to elevate your career and make a significant impact within your organization.
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Episode Index
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00:00 Asif A: Author, speaker, FP&A expert with experience.
05:50 Realized job not for me due to COVID.
07:53 Excited career journey pivoting to new roles.
11:06 Expanded training led to successful business venture.
14:39 Curiosity, learning, and mentorship in career development.
19:56 Worked with people from US, Europe, Middle East.
24:04 Worked at Royal Caribbean, observed similar culture.
26:04 Respect other cultures, adapt communication wisely.
31:47 Understanding user targets and presenting actionable metrics.
34:19 Understanding different perspectives, effective communication in virtual environment.
36:31 Training involves engaging, pausing, and checking progress.
42:17 Focus on top three skills for FP&A.
44:31 Understanding, analyzing and communicating actionable business insights.
47:34 Presentation must answer "So what?" for improvement.
53:14 Converting Udemy program to in-person teaching.
54:17 Management reporting modules, examples, presentations, and business relationships.
58:22 Recommend following on LinkedIn for valuable content.
Connect with Asif on LinkedIn / asifmasani