Role-Specific Competencies

Does AI mean the end of finance jobs? 👀 Just a few years ago, finance relied on human interpretation of data, subjective decision-making, and reliance on outdated technology. Now, AI is streamlining the entire process. ↪ Real-time AI fraud detection keeps your money safer by spotting unusual transactions. ↪ AI enhances risk management, helping businesses avoid financial pitfalls. ↪ AI-based credit scoring opens loan opportunities to more people with accurate assessments. For all those who say, "I'm in finance. Why should I learn AI?" It’s time to upskill or risk getting left behind! Mark my words—AI will change finance like Excel did in the 90s. You can leverage AI to: ↪ Automate Trading Strategies ↪ Forecast Market Trends ↪ Analyze financial news ↪ Enhance risk models ↪ Spot fraud instantly ↪ Build adaptive portfolios. ↪ Assess creditworthiness fairly ↪ Make data-backed decisions But what are the skills you need to learn exactly? Here’s the list! 💡Programming (Python and R): Proficiency in Python and R is essential for developing algorithms, performing complex data analysis, and automating financial tasks. Python’s extensive libraries, like Pandas for data manipulation and Scikit-learn for machine learning, make it indispensable for finance. R is particularly useful for statistical analysis and data visualization. 💡 Machine learning algorithms: Understanding and applying machine learning algorithms is crucial. Finance professionals should learn how to build and train models that can predict market trends, detect fraud, and optimize investment strategies. Techniques like regression analysis, decision trees, and neural networks are foundational. 💡Data Analysis Tools: Mastering tools like Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and Apache Spark enables finance professionals to handle and visualize large datasets. These tools are critical for turning raw data into actionable insights that drive business decisions. 💡Statistical Analysis: Strong statistical skills are necessary for analyzing financial data, testing hypotheses, and making data-driven decisions. Techniques such as probability theory, variance analysis, and hypothesis testing are fundamental for building accurate financial models. 💡 Big Data Management: Proficiency in managing and analyzing big data is increasingly important. Finance professionals should be familiar with databases like SQL and NoSQL, as well as data processing frameworks such as Hadoop, to efficiently handle large-scale financial data. Answer to the question in the first line: No. Instead, AI will augment current positions, allowing people to do higher-level thinking tasks that robots can’t do. AI and humans working together = better finance and better jobs. AI is not the future. It's now. Embrace it, and you'll lead the next generation of finance. #artificialintelligence #finance #corporate

Most Finance Students Learn Theory, Not Real Analyst Skills And that’s exactly why many struggle in interviews. A Financial Analyst is not just someone who “works on Excel.” The role is much bigger than that. Great analysts help companies: → Make smarter decisions → Reduce financial risk → Improve profitability → Support growth strategies Here are the most important Financial Analyst skills: 1. Financial Modeling → 3-statement models, DCF, scenario analysis 2. Business Valuation → Comparable companies, transactions, valuation methods 3. Financial Reporting & Analysis → P&L analysis, budgeting, dashboards, forecasting 4. Data Analytics & Visualization → Excel, Power BI, Tableau, dashboards 5. Industry & Market Research → Sector analysis, trends, competitor benchmarking 6. Stakeholder Communication → Presenting insights clearly to management teams 7. Risk Management → Variance analysis, stress testing, scenario planning The biggest mistake students make? They collect certifications but never apply the skills practically. Real growth happens when you: • Build projects • Analyze annual reports • Practice presentations • Solve business problems • Learn to think like an analyst Finance careers reward execution, not only knowledge. Start building practical skills early. That’s what creates opportunities. ----- Jeetain Kumar, FMVA® Founder, FCP Consulting Helping students break into finance and consulting PS: If you want to start your career in finance, check the link in the comments to book a 1:1 session with me #finance #consulting #investment #valuation #career Follow me for more finance, consulting & career insights.

Most finance aspirants find these resources during placement panic. You’re finding them now. 📌 I spent 2 years figuring this out the hard way. No roadmap. No mentor. Just trial and error. So here’s the exact skill stack I’d hand to every serious finance aspirant today. 👇 8 free playlists. Zero paid courses. One per week. 🎯 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📊 1. Equity Research Learn how analysts actually think, not just calculate. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dYnZdpg2 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dNUvxTfC 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dMKGVHRw 🧮 2. Financial Modelling & Valuation Build models from scratch, not templates you don’t understand. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dbtG4H7N 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_6rKSKR 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d6qkSjWp 🏆 3. Valuation: The Gold Standard Aswath Damodaran’s free lectures. Used by actual fund managers worldwide. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/deM7UKwB 🐍 4. Python for Finance Automate what others still do manually. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_Cw_MMT 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d5KRw_AC 📝 5. One-Page Research Reports Analysis means nothing if you can’t communicate it clearly. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_EnqaNd 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dNt_xC6W 📑 6. Financial Statement Analysis This is the language of every business on earth. Non-negotiable. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dMaRyGJD 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dndQYhPT 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dizju-db 📐 7. Ratio Analysis Numbers without context are just noise. This fixes that. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dTFpUmjb 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dwjPqWqE 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dWUdT7s7 🏦 8. Investment Banking Where every skill above finally converges. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dGRhhAfv 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dhQj3Cqt ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 💾 Save this post. You will need it. The person who gets the ER or IB role isn’t always the smartest in the room. 🧠 They’re the one who built the skill stack before the interview, not inside it. Every week you delay, someone else is watching these. ⚠️ One playlist a week. 8 weeks. Your finance clarity will be unrecognisable. 🚀 ♻️ Repost this. One share could save someone 2 years of confusion. If you want notes, guidance, or mentorship in finance: 👉 https://lnkd.in/d_meKMHB #linkedin #finance #investmentbanking

The Pyramid of Financial Models: Building from the Bottom Up In financial modeling, mastery is built layer by layer. The Pyramid of Financial Models is one of my favorite frameworks to visualize the progression. At the foundation is 3-Statement Modeling, where you learn to link income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements. This is the core structure that everything else builds upon. Once this is solid, you move up to DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) Analysis, where you value companies based on projected cash flows and terminal values — a staple for investment analysts and corporate finance teams. Next comes Scenario Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis — where the real-world complexity kicks in. These layers teach you how to model uncertainty, test assumptions, and understand how variables interact under different conditions. Without this, models can give a false sense of precision. As you reach higher levels, specialized skills come into play: M&A Analysis for deal-making, Capital Raising for funding strategies, and at the top, LBO Analysis, where you model complex leveraged buyouts with multiple layers of debt and equity. Each step requires a deeper understanding of finance, Excel, and business strategy. The pyramid is a great reminder: don’t skip the fundamentals. A strong foundation enables you to tackle the most sophisticated transactions with confidence. If you're building your skills, focus on mastering each level before moving up. That's where real expertise is forged. Master all levels of financial models at Corporate Finance Institute® (CFI).

Should White people work in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)? I think so because tackling inequality in organizations shouldn't only be the responsibility of Black and Brown people. Everyone needs to pitch in whether or not they have DEI in their title. However, if you want to pursue a career in DEI years or become a more culturally competent and inclusive leader, you should have knowledge of these topics: 1. Power and privilege and how it impacts organizations. 2. Different cognitive biases, their impact on different groups, and how they lead to systemic inequality. 3. The history of oppression against different groups, e.g. slavery, colonialism, homophobia and their effects on society today. 4. Historical movements for equal rights (e.g., Civil Rights, Feminism, etc.) 5. Intersectionality: how multiple identities can intensify discrimination. 6. The challenges faced by historically marginalized groups and what they need in the workplace. 7. Accessibility I should have mentioned some knowledge of employment law regarding equal opportunities in the video. For example, if you're in the UK - I'd expect you to know the difference between positive action and positive discrimination and how to use positive action to improve diversity in the workplace. Diversity, equity, and inclusion folks - is there anything else you'd add? #DEI #InclusiveLeadership #CulturalCompetence

Should HR people and especially #recruiters have long history of specific experience or they may have transferable skills from other industries that may help them to support business needs? Sometimes I was asked why I decided to turn from Marketing to #People. And in some conversations I do feel that people have some doubts... But in reality my marketing background really helps me to attract right people, especially to #startups and #scaleups where there is no market visibility of a company, no long history, risks, etc. How? 1. Understanding Branding: #recruiters need to represent their company effectively to potential candidates. A marketing background can help to understand branding principles and how to convey the company's culture, values, and mission in a compelling way. 2. Targeted Candidate Attraction: Marketers are skilled at identifying and targeting specific demographics and audiences. This knowledge can be applied to recruitment efforts to attract candidates with the right skills and cultural fit for the organisation. 3. Effective Job Descriptions: Marketing professionals know how to craft persuasive and engaging content. It helps to create job descriptions that are not only informative but also enticing, making them more likely to attract talent. 4. Use of Social Media: Social media is a powerful tool for both marketing and HR, it helps to connect with potential candidates, build relationships through social media. 5. Data Analytics: Marketing often involves data-driven decision-making. Understanding #dataanalytics can be beneficial for HR managers, recruiters in tracking the effectiveness of their strategies and making data-driven improvements. 6. Content Creation: #hr can use the skills to create informative and engaging content that educates candidates about the company and the job opportunities. 7. Communication Skills: Marketing professionals are typically strong communicators. Effective communication is essential in both marketing and recruitment that helps to convey information clearly to candidates and engage in meaningful conversations during the hiring process. 8. Competitive Analysis: Marketers often conduct competitive analysis to understand their competitors' strategies. Similarly, HR managers can benefit from understanding what other companies are doing in terms of recruitment, benefits, and employer branding to stay competitive. 9. Customer-Centric Approach: Marketing is all about understanding and meeting the needs of customers. In recruitment, candidates are essentially customers, and a customer-centric approach can help to create a positive candidate experience. 10. Adaptability and Innovation: HR managers and recruiters with marketing backgrounds may be more adaptable and innovative in their recruitment strategies and tools. Diversity in skills and perspectives within a recruitment team can lead to well-rounded and effective talent acquisition strategies. #peoplestrategy #talentacquisition #talentsolutions

"Great analysis and presentation, Anders, but what do we do from here?" I had just finished a presentation to the CFO and my boss that I had been working on for months. The idea was that we were structurally underperforming and needed to start some improvement initiatives. However, I hadn't considered the HOW, and as a result, no actions were taken. A year later, after I had left the division, they started a Profit Improvement Plan based on all my ideas, but I didn't get any benefits or credits. It was just another financial analysis wasted... Most people think financial analysis is about crunching numbers. It is not. It is about building a complete picture of a business that leads to a decision. Here are the 13 steps that separate rigorous financial analysis from a report nobody acts on: • 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Start with the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement    • 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Know the industry, business model, and competitive position before touching a single number    • 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮: Garbage in, garbage out. Accuracy before analysis    • 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝘀: Liquidity, profitability, efficiency, and solvency ratios tell the story the raw numbers cannot    • 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀: Look across multiple periods to see where the business is going, not just where it has been    • 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Performance only means something when measured against peers    • 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Gross profit, operating profit, and net margin each reveal something different    • 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆: Can the business meet its short-term obligations? This question matters more than most realize    • 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀: Pay particular attention to operating cash flow and free cash flow    • 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Analysis without a recommendation is just information    • 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Clear, visual, and concise. Charts and graphs over tables of numbers    • 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀: Be ready to explain your methodology and defend your conclusions    • 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆: Financial analysis is not a one-time exercise. Markets and competitors move The first 9 steps build the picture. Steps 10 to 13 are where finance professionals create actual value. Most stop at step 9. The best ones never do. Which of these 13 steps do you think finance teams most consistently get wrong?

One thing I see far too often in Talent Acquisition hiring: Job adverts asking for recruiters who have only hired into a specific function, industry, or job family. Of course experience helps. But if we over-index on it, we risk missing the recruiter with the attributes that actually drive hiring success: curiosity, judgement, credibility, commercial understanding, and the ability to ask better questions than anyone else in the room. I learned this first-hand when a longstanding client, a leading Scottish law firm, asked me to hire a Rural Solicitor for a genuinely rural location. I had never recruited solicitors before. I said so. But the Head of HR knew I understood their brand, culture, and business goals — and trusted me to learn the market quickly and thoroughly. So I did what strong recruiters do in any market: got under the skin of the brief, mapped competitors, understood reporting lines and team dynamics, built a targeted pipeline, and partnered closely with HR and the hiring manager as if I were internal. One person stood out. The hiring manager already knew of them. I approached them thoughtfully, invested time in the conversation, and kept the process close and consultative. Eight weeks later, they accepted the offer. Twelve years on, that person is now Head of Rural. It is a reminder that great recruiters are not defined solely by what they have hired before, but by how they think, how they learn, and how they build trust. In TA hiring, are we filtering for experience when we should be hiring for attributes? I would love to hear your thoughts and any success you have hired hiring into your TA team 👇🫂💖🌐 #hiring #talent #recruiting #recruiters

Looking to Build a Career in Core Finance? Here are 5 Things You Must Know! Lately, my DMs have been buzzing with messages like: "I want to be a financial analyst, but where do I start?" "How can I become an investment banker?" "What skills do I need for equity research?" If you've been asking these questions, this post is for you. Transitioning into core finance—whether it's investment banking, equity research, financial analysis, or deal advisory—is rewarding but also demanding. Here are five key things you must know before making the leap: 1. Financial Modeling is Non-Negotiable If you can't build a financial model from scratch, you’re not ready for core finance. Every financial analyst, investment banker, or equity researcher must know how to: ✔️ Build 3-statement financial models ✔️ Forecast revenue, expenses, and cash flow ✔️ Perform sensitivity and scenario analysis A model tells the story behind the numbers—and in finance, that’s everything. 2. Accounting is the Foundation Forget all the fancy finance jargon—if you don’t understand financial statements, you’ll struggle. You must be able to analyze: ✔️ Income Statements (Profitability) ✔️ Balance Sheets (Financial Position) ✔️ Cash Flow Statements (Liquidity & Solvency) Every valuation, investment decision, or deal starts with these three statements. 3. Valuation is the Game Finance is all about determining what something is worth—whether it’s a company, a stock, or an asset. You must understand: ✔️ Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) – The intrinsic value of a business ✔️ Comparable Company Analysis (Comps) – What similar businesses are worth ✔️ Precedent Transactions – What others have paid for similar assets If you don’t know how to value something, how will you convince investors or clients? 4. Excel is Your Best Friend Most finance professionals spend 80% of their time in Excel. Mastering it will make your life easier. Focus on: ✔️ VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, and Pivot Tables ✔️ Financial modeling formulas ✔️ Data automation and visualization Forget flashy software, Excel is where real finance happens. 5. The Hustle Never Ends Finance is highly competitive. If you’re not proactive, you’ll get left behind. You must: ✔️ Keep learning – Finance is constantly evolving ✔️ Stay updated – Follow market trends and economic policies ✔️ Network aggressively – Finance is about who you know as much as what you know The truth? Core finance isn’t for the lazy. But if you put in the work, the rewards are worth it. Start now. Build models. Read financial reports. Take courses. Connect with professionals. The earlier you start, the better. Thinking of transitioning into finance? Which of these points do you need to work on most? Drop a comment! Cheers to the new week 🥂

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) teams must continually adapt and enhance their skill sets to stay ahead in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Over the next three months, developing and refining these seven critical FP&A skills will be paramount to navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. Advanced Excel Proficiency: Excel remains a cornerstone tool in the FP&A toolkit. Mastering advanced functions, pivot tables, and data visualisation techniques is essential. This skill enables efficient analysis and manipulation of large datasets, providing the analytical firepower needed for insightful decision-making. Data Analysis & Interpretation: The ability to interpret complex data sets, identify trends, and derive actionable insights is crucial. This skill ensures that FP&A professionals can turn raw data into meaningful narratives that guide strategic initiatives and operational improvements. Financial Modelling: Robust financial models are the backbone of accurate forecasting and effective decision-making. Building these models requires precision and a deep understanding of economic principles, enabling teams to predict future performance and prepare for various scenarios. Business Acumen: Understanding the broader business context and staying updated on industry trends is vital. This skill allows FP&A professionals to provide relevant and impactful analysis, aligning financial strategies with organisational goals and market dynamics. Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication is critical to conveying financial insights. Enhancing these skills ensures FP&A teams can articulate complex information to stakeholders, fostering collaboration and informed decision-making. Scenario Planning: Practising scenario planning equips FP&A teams to anticipate and prepare for various financial outcomes. This proactive approach helps mitigate risks and seize opportunities, ensuring organisational resilience in the face of uncertainties. Technology Savvy: Staying updated with the latest financial software and tools is imperative for streamlining FP&A processes. Embracing technology enhances efficiency, accuracy, and the ability to provide real-time insights, empowering teams to make data-driven decisions swiftly. Mastering these competencies will equip you to navigate the complexities of the modern business environment with confidence and drive sustainable growth. ▪ Follow me🚶♂🚶♀for more insights ▪ Click the 🔔 to get notified of new posts (top right of my profile) ▪ Subscribe 🖊 to my monthly newsletter, Insights from an FP&A' Head', to keep updated with the latest thinking in the FP&A space! #FP&A #FinancialPlanning #FinancialAnalysis #DataAnalysis #FinancialModeling #BusinessAcumen #CommunicationSkills #ScenarioPlanning #Technology #DataVisualization #DecisionMaking #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership