What would you automate first in FP&A;?
A core FP&A interview question — asked in analyst and associate interviews across IB, PE, and the Big 4.
THE SHORT ANSWER
(1) Data extraction from ERP to reporting (Power Query / Python scripts). (2) Monthly close reporting (standard reports in Power BI, auto-refreshed). (3) Variance commentary templates (pre-populated with calculated variances, FP&A; adds the ‘why’). (4) Consolidation of BU submissions. This typically saves 3–5 days per monthly close.
WHAT INTERVIEWERS LISTEN FOR
- ✓Data extraction automation
- ✓Monthly close reporting
- ✓Variance commentary templates
- ✓Consolidation of BU submissions
COMMON MISTAKES
- ✗Focusing only on one area
- ✗Ignoring time savings
- ✗Suggesting non-standard tools
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