As AI reshapes financial planning and analysis, your ability to take initiative and drive solutions becomes more valuable than ever
Let me share something that’s been on my mind lately as I work with FP&A teams across different organizations. I’m seeing a clear pattern emerge: while AI is revolutionizing our field, it’s not just the tech-savvy analysts who are rising to the top, it’s the high-agency professionals who take ownership and drive solutions. If you doubt this ask yourself if you have even head something along these: “Don’t bring me problems unless you have some ideas for solutions” ?
The Shifting Landscape of FP&A
Remember when we spent hours debugging and auditing spreadsheets for errors? Those days are fading fast. AI is taking over these routine tasks, and it’s happening faster than many of us expected. But here’s the interesting part – this shift isn’t making FP&A professionals less valuable. It’s actually making certain skills more crucial than ever.
Think about it this way: AI is like having an incredibly powerful calculator. But knowing what to calculate, why it matters, and what to do with the results? That’s where you come in. During my time at AutoNation, I saw firsthand how technology changed our roles. After my business unit got shut down, and I got laid off along with about 400+ other people, I got hired as a consultant to work on a technology implementation project. I was NOT chosen because I was the most tech-savvy person they could find. I was chosen because I had developed a reputation as a problem solver who people could give a task and know it would get done on time and under budget no matter what problems came up along the way.
That consulting project was focused on implementing a piece of software to help focus on what really moved the needle: strategic insight and business partnership.
The New Value Proposition: Personal Agency
So what exactly do I mean by “personal agency”? It’s pretty simple. It’s about being proactive rather than reactive. It’s the difference between:
“Hey boss, the numbers are off this month.”
and
“I noticed our margins dropped 3% in the southeast region. I’ve analyzed the cause, and I have three recommended actions we can take to address it.”
See the difference? The second approach shows personal agency – taking ownership and driving solutions.
As AI handles more of the number-crunching, this kind of initiative becomes your secret weapon. Before you say, “but AI agents will be able to do that soon”, let me suggest two things. First, you’re right, although “soon” may not be here for a while. There will always be a process, product, technology…something that changes a part of how you do your job. Think about what people are worried most about when it comes to AI. It’s agency. They’re worried that AI agents (there’s that darn word again) will be able to “do” things they currently do, and do them better. Exercising personal agency at a high level is what will keep you a step ahead.
Making AI Work For You, Not The Other Way Around
Here’s an example that drives this home. An FP&A team that just implemented a sophisticated AI forecasting tool used it to create dynamic forecasts. The tool was powerful, but the initial forecasts it produced were way off. The team member who stood out wasn’t the one who knew the most about AI – let’s call her Anika, who took the initiative to:
Dig into why the forecasts were off
- Identify the missing context the AI needed
- Create a process to feed better data into the system
- Build relationships with business partners to validate outputs
Anika showed high agency by not just identifying the problem, but owning the solution. That’s the kind of behavior that will set you apart in the AI era.
Developing Your Personal Agency Muscle
Want to strengthen your personal agency? Here are some practical steps:
- Start with small wins
- Identify one process that needs improvement
- Propose a solution (not just highlight the problem)
- Take ownership of implementing the fix
- Build your business acumen
- Get out from behind your desk
- Learn how different departments operate
- Understand what drives business decisions
- Embrace the AI partnership
- Learn what AI tools can (and can’t) do
- Focus on providing context and interpretation
- Look for opportunities to combine human insight with AI capabilities
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
Here’s what I want you to do this week:
- Identify one recurring problem in your FP&A process
- Develop a solution (even if it’s not perfect)
- Take initiative to implement it
- Document the results
Remember, in the world of FP&A, the future belongs to those who don’t just adapt to change – they drive it. Personal agency isn’t just about doing your job well; it’s about constantly looking for ways to create more value.
The Bottom Line
AI isn’t replacing FP&A professionals – it’s elevating our role. But to thrive in this new environment, you need to develop and demonstrate personal agency. It’s about being the person who doesn’t just use the tools – you’re the one who figures out how to use them better, identifies new applications, and drives real business value.
Start small, but start today. Your future self will thank you.
Want to dive deeper into developing these skills? Check out our course on “Decision Making” or “Developing Insights to Improve Decision Making.” Both will help you build the foundation for strong personal agency in your FP&A career.
