Planning & Budgeting

In FP&A, planning and budgeting aren’t just about setting numbers—they’re about creating a shared vision that connects strategy, operations, and financial performance. This session gives FP&A professionals the tools to lead planning cycles that are agile, insight-driven, and aligned with business goals.

You’ll explore five core planning approaches—top-down, bottom-up, percentage-based, zero-based, and driver-based—and learn how to apply them effectively across functions. From initial kickoff to final alignment, the course walks through each phase of the planning cycle with practical tools to improve collaboration, streamline consolidation, and manage iteration. Whether you’re running the annual budget or leading quarterly reforecasts, you’ll leave equipped to make planning a cornerstone of strategic finance.

You’re welcome to join just this workshop, but for a deeper dive, we recommend registering for the full program.

  • Tuesday, 14 October 2025
  • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm BST (10:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT)
  • Field of Study: Finance 2 CPE Credits (2 CPD Hours)

Testimonials

Setting up a new FP&A team in a fast-paced business, the FP&A bootcamp was a great way to get everyone on the same page as quickly as possible. We loved Catherine's teaching style and the interactive format of the course. The team took examples from the very first workshop and immediately put them into practice. It sparked such debate in the team that we almost have too many new ideas! A nice problem to have... Thanks Catherine and GrowCFO!
Lindsay Grainger
Lindsay GraingerFinance Director, ITS Technology Group
This is both a good refresher for seasoned professionals and a good introduction for individuals with less experience. Time went by very fast as it was an enjoyable course.
Steve Davis
Steve DavisCFO, WAFLA
The course takes you through a practical approach to FP&A and you walk away with ideas and strategies you can begin to utilize in your business right away.
Anthony Lucero
Anthony LuceroSolutions Engineer, Restaurant365
If you are new to FP&A or have been doing it for years, this is a great course to ensure you are on the correct path. The time commitment isn’t so much that you take too much time away from work, but enough that you feel you are getting plenty of resources to take back to your job.
Sara Bartruff
Sara BartruffDirector of Financial Planning & Analysis, Mosaic
The courses were very comprehensive and out team learned a lot from them. The breakout groups were both fun and engaging, and the trainers were excellent, bringing impressive first-hand experience in solving these real-world challenges.
FP&A and Business Partnering teams
FP&A and Business Partnering teamseDF renewables
This course was fantastic! It was the perfect refresher I needed to start a new job in FP&A. I thoroughly enjoyed the Zoom class sessions along with the exercises that we did in class.
Helen (Eleni) Ioannidis-Flevaris
Helen (Eleni) Ioannidis-FlevarisExecutive Director, CFO - HR Talent, JPMorganChase
I recommend this to everyone who is interested in understanding FP&A. I’m transitioning to an FP&A role and this course helped me get a jumpstart to prepare myself with the skills required to succeed.
Joey Jo
Joey JoSenior Accountant, Hala

Overview

What we Cover:

  • The role of planning and budgeting in modern FP&A
  • Structuring the full planning cycle: kickoff, consolidation, iteration, final alignment
  • Selecting and applying the right approach: top-down, bottom-up, ZBB, percentage- or driver-based
  • How to engage stakeholders and co-own the plan across business units
  • Scenario planning, guardrails, and linking planning to forecasting
  • Tools and strategies to reduce cycle time and improve plan quality

The Challenges:

  • Planning cycles that drain time but lack strategic relevance
  • Difficulty aligning top-down targets with bottom-up assumptions
  • Gaps between planning, forecasting, and actual performance
  • Limited business ownership or engagement with the plan
  • Struggling to balance speed, accuracy, and agility

The Barriers:

  • Over-reliance on static models or disconnected spreadsheets
  • Lack of clarity around roles, deadlines, and accountability
  • Fragmented planning inputs across departments
  • Poor integration between strategy and operational planning
  • Inflexible systems that make iteration slow or painful

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this Planning and Budgeting workshop, your team will:  

  • Lead an effective planning process that supports strategy execution
  • Apply the right budgeting method for your organisation’s needs
  • Improve engagement and ownership with collaborative planning practices
  • Use scenario thinking and ranges to manage uncertainty
  • Structure your planning for faster iteration, clearer insights, and better decisions

Business Benefits:

  • A more agile, insight-led planning process that drives business alignment
  • Shorter planning cycles with fewer iterations and rework
  • Stronger forecasting and variance analysis built on better plans
  • Greater trust in finance as a strategic business partner
  • Clearer accountability and more confident decision-making across the organisation

Facilitator

Catherine Marks

Catherine led the O2 FP&A team through its merger with Virgin Media.

Prerequisites: Must have a basic understanding of FP&A

Advanced Preparation: No advanced preparation is required

Program Level: Basic

Delivery Method: Group Live

Book your place

  • October 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM BST
  • Included in Premium Membership
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