What CFOs are Actually Looking For in FP&A

I hope you all had a restful Golden Week. While it’s always nice to refresh, many of you might have been instantly dragged back to reality by a barrage of heavy pings from APAC first thing Monday morning.

For many foreign-affiliated companies in Japan with a December fiscal year-end, Q2 results are now coming into clear focus. You might currently be enduring relentless questioning from Global HQ, answering things like, “Why are the numbers looking like this?” or “Where is the recovery plan?” If that’s you, hang in there; your hard work does not go unnoticed.

In our recruitment business, we are seeing a sudden surge in urgent orders to hire FP&A professionals at this exact timing. However, in my recent conversations with CFOs and hiring managers, I’ve noticed that their expectations are sharper and more stringent than ever before.

■ The “FX Excuse” Doesn’t Fly Anymore

With recent currency fluctuations and rising costs, Global HQ has become hyper-sensitive to the profitability of the Japan market. I recently heard a story where a finance professional explained, “Because of the weak Yen, our revenue looks depressed in USD,” only to be shut down with a blunt, “So, what are you going to do about it?”

We are seeing this exact point being grilled thoroughly in interviews. Companies are no longer looking for someone who simply builds beautiful dashboards. They are desperately seeking individuals who can look at the front lines and say, “If we keep going like this, we’re in trouble. We need to pivot this way,” and toughly negotiate that change.

■ The Reality of the “Business Partner” Pitfall

I frequently see the phrase “Supported business units as a business partner” on resumes. While it is undoubtedly valuable experience, this section often becomes the biggest pitfall during interviews.

Just the other day, a highly competent candidate with exceptional analytical skills was rejected at the final interview. The reason? “We felt they lacked the resilience to push back when their opinion clashed with the Business Unit Head.”

…This is where it gets real.

As a business partner, can you use data as your weapon to say “No” without fearing internal friction? In interviews with foreign affiliates (especially during HQ rounds) success entirely hinges on stories of how you navigated these high-pressure situations.

■ No One is Perfect (And That’s Your Opportunity)

Are these tough negotiators flooded in the market? Not at all. In fact, they are incredibly scarce.

Employers know this, which is why we see a proactive shift toward hiring for potential. The spotlight is now shining on professionals from FAS or Big 4 firms who are accustomed to grueling negotiations, as well as those from Corporate Planning at Japanese companies who know how to get their hands dirty to get things done.

As a side note, candidates often ask me about the required level of English. You absolutely do not need to speak like a native. This is a common misconception. As long as you have the grit to debate confidently using numbers, a perfect accent or flawless grammar can wait.

■ Preparing for the Post-Bonus Shift

The job market will accelerate further as we head toward the July/August post-bonus season. If you are vaguely considering a career move before the end of the year, I highly recommend reflecting on this single question right now: “Whom did I persuade, how did I do it, and what impact did it have on the business?”

If you want to gauge your current market value or practice pitching your stories for these unique interviews, feel free to drop me a DM. You don’t need to be ready to jump ship immediately—I am more than happy to just act as a sounding board for your current professional challenges!

Let’s tackle another month of tough budget management and reporting together!

Written by Tetsia Sweet