Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) demands a diverse skill set, including accounting and finance expertise, tech-savviness, and both strategic and critical thinking. With that in mind, it’s to your advantage to level up your skills by enrolling in FP&A courses.
Given the fast-paced nature of the job—with constant tech updates, leadership changes, and market disruptions—staying ahead can be challenging for FP&A professionals. One of the most effective ways to enhance your knowledge and skills in this field is by enrolling in FP&A courses.
These courses help you stay current with industry skills and trends and add valuable certifications to your resume. Many courses offer access to a finance community and live feedback, enabling professionals to network and broaden their communication beyond their own organizations.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 FP&A courses for finance professionals:
1) Certificate of Corporate Finance from NYIF
Duration: 60 Hours
Type of Learning: Self-paced, Online
Cost: $1,545
The New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) provides one of the most advanced courses for financial analysis, and it does a great job of covering many subjects in depth. Here are a few highlights of what the course will cover:
- Corporate Credit Analysis
- Industry and Company Forecasting
- Project Valuation Mergers and Acquisitions
- Treasury and Risk management
- Short and long-term financing
- Financing working capital
This course is tailored for individuals with substantial experience, particularly suited for equity and debt analysts, investment bankers, traders, and others seeking an advanced understanding of FP&A. Nonetheless, it is highly beneficial for anyone in corporate finance due to the extensive range of topics covered.
Not only does this high-level course address a broad spectrum of subjects with professional rigor, but it is also offered by NYIF, a prestigious institution in finance. Established 100 years ago, NYIF has been educating financial analysts, bankers, and traders ever since.
The NYIF certificate is invaluable for those aiming to enhance their financial expertise or transition into the finance sector.
2) FP&A Bootcamp
Duration: 4 Weeks
Type of Learning: Live Zoom Workshops
Cost: $1,497
FP&A Bootcamp is one of the premier, condensed learning platforms designed specifically for full-time finance professionals. Key highlights include:
- Creating impactful reports and delivering financial presentations.
- Building a framework for professional relationships.
- Establishing budget discipline without micromanaging.
- Enhancing financial modeling skills.
- Best practices for top-down and bottom-up forecasts.
- Advanced budgeting and forecasting techniques.
What sets FP&A Bootcamp apart is its comprehensive curriculum that covers both hard and soft skills. You’ll gain proficiency in Excel, forecasting, and financial modeling while also mastering the crucial soft skills of business partnering and financial storytelling.
In today’s finance world, collaboration and storytelling are increasingly vital, yet few FP&A courses address these skills at an advanced level. FP&A Bootcamp excels in this area through interactive live Zoom sessions, allowing students to learn from peers and immediately apply their knowledge in group activities and exercises.
The course is led by finance veteran Christian Wattig, whose experience spans roles at Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Avon, as well as serving as a former FP&A Solution Architect at Datarails, an Excel-native FP&A software solution.
FP&A Bootcamp stands out by offering a commitment of just 4 weeks, making it ideal for full-time professionals. What truly sets it apart is the unique guarantee of a full refund if you don’t find the course valuable, provided you attend the sessions, actively participate, and complete the exercises.
3) Certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis Professional (FPAC)
Duration: 12 Weeks (36 Hours)
Type of Learning: Self-paced, Online
Cost: $1,025- $1,520 Depending on membership and early bird prices
Like the FP&A Bootcamp, the FPAC certification is a comprehensive FP&A learning platform that emphasizes communication and business partnership skills. Offered by the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), the FPAC certification is one of the most renowned in the field. According to the AFP’s website, individuals who obtain an FP&A certification can earn 8-16% more than their non-certified counterparts, depending on their role (e.g., controller, CFO, or analyst).
To qualify for the certification, applicants must pass an exam consisting of two sections. The first section includes 140 questions, with the possibility of obtaining a waiver for Exam Part 1 under certain conditions. The second section comprises 55 questions. While the FPAC certification covers less course material compared to other programs on this list, 96% of FPAC credential holders report that the certification and its study materials are highly relevant to their jobs.
In addition to receiving an FP&A certification, those who complete the tests also have access to the AFP community and resources through the virtual AFP Collaborate Group and access to the largest conference for finance professionals each year.
4) Certified Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) from CFI
Duration: 4-6 months to complete the entire program (Core courses range from 2- 10 hours)
Type of Learning: Self-paced, Online
Cost: $298.20 Self- Study Program and $508.20 Full- Immersion (currently offering 40% discount)
The Financial Modeling and Valuation Analysis Certification is renowned among financial analysts worldwide. Not only is it one of the most recognized certifications, but it also features a unique course structure that maximizes students’ learning experiences.
Students can choose from a variety of optional prep courses tailored to their skill levels. These preparatory or elective courses can be bypassed if students already possess a strong understanding of the topics, saving them valuable time.
Examples of available courses include real estate modeling, M&A, and startup modeling. With such diverse options, students can select courses that align with their interests or career goals, allowing them to focus their time and energy on what benefits them the most.
As part of the FMVA certification, the Budgeting and Forecasting course offers a concise yet comprehensive 7-hour online, self-paced learning experience. This course is one of 58 included in the FMVA program. It guides students through the entire budgeting process, covering how to build budgets, analyze results, and enhance accuracy and efficiency. The high quality, diverse options, and reputable FMVA brand make this FP&A course particularly popular for those seeking career advancement.
5) Financial Planning and Analysis Modeling Certification (FPAMC) from Wall Street Prep
Duration: 30 Hours
Type of Learning: Self-paced, Online
Cost: $499
The Wall Street Prep course is a highly professional, self-paced program designed to deliver substantial value through approximately 30 hours of learning. Developed by FP&A experts, it is heralded as “the first rigorous certification for the FP&A profession.”
The FPAMC program is entirely career-oriented, catering to a wide range of finance professionals, including FP&A Analysts and Managers, Financial Reporting Groups, Controllers, CFOs, and Accounting Professionals.
The course comprises eight self-paced modules, each divided into clear chapters covering topics such as building operating models (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement), long-range planning, and dashboard creation. It is also ideal for FP&A onboarding and employee training, with many Fortune 500 and other large companies using this module to train new hires effectively.
