Paul BarnhurstFP&A Expert Empowering Finance Professionals to Excel Everday

What you’ve done outweighs what you’ve learned.

30 Apr 2026 · 0 min

Watch on YouTube

0:28

In this brief excerpt, the speaker—who has led and built FP&A teams—acknowledges that formal training programs are valuable for learning about FP&A and can help individuals transition into the role. However, when it comes to hiring, employers prioritize concrete hands‑on experience and demonstrable work over certifications. The speaker contrasts this with accounting/controller positions, where a CPA is often a strict prerequisite, noting that FP&A roles are more flexible and do not require specific certifications.

As someone who has led and built out FP&A teams, although I think the programs are really good to help people learn about FP&A, potentially transition into a role. But when you're hiring though, it still comes down to your experience. What have you seen? What have you done? Carries so much more weight. It's not like being a CPA in accounting where it's like you can't really go into a controller role if you're not a CPA. You can go into an FP&A role if you don't have any of those certifications.