Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) is one of the fastest-growing finance specializations — and it starts with knowing what the function is, and what it is not. This first course in the IBM FP&A Analyst with AI Skills Professional Certificate builds the foundations every analyst needs before any modeling or forecasting makes sense. You will learn what FP&A teams own and how they differ from accounting; how budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis structure the finance calendar; and how analysts partner with the business to turn numbers into decisions leadership can act on. You will read the three core financial statements as one connected system and see why a profitable business can still run short on cash. You will choose the KPIs that link daily operations to the outcomes leadership tracks, and connect financial planning to organizational strategy. No prior FP&A or coding experience is required — every concept is built from the ground up.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Foundations

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Foundations
This course is part of IBM Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) with AI Skills Professional Certificate

Instructor: LearnQuest Network
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What you'll learn
Explain what FP&A teams do and how budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis structure the finance calendar.
Read core financial statements and apply accrual concepts to real business situations.
Select and structure KPIs that link daily operations to the financial outcomes leadership tracks.
Connect FP&A analysis to organizational strategy and prioritize insights by stakeholder need.
Skills you'll gain
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Profit and Loss (P&L) Management
- Financial Planning
- Financial Statements
- Financial Modeling
- Accrual Accounting
- Financial Forecasting
- Business Reporting
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Financial Reporting
- Management Reporting
- Working Capital
- Performance Measurement
- Financial Services
- Financial Analysis
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Data
- Accruals
- Financial Acumen
- Variance Analysis
Details to know

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July 2026
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