Building relationships, turning data into insights, and bringing numbers to life
Influence starts with relationships. You can’t influence anyone if they don’t trust you. Accountants focus on systems, data & processes. Partners invest time in relationships.
Accountants deal in the data that tells us what has happened. Commercially-focussed finance partners focus on insight, by asking & answering the question so what?
Probably the worst way to communicate numbers is to use a table of numbers. Business partners bring their data to life by telling the story behind the numbers, and communicating simple, clear messages.
If you do those 3 things you'll influence decisions.
And that's the point of being a finance business partner - to influence commercial and operational decisons.