Happy Holidays, 2025 Webinars, Replays, Articles and more.

Welcome to the newsletter “News for F&A Professionals”!?Click “Subscribe” to receive a notification and an email when we publish newsletters on this channel monthly.

Do you want to get notified whenever I post on LinkedIn? Then go to my profile and click the small bell icon below the front page banner on the right-hand side.

A Holiday Message

I’d like to wish happy holidays to everyone as the end of 2025 draws near.? As I look back over this year, I’m happy to see all that PACE has accomplished with the support of its Directors, members, and followers. These accomplishments include:

• PACE’s 2nd Annual conference. Our second virtual conference was well-attended and featured a distinguished line up of global experts speaking on a wide range of topics related to profitability analytics and included descriptions of numerous case studies.
• Continuation of our free webinar series. This year we offer approximately 25 webinars, covering a wide range of topics, including revenue management, the use of AI in finance, integrating ESG in FP&A, and much more. The is a great deal to learn from these sessions!
• Launch of PACE’s Profitability Analytics Masterclass. For those wanting to learn how to enhance financial decision making in their organizations, this is an unparalleled resource!
• Publication of many, many blogs, podcasts and other resources, containing content not available elsewhere.
• Several active interest groups in specific areas of interest to our members.
• Work has begun on a certification course including hands-on exercises and model building.
• And last but not least, work on a book describing the Profitability analytics Framework, due to be published in early 2025.? Keep on the look-out for it!

We’ve laid the foundation for an exciting and productive 2025. I’d like to encourage everyone who is interested in our work to join our efforts in whatever capacity is right for you. Perhaps contribute a blog or join an interest group? Take part in a podcast or deliver a webinar. PACE is made up entirely of volunteers and all are welcome to join in our activities!

Happy holidays,

Raef Lawson

Executive Director

On-line Training

This Year, Give (or Get) the Gift of Knowledge

Want to become proficient with Profitability Analytics (PA) or know someone else that would? The Profitability Analytics Center of Excellence has launched The PACE Profitability Analytics MasterClass. It's a self-paced, online, 8-module MasterClass and the first module is FREE!

We have teamed up with CostPerform to provide this training to you. This online MasterClass provides a structured, comprehensive approach to becoming proficient with profitability analytics, equipping you with the skills to drive organizational success through informed decision-making and strategic insights.

A certificate is issued upon successful completion.

Here are the 8 modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Profitability Analytics and the PACE Profitability Analytics Framework.

Module 2: Fundamentals of Causal Modeling

Module 3: Strategy Formulation Essentials

Module 4: Mastering Strategy Validation

Module 5: From Planning to Results: Effective Strategy Execution

Module 6: Revenue Management Analytics

Module 7: Effective Managerial Costing

Module 8: Managing Investment Strategy Using the PA Framework

Check it out today on CostPerform Academy! https://www.profitability-analytics.org/pamasterclass

If you want to give the PA MasterClass as a gift, contact us at [email protected] and we will make the arrangements.

PACE is a 501(c)3 organization and completely run by unpaid volunteers.

Upcoming Webinars in 2025

Webinar: January 16, 2025 at 11:00am ET | AI-Driven EPM: Fueling Finance and Procurement Excellence with Chris Andrassy

We hope you will join us for our first webinar of 2025 to unlock the full potential of operational and financial performance management.

As finance and procurement teams navigate complex economic conditions and shifting market demands, emerging AI methods are changing the game for enterprise performance management (EPM). In this session, we will cover how AI & analytics enables proactive EPM by autonomously monitoring and helping resolve disruptions across the supply chain.

Discover powerful use cases such as AI-powered spend analysis, supplier risk mitigation, financial scenario modeling, and dynamic cash flow optimization. Gain practical insights into how AI can help your teams identify opportunities for cost savings, reduce inefficiencies, and build a more resilient and agile supply chain.

Register here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/events/ai-drivenepm-fuelingfinanceandp7272435462890242048/

Webinar: January 30, 2025 at 11:00am EST | Pricing for Profit: A Tech-Enabled Platform for Entrepreneurs with Katy Baker

Katy will share her business model with webinar participants using a few clients as examples of how her methodology has been a lifesaver?for businesses that felt they had a good business model but were frustrated with year-over-year losses.?

Katy?Baker is a?CPA-CMA and a?CITP (certified international trade professional) and founder of?Pricing for Profit Inc.?where she focuses on pricing within an easy-to-understand and implement?system for entrepreneurs.?

Previously, she worked with Canadian and US companies across multiple sectors?and world trading regions assisting client companies' global growth ambitions as a trade development officer.

Additionally, she held the role of lead program consultant for Magnet Export Business Portal, at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Katy is also an in-house pricing specialist and advisor for multiple organizations and startup incubators.?

Register here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/events/pricingforprofit-atech-enabledp7274910610532847619/

Webinar: February 13, 2025 at 10:00an ET | Is your Consumer Packaged Goods/FMCG Company Driving Profitability Growth Through "Mix"? with Maciej Kacper Kurc and Mike Rand, Ph.D.

Are you driving profitable growth through "mix"?

Join this webinar to gain insights on strategies to use Revenue Growth Management (e.g. pricing, promotions, mix, trade terms) and Category Management initiatives and best-practice.

We've brought together industry experts Maciej Kacper Kurc and Mike Rand, Ph.D. from Insightia - Revenue Growth Management Experts and Cat Man Toolkit respectively.

The speakers have 40+ years experiences from working with large and successful FMCG companies globally such as Mars, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Carlsberg Group, Molson Coors etc. etc.

What will you learn?

??How can "Mix" drive growth and profit

??The definition of "Mix" and Net Sales Drivers

??5 most common mistakes when working with "Mix"

Register Free Today: https://www.dhirubhai.net/events/isyourconsumerpackagedgoodsco-d7274628734194753536/

Replays

Replay | FP&A in the Age of ESG with Abhinav Aggarwal and CA Sanjay Rikhy

ESG is growing more important each day and because of this, FP&A teams need to get involved by incorporating ESG metrics into their financial models to understand the financial impact of ESG initiatives.

By doing so, they help align financial planning with the company’s sustainability objectives, ensuring that ESG considerations are factored into resource allocation, cost planning, and risk assessments.

This integration helps drive a company’s long-term success, supporting both profitability and sustainability as essential components of corporate strategy.

Abhinav Aggarwal and CA Sanjay Rikhy from GA Management Consultants gave an excellent presentation about:

?? The role of FP&A in tracking and reporting ESG initiatives

?? ?Integrating ESG metrics into financial models to align with sustainability goals

?? ?Supporting initiatives that can attract investors and boost the company’s reputation

Watch the replay here: https://youtu.be/0xYpe2Xwz7Y

Replay| Price Optimization and Profitability Analytics with Prof Chandan Jha

Enjoy this replay with Prof. Chandan Jha on Price Optimization and Profitability Analytics.

There is a lot of time spent on product costing and not enough time spent on pricing and revenue management.

We discuss the following:

?? The Razor Blade Model, a widely-used strategy where companies offer an initial product at a low cost while generating long-term revenue through the sale of high-margin complementary products or consumables.

?? Dynamic Pricing, a flexible pricing strategy that adjusts in real-time based on various factors such as market demand, competition, and customer behavior.

?? Revenue Optimization, focusing on how businesses can use data-driven insights to align pricing strategies with broader business objectives.

Click here to watch the replay: https://youtu.be/DBr8sChu6gU

Podcast

Anything Can be Measured with Raef Lawson and Kip Krumwiede

Can you really measure ANYTHING?

In this podcast, Raef Lawson interviewed Kip Krumwiede, former Director of Research at?IMA | Institute of Management Accountants?and currently a business consultant.

Kip shows how anything really can be measured and gives several examples relating to revenue modeling, cost modeling, investment management and making forecasts when our COVID world seemed so uncertain.

To make it actionable, Kip gives tips on ways to implement and improve profitability analytics without causing a lot of extra work and stress. Listen in on an enjoyable and worthwhile podcast!?

Spotify:?https://tinyurl.com/4y9hp4ht

Apple Podcast:?https://tinyurl.com/ns42hwnk

YouTube: https://youtu.be/_dUiNohTnxc

Find the links to all our Spotify, YouTube and Apple podcasts here: https://www.profitability-analytics.org/pace-podcasts

*Google Podcasts have moved to YouTube

Article

Can Accountants GROW the Beans Too? by Gary Cokins

Management accounting is no longer just about reporting historical costs—it’s evolving to meet managers' growing need for forward-looking insights. Decision-makers now demand tools that forecast future costs, anticipate trends, and answer critical "What if?" questions.

This shift aligns with a proactive management style that emphasizes planning and action before problems arise. While traditional cost reporting focuses on past performance ("What?"), modern decision support systems prioritize "Then what?"—helping businesses explore possibilities and shape their future.

Closing the Gap: From Counting to Growing the Beans To bridge the gap between accountants and managers, a transformation from historical cost reporting to "decision-based costing" is essential. Leveraging business analytics, including predictive and prescriptive tools, allows managers to test scenarios and make informed changes with confidence. Key takeaways:

• Traditional vs. Modern Focus: Historical insights ("What happened?") vs. Predictive planning ("What can happen?").
• Purpose of Management Accounting: Influence behavior, support decisions, and spark discovery.
• Three Key Components: Cost accounting, cost reporting, and decision support with cost planning. This proactive approach empowers organizations to not just count the beans but help them grow.

Read the article here: https://www.profitability-analytics.org/forum/profitability-analytics/can-accountants-grow-the-beans-too

We are pleased to be able to provide free, thought provoking content on the latest developments in finance and accounting.

If you want to see more PACE content, please check out our LinkedIn PACE Channel , website , and Podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.?Also, check out some of our eBooks.

• What is the Profitability Analytics Framework?
• Managerial Costing: Why it's important and how to do it?
• 6 Steps to Assessing and Improving Revenue Management Practices
• Why Causality is Essential for Effective Performance Management Systems
• Customer Profitability: How to measure it and why it matters
• Managing Customer Profitability - Should you love them or leave them?
• How to Better Manage Strategic Investment
• How to Better Manage Investment Costs
• Causal Based Budgeting: A Better Approach to FP&A
• Unleashing the Power of Strategy Formulation
• How to Implement a Customer Profitability Management System
• Implementing the PA Framework for Enhanced Internal Decision Support

The Profitability Analytics Center of Excellence (PACE) is a?non-profit community of volunteer professionals?dedicated to helping organizations make better, more informed business decisions through the use of data analytics employing integrated, causal models.?Focusing exclusively on how to enable better managerial decision-making within organizations through the use of such models, PACE is the go-to source for people looking for independent and impartial (vendor and methodology neutral) information in this area. You will find many supporting articles, eBooks, blogs, and podcasts at www.profitability-analytics.org .?Consider becoming a member today. Basic membership is free.

#accountingandaccountants #webcasts #podcasts #articles