What's the most important factor for you when looking for a potential new job in FP&A?

For me, the most important thing in an FP&A role is being part of a team where the work actually influences big decisions, not just crunching numbers. It’s also about having growth opportunities, working with leadership, and being in a company that values collaboration and innovation. The tools and processes matter too, outdated systems can really hold you back.

I wholeheartedly agree that your direct manager has a huge impact as others have stated.

I'd also consider how the role fits into your long term career goals. A job may have high pay from a prestigious company but you end up in a role that limited your career growth and slows your skills development. I took a role at a F50 company that looked good on paper but I was bored to death, not learning and not seeing the career opportunities I expected.  

I think that analytical skills together with ability to build good relation with the different stakeholders (and mainly with the supported functions) are key. Tools and mastery in Excel too. Plus good story telling capacity! So not an easy profile to find.

1. Direct manager
2. CFO and level of support
3. FPA Tools and level of automation
4. FPA relationship to rest of finance (accounting, etc) and sales / ops for optimal business partnering to drive company goals

There are several good answers to this question but I lean toward your direct manager. If you don't have a good relationship with your manager and are not aligned, no amount of culture, company or any other factor will make you successful.