When you’re starting out in finance, the path forward in your career can feel anything but clear. That’s where guidance from those who’ve already navigated their career path becomes invaluable. We asked the finance professionals on AFP’s FP&A Advisory Councils to share what they wish every early career professional knew. Below are six essential strategies for building a successful career in finance today.

1. Master the Fundamentals (But Don't Stop There)

Every finance leader starts with the same foundation: the basics. Mastering the fundamentals isn’t just about passing tests or checking boxes; it’s about knowing when something doesn’t add up.

“Make sure you know the basics forward and backward,” said Cassie McCombs. “If you ask ChatGPT to build an NPV, you need to have sufficient knowledge to determine if it's providing accurate results. You also need to be able to analyze data quickly as it's presented to you, and determine if it's logical.”

This technical fluency extends beyond traditional principles. Haresh Vayal, CFO, advises early career professionals to “Master the core — and then go beyond it. Learn new AI-generated tools in accounting, FP&A and financial modeling.” Understanding the mechanics is only the first step toward understanding the business.

2. Become a Business Partner, Not Just a Number Cruncher

There’s a turning point in every finance career when the job stops being about what happened and starts being about what should happen next. That’s the moment you shift from analyst to advisor — and it’s what separates good finance professionals from the indispensable.

“Learn the drivers of the business, and be able to articulate trends related to these drivers and the impact on financial results,” said Marcus Gadson.  It's not enough to report what happened; you need to understand why it happened and what it means for the future.

Majid Darvishan, Co-Director of FP&A Workshop, Indiana University, distinguished between technical competence and business acumen: “These AI tools are incredibly powerful. They're 'book smart,’ but to be truly irreplaceable, you also need to be 'street smart' about the business and industry you're in. When you're building a model or presentation, ask yourself, 'What decision is this analysis actually helping someone make?' That shift in mindset turns data into real strategic insight.”

“Finance is becoming more about partnership and action,” said Kavin Soni, Senior Financial Analyst, Google. “Get close to the business: Join production or sales meetings, even if you're not invited. The best insights come from hearing how decisions are made.”

Lisa Bartko, Senior Finance Manager, Uline, summed it up: “Stay informed on economic trends and industry shifts. Don't just crunch numbers, connect them to real-world business drivers.”

3. Become a Storyteller with Your Data

Numbers tell a story — but only if you know how to translate them for your audience. As finance becomes less about manual calculation and more about interpretation and insight, the ability to effectively communicate becomes your most valuable skill.

“Become a storyteller with numbers,” said Hesham Mokhiemer, International Expert Trainer, The Financeer. In a world where AI can generate reports instantly, your value lies in making those numbers meaningful and actionable.

“Finance is changing from numerical skill set to financial narrative,” said Haresh Vayal, CFO. “Invest in learning presentation and negotiating skills.” The data itself won’t convince anyone; how you frame it will.

That’s why Lisa Bartko, Senior Finance Manager, Uline, emphasized the importance of audience awareness: “Focus on translating complex financial information into clear, actionable guidance for non-finance stakeholders,” she said. Your CFO might appreciate your variance analysis, but your operations partners need to understand what actions to take next.

The numbers are your evidence, but you’re the narrator. “Learn how to communicate your insights and perspective,” said Lawrence Maisel, President, DecisionVu Analytics. “In effect, be a great storyteller.” The insights are only valuable if they drive decisions, and they only drive decisions if people understand them.

4. Build Relationships and Cross-Functional Fluency

Finance doesn't operate in a vacuum. The most effective finance professionals understand how their function connects to every other part of the business, and they build relationships that enable collaboration and influence.

“Get out and meet people in your company and field,” advised Tyler Vonderheide, Senior Manager, FP&A Systems, Southwest Airlines. “Success is a lot less about what you know than it is about who you are as a person and the experiences and knowledge you've gained from others.”

Building these relationships requires genuine curiosity. Majid Darvishan, Co-Director of FP&A Workshop, Indiana University, suggested that you “Sit in on meetings with other departments when you can, and ask leaders how they make decisions and what kind of financial information would make their jobs easier.”

Vayal frames this as a leadership competency: “CFOs are integrators; they connect finance, operations and strategy. This also helps in understanding risk and governance in a broader context.”

“Always ask yourself, 'How can I make someone else's job easier?'” said Jermaine Stanislaus, Senior Financial Analyst, Bloomberg Media. “Your manager will know you are capable of more, and your business partner will feel that they can depend on you. Don't be the employee who says, 'That's not part of my job description.' You will stunt your ability to learn and grow with that mindset.”

5. Embrace Technology

Every era of finance is accompanied by new tools that promise to make work faster, smarter and easier. The most successful professionals don’t just adopt technology; they rethink how they work because of it.

Jesse Todd, Director, Finance Transformation, Microsoft, offered a framework for the progression: “Think of your time in each role in terms of phases: execute, then simplify and automate, then transform. Copilots and agents will be most useful for those who have a deep understanding of how business decisions are made.”

Automation is a chance to move beyond routine tasks and into higher-value work, but only if you have the judgment and curiosity to guide it. “Utilize AI for knowledge advancement and exploration; however, do not rely on AI 100%,” said Sultan Mujallid, FP&A Director. “Results can sometimes be incorrect, so traditional research is mandatory to validate.”

“With the exponential rise in data and system complexity, FP&A needs to be comfortable working across tools, datasets and models,” said Kavin Soni, Senior Financial Analyst, Google. “The goal isn't to become an engineer but to understand enough to translate complex data into clear business insight.”

Raymond Cheung, Vice President, Corporate Finance and Strategy, SML Group Limited, provided strategic positioning advice: “Look for planning system design and global rollout opportunities, or project management roles for M&A and budget coordination. These skill sets will not be easily replaced by AI shortly.”

6. Invest in Continuous Learning and Growth

In finance, standing still is the fastest way to fall behind. The people who rise are the ones who stay curious, who chase new tools, ideas and experiences before they’re required to. Continuous learning isn’t about keeping up; it’s about setting the pace.

“Stay curious and keep learning,” said Bartko. “Adopt a growth mindset. Whether it's pursuing certifications, learning new tools or exploring emerging trends, continuous learning keeps you adaptable and future-ready.”

Dawn Vitale, Yield Manager, TOTE Maritime AK, placed the emphasis on breadth: “Look for opportunities to grow, whether it be technical skills like modeling, or leadership and soft skills. Find a coach and a mentor to help guide you through your career.”

“I highly recommend early career professionals spend some time in professional services firms — consulting firms, large audit firms, investment banking groups,” said Jeff Zielinski, CFO, Buy&Ship. “These firms have structured training, diverse experiences and high professional standards. Probably two to four years is enough to get the requisite experience.”

Visibility matters, too. “Be proactive,” said Darvishan. “Keep learning, look for new opportunities and make your contributions visible. Continuous growth and visibility are what set strong finance professionals apart.”

“You’re building your personal finance brand,” said Mokhiemer. Your reputation, skills, relationships and track record combine to create a professional identity that opens doors throughout your career.

Starting out in a new finance role? AFP's Onboarding Guide for Early Career Finance Professionals is your roadmap to navigating the critical first 90 days on the job. Fill out the form below to download the guide.