Finance Business Partnering

In the field of finance business partnering Wise Up Now’s founding partner Sean Purcell is a global expert. If you review the CPD programs on Finance Business Partnering for the ACCA, CGMA and AICPA which represent three of the worlds largest professional accounting bodies it is likely that Sean is the author.

Sean has been involved in research and working with finance teams on finance business partnering since 2010 and has personally worked with over 1000 global finance business partners.

We developed tailored solutions helping improve commercial acumen and behavioural skills so that your finance business partners have the empathy across the business to give the best commercial insights.

Case Studies: PWC | Accenture | Berger Paints 

Finance Transformation

As technology automates more of the tractional processes the key competencies for successful finance functions have changed. We help finance functions reengineer the way in which they interact with their stakeholders in often more matrix style arrangements. We give them the skills for this new environment where they often do not have direct control and the ability to influence is the key to getting things done.

This results in the rest of the organisation now understanding more about the commercial implications of decisions and they open up more to finance rather than seeing them as the police. In such an environment small problems or ‘small fires’ are easy to identify and solve in contrast to the past where they were often hidden until they developed into major infernos with significant business consequences.

Case Studies: De Montford University | Fast-Fashion Retailer

Commercial Acumen

Commercial acumen involves being able to evaluate which opportunities and actions deliver the most value to the business. Depending on the level to which we are pitching, we achieve this by helping improve the financial awareness of people enabling them to translate the outcomes of their choices into financial outcomes or we connect the financial focus of the business to the business strategy and realign it to be more relevant.

This creates a great opportunity for teams to reflect on what they do and  often leads to a decluttering of peoples activity and a fulfilment of the Pareto Principle in that 80% of effects comes from 20% of causes.

Case Study: China MOF & NOI

Sean has been a member of the ACCA examining team for over 20 years which gives him a unique global insight into the difference between success and failure. He has used this knowledge and experience to ensure that both students of professional exams and providers of professional education deliver the best they can. He has successfully designed and delivered comprehensive programs on behalf professional associations in 18 countries.

“Professional education was my inspiration to the world of training. I then became a founder shareholder of what became the largest professional training business in the UK (known as Kaplan today) Consequently I have access to the best talents in their field”.

Sean has also spent quite a bit of time involved with Train the trainer exercises on behalf the main professional associations ensuring that the successful professors and tutors around the world are fully up to speed with the latest techniques in engaging their audiences

Whilst travelling on work for clients (and if time allows) Sean also delivers CPD on the future of finance and how to prepare for it on behalf of ACCA, AGMA and AICPA.

Case Study: ACCA