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Financial Planning and Analysis Trainee Programs: A Pathway to FinTech Jobs

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    Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) is an important function within any organization, responsible for budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing financial performance. This function steers the whole organization towards its vision. As the finance industry evolves, particularly with the integration of technology, there is a growing demand for FP&A professionals equipped with fintech job skills.

    The Role of FP&A Trainee Programs

    FP&A trainee programs are structured to equip aspiring finance professionals with the required skill set to excel. These programs often include a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, covering areas such as financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

    Key Components of FP&A Trainee Programs

    1. Financial Modeling and Analysis: Trainees learn to create and analyze financial models, which are essential for forecasting and decision-making. This is the bread and butter of FP & A professionals. Programs like the ones offered by PwC provide comprehensive training in financial modeling, including hands-on projects that simulate real-world financial scenarios.
    2. Technical Skills Development: Knowledge of financial software systems is critical. Trainee programs often include training in popular financial tools and software such as Excel, PowerBI, and various ERP systems. These tools help automate financial processes and improve reporting accuracy.
    3. Understanding of FinTech: FinTech, or financial technology, is transforming the finance sector by leveraging digital technologies to deliver financial services. Trainees in FP&A programs gain insights into how FinTech is disrupting traditional finance roles and the skills needed to thrive in this new environment, opening doors to fintech jobs.
    4. Risk Management and Compliance: Training in risk analysis and compliance is crucial. Trainees learn to identify, evaluate, and manage financial risks, ensuring that their organizations comply with regulatory requirements. This knowledge is particularly relevant in the context of RegTech, which uses technology to streamline compliance processes, a key area in fintech jobs.

    What FP&A Professionals Have to Study

    FP&A professionals must master a lot of subjects to effectively perform their roles and secure fintech jobs. Here are key areas of study:

    1. Accounting and Finance: This is the absolute bedrock for any finance professional. A solid understanding of accounting principles and financial management is essential. This includes knowledge of financial statements, cash flow analysis, and financial ratios.
    2. Economics: Grasping economic principles helps FP&A professionals understand market dynamics, economic indicators, and how external factors impact a business’s financial performance.
    3. Business Strategy: Knowledge of strategic planning and business operations is crucial. Business strategy modules are a main part of any financial certification. Strategic planning helps FP&A professionals to align the company`s financial trajectory with the strategic objectives.
    4. Data Analysis and Statistics: Proficiency in data analysis and statistics is becoming more and more important for interpreting financial data, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions. Tools like Excel, SQL, and data visualization software are commonly used, making these skills highly relevant for fintech jobs. If you can couple your accounting skills with data analysis skills, then you`ll be doubling your paycheck in no time.
    5. Technology and Systems: Familiarity with financial software systems, ERP systems, and business intelligence tools is essential. These systems help streamline financial processes and enhance reporting accuracy.
    6. Risk Management: Understanding risks is a key part of financial planning. FP&A professionals need to evaluate and mitigate these risks to safeguard the company’s financial health​.
    7. Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary for presenting financial insights and recommendations to stakeholders clearly and effectively.

    Famous FP&A Professionals

    Several notable individuals have made significant contributions to the field of FP&A, often bridging their roles into fintech jobs. Here are a few:

    1. Tim Stone: Tim Stone is known for his role as Chief Financial Officer at Ford Motor Company and his previous position as CFO of Snap Inc. His expertise in financial planning and analysis has been pivotal in driving financial strategy and operational efficiency at these major companies.
    2. Patricia Harris: Patricia Harris, CFO of Bloomberg LP, has been instrumental in financial planning and strategic analysis, helping the company maintain its competitive edge in the financial information industry.
    3. David Wehner: As the CFO of Facebook (now Meta), David Wehner has overseen the company’s financial planning and analysis, contributing to its impressive financial growth and strategic planning in the tech industry.
    4. Amy Hood: Amy Hood, CFO of Microsoft, has played a crucial role in the company’s financial planning and analysis, driving significant financial growth and strategic investments in cloud computing and other technologies.
    5. Ruth Porat: Ruth Porat, the former CFO of Alphabet Inc. and Google, is renowned for her expertise in financial planning and analysis. She has been a key figure in shaping the financial strategies of one of the world’s most influential tech companies.

    Career Prospects in FinTech

    FP&A professionals with FinTech expertise are going to be in demand for the foreseeable future. The integration of technology into financial planning and analysis roles opens up various career opportunities in FinTech companies. These firms specialize in using tech solutions to enhance financial services, creating a demand for professionals who can navigate both finance and technology landscapes. This makes FP&A a promising path for securing fintech jobs.

    Conclusion

    FP&A trainee programs are an excellent pathway for those looking to enter the finance industry, especially within the FinTech sector. By combining traditional financial skills with cutting-edge technology, these programs prepare professionals to meet the evolving demands of the finance world and secure fintech jobs. With the right training, aspiring FP&A professionals.

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    S64 and Invesco launch new European real estate fund for Private Wealth channel

    2024-09-17T08:00:00Z

    LONDON, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- S64, the global alternative investments fintech and solutions partner to the wealth management industry, and Invesco Asset Management Limited (Invesco), the US$1.7 trillion global investment management firm, have announced a partnership to broaden access to Invesco Real Estate’s European III Fund to the wealth management industry in Europe and Asia.

    The new European Real Estate III Feeder Fund (Europe III Feeder) invests in Invesco’s dedicated value-add and opportunistic strategy – Invesco Real Estate Europe III (Europe III). The Europe III Feeder follows Invesco’s focus on enabling High Net Worth investors to invest in institutional quality real estate targeting high returns through an innovative digital distribution platform built by S64.

    The Europe III Fund seeks to capitalise on an attractive entry point to fundamental, long-term value creation. The fund held its first close with EUR 400m, and is targeting up to EUR 1 billion of investor commitments, as it builds on Invesco Real Estate’s European value-add track record and the success of two previous funds. Overall, the value-add strategies have completed 39 investments across six sectors in 10 countries, with 21 realised investments delivering a 35% gross IRR and 1.7x gross EM.1 Consistent with Invesco’s ESG principles, more than 80% of the invested capital from the last two capital raises has been allocated to investments achieving high ESG certifications.”

    Simon Redman, Managing Director – Head of Wealth and DC at Invesco Real Estate commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with S64 to bring the Europe III Feeder to private wealth investors. In Europe, there is a disconnect between two cycles — the traditional real estate cycle linked to fundamentals, which remains on a sound footing, and the capital markets cycle which is driven by sharply higher interest rates and a lack of liquidity. We believe the resulting pricing correction has created a buying opportunity for investors able to see through the short-term noise.”

    Tarun Nagpal, Founder and CEO of S64, commented: “We are proud to be partnering with a global investment leader such as Invesco to support the delivery of the Invesco Real Estate Europe III to the wealth management industry in Europe and Asia. This partnership signals the latest step in the evolution of private markets as S64’s market-leading product manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge technology platform is fused with Invesco’s asset management capabilities to optimize access for private wealth clients looking to invest in alternatives.”

    Notes to Editors

    About Invesco Ltd.

    Invesco Ltd. (Ticker NYSE: IVZ) is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. With offices in more than 20 countries, our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive and alternative investment capabilities. Invesco managed USD 1.7 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide as of 30 June 2024. For more information, visit www.invesco.com/corporate.

    About Invesco Real Estate

    Invesco Real Estate is a global leader in the real estate investment management business with EUR 82.5 billion in real estate assets under management, 613 employees and 21 regional offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia. Invesco Real Estate has a 40-year investment history and has been actively investing across the risk-return spectrum, from core to opportunistic, in equity and debt real estate strategies, and in direct and listed real estate for its c.500 institutional client relationships during this time. In Europe, Invesco Real Estate has eight offices in London, Munich, Milan, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Luxembourg and Warsaw, and 188 employees. It manages 208 assets across 14 European countries and with assets under management of EUR 15.4 billion. The team has a strong track record across all the commercial sectors, hotels and residential sectors. Source: Invesco Real Estate as at 31 December 2023.

    About S64

    S64 is a leading global alternatives and technology solutions business bridging the opportunity in private markets. It works with the world’s first-class asset managers and private banks across private equity, credit, real estate, infrastructure and impact to develop innovative solutions for private banks and wealth managers.

    S64 is the trusted partner to the world's leading GPs, asset managers, and private banks in EMEA and APAC who rely on S64's cutting-edge technology and unrivalled product manufacturing capabilities to unlock access to private markets. As the pioneering manufacturer of retail access solutions such as ELTIFs, LTAFs and evergreen semi-liquid funds, feeders and securitised solutions, S64 sits at the forefront of innovation in private markets for private wealth. 

    S64’s innovative technology platform offers the full lifecycle management of alternative assets — from structuring and distribution to financing, as well as secondary market capabilities meeting complex regulatory and cross border jurisdictional requirements across Europe and Asia.

    Its team draws on an award-winning legacy in fund and product solutions, digital innovation and international distribution, having pioneered alternative investment platforms for more than a decade.

    As the leading manufacturer of evergreen semi-liquid funds, ELTIFs and feeders, S64 is trusted to deliver products, solutions and market leading technology to the world’s leading GPs, asset managers, and private banks.

    Press contact:
    Invesco Real Estate
    Hugh Fasken
    Senior Director, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
    Tel.: +44 (0)20 7025 6435
    Email: hugh.fasken@citigatedewerogerson.com

    Press Contact:
    S64
    Michael Mpofu
    Director, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
    Tele: +44 (0)79 326 81947
    Email: Michael.mpofu@citigatedewerogerson.com

    Risk warnings
    For complete information on risks, refer to the legal documents. The value of investments and any income will fluctuate (this may partly be the result of exchange rate fluctuations) and investors may not get back the full amount invested.

    Real estate investments can be illiquid and difficult to sell, and the fund may not be able to sell its assets when desired and at the intended price.
    The value of the investments is generally determined by an independent valuer’s opinion and may not be realizeable. The value of real estate loans may be significantly influenced by the value of the underlying real estate. Real estate investments are generally not listed on any market and need to be valued via the application of appropriate models (potentially applied by independent experts): this may lead to valuations which may not be reflected in transaction prices.
    Changes in market rents, net operating incomes, interest rates, FX rates, market trends and general economic conditions may result in fluctuations of the value of the assets, of the relevant portfolio and of the level of cash-flows generated by the fund's portfolio; fixed-rate loans with long maturities are more exposed to value fluctuations in reaction to interest rates' movements.
    The fund may use derivatives and borrowings, which may result in the fund being significantly leveraged and may result in large fluctuations in the value of the invested capital.
    Real estate investments and portfolios are exposed to counterparty risk, which is the risk that a counterparty is unable to deal with its obligations.
    Real estate loans are exposed to credit risk which is the risk of inability of the borrower to repay the interest and capital on the scheduled dates and at maturity. Loans or loans’ tranches with lower seniority (mezzanine, junior) bear a higher credit risk as those loans sit behind more senior ones in the repayment queue; the risk may be exacerbated in times of stress and in case of underperforming loans. Loans with high loan to value ratios (LTVs) or those secured on development assets are generally viewed as more risky than those with low LTVs or those secured on income-generating assets. Commercial mortgage lending is generally viewed as greater risk than residential mortgage lending since the repayment typically depends upon the successful operation of the underlying properties.
    Real estate investments can be exposed to sustainability-related regulatory requirements and trends that may negatively affect the value of investments which are not compliant. This may lead to a requirement for significant capital expenditure in order to meet mandated standards or characteristics.
    In addition, real estate investments can be also significantly exposed to negative economic effects stemming from climate change, natural disasters and the general investors' preference for assets with better sustainability features.
    Real estate investments are labour-intensive and require a significant amount of human/manual input and activities, and may therefore be exposed to several types of operational risk that may affect activities such as administration, operations, reporting obligations and many others.
    On top of typical real estate related risks, investments in real estate operating companies and in real estate platforms may embed governance and business risks that, if materialized, may negatively affect the value of the investments and the cash-flows generated.

    Important information about Invesco Real Estate Europe III
    This marketing communication is for trade press only. By accepting this document, you consent to communicate with us in English, unless you inform us otherwise.
    Data as of 1st July 2024 unless otherwise stated.

    This is marketing material and not financial advice. It is not intended as a recommendation to buy or sell any particular asset class, security or strategy. Regulatory requirements that require impartiality of investment/investment strategy recommendations are therefore not applicable nor are any prohibitions to trade before publication. Views and opinions are based on current market conditions and are subject to change.

    For more information on our funds and the relevant risks, please refer to the Offering Memorandum, the Annual or Interim Reports, and constituent documents (all available in English). These documents are available from your local Invesco office. The management company may terminate marketing arrangements.

    Any investment decision should take into account all the characteristics of the fund as described in the legal documents. For sustainability related aspects, please refer to www.invesco.com/emea/en/invesco-real-estate-management.html

    Marketing of the fund in the EEA is permitted to Professional Clients only. The fund is a dedicated Luxembourg closed-ended unregulated fund. It qualifies as an alternative investment fund (AIF) managed by Invesco Real Estate Management S.à r.l. as external alternative investment fund manager (AIFM).

    This document is issued in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, Sweden by: Invesco Real Estate Management S.a.r.l., President Building, 37A Avenue JF Kennedy, L - 1855 Luxembourg, regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, Luxembourg.

    EMEA 3802870/2024

    1 27% net IRR (Internal Rate of Return) and 1.5x net EM (Equity Multiple). Source: Invesco Real Estate as of 31 March 2024. Past Performance does not predict future returns.


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