The Top Skills FP&A Hiring Managers Want from Finance Analysts to Get Hired Fast with William Spengler

In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by William Spengler, founder of Frederick Fox, a recruiting firm specializing in placing top-tier finance and accounting talent. They discuss what employers are looking for in FP&A professionals and the growing demand for technical skills such as Power BI, Tableau, and SQL. William shares insights into the current job market, what makes candidates stand out, and why effective communication and a curious mindset are essential for success in finance. The episode is packed with practical advice for job seekers and finance professionals looking to advance in their careers.

William is the founder and principal of Frederick Fox, a recruiting firm that specializes in placing finance and accounting talent. Since its launch in 2019, Frederick Fox has grown rapidly, serving over 700 clients with a team of 55+ experienced recruiters. The firm has achieved this growth without outside funding, focusing on speed, accountability, and results. Frederick Fox has redefined the recruiting process, prioritizing lean systems and performance-based partnerships to help companies make confident hires. Outside of work, William is a guitar-playing father of three, a math nerd turned entrepreneur, and an enthusiast of spicy food and hot yoga.

Expect to Learn:

• Why accounting and finance roles are becoming more crucial to businesses today
• How to stand out as an FP&A candidate in a competitive job market
• The importance of mastering technical tools like Power BI, Tableau, and SQL
• Why humble curiosity is key to becoming a better business partner
• How recruiters assess FP&A candidates and what skills they prioritize

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• “Accountants are becoming like the new software engineers. They’re in high demand and increasingly critical to business operations.” - William Spengler
• “The biggest mistake candidates make is not reaching out directly to hiring managers with relevant examples. Networking is key.” - William Spengler
• “If you're not networking continuously, you're not future-proofing your career.” - William Spengler

William Spengler shared valuable insights into the FP&A job market, highlighting the demand for technical skills, the importance of effective communication, and the value of humble curiosity. His practical advice on networking, understanding business needs, and positioning yourself for success will help both job seekers and finance professionals advance in their careers.

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LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/william-spengler-2193433a

Website: https://frederickfox.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrederickFoxGroup/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frederick-fox/

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Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FP&A  Certificate, take the quiz on Earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[02:28] - William's Introduction

[07:20] - Build Models or Value Companies

[10:42] - What's Driving CPA Demand

[16:00] - How People End Up in FP&A

[18:09] - CPA is Still the Gold Standard

[27:37] - Communicating Data That Drives Action

[30:30] - Identifying Action-Oriented Candidates

[36:36] - Biggest Mistake Candidates Make

[42:38] - No.1 Technical Skill for FP&A

[49:16] - Connect With William