FPI – Certified Global FP&A Professional (CGFPA®) Review
I'm a guest faculty member for FPI's CGFPA program. Here's my honest take on this 10-module live certification and whether it's right for you.
Quick Takeaways
What I Like
- Only FP&A certification I'm aware of with live cohort training
- 10 comprehensive live modules over 6 months
- Covers AI for Finance & FP&A
- Includes podcast episode links with each module for further learning
- I believe this program offers the best value for the price
- Guided capstone project
- 100 CPD hours upon completion
Investment Considerations
- $1,595 for LIVE cohort (or $795 self-study) with discount
- 6-month program duration (LIVE)
- 3–4 hours per week commitment
- LIVE sessions every Saturday for 2 hours
- Payment plans available
Career Impact
- Global FP&A certification recognized worldwide
- Career coaching & placement support
- Access to FP&A job board (fpnajobs.com)
- Global alumni network of finance professionals
- Resume review, LinkedIn review & mock interviews
My Take on the CGFPA
FP&A Professionals Institute is committed to guiding finance enthusiasts towards mastery in Financial Planning and Analysis. Founded by Asif Masani and Dhawal Parvatikar, FPI brings together over two decades of FP&A experience across diverse industries.
This is a relatively new program and will develop over time. I love that it includes live instruction, which you do not get from the other programs. I also love that one of the resources they include with each module is links to different podcast episodes I have done on the subject. The price of the program is attractive, and I believe this program offers the best value for the price. I am excited to watch this program grow as Asif is dedicated to helping elevate the FP&A profession, as demonstrated by his two books.
Bottom Line: The CGFPA is the only FP&A certification I'm aware of that offers live cohort-based training. If you're looking for a practical, hands-on FP&A program with value-based pricing that covers everything from financial modeling to AI for finance, the CGFPA is worth serious consideration. Use code FPAGUY to save $200.
What You'll Learn: 10-Module Curriculum
The CGFPA program consists of 10 comprehensive modules covering every aspect of modern FP&A:
Module 1: Introduction to FP&A
- Understanding your FP&A role
- A typical FP&A month
- FP&A roles, job descriptions & career framework
Module 2: Financial Analysis
- Types of Financial Analysis & Ratio Analysis
- Capital Budgeting – NPV, IRR, Payback Period
- Evaluating Make or Buy Decisions
Module 3: Strategy
- Understanding how Strategy influences FP&A
- PESTEL, SWOT Analysis, Porter's 5 Forces
- Being a strategic finance professional
Module 4: Management Reporting
- Management Report Types & Usage
- Variance Analysis & Margin Mix Variance
- Sensitivity Analysis & Scenario Planning
Module 5: Financial Modeling
- Financial Modeling Essentials & Best Practices
- Financial Model for Budgets & Forecasts
- Building a Cash Flow Forecast
Module 6: Introduction to Data Analytics
- Data Analytics and its importance in FP&A
- Basics of Power BI & building dashboards
- Introduction to SQL for Data Analysis
Module 7: Budgeting & Forecasting
- Different methods and approaches to Budgeting
- End-to-end company budget (Revenue, COGS, Marketing, Headcount, Capex)
- 13 Week Cash Flow Forecast
Module 8: AI for Finance & FP&A
- AI Applications in Finance and FP&A
- ChatGPT, Claude, Manus AI for financial analysis
- Microsoft Copilot for Excel, PowerPoint & Power BI
Module 9: Storytelling & Presentations
- Data Storytelling Framework – Data, Audience, Visualization
- Guide to selecting the right visualization
- Converting Data to Insights, 5 Why Technique
Module 10: Business Partnering
- What is Finance Business Partnering?
- Turning Data into Insights – techniques & examples
- Influencing & Driving Change
Tools Covered in the Program
Gain hands-on experience with the tools modern FP&A professionals use every day:
What Stands Out About This Program
Live Instruction You Won't Find Elsewhere
Career Support That Goes Beyond the Course
Real-World Application
Learn from Experienced Leaders
Best Value for the Price
Growing Global Community
Things to Remember
No program is perfect. Here are the areas to keep in mind as you evaluate the CGFPA:
- The program is relatively new and not as well-known as other programs like CFI, Wharton Online, or the FPAC.
- There are fewer instructors compared to other programs like CFI and Wharton Online.
- The program does not yet have the global reach of the more well-established programs.
- There is no requirement for continuing education credits to maintain the certification.
- The testing process to complete the program could be more rigorous.
How the Program Works
📅 LIVE Cohort Structure
- Duration: 6 months (10 modules)
- LIVE sessions: Every Saturday for 2 hours
- Time commitment: 3–4 hours/week including self-study
- Format: LIVE + recorded sessions available
- Exam: 100 marks, 50% minimum passing score
- Capstone: Guided project submission required
📖 Self-Study Structure
- Duration: 3 months
- Format: Recorded sessions + monthly LIVE Q&A
- Time commitment: 5–6 hours/week including self-study
- Exam: Proctored MCQ exam (quarterly window)
- Support: Monthly mastermind guest sessions
Who Should Enroll?
✅ Fit If You Are:
- An accounting professional looking to enhance strategic & analytical skills
- A finance professional developing decision-making capabilities
- An FP&A professional advancing storytelling & business partnering
- A finance controller with limited FP&A or management reporting exposure
📋 Eligibility Criteria
- Education: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business — OR professional qualifications (CA, CPA, CFA, CMA, CIMA, ACCA)
- Experience: Some finance/business experience helpful but not mandatory
Investment & Pricing
Two program options to fit your learning style and schedule:
CGFPA® LIVE — Cohort Based
- 10 comprehensive LIVE modules over 6 months
- LIVE session every Saturday for 2 hours
- 3–4 hours weekly commitment (incl. self-study)
- LIVE instructor & peer interaction
- Placement support (Resume, LinkedIn, Interviews, Referrals)
- FP&A Job Board access (fpnajobs.com)
CGFPA® Self-Study
- All 10 modules via recorded sessions
- 5–6 hours weekly commitment (incl. self-study)
- Monthly LIVE Q&A sessions
- Global alumni community
- Monthly expert guest sessions
- FP&A Job Board access (fpnajobs.com)
- Proctored MCQ exam (quarterly window)
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the CGFPA different from other FP&A certifications?
The CGFPA is the only FP&A certification I'm aware of that offers live cohort-based training. It combines 10 comprehensive modules with live instruction from experienced CFOs and FP&A leaders, 25+ case studies, a guided capstone project, and career support including placement assistance.
What's the real time commitment?
For the LIVE cohort: 3–4 hours per week over 6 months, including a 2-hour Saturday session and self-study time. For self-study: 5–6 hours per week over 3 months with recorded sessions and monthly LIVE Q&A.
Do I need prior FP&A experience to enroll?
No. While some finance or business experience is beneficial, it's not mandatory. You need a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field — or professional qualifications like CA, CPA, CFA, CMA, CIMA, or ACCA. The program welcomes both beginners and experienced professionals.
What's the difference between the LIVE and Self-Study options?
Both options include all 10 modules, exam fee, alumni community, job board access, capstone project, and monthly guest sessions. The LIVE option ($1,595) adds live instructor interaction, career coaching, and placement support. The Self-Study option ($795) uses recorded sessions with monthly LIVE Q&A.
What does placement support include?
Placement support (LIVE cohort only) includes resume review, LinkedIn profile review, mock interview prep sessions, and FPI alumni job referrals. Note that FPI offers placement support, not a placement guarantee.
How does the exam work?
After completing all 10 modules, you take an online examination worth 100 marks. You need a minimum of 50% to pass. For LIVE cohort students, you must also have at least 50% attendance in live classes and submit your capstone within the deadline. Self-study students take a proctored MCQ exam during quarterly exam windows.
Are payment plans available?
Yes. The LIVE cohort can be paid in 5 monthly installments, and the Self-Study option offers 3 monthly installments. Both include the exam fee; see the program website for details.
Can I work full-time during the program?
Absolutely. The LIVE program requires only 3–4 hours per week with Saturday sessions. Many working professionals across different time zones have completed the program successfully while working full-time.
Does the FPAGUY discount code work?
Yes! Use code FPAGUY at checkout to save $200 on the CGFPA program. The code is valid for upcoming cohorts. All pricing shown on this page includes the discount.
Hear Directly from CGFPA® Students
Don't just take my word for it — listen to certified professionals share their firsthand experiences with the CGFPA program, how it shaped their careers, and what they found most valuable.
Watch CGFPA graduates discuss their learning journey, favorite modules, and how the program helped them advance in FP&A roles around the world.