An independent read on the FP&A software market before you underwrite the opportunity.
Market intelligence for FP&A software investors, grounded in 300+ vendor conversations, three published buyer guides, hands-on implementation work, exposure to emerging AI analyst tools, and transaction advisory experience including Lucanet's acquisition of Causal. A diligence-ready view of the category from someone who understands the tools, the buyers, and the market behind the pitch deck.
- 300+ vendor conversations
- 150+ tools mapped
- Independent perspective, no vendor agenda
What does The FP&A Guy do for PE and VC firms?
The FP&A Guy helps private equity and venture capital firms understand the FP&A and finance software market before they invest, advise, or form a view on the category. The work combines independent market intelligence, competitive landscape perspective, roadmap advisory, and a buyer-side view shaped by 300+ vendor conversations across roughly 150 tools including FP&A planning software, AI analyst tools, Excel agents, and AI-Native ERPs.
The value is context investors rarely get from a pitch deck: how the market is segmented, where vendors are trying to differentiate, which themes are attracting attention, and where the story may be stronger than the current buyer pull.
The Investor Information Gap
A crowded market requires sharper context
Generalist analysts can map a market. Far fewer can explain where vendors fit, how categories are shifting, and which narratives deserve a closer look.
Positioning can blur together quickly. You need context to separate durable differentiation from category noise, especially as FP&A, finance automation, and AI narratives overlap.
Investor decks naturally frame the category around a company's strengths. A broader market view helps you understand adjacent players, competing narratives, and where the company actually fits.
New entrants, AI-native tools, Excel agents, and shifting vendor narratives keep changing the landscape. Ongoing market conversations help investors maintain a current read on where the category is moving.
Market Intelligence & Investor Advisory
A clearer read on the market before your next investment
Engagements scoped to your thesis, from a focused category review to ongoing coverage of the market.
Deal Flow & Target Identification
Helping investors identify relevant FP&A and finance software companies around their thesis, including emerging and AI-native players that may not yet be on the radar.
Competitive Landscape Mapping
A clear map of who competes with whom, where categories overlap, and how positioning differs, informed by ongoing vendor conversations and a buyer-side view of the market.
State of the FP&A Software Market
Comprehensive market briefings and quarterly updates on where the FP&A software market is heading, including shifts in AI, consolidation, category positioning, and emerging finance technology trends.
Learn more about research & briefings →Advisory Process
From thesis to a better read on the market
Align on scope
A confidential conversation about your thesis, the target or category, and the market questions you need answered.
Research & analysis
I draw on existing vendor knowledge, market conversations, and targeted diligence to understand product positioning, category fit, and competitive context.
Findings you can use
A clear, candid read on the target or category, including strengths, risks, competitive context, and questions worth exploring further.
Why It's Different
Independent perspective from inside the FP&A profession
This isn't a syndicated analyst report or a vendor-sponsored ranking. It's an independent practitioner's view, built from years in FP&A, three published buyer guides, 300+ vendor conversations, and exposure to 150+ finance and FP&A tools with no vendor commission behind the view.
- No vendor sponsorship behind the findings
- Buyer-side and practitioner perspective
- Coverage kept current through ongoing conversations
- Confidential, scoped to your specific questions
The basis for the view
Paul stands out as one of the most respected FP&A experts in the industry. His deep knowledge and understanding of market participants have provided us with valuable insights that are difficult to find elsewhere. He is great to work with, collaborative, approachable, and always willing to share his expertise.
FAQ
Questions investors ask
Do you work with PE and VC firms?
How is this different from a generalist analyst?
Are the findings independent?
Can engagements be confidential?
How do we start?
Ready to Discuss the Market?
Understand the market before your next move.
Tell me your thesis and the target or category. I’ll help you understand the market context, competitive landscape, and questions worth exploring next. Or visit the research page to learn more about the broader market briefing and quarterly update options.