At FBP Academy®, we turn traditional finance professionals into dynamic finance business partners. We give professionals the knowledge and skills they need to stand out in an always-changing landscape of finance business partner roles.

Being a finance business partner means going beyond numbers to become a strategic team player who drives organisational change. An interview is the first step towards landing a role, and we’re here to help you prepare for any finance business partner interview questions you might face – all backed by insights from our 9 Cs FBP Formula®. Here’s how to prepare for a finance business partner interview.

Finance business partner interview questions: what to expect

Finance business partner interview questions are designed to test if a candidate has the skillset needed for the role. Interviewers will be looking for a blend of technical skills and strategic thinking, as well as interpersonal or ‘soft skills’.

The FBP Academy 9 Cs FBP Formula® list the skills needed to stand out in a finance business partner role. We think looking at these skills is the perfect way to understand interviewers’ expectations during a finance business partner interview. Here’s a closer look at the 9 Cs:

Connect and collaborate

The first ‘C’ is all about the partner element of the Finance Business Partner role – building strong relationships and influencing others. During a finance business partner interview, you need to show you can connect with stakeholders and collaborate well across different departments. Interviewers are likely to want examples of your experience in relationship building and how you have influenced organisational dynamics.

Show that you…

• Spend time with key stakeholders, getting to know them and building trust.
• Help stakeholders understand the financial implications of their decisions so they can make smarter choices.
• Build strong collaborative networks, both within your organisation and externally.

Communicate financial information effectively

Our second ‘C’ is all about your ability to communicate financial information and turn numbers into a compelling narrative. During an interview, you should expect questions designed to test your ability to make complicated financial information both accessible and engaging.

Show that you…

• Communicate clearly and concisely, using simple language to explain complex financial information.
• Help stakeholders better understand what the numbers mean for them and their business.
• Intelligently interpret numbers to make smarter, more informed decisions.
• Can present financial information confidently to stakeholders.

Clear strategic thinker

Strategic thinking is key for a finance business partner. The third ‘C’ is about creating strategic solutions that improve an organisation’s financial performance. In a finance business partner interview, interviewers will want to explore your understanding of strategic goals and approach to problem-solving.

Show that you…

• Strategically plan and prioritise different tasks and communications.
• Actively ask questions and listen carefully to the strategic needs of your stakeholders.
• Work with stakeholders to find new and creative solutions.
• Make time to think about new solutions, even during a busy schedule.

Commercially focused

Our fourth ‘C’ is about being commercially focused (the ‘business’ element of the Finance Business Partner role) – staying informed about both the organisation you work in and the wider economic environment. When preparing for finance business partner interview questions, be ready to confidently discuss your knowledge of market trends and industry challenges, as well as how this improves your decision-making.

Show that you…

• Have researched this organisation and the industry in which it operates.
• Confidently use the commercial tools available to you to deliver the best guidance.
• Demonstrate your understanding of the business through communications like emails, meetings, reports and presentations.

Change agent and challenge the status quo

The fifth ‘C’ encourages you to respond well to change and constructively challenge the status quo. Interviewers want to see that you’re adaptable and adjust your behaviour for positive outcomes. You should show experience in making improvements within an organisation, especially if it means challenging the way things have always been done.

Show that you…

• Welcome new ideas and opinions, even if they seem strange at first.
• Challenge your own beliefs and encourage others to do the same.
• Encourage positive changes by constructively challenging the status quo.

Computer: digital mindset

We’re living in an increasingly digital age, with technology moving at a rapid state. The sixth ‘C’ highlights the importance of a strong digital mindset. You should not only be familiar with existing technology and tools, but also show a proactive approach towards using technology going forward in a way that drives improvements.

Show that you…

• Actively find ways to use technology to help speed up your regular processes.
• Make sure all systems provide accurate data, and that all users understand the importance of correct processing.
• Learn about new ideas in data analysis and how they can be used to help the organisation.

Curiosity, creativity and can-do attitude

Often, finance business partner interview questions are designed to help spot soft skills, like our seventh ‘C’ – curiosity, creativity and a can-do attitude. A great finance business partner has a curious mindset and uses creative thinking to address challenges. Interviewers will want to find out how you can bring a fresh perspective to the organisation while staying resilient and positive.

Show that you…

• Have a curious mindset about an organisation and what makes it ‘tick’.
• Are forward-thinking and come up with creative solutions to stay ahead, including budgeting and scenario planning.
• Are a natural problem-solver with a positive attitude.

Calm, confident and in control

Our eighth ‘C’, remaining calm and confident under pressure, is key for a successful finance business partner. An interviewer might want to know about your experiences working in high-pressure situations and how you maintain composure under pressure. Ultimately, you want to showcase strong stress management and how you keep a calm and confident mindset when working through tricky situations.

Show that you…

• Are always aware of key deadlines and have strategies in place to manage them.
• Know how to manage your stress levels well and when to seek additional support.
• Stay calm when looking for solutions to problems, even when your help isn’t welcomed.

Competent finance professional

A great understanding of finance is fundamental to success as a finance business partner. The final ‘C’ emphasises the level of financial knowledge needed to succeed in your role. When entering a finance business partner interview, you should be ready to show how you stay up to date with accounting regulations and look for opportunities for professional growth.

Show that you…

• Keep your financial knowledge up to date while finding new ways to improve your skills.
• Stay informed with accounting laws and regulations or know where to find this information.
• Can partner with key specialists when needed – for example, IFRS experts and tax & VAT specialists.

We hope this article has taught you more about what to expect from finance business partner interview questions. The 9 Cs FBP Formula® has been designed to empower you to be the best finance business partner you can be, so following it is an ideal way to ensure you stand out in an interview scenario.

If you’re looking for further training to help with your Finance Business Partner career, we have some helpful e-masterclasses on the FBP Members Club® that will help equip you with the key skills you need. If you’d prefer face-to-face training, these courses can also be run in-house as a 90-minute workshop, half day or full day event: Take a look at:

• Excel in Your New FBP Role
• How to Develop Your FBP Career in Your Existing Role
• Habits Holding You Back at Work

At FBP Academy, we help organisations and individuals take the steps needed towards becoming dynamic finance business partners. We can help you or your team elevate your skills so you can make meaningful contributions to your organisation’s success. To find out more about how we can help, please get in touch via our contact form or by emailing hello@financetrainingacademy.com.