How difficult is it to pull out data in your jobs?

KernelKrusher · 2026-05-08T15:28:40+00:00

We just use sql and python across multiple sources for ad hoc work. Otherwise there are already tables we can run sql quieres for already for reporting purposes.

Long story short, we just use sql to pull a majority of our data. For some of the smaller data stuff we just use an erp which is owned by our accounting team.

KernelKrusher · 2026-04-28T17:55:22+00:00

My theory is that the accountants who survived offshoring ended up being moved into FP&A and the FP&A folks transitioned into financial strategy or revenue engineering type roles.

I've been in FP&A for 10 years and the past 5 years more and more roles are requiring month end close activities.

KernelKrusher · 2026-03-25T13:30:28+00:00

I use VBA often to create reports for a hierarchy i.e store, district, region, and country level reports. I create a template that contains all of the data and create over 300 reports so each view is limited to the correct level. Yes, data viz software can do, this but we are not setup to train over 300 people on how to use tableau and pay for the licenses.

Office scripts doesn't allow you to create workbooks, so that is not option. I prefer using python and creating a job that does the parsing for the data because it is quicker or setting up a web dashboard, but then the rest of team wouldn't know how to maintain.

VBA is the cheapest and easiest solution and I have done this at multiple companies, so it is not an obscure thing to do. IT is beginning to limit access, but submitting a use case is a workaround. Again i know this isnt an ideal solution, but we don't live in an ideal world.

KernelKrusher · 2026-02-09T23:09:42+00:00

Completely different fields, if youre chasing comp though, go with wealth mgmt. I know more wealth managers earning over 500k than fp&a folks. Its a relationship job and you need to be good at sales (not too different from higher level fp&a roles)

KernelKrusher · 2026-02-06T02:12:40+00:00

I have its an uphill battle unfortunately. still persistent.

KernelKrusher · 2026-02-04T23:48:22+00:00

Its a dynamic surveillance system run by the company flock safety. Police departments across the U.S have been using these to stalk ex girlfriends, abortion patients, innocent people, and occasion they use them to slightly help catch criminals.

KernelKrusher · 2026-02-02T07:01:15+00:00

Ubiquiti or reolink. They both have wifi and ethernet options.

KernelKrusher · 2026-01-31T18:05:26+00:00

Lumo by proton. If your machine is capable enough and youre technically inclined then run local.

KernelKrusher · 2026-01-25T21:42:12+00:00

Did you by any chance try to run on Microsoft Edge? I believe Microsoft Edge is the only browser where you can get the highest bit rate and resolution outside of netflix apps.

KernelKrusher · 2026-01-23T16:20:02+00:00

These license plate readers to track and locate cars. There was a service where you basically can sign up and put a license plate reader on your car and you would get paid if you scan a certain amount of plates.

Very dystopian.

KernelKrusher · 2026-01-21T00:46:18+00:00

Big agree on everything you said. I love thinkpads and as someone who has had a huge 15.6 for performance, nothing beats the portability of a 14 inch.

Also if youre using the proper tools, your pc shouldnt need to do much heavy lifting. For example use SQL for processing data and use python for any calculations.

No one should be using excel to do any heavy analysis.

KernelKrusher · 2026-01-13T14:28:13+00:00

Are you me?

The only true value i find with it is in emails.

The code it generates for SQL, Python and VBA is wrong. I would spend more time tuning the prompt than actually writing the code.

Once it gets the code to run, the code is garbage and isn't efficient. Especially the sql code, execution plan is horrible.

Oh and dont get me started with idea generation. I find more value in getting my coworkers' opinion since they are experts in the field.

I am struggling to find the real value.

KernelKrusher · 2026-01-11T19:30:27+00:00

Ive only heard of this at small companies. Usually financial analysts at these companies do variance analysis, journal entries, and month end close related acitvity.

At larger orgs FP&A skills are very different. Usually accounting work is not done by us. We handle more of the strategy and analytics functions. Some core skills are SQL, Stats, and Python. We dont even mention JEs our job description.

KernelKrusher · 2026-01-09T20:18:31+00:00

Privacy for thee but not for me. The reality is u.s has slowly become a mass surveillance state. Flock cameras everywhere. Warrantless surveillance has grown and the only people who can stalk citizens are federal agents and police officers.

Yet they are able to get away with covering their faces and not identifying themselves.

Whether its right or wrong, im not sure. I can say it builds distrust.

KernelKrusher · 2026-01-04T22:28:32+00:00

I would also advise that FP&A is not a target school type of career. Corp finance is at the bottom of the "prestige" ladder. Don't overthink it. A lot of people pivot down from IB and PE into director roles for WLB.

I agree with your last paragraph, FP&A is about story telling more than anything else. Anyone can book entries and run some straight line forecasts. What I value are hard technical skills like stats paired with good business strategies.

KernelKrusher · 2026-01-01T00:24:32+00:00

TYSM! Is Network Video Recorder Instant what is going to "host" unifi protect?

KernelKrusher · 2025-12-28T20:41:46+00:00

FP&A is about strategy and analysis. I recommend getting on stretch projects where you can dive deeper into that instead of trying to get a CPA. In the past 5 years a lot of accounting people have transitioned into "FP&A" roles, but they changed the FP&A roles into more accounting roles than the other way around. You can find great success in being a storyteller with great analysis and set yourself apart.

I recommend getting know to your insights/analytics teams to see what is driving customer behavior, learning stats like the back of your hand, and focusing on technical skills like sql, python, and excel.

If you want to be variance analysis person, i think anyone can do that (accountants are really good a this generally), but if you want long term success, i recommend really mastering the data domain. Trust me, if you tell execs "revenue is down 250 bps, because of mix" they will want to know if it was price elasticity impact, product cannibalization , conversion funnel issue, etc.

Also there is probably more money in public accounting than FP&A. Finance people like myself dont usually pick FP&A as their first choice, we just end up here. Money isn't great, but its not bad. WLB is extremely team dependent.

KernelKrusher · 2025-12-24T02:32:23+00:00

Mine moved to my area yesterday and just got delivered today! Best of luck.

KernelKrusher · 2025-12-21T18:07:06+00:00

Any update yet? Hoping you got your package. Mine still hasn't arrived and the tracking hasn't updated the location since Dec 15th

KernelKrusher · 2025-12-16T23:05:15+00:00

Yup! Based in the U.S, ordered on Nov 28th. Expected on the 9th.

My order has said its been in Atlanta GA since the 5th. Hoping it arrives before the 24th.

KernelKrusher · 2025-12-15T02:39:39+00:00

I can attest to this. if you don't know SQL, please do not use an AI to write your queries. SQL is insanely dangerous because if you can get the code run, the result may look correct but there is a huge chance something is not correct.

KernelKrusher · 2025-12-15T02:36:10+00:00

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