As financial leaders look ahead, one thing is clear: staying competitive means more than keeping pace. The integration of advanced tools and technologies is no longer a luxury but a necessity. For financial professionals, the focus is shifting toward continuous innovation in extended financial planning and analysis (xFP&A). This article explores three key themes: leveraging a unified reporting system, integrating AI for smarter decision making, and setting priorities for the year ahead.
Continuous Innovation in xFP&A: A Unified Reporting System
One of the most significant challenges finance teams face is managing data across multiple systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), payroll, billing, and fixed assets, to name a few. Many organizations still rely on disparate systems for reporting, leading to inefficiencies and fragmented insights. According to a poll in our recent webinar, “Solver xFP&A: Year in Review & What’s Ahead,” 52% of respondents admitted they do not use a single source of reporting.
This is where tools like Solver’s Data Warehouse come into play. Solver enables organizations to consolidate data from various systems into one centralized platform, streamlining reporting and planning processes. For example, Solver integrates seamlessly with visualization tools like Power BI and Tableau, providing a single data model. This integration allows finance teams to focus on analysis rather than data wrangling, fostering a culture of continuous innovation.
Moreover, Solver’s prebuilt templates and Quick Start integration process simplify the onboarding process for new users, enabling faster adoption and immediate value. Whether it’s personnel budgeting or fixed asset management, these templates provide a robust starting point while allowing customization to help meet specific organizational needs.
AI Integration for Smarter Decision Making
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing xFP&A by transforming how finance teams analyze data and make decisions. Solver’s upcoming Copilot Analysis Agent features exemplify this shift. These AI-driven tools allow users to ask natural language questions about their data, such as identifying top-performing accounts or detecting anomalies, and receive actionable insights instantly.
The promise of AI in xFP&A goes beyond reporting. Solver’s roadmap includes AI-powered task automation and planning capabilities, enabling finance teams to automate repetitive tasks and focus on strategic initiatives. For instance, Copilot can assist in creating charts, identifying trends, and even generating predictive insights, helping team members improve their analyst skills.
This democratization of data analysis keeps insights from being confined to a select few and makes them accessible across the organization. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into xFP&A can help empower finance leaders to make smarter, faster, and more informed decisions.
Roadmap of Priorities for 2026
Looking ahead, the priorities for finance leaders are clear: embrace AI, enhance collaboration, and drive efficiency. Solver’s 2026 roadmap highlights several key initiatives:
- Expanding AI Capabilities: Beyond reporting, Solver plans to introduce AI-driven planning and task automation, further reducing manual workloads and enhancing decision making.
- Industry-Specific Solutions: Quick Start templates tailored to specific industries, such as healthcare and manufacturing, will enable faster implementation and more relevant insights.
- Enhanced Connectivity: New connectors, including Fabric and Solver-to-Solver integrations, will simplify data consolidation across multiple tenants and systems.
- Workflow Optimization: With up to five levels of approval workflows, finance teams can streamline budgeting processes and improve accountability.
These advancements align with the broader trend of leveraging technology to enhance agility and resilience in financial planning.
How Forvis Mazars Can Help Finance Leaders With xFP&A
For finance leaders, the path forward lies in adopting tools and technologies that help enable continuous innovation. By consolidating data into a unified reporting system, integrating AI for smarter decision making, and prioritizing key initiatives, organizations can transform financial planning and reporting. Solver’s suite of features and forward-looking roadmap provides a compelling blueprint for success in 2026 and beyond.
As the financial landscape continues to evolve, the question is not whether to innovate but how quickly you can adapt. The time to act is now. Interested in learning more? Connect with one of our professionals at Forvis Mazars today.
Watch the on-demand webinar, “Solver xFP&A: Year in Review & What’s Ahead,” for a more in-depth discussion on these topics.