For CFOs and finance leaders, the days of relying on spreadsheets for financial planning and analysis (FP&A) are coming to an end.
Manual consolidation, version control headaches, and static reporting slow decision-making in a business environment that demands speed and accuracy.
NetSuite users are increasingly turning to NetSuite Analytics Warehouse (NSAW) and Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) to modernize finance analytics, planning, and reporting. These tools allow finance functions to shift from reactive number crunching to proactive business partnering.
Why traditional FP&A can’t keep up
Finance teams operating primarily in Excel or Google Sheets face four major hurdles:
Data silos: Pulling financial and operational data from multiple systems wastes time.
Version chaos: Different models and assumptions make collaboration error-prone.
Slow reporting cycles: By the time a forecast is ready, it’s already outdated.
Reactive decision-making: Leaders get insights after events have already occurred.
NSAW and NetSuite EPM eliminate these challenges by providing a connected, automated FP&A framework within the NetSuite ecosystem.
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How NSAW and EPM transform finance
Unified analytics with NetSuite Analytics Warehouse
NSAW consolidates financial, operational, and third-party data into a single analytics platform. The result is real-time dashboards and predictive analytics without the need for manual consolidation.
For example, a retail group could combine NetSuite ERP data with eCommerce and POS systems in NSAW to identify profitable customer cohorts and build targeted growth campaigns.
Smarter planning with NetSuite EPM
NetSuite EPM automates budgeting, forecasting, and scenario modeling in a centralized system. FP&A teams can run rolling forecasts and “what-if” scenarios without the limitations of spreadsheets.
A SaaS business might use EPM to test multiple pricing strategies in minutes, enabling leaders to make data-backed decisions on subscription tiers.
Connecting the dots across finance and operations
When NSAW and EPM are used together, finance teams can analyze the past and plan the future in a unified workflow. Strategy becomes data-driven, with FP&A partnering more closely with sales, operations, and HR.
A manufacturer could, for instance, connect production data into NSAW and use EPM to adjust headcount and materials planning in response to shifting demand.
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The executive advantage
Adopting NSAW and EPM delivers measurable benefits:
Faster close-to-forecast cycles: Transition from quarterly forecasting to continuous planning.
Data-driven agility: Scenario planning helps leaders pivot quickly in volatile markets.
Improved accuracy: Reduce manual errors tied to spreadsheet reliance.
Cross-functional alignment: Finance, sales, and operations work from a single source of truth.
Strategic visibility: Executives see both historical performance and forward-looking projections.
For leaders, the message is clear: modern FP&A enables faster, smarter decisions that directly impact growth and profitability.
Practical steps to transition beyond spreadsheets
Start with data consolidation in NSAW to bring together ERP, CRM, HR, and external data into one analytics platform.
Introduce EPM for planning cycles, replacing annual budgeting with rolling forecasts and scenario modeling.
Enable self-service dashboards to empower executives with real-time analytics instead of static reports.
Align finance and business leaders by using shared dashboards and planning models to drive collaboration.
Iterate and expand use cases, moving from core budgeting to profitability analysis, workforce planning, and operational modeling.
From spreadsheets to strategic finance
The shift to NSAW and EPM is more than a technology upgrade, it is a mindset change. By modernizing analytics and planning, finance teams reduce administrative burden, improve accuracy, and become true strategic partners to the business. The organizations that embrace this shift will be better equipped to navigate volatility and seize opportunities in real time.
