Financial Planning & Analysis

Contents

Trying to build a budget in fifty linked Excel tabs while the CFO pings you for a new scenario every hour? That’s the daily pain FP&A teams live with, manual consolidations, siloed data, version‑control nightmares, and forecasts that are out‑of‑date before they reach the board deck. What this means is simple: if you still rely on spreadsheets alone, you’ll always be chasing the numbers, never steering them. 

Modern FP&A software fixes that. It pulls actuals in automatically, lets you run “what‑ifs” in minutes, and gives every budget owner the same live truth. Below you’ll find a concise primer on what FP&A software is, why it matters, and a deep dive into the 17 best options for 2025. 

What is Financial Planning and Analysis Software? 

FP&A software platforms combine planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and scenario modelling in one place. The best tools connect straight to your ERP/GL, CRM, payroll, and data warehouse, then layer in analytics, driver‑based models, collaboration workflows, and often AI‑assisted insights. The result: faster close cycles, tighter cash‑flow visibility, and data‑backed decisions.

Benefits of switching to FP&A software 

  • Real‑time data sync means one source of truth.  
  • Driver‑based models cut forecast turnarounds from weeks to hours.
  • Automated variance analysis surfaces problems before they hit cash.
  • Built‑in collaboration turns budget owners into partners, not roadblocks.

The 17 best FP&A tools in detail 

1. PathQuest BI

PathQuest BI turns raw accounting data into clear, color‑coded stories, think real‑time cash‑flow trends, industry benchmarks, and variance alerts. It plugs into QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct, and more in minutes. 

Top features 

  • Consolidated reporting across entities
  • Mobile dashboards for on‑the‑go CFOs
  • Forecast vs. actual alerts

2. Anaplan

Anaplan’s cloud “hypermodel” scales to millions of cells and links strategic, operational, and financial plans so a change in sales assumptions ripples across HR and supply chain in seconds. 

Top features 

  • Connected planning across departments
  • In‑memory calculation engine
  • Sandbox scenario manager

3. Workday Adaptive Planning

Workday Adaptive Planning is designed to streamline planning processes across finance, HR, and operations. It comes with robust AI capabilities that automatically detect anomalies, forecast trends, and highlight underlying drivers in your data. Being part of the larger Workday ecosystem, it seamlessly integrates with Workday’s HCM and ERP modules. 

Top features 

  • Predictive analytics powered by machine learning
  • Seamless integration with the Workday suite
  • Driver-based planning and forecasting

4. Oracle Cloud EPM Planning

Oracle Cloud EPM Planning offers a full range of planning capabilities, including strategic modeling, workforce planning, and integrated business planning. It extends its well-known PBCS platform and adds AI-powered narrative generation and scenario modeling. 

Top features 

  • Intelligent Performance Management
  • Strategic and operational planning in one suite
  • Narrative reporting with AI insights

5. SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Planning

SAP SAC Planning brings finance, HR, and supply chain together under a single planning umbrella. Its standout feature, Joule AI, allows users to query their data in natural language and get smart, visual insights. 

Top features 

  • Joule AI for natural-language queries
  • Real-time planning and reporting
  • Integration with SAP ERP and HANA

6. IBM Planning Analytics

Powered by the tried-and-tested TM1 engine and enhanced with Watson AI, IBM Planning Analytics delivers scalable, in-memory performance and advanced analytics. It supports unlimited what-if scenarios and natural-language interaction. 

Top features 

  • TM1 in-memory engine
  • Watson AI for predictive forecasting

7. Planful

Planful is an end-to-end Financial Planning and Analysis Software solution that helps automate planning, consolidation, and reporting processes. With Planful AI, finance teams get proactive driver insights and faster forecasting cycles. 

Top features 

  • Integrated close and plan workflows  
  • AI-driven driver suggestions
  • Financial reporting automation

8. Prophix One

Prophix One brings automation to financial consolidations and budgeting through its intuitive drag-and-drop design. FP&A Software Plus unifies planning, reporting, and forecasting into a single platform. 

Top features 

  • Visual workflow designer
  • Centralized FP&A management
  • No-code custom reports  

9. Pigment

Pigment is built for scale-ups and fast-growing enterprises. It offers Git-style version control, detailed audit trails, and intuitive data modeling, making it a favorite among tech companies. 

Top features 

  • Real-time version control
  • Collaboration-first design
  • Visual formula editor

10. Vena

Vena combines the familiarity of Excel with the power of cloud-based OLAP cubes and workflow automation. Its Copilot AI offers smart budgeting and forecast suggestions. 

Top features 

  • Excel-native interface
  • AI-powered planning assistant
  • Integrated workflow management

11. Datarails

Datarails enhances Excel spreadsheets with live data connections, audit trails, and AI-driven variance analysis. It’s purpose-built for small to mid-sized finance teams. 

Top features 

  • Native Excel integration
  • Automated data refresh
  • AI variance explanations  

12. Cube

Cube offers spreadsheet-native modeling with real-time data sync from multiple sources. It combines ease of use with flexible dashboards and proactive AI alerts. 

Top features 

  • Excel and Google Sheets sync
  • No-code modeling interface
  • Smart AI for insights and alerts

13. Mosaic

Mosaic is optimized for SaaS metrics and integrates deeply with ERP, CRM, and HR systems. Arc AI enables conversational interaction with financial data. 

Top features 

  • Real-time SaaS KPI tracking  
  • Arc AI assistant
  • Strong ERP/CRM integrations  

14. Jedox

Jedox offers AI-assisted planning and strong Excel compatibility, making it easy for finance teams to build complex forecasts and reports without starting from scratch. 

Top features 

  • Assisted Planning tools  
  • Integrated Excel interface  
  • Role-based access controls 

15. Centage Planning Maestro

Centage’s formula-free approach makes budgeting and forecasting simple. Its Maestro AI helps with labor planning and performance modeling. 

Top features 

  • Workforce planning  
  • Maestro AI for insights  

16. Abacum

Abacum prioritizes collaboration and real-time visibility. It integrates with Slack and delivers live dashboards and instant actuals refresh. 

Top features 

  • Slack and collaboration tool integrations  
  • Real-time actuals
  • Intuitive dashboards

17. Jirav

Jirav offers plug-and-play three-statement models that are ideal for advisory firms and fractional CFOs. It focuses on usability and speed. 

Top features 

  • Out-of-the-box financial models  
  • Scenario planning and dashboards

How to pick the right FP&A platform 

  1. Map your pain first – Is your most considerable drag consolidation, scenario speed, or board‑ready visuals?
     
  2. Check data connectors – Native links to your ERP and CRM save months.
     
  3. Test modelling flexibility – Make sure you can tweak drivers without IT.
     
  4. Gauge learning curve – Excel‑native tools speed adoption; enterprise grids handle scale.
     
  5. Look at total cost, not sticker price – Factor in implementation, user seats, and add‑ons.

Where PathQuest AP fits 

Planning is only as strong as the data behind it. And if your invoice processing still lives in spreadsheets and email threads, your “actuals” are probably outdated or incomplete. 

PathQuest AP solves that. 

It automates the entire accounts payable workflow—from capturing invoices and matching them to POs, to routing them for multi-level approvals and executing vendor-preferred payments. No manual data entry. No chasing signatures. Just a clean, trackable AP process. 

The real win? All that verified spend data flows straight into PathQuest BI (or your existing FP&A tool), giving you real-time visibility into actuals vs. forecast, department-level spend, and cash flow trends. It closes the loop between spending decisions and strategic planning so that finance teams can move faster and more accurately. 

In short: PathQuest AP cuts the noise from AP, feeds reliable data into BI, and helps your planning stay grounded in reality. 

Frequently asked questions

Not if you manage multiple entities or reforecast often. Tools like Cube, Datarails, or PathQuest BI save time and reduce errors. 

Excel-native tools can go live in weeks. Enterprise platforms may take 3–6 months.

Yes. With PathQuest BI + AP, invoice data flows directly into dashboards for better planning.

Published on: 29 July 2025

John Bugh
Author

John Bugh

John Bugh is Chief Revenue Officer for PathQuest, responsible for the strategic direction, planning, vision, growth, and performance of the company’s marketing, branding, and revenue streams.

As a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in executive sales, marketing, and operational leadership, John has worked to build high-performing leadership-teams that have a demonstrated track record of accelerating growth, increasing revenue, establishing sustainability, and improving profitability.

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