EPM 101 · CFO Shortlist
Become an elite EPM buyer
without reading 200 PDFs.
A guided learning hub for FP&A, consolidation, and EPM software. Designed for mid-market CFOs, Controllers, and FP&A teams who want to make a confident, defensible EPM decision.
No vendor pitches. No buzzword bingo. Just practical, buyer-first guidance.
EPM system at a glance
FP&A & Planning
Close & Consolidation
Reporting & Analytics
Business UsersCFO · FP&A · Controller
EPM EngineRules · FX · Allocations
Data & IntegrationsERP · CRM · HRIS · Data lake
Interactive EPM Knowledge Map
Click into any topic to see how it fits into FP&A, consolidation, and your future EPM architecture.
Deep dive · FP&A
Rolling Forecasts
Rolling forecasts extend your planning horizon beyond the fiscal year by constantly updating assumptions for revenue, costs, and drivers. Instead of asking 'How did we do vs. budget?', you ask 'Given what we know today, where are we heading?'. A good EPM platform lets you adjust drivers, run scenarios quickly, and compare forecast versions without losing control.
The 4-module EPM 101 track
Move from basic definitions to a board-ready EPM strategy in structured stages.
FP&A Fundamentals
Core planning concepts for FP&A teams in growing companies.
5 modules
What is FP&A?
Budgeting vs Forecasting
Driver-Based Planning
Scenario Modeling Basics
Rolling Forecasts 101
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Consolidation & Close 101
Learn how multi-entity, multi-currency groups close the books.
5 modules
Financial Consolidation Basics
Intercompany Transactions & Elims
Close Task Orchestration
FX Translation Fundamentals
Cash Flow Linkage
Progress: 0%
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EPM Software Basics
Understand what modern EPM tools actually do under the hood.
5 modules
What is EPM Software?
Cloud vs On-Prem vs Hybrid
Data Pipelines & Integrations
Security & Governance
Reporting & Dashboards
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Buying & Evaluating EPM Tools
Run a professional, bias-resistant software selection.
5 modules
Evaluation Framework 101
Demo Script & Use Cases
RFP Essentials
Implementation 101
TCO & ROI Framework
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Choose your persona
We’ll suggest the most relevant modules and tools based on your role.
Recommended tracks for CFO: FP&A Fundamentals · EPM Software Basics · Buying & Evaluating EPM Tools
Tools & templates that plug into the journey
Each of these links to a live asset on CFO Shortlist — checklists, calculators, comparison guides, and more.
EPM Implementation Checklist
Step-by-step tasks to get from vendor selection to go-live.
Launch tool
EPM TCO & ROI Calculator
Estimate costs, benefits, and payback period of your EPM project.
Launch tool
EPM Demo Script Template
Turn vendor demos into apples-to-apples evaluations.
Launch tool
Vendor Comparison Library
Deep-dive comparisons across leading EPM & FP&A tools.
Launch tool
Close Cycle Benchmark Tool
See how your close speed stacks up vs peers.
Launch tool
EPM RFP Generator
Build a structured RFP in minutes instead of days.
Launch tool
Interactive learning modules
Short, focused modules you can complete in 5–10 minutes — great for busy finance leaders.
Interactive quiz
FP&A Readiness Quiz
Answer 7 questions to benchmark your FP&A maturity and identify focus areas.
Open module
Hands-on simulation
Intercompany Matching Simulator
Play through simple intercompany matching scenarios and see how eliminations work in practice.
Open module
Visual builder
EPM Architecture Sandbox
Drag-and-drop key components (ERP, EPM, Data, AI) to visualize your future-state architecture.
Open module
Vendor comparison explorer (lite)
Start with attributes that matter to you, then dive deeper into full comparison reports.
Pigment
Modern planning platform with strong modeling capabilities and collaboration.
View comparison report
Abacum
FP&A tool designed for fast-moving finance teams in SaaS and tech.
View comparison report
Runway
AI-forward FP&A tool focused on automation and scenario exploration.
View comparison report
Planful
Established cloud EPM for planning, consolidation, and reporting.
View comparison report
Workday Adaptive Planning
Well-known cloud planning tool with broad use cases across industries.
View comparison report
Vena
Excel-friendly planning solution with a structured central database.
View comparison report
Trending topics
What other finance teams are reading right now on CFO Shortlist.
Budgeting Season Playbook (Aug–Nov)
How to get through budgeting season without destroying your finance team.
Year-End Close Checklist
Tasks, owners, and dependencies to tighten year-end close.
What Does ‘Gen-3 EPM’ Really Mean?
A practical breakdown of the new wave of FP&A tools.
Best FP&A Software for 2026
How to think about the market — and where to start.
2026 FP&A Deep Dive: The Definitive Guide to Next-Gen EPM Tools
A multi-chapter guide covering architectures, vendor landscape, and buyer playbooks — built specifically for mid-market finance leaders.