Her Story
About Akanksha
She is a finance and FP&A professional with extensive experience in financial planning, cost governance, forecasting, and business partnering. She currently serves as a Senior FP&A Analyst at Verista, following four years at Genpact where she worked as a Manager and Finance Business Partner managing a $50M+ CapEx/OpEx portfolio for a global client. Her earlier experience includes senior management and accounts receivable leadership at Frontier Metals and financial controller responsibilities at BJAIN Publishers. She holds an MBA in Finance and Financial Management from Banasthali Vidyapith.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Akanksha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of continuous learning, adaptability, perseverance, and the ability to build strong partnerships. Throughout my career, I have embraced opportunities that challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, take ownership, and grow both professionally and personally.
I believe one of the most important factors has been staying curious and continuously looking for ways to improve—not only my own work, but also the processes and businesses I support. I have always focused on understanding the bigger picture, using financial insights to solve business challenges, and building trusted relationships with stakeholders.
Most importantly, I believe success is a journey rather than a destination. Every challenge, transition, and experience has shaped my perspective and strengthened my ability to lead with accountability, resilience, and purpose.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to never stop learning and to focus on building value rather than simply building a title. Every role is an opportunity to learn, take ownership, and make a meaningful impact.
I was also encouraged to embrace challenges, even when I didn’t have all the answers. Some of the most significant growth in my career has come from stepping into unfamiliar situations, asking the right questions, and trusting myself to figure things out.
That mindset has taught me to view challenges as opportunities, remain adaptable in a constantly changing business environment, and focus on becoming a trusted partner who brings both financial expertise and strategic perspective to the table.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the finance industry is to believe in their capabilities, be willing to take on challenges, and never hesitate to make their voices heard. Finance is no longer just about numbers—it is about understanding the business, influencing decisions, and having the confidence to bring a strategic perspective to the table.
Invest in yourself continuously. Build strong technical and analytical skills, but also develop communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills. Seek mentors and sponsors who can challenge you, support your growth, and open doors to new opportunities.
Most importantly, don’t wait until you feel completely ready to step into your next opportunity. Growth often happens when you take on responsibilities that stretch you beyond your comfort zone. Be curious, stay resilient, learn from every experience, and focus on creating value. Your perspective is an asset, and there is always room for you to lead, influence, and make an impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The finance and FP&A landscape is evolving rapidly, creating both significant challenges and exciting opportunities. One of the biggest challenges is navigating an increasingly complex and dynamic business environment while providing leadership with timely, accurate, and forward-looking insights. Finance teams are expected to move beyond traditional reporting and become strategic partners who help shape business decisions.
At the same time, the rise of automation, advanced analytics, and AI presents a tremendous opportunity for FP&A. These technologies can streamline routine processes, improve forecasting accuracy, and allow finance professionals to spend more time on analysis, scenario planning, and strategic decision-making.
I believe the future of FP&A will belong to professionals who can combine strong financial fundamentals with technology, data analytics, and business acumen. The opportunity is to make finance more proactive, agile, and influential—helping organizations not only understand what happened, but anticipate what is next and make better decisions with confidence.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are integrity, accountability, continuous growth, and respect. I believe integrity is the foundation of both professional and personal relationships—doing the right thing, even when it is not the easiest choice.
Accountability is equally important to me. I believe in taking ownership of my decisions, learning from challenges, and following through on commitments. I also value continuous learning and staying open to new perspectives, because growth comes from being willing to evolve.
Beyond the workplace, I value family, relationships, empathy, and maintaining a sense of balance. For me, success is not defined only by professional achievements, but also by the positive impact we have on the people around us. I strive to approach both my work and personal life with authenticity, resilience, and gratitude.
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