Building strong relationships in the workplace: a finance professional’s competitive advantage

Finance professionals are often recognised for their analytical skills, commercial acumen and ability to make data-driven decisions.

While technical skills are necessary, one factor consistently separates good finance leaders from great ones: building strong relationships across the organisation.

Finance professionals are increasingly expected to act as strategic advisors, finance business partners and, in some cases, future CFOs. To succeed in these roles, relationships matter just as much as numbers.

Here’s how finance professionals can build strong relationships in the workplace.

Trust: the foundation of influence

Finance teams are involved in some of the most critical financial decisions a business makes, including:

• Approving investments
• Managing costs
• Forecasting future performance
• Evaluating risk
• Supporting strategic initiatives

But influence is rarely achieved through spreadsheets and financial analysis alone. When business leaders trust you, they are more likely to:

• Seek your input earlier
• Listen to your recommendations
• Share challenges openly
• Collaborate on solutions

Trust is built through consistency, transparency and delivering on commitments. It also requires empathy and active listening.

When stakeholders feel heard and understood, they are more likely to view finance as a partner rather than a function that simply challenges decisions.

Small actions often make the biggest difference. Following through on commitments, providing honest feedback and taking the time to follow up after important conversations all help build trust over time.

Move beyond being the “finance gatekeeper”

One of the biggest shifts in modern finance is moving from a control mindset to a collaborative mindset.

But finance was sometimes viewed as the department responsible for saying “no”.

While governance and financial discipline remain important, the most successful finance professionals recognise that their role extends far beyond cost control.

Instead of focusing solely on risks and restrictions, they seek to understand broader business objectives. They ask thoughtful questions, explore alternative solutions and help stakeholders achieve their goals while managing financial risk appropriately.

This approach strengthens business relationships and positions finance as a genuine strategic partner.

The strongest finance leaders understand that influence comes not from authority, but from credibility, mutual respect and the ability to support better business outcomes.

Invest time in understanding your stakeholders

Strong work relationships don’t happen by accident. They require genuine effort and curiosity. Take time to understand:

• What success looks like for different teams
• The challenges they face
• Their priorities and pressures
• How finance can support their objectives

A sales leader, operations manager and HR director may all be working towards different goals. By understanding these priorities, finance professionals can provide more relevant advice and support.

Building strong relationships also means recognising that every individual works differently. Some stakeholders prefer detailed analysis, while others want concise recommendations. Adapting your communication style can help strengthen relationships and improve collaboration.

When colleagues feel understood, conversations become more productive and finance gains a deeper understanding of the realities behind the numbers.

Communication creates connection

Finance professionals often deal with complex information, but the real value lies in translating complexity into clarity.

The ability to communicate financial insights in a simple and meaningful way can significantly strengthen business relationships.

Strong communicators typically:

• Focus on business impact rather than technical detail
• Tailor messages to different audiences
• Avoid unnecessary jargon
• Provide practical recommendations
• Encourage dialogue and feedback

Interpersonal skills play an important role here. Stakeholders are more likely to engage with finance professionals who can communicate clearly, listen actively and foster collaborative discussions.

Even body language can influence how messages are received. Maintaining engagement, demonstrating attentiveness and showing genuine interest in other perspectives can help create stronger professional connections.

People may not remember every figure you present, but they will remember who helped them understand a challenge and make a better decision.

Build relationships before you need them

One of the best pieces of career advice finance professionals can receive is to invest in relationship building before challenges arise.

Don’t wait until:

• Budget season
• Organisational change
• A major business challenge
• Difficult performance conversations
• A critical project deadline

Instead, make time for regular conversations with co-workers, business leaders and direct reports.

Simple actions can have a significant impact:

• Schedule regular check-ins
• Show genuine interest in others’ priorities
• Offer support outside formal processes
• Follow up after meetings
• Recognise achievements and contributions

Many professionals focus heavily on external networking through platforms such as LinkedIn, but internal networking is equally important.

Strong relationships within your own organisation can improve collaboration, provide valuable insights and create opportunities for greater influence.

When difficult conversations eventually occur, existing trust helps make discussions more constructive and productive.

The career impact

Technical skills may open doors, but relationships often determine how far you progress.

Whether your ambition is to become a finance business partner, relationship manager, finance director or CFO, strong relationship building skills are needed for long-term success.

Professionals who invest in their work relationships often benefit from:

• Greater strategic influence
• Increased visibility across the organisation
• Stronger leadership opportunities
• Better collaboration
• Faster problem-solving
• Enhanced professional growth

Building relationships also encourages learning and development. By working closely with stakeholders across different functions, finance professionals gain broader commercial understanding and strengthen the soft skills increasingly required in senior leadership roles.

In many cases, career advancement depends not only on what you know, but also on how effectively you work with others.

Why relationship building delivers a lasting return

Finance professionals spend years developing expertise in financial analysis, forecasting and technical disciplines. These capabilities remain fundamental to success.

But the most impactful finance leaders recognise that technical excellence alone is rarely enough.

Strong relationships create influence. They improve collaboration, strengthen decision-making and help finance deliver greater value to the organisation.

The most successful finance professionals combine technical knowledge with interpersonal skills, empathy and a commitment to building strong relationships.

By doing so, they become trusted advisors, strengthen business performance and create opportunities for lasting professional growth.

Numbers tell an important story, but relationships give those numbers influence.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your career goals.