FP&A Has Its First Ever Mascot.. And it’s a Panda

Mascots are a fun way of connecting humans to a brand.

They are used in sports teams, kids’ activities, and sometimes even in big corporations. Coca-Cola didn’t invent Santa Claus, but they sure made him famous when they put him on their brand  (and sold a lot more Coke from it).

Now, for the first time, FP&A has a mascot, and he’s a panda.

Strutting into the CFO’s office is Bob Sheetner – aka FPandA, a clever twist on Financial Planning and Analysis. As the world’s first brand mascot for FP&A brought to life by Datarails, finance gets a whole lot more interesting, adding a touch of humor and humanity to the often serious and dry finance office.

Who Is Bob Sheetner?

Bob’s no rookie.

Middle-aged? Yes. Middling? Never. Bob’s been in the FP&A game long enough to see trends come, go, and get budgeted twice.

He’s a seasoned FP&A professional with a storied career and has been the Director of FP&A at Packa Corporation for over a decade, guiding the (fictional) manufacturing giant through forecasts, budgets, and more than a few Excel-induced meltdowns.

Before that? He cut his teeth at the legendary Bamboo Waterhole Coopers—yes, BwC—where he learned to slice and dice financial data with surgical precision. And if you’re wondering about credentials, don’t worry, Bob’s a Certified Panda Accountant (CPA) and holds a Master of Bamboo Administration (MBA). The titles are playful, sure—but the expertise is dead serious.

Beyond his corporate life, Bob is the charismatic host of the acclaimed podcast Know Your Sheet, where he breaks down the nuances of FP&A, dropping insights for finance professionals and cracking a few jokes along the way.  He’s not just a mascot but a movement towards a more relatable, engaging, and human-centric approach to finance.

Why a Panda?

Datarails took a bold step in an era where B2B marketing often leans towards the conventional way, where marketing often targets suits instead of sparking a real connection. Drawing inspiration from iconic mascots like Tony the Tiger and the GEICO Gecko, they introduced Bob Sheetner to bring a fresh, relatable face to the CFO's office.

"Characters have built countless B2C brands… Now, we’re doing the same for FP&A," says Jonathan Marciano, VP of Brand & Communications at Datarails, in a statement.

Making Finance Fun

Bob's debut launched a full-blown , cross-channel campaign with serious flair from  CTV, YouTube, LinkedIn, and even TikTok! It’s not just a one- and- done stunt.

He’s dropping hot takes on his own LinkedIn profile, mixing finance insights with just the right amount of sass. He’s front and center in video skits and relatable content for anyone who's ever screamed at Excel. And the merch? Iconic. Over 1,000 plush Bob toys are landing on the desks of finance influencers, which turned unboxings into a trend. One TikTok video alone hit 110,000 views in its first week.

Turns out, the world is ready for a finance panda with star power.