Whether you have big dreams for your business or just want to get through a tricky few months, proper financial modelling can help you understand your fiscal future. 

But financial modelling (also known as forecasting) is no easy task, and often requires expertise in finances and accounting that not every business owner has. 

Want to learn how to create forecasts that make your life easier? Keep reading to find out more.

 

Why is financial modelling important? 

Financial modelling allows you to anticipate your business’s fiscal future by analysing historical data to predict trends, future cashflow and profitability. This can reap multiple benefits for any business, regardless of size or industry. We’ve listed a few of them below:

 

1. Accurate budgeting and forecasting

One of the primary benefits of financial modelling is that it can help you create more accurate budgets and cashflow forecasts. You can use these reports to see if you’re on track to meet your goals or if you need to change course.

Analysing your historical financial data and current market trends can allow you to project your future revenue, expenses and cashflow scenarios. 

With a forecast at hand, you’ll be able to allocate your resources more effectively, identify potential financial gaps and take action to mitigate risk.

 

2. Securing funding

Financial modelling plays an important role in creating a solid business strategy, which, in turn, is essential for securing funding. 

After all, prospective investors and lenders will want to know that they’ll see a good return on their investment. When done well, financial modelling can help you prove that. 

 

3. Scenario analysis and risk management

Uncertainty is an inherent part of business, and the ability to anticipate potential issues is a crucial part of risk management. 

Financial modelling enables businesses to simulate various “what-if” scenarios, such as economic downturns, changes in market demand, or unexpected events.

Understanding the potential impact of these scenarios can help businesses develop effective contingency plans and prepare themselves for challenging times.

 

4. Optimising working capital and cash management

Efficient cash management is vital for any business’s survival and growth. Financial modelling can help identify inefficiencies in working capital management, such as excessive inventory, delayed receivables, or surplus cash reserves. 

By streamlining these processes, businesses can free up cash, reduce borrowing costs, and improve overall financial health.

 

Creating a financial model

How do you actually create a financial model? You can begin by following this list: 

• Gather historical financial data. Begin by collecting historical financial data, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, for at least the past three to five years. You’ll be able to use this data to analyse past performance and inform future projections.
• Identify key assumptions. Financial models rely heavily on assumptions about various factors, such as revenue growth rates, cost structures and market conditions. Work with relevant stakeholders, including sales and marketing teams, to determine realistic and data-backed assumptions to drive the forecast.
• Define the forecasting period. Decide on the period you want your financial forecast to cover. Common options include monthly, quarterly, or yearly forecasts, depending on the nature of your business and the level of detail needed.
• Project revenue. Forecasting revenue is typically the starting point of financial modelling. Consider multiple factors, such as historical sales data, market trends, customer feedback, and marketing efforts, to estimate future sales. It pays to be conservative in your projections and consider various scenarios, especially in uncertain market conditions.
• Estimate expenses. Next, analyse historical expense data and consider anticipated changes in costs. Categorise expenses into fixed and variable costs, ensuring that your assumptions align with the projected revenue. You should also take factors like inflation, potential cost-saving measures, and changes in supplier pricing into account.
• Account for capital expenditures and investments. If you’re making plans for capital expenditures or investments, incorporate these expenses into your financial forecast. Assess the expected cash outflows and inflows resulting from these activities to understand their impact on the overall financial health of your business.
• Factor in financing and debt. Consider whether you need external financing or debt to fund growth or support operations. If you plan to take on loans or issue debt instruments, make sure to include interest and principal payments in your forecast.
• Model cashflow. Integrate your projected revenue and expenses to create a cash flow forecast. A detailed cash flow analysis will help you understand the timing and availability of cash resources, ensuring your business can meet its financial obligations.
• Review and refine. Once you’ve completed the initial financial forecast, conduct a thorough review to check for errors, inconsistencies, and unrealistic assumptions. Seek feedback from relevant stakeholders, such as finance teams or industry experts, and refine the forecast accordingly.
• Monitor and update regularly. A financial forecast is a dynamic tool that requires constant monitoring and updating. As actual financial results become available, compare them with the forecast and analyse any deviations. You can use this information to adjust your assumptions and improve the accuracy of future forecasts and budgets.

We can help you with your financial forecasting

Struggling with creating your financial forecasts? Getting support from an expert could be a game-changer for your business.

Accountants’ skills and expertise make them invaluable when creating accurate and comprehensive financial forecasts.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you and your business.