Creations · South Africa
Budgets and forecasts built around business assumptions
Translate operating plans into a financial model that shows the effect of revenue, staffing, expenses and investment decisions.
What the work covers
Use this scope to identify what you need. Your proposal will confirm the services, records, reporting frequency and fees for your business.
- An agreed budget or forecast model
- Documented assumptions and input owners
- Revenue, cost and cash projections within scope
- Scenarios for key uncertainties
- Actual-versus-budget reporting and variance explanations
What to prepare
Tell us which records are available and where there are gaps. We can then distinguish ongoing work from any initial catch-up.
- Historical management accounts and current trading results
- Sales plans, pricing and expected volumes
- Staffing, supplier and investment plans
- Loan terms and relevant commitments
Timing and responsibility
Timing depends on the records, approvals and work required. Tell us about any deadline at the start. The engagement should identify the person handling your work, the review responsibilities and any external specialist needed.
Separate targets from expectations
A target states what the business wants to achieve. A forecast estimates what may happen under stated assumptions. Keep those purposes clear so managers can discuss an emerging shortfall without rewriting the original target.
Make the model usable
Identify which assumptions have the largest effect on profit or cash. For example, a price increase can improve margin while slower collections increase funding needs. Keep inputs understandable and record who will maintain the model after handover.
How the work progresses
- 01
Review the requirement
Identify the entity, reporting period, records and deadline.
- 02
Agree the scope
Set the outputs, responsibilities, fees and approval process.
- 03
Prepare and resolve
Work through the records and raise missing information or decisions.
- 04
Review and hand over
Complete the agreed approvals and retain the outputs and outstanding actions.
Questions before you start
Can you guarantee the forecast?
No. Forecasts depend on assumptions and future events. Their value lies in making the assumptions visible and testing the decisions that depend on them.
Can this support a funding application?
It can form part of a funding pack where agreed. The lender determines its information requirements and lending decision.
Let’s define the next step.
Tell us what you need, what is outstanding and when it matters.