Description
Writing spreadsheets, budgets and forecasts is an important part of many managers roles, but do you need help in understanding and presenting the information in a clear and concise way? This step-by-step guide shows you the advantages and potentials of using spreadsheets. After reading this book you’ll be able to master company accounts; understand balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and cash flow systems; and learn to analyse and monitor your company’s financial performance. BRILLIANT OUTCOMES: How to save time and gain control of your business. Ability to understand, analyse and present financial information in a clear and concise way. BRILLIANT FEATURES: Up-to-date examples and spreadsheets. On-line downloads of examples and spreadsheet models New 234mm X 156mm format to make Introduction Part 1: BUDGETING AND FORECASTING ESSENTIALS 1. Understanding budgets and forecasts Definitions of budgets and budget forecasts Profit and loss forecasts Cash flow forecasts Spreadsheet-based budgets and forecasts for day-to-day management Forecasts – not the sole province of accountants Planning cycles Fixed, rolling and perpetual forecasts Can a forecast ever be right? Does it need to be? Summary 2. Using budgets and forecasts Budget management Planning and ‘what if’ Cost control Raising finance Cash flow control Summary Part 2: SPREADSHEET ESSENTIALS 3. Understanding computer spreadsheets How to use the example files What are spreadsheets? Examples of principal facilities and functions Handy tips and shortcuts Summary 4. Spreadsheet techniques for budgeting and forecasting So many ways and means Essential practices and conventions Example forecasts Examples of non-essential but useful techniques Summary Part 3: BUILDING THE ILLUSTRATION FRAMEWORK 5. Preparations for the illustration budget Are everyone’s objectives the same? Budgeting methods Review of a budgeting process The example business ‘Widget Makers Ltd’ Deciding the requirements of the example budget A single or departmental budget? Cost categories Cost headings Categorising the cost headings Revenue headings The forecast’s duration and periods Summary 6. Creating the illustration framework Making the sales forecast The budget forecast The cash flow forecast Summary Part 4: USING THE ILLUSTRATION FRAMEWORK 7. Assembling the budget Making the sales forecast Making the budget forecast Cash flow forecast adjustments Charts and key indicators Key ratios Summary 8. Causes and effects Adjustment and refinement The reiteration process Examining causes and effects Simple cause and effect Address the cause or the effect? Gross profitability of each product Summary 9. Allocation, monitoring and reviewing Visibility, clarity and relevance Budget allocation Performance monitoring principles Setting up monitoring for the Widget Makers Ltd forecast Recording actual figures Reviewing the forecast Summary 10. Further analysis The impact of change on cash flow The effect of rapid growth on cash flow ‘What if’ analysis Summary Part 5: HANDLING VAT 11. VAT in the forecast What is VAT? Calculating and paying VAT Cash flow forecast VAT calculations Summary Part 6: MEASURING AND CONTROLLING COSTS 12. Measuring and controlling costs First things first Absolute figures and percentages Measuring production costs Measuring manpower costs Activity based costing (ABC) Summary Part 7: A PRACTICAL FORECASTING FRAMEWORK 13. A practical forecasting framework Features and uses of the practical template Structure of the practical template Sales and direct costs Profit and loss / budget Cash forecast Asset register A typical month end routine Summary
