Unleash the Power of Cloud-Based Budgeting & Forecasting Software

Unleash the Power of Cloud-Based Budgeting & Forecasting Software In the dynamic landscape of modern business, cloud-based budgeting and forecasting software emerges as a set of indispensable tools for organisations aiming to stay ahead of the curve. Here at Access Analytic, we recognise the critical importance of efficient financial management in achieving sustainable growth and [...]

What to do when they just fired your Excel Guru

"OMG! They Fired our Excel Guru!" Unfortunately, this is all too common these days. Companies, in their over-zealous quest to reduce costs, fire the one person who actually knew how to operate that really complicated Excel spreadsheet that's critical to the report you need to send out next week. What were they thinking!!! Now what? [...]

CFO Secrets of Analysing under Pressure

CFO Secrets of Analysing under Pressure The CFO and their Finance Department are under more pressure than ever before as a result of cost-cutting, staff cuts and an ever increasing demand for analysis to support business decisions like: What are the cost synergies if we acquire X? What if we cut projects A & B, but [...]

7 Forecasting Habits of Highly Successful Companies

Market volatility, depressed prices and slow growth are major factors affecting virtually all companies. For everyone, the focus on maintaining and improving their financial position is intense and this means planning, budgeting and forecasting has never been more critical to success. So here are the seven forecasting habits of highly successful companies: 1. Forecast in two directions Top [...]

What do you do when costs go bad?

What do you do when costs go bad? CFOs in the mining, resources & engineering sectors are facing cost pressures and pricing volatilities that are squeezing profits. Key risks on the radars of many CFOs include: Declining commodity prices How to reduce wage, salary and contracting costs (that are often combined with diminishing productivity). Increasing taxes [...]

How to Gain a Competitive Advantage from Forecasting

Accuracy of Budgets and Forecasts In times of increasing volatility, decision-makers have an even greater need for meaningful, accurate, up-to-date financial projections so they can respond to changes in economic conditions rapidly. In a recent survey of global corporations, research firm Aberdeen Group found that market volatility is the major challenge for effective financial [...]

 Forecasting & Financial Modelling Techniques, And Key Driver Analysis

Forecasting & Financial Modelling Techniques, and Key Driver Analysis By Access Analytic These two key topics were the subjects of presentations by Access Analytic Principal Business Analyst, Jeff Robson, during June’s ‘2013 CPA Week’ in Brisbane. Successful forecasting – predicting or estimating the future based on past and present data – is fundamental to [...]

 Rolling Forecasts

Rolling Forecasts That annoying crystal ball By Jonathan Lim Financial forecasting is a process that flows through the veins of effective organisations. Unfortunately, these same forecasts can cause organisational blood clots if healthy practices aren’t followed. Two practices to avoid are: Trying to shorten the process or; Viewing the end result as a crystal [...]

Forecasting secrets of thriving companies

Forecasting secrets of thriving companies By Jeff Robson The recently released AFP (Association for Financial Professionals) Risk Survey reveals that over 59% of CFOs are facing greater volatility in earnings today than they were five years ago. Across all types of organisations, more than half the financial professionals surveyed also reported that it is more difficult [...]

 Is Confusing Targets With Forecasts Holding You Back?

Is confusing Targets with Forecasts holding you back? By Jeff Robson Mixing targets and forecasts is a recipe for potential bias, and flawed, ill-informed decision making Targets are what an organisation would ideally like to achieve. Forecasts are what will most likely be achieved. Targets and forecasts will often be different. It’s not a [...]

 To Be Direct Or Not To Be

To be direct or not to be By Jonathan Lim   Most people know that a cash flow statement is analysed between operating, investing and financing activities.  Of these three activities, it is hard to overstate the importance of operating cash flows, which is the discretionary cash a company has at its disposal for [...]