Three Way Integrated Forecast

Clearview is a tool to help you forecast future performance of your business. It removes the need for any accounting expertise by creating reports based on basic information entered.

You can use a forecast for several things, whether you’re just starting out and want to understand if you’re business idea can work, if you’re looking to expand your existing business or if you’re trying to make sure that your business can continue to run.

If you’re seeking funding or investment, a set of forecasts will be required to support those applications. Having a thorough and professional looking suite of documents gives a good impression and shows that you have considered your business plan to give them more confidence in you and your business.

A cashflow forecast is a statement of the estimated cash position of your business. It can show you where you may have additional funding requirements or where you have excesses which can be used for investment. The forecast is created from information entered on sales, purchases, employees, and tax obligations.

A profit and loss account, also known as an income and expenditure statement, shows the income you expect to receive from sales, how much it costs to fulfil those sales and general overhead costs you incur. It shows you the profit, or loss, that all these factors will result in.

A funder may ask for a profit and loss account to assess if the company is profitable and able to generate enough profit to cover any debts.

A balance sheet, also known as a statement of financial position, shows the value of the business and what it owns, (assets), and owes, (liabilities), at a point in time. This covers large assets such as vehicles – fixed assets, assets that are easily turned into cash such as stock and cash at bank – current assets, short term debts such as bank loans and any taxation owed – current liabilities, and how those are funded - capital and reserves. Assets minus liabilities must balance with the funding – hence the name.

A funder may ask for a balance sheet to ensure that a business is solvent and has enough working capital, (current assets minus current liabilities), to cover short term debts.

Budget – this is a plan for the business based on expected events. So what you think, best guess, might happen.  Normally prepared to cover the next financial year and used to compare actual results for performance.

Forecast – this is much more of an estimate and covers events that can be reviewed much more frequently. Can be a longer term outlook – there is no limit on how far you can forecast, (although it does have to have some realism!)