Forecasting: Latest Methods & Practical Applications Webinar

Overview: 

In the current economy, there is a need to do more with less. As a result, analysis has to be quick, efficient, and provide meaningful information. Accountants are creating more forecasts because of the fast-changing business environment, yet have less time to create forecasts. This webinar will show you how to:

  • Create and maintain robust financial models
  • Turn data into information via analysis
  • Identify areas of profitability and growth
  • Provide strategic value to your organization
Objective: 

To provide accountants and other financial professionals with the tools and techniques to develop effective, efficient and robust models. You will learn how to use the models you create to produce actionable forecasts and business analyses.

Emphasis: 
  • Forecasting and modeling tools—Excel and other software options
  • Excel: the most popular forecasting tool
    – Advantages vs. shortcomings
    – Alternatives to Excel
  • Evaluating budgeting and forecasting systems
  • Building your model
  • Elements of a good model
    – Planning, execution and review
    – Complexity vs. simplicity: the tradeoff
    – Data tables, checks and parameters
    – Avoiding common modeling errors
    – Importance of documentation and data protection
  • Turning your model into a useful, comprehensible report
  • Key forecasting tools—financial and production models, linear programming, Monte Carlo simulation, regression analysis
  • Predicting the future
    – Revenue forecasting
    – Financial statements forecasting
    – Cash forecasting
  • Analytical techniques
    – Cost-Volume-Profit in conjunction with contribution margin and break-even analysis
    – Horizontal vs. vertical
    – Ratio analysis
    – Variance analysis
  • Financial Forecasting Case Study
     
Bottom
Prerequisite: 

None.

Preparation: 

No advance preparation required.

Level of Knowledge: 

Overview.

CPE Credit: 
8.00
NASBA Field of Study: 
Finance