The FP&A Calendar: Build a Finance Rhythm That Leaves Time to Think
A practical look at how I build an FP&A operating rhythm around close, analysis, forecasting and decisions—without scheduling away the time Finance needs to think.
How Often Should You Update a Financial Forecast?
Monthly, quarterly or event-driven? A practical FP&A framework for choosing a forecast cadence based on volatility, materiality and decision speed.
Capital Expenditure Forecasting: The Annual CapEx Number Is Not the Forecast
A practical FP&A guide to capital expenditure forecasting through project timing, commitments, cash payments and estimates to complete.
Gross Margin Forecasting: Revenue Can Be Right and the Economics Still Be Wrong
A practical FP&A guide to gross margin forecasting through mix, pricing, delivery cost, capacity and the operating assumptions behind the percentage.
Forecast Assumptions: The Model Should Remember What Changed
A practical FP&A approach to forecast assumptions, assumption logs, ownership and forecast-to-forecast bridges so Finance can explain why the outlook moved.
Working Capital Forecasting: Why the P&L Can Be Right and Cash Still Be Wrong
A practical FP&A guide to forecasting accounts receivable, accounts payable and inventory so the P&L and cash outlook tell the same story.
Operating Expense Forecasting: Stop Treating Every Cost the Same
A practical FP&A approach to operating expense forecasting: match the method to how each cost actually behaves instead of applying one assumption to every line.
Month-End Close and FP&A: When Are the Actuals Actually Ready?
The books can be closed before the actuals are ready for FP&A. A practical look at the Accounting-to-FP&A handoff, reconciliation and decision-ready actuals.
Ad Hoc Reporting in FP&A: When the Same Quick Question Keeps Coming Back
Repeated ad hoc reporting requests are often a signal that regular FP&A reporting is not answering management’s real questions. Here’s how to use that signal.
Headcount Forecasting: Why Approved Hires Keep Breaking the Plan
A practical FP&A guide to headcount forecasting, hiring timing, vacancy assumptions, replacement hiring and connecting workforce plans to the financial forecast.
Sarah Schlott
FP&A consulting, forecasting, accounting support and finance strategy for CFOs and growing finance teams.