How to design a financial planning model

Corporate planning models frequently consist of integrated pro forma income statements, statements of financial position, and cashflow statements. When implemented by utilizing computer-based planning systems, these models allow managers to explore potential decisions in 'what if?' plannin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Long range planning Vol. 16; no. 5; p. 111
Main Author: Hayen, R L
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England 01-10-1983
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Summary:Corporate planning models frequently consist of integrated pro forma income statements, statements of financial position, and cashflow statements. When implemented by utilizing computer-based planning systems, these models allow managers to explore potential decisions in 'what if?' planning analyses. The logic of an integrated financial statement planning model can be arranged following either a 'funds needed to balance approach' or a 'direct approach'. With a funds needed to balance approach total assets are set equal to total liabilities plus equities to satisfy this fundamental accounting identity. Logic in such models is often difficult to validate. In the direct approach, total assets are calculated independently of total liabilities plus equities providing an extremely strong test for model validation prior to using the model to assess 'what if' alternatives. In this paper, the author discusses the logic of integrated financial planning models and their implementation with computer-based planning systems. The funds need to balance approach and the direct approach are described and contrasted to assist corporate planners in evaluating and selecting a method for constructing the logic of corporate planning models.
ISSN:0024-6301
DOI:10.1016/0024-6301(83)90086-9