Every business should have a detailed business plan that outlines the steps necessary to achieve its business goals. One of the important components of the business plan is financial strategy. This part of the plan focuses on the financial aspect of the business and outlines the necessary steps to achieve the financial goals that the business aims to reach. In order to understand how to write a financial strategy that will propel the business forward, Aviram Arviv – a certified accountant, financial expert, and CEO of Danoy, a company specializing in financial solutions for businesses. With the help of Aviram, we gained a better understanding of the most important chapters that must be included in the document and why.
Where are we Now: Current Situation Overview
The basis for any effective financial strategy plan is understanding the current situation of the business. According to Aviram Arviv, in this section, it is essential to detail the available liquid funds, immediate obligations, and any other factors related to the current financial state of the business.
Income Versus Expenses: Detailed Breakdown
In the section covering expected expenses versus income, it is crucial to specify in detail how much money is expected to come in and go out of the business and for what purposes. For example, in the expenses section, calculations should include salaries, office rent, marketing budgets, payments to suppliers, equipment purchases, taxes, and more. In the income section, it is important to mention profits from services provided, investments, tax benefits, and more.
According to Aviram Arviv, only a high-level breakdown of expenses versus income will allow the management to understand where to invest in growth areas (such as new personnel, marketing, equipment, etc.). A well-written section will enable the CEO and management of the business to understand what is expected for the business in the near future and plan accordingly. This brings us to the next section…
Planning Ahead: Financial Goals Planning
The business plan includes all the different growth goals of the business, including human resources, offered services, positioning, and more. The financial strategy also includes a section on goals, but these focus on financial growth. It is important to understand that proper planning of financial goals must arise from reading and analyzing the current situation and forecasting for the future. This way, realistic goals can be set, allowing for solid and determined business growth.
Treading Carefully: Risks and Scenarios
As we all know, life doesn’t always align with plans – especially in businesses. Therefore, according to Aviram Arviv, a successful financial strategy must address possible scenarios that may affect financial planning and create solutions for them in advance. For example, if the CFO writing the financial strategy is aware of a new tax regulation that may come into effect and alter the balance sheet – they should mention it in this section and recommend a plan to minimize disruption (for example: submitting a well-prepared request for pre-dated exemption). It is important to remember: identifying and assessing risks and threats in advance may be the key to success in achieving goals and even saving the business from a crisis.
———
Aviram Arviv and Danoy assist companies and organizations in writing financial strategies that encourage business growth and provide outsourced financial department services.