Got Numbers People?
August 27th, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Integrated Profitability TM
If your business is squarely on the road to riches and you “don’t need no stinkin’ Numbers People,” then STOP READING! Go straight to your favorite entertainment place and reward yourself with whatever you enjoy the most.
On the other hand, if your numbers are not everything you would like them to be, then feel free to read on. If your numbers don’t exist, are unknowably mysterious or are plummeting out of control, then definitely continue reading.
You’re in good shape when you have:
● a business model that is clear, easy to understand and comprehensive
● accounting books that are accurate and timely
● financial reporting that is timely, insightful and which acts as an actionable bridge between the accounting numbers and your business processes
● planning that links the financial numbers to the future of the business and incorporates the experience and knowledge of key stakeholders
You’re not in good shape if none of the above exists.
You’re in poor shape if:
● your business model isn’t written down. Or your written business model doesn’t show, precisely, how you make money and where you might lose money.
● your “accounting” is a shoebox full of paper that you (or somebody else) go through once a year…to keep the Tax People happy and off your back
● financial numbers are only pulled together when taxes are due, a government filing is needed, or a potential lender/investor needs background information
● planning is done over coffee and a donut each morning…if ever
You’re in really bad shape if all the conditions of “in poor shape” exist AND you’re losing money hand-over-fist.
Numbers People in Action: Finance Analysis
August 18th, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Integrated Profitability TM
A further continuation of the suggestion that came in to “…include a simple but meaningful scenario which you’d have the three Numbers People work through to posting, reporting and interpretation and planning…” The first article set up the simple scenario, the second dealt with Accountants & Bookkeepers, the third with basic Finance reporting. This article focuses on the analysis that Finance does.
The third step for Finance is to provide analysis and interpretation of the numbers. To the extent possible from the general ledger accounts, Finance will dig into changes in the numbers and provide explanations as to what is causing those changes, as well as identifying interconnected events. They use the information they have reported: what the number are and how they have turned out. The analytical stage focuses on explaining the numbers, and their movement, in terms of what is happening with the business creating the numbers.
For example,
● if the expense figure for the snacks has increased, it would be good if sales revenue has also increased. Even better if it has increased at a faster pace.
● if the amount in inventory is increasing, a fall off in sales would help explain what is going on
● if net profit is increasing, a decrease in expense or an increase in revenue would help explain the beneficial outcome
But what if things aren’t moving in expected, or at least hoped for, ways?
Numbers People in Action: Accountants & Bookkeepers
August 10th, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Integrated Profitability TM
A continuation of the suggestion that came in to “…include a simple but meaningful scenario which you’d have the three Numbers People work through to posting, reporting and interpretation and planning…” The first article set up the simple scenario.
With the business model articulated, Accountants step in. Their job is to determine what all the different transactions mentioned or extrapolated from the Business Plan are–from a financial, general ledger perspective. This determination automatically dictates, in the accounting world, how these transactions need to be booked. The accountant will lay out treatment for both the Income Statement (revenue and expense) and the Balance Sheet (assets, liabilities and capital).
For example,
● buying the snacks is an expense
● selling the snacks to harried hungry people is revenue
● if you pay for the snacks with cash, the warehouse trip will decrease cash (an asset) and increase inventory (also an asset)
● if you pay with a credit card, the warehouse trip will increase your credit card debt (a liability) and increase inventory (an asset)
Isn’t double-entry accounting awe-inspiring?
Numbers People in Action: The Scenario
August 6th, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Integrated Profitability TM
A suggestion came in to
“…include a simple but meaningful scenario which you’d have the three Numbers People work through to posting, reporting and interpretation and planning…”
This is a great idea. It forced me to think about how the Numbers People work, and why they need to work together. This should be fun and, hopefully, enlightening.
First, a simple scenario. In the beginning, before the Numbers People, there are the Business People: those who come up with the ideas that become a business. Without a clear outline of a concept, and details about the transactions that will make the business successful, there is nothing the Numbers People can deal with. If Business People cannot describe what it is that will generate profit, the first wave of the Numbers People, the Accountants, can’t specify what needs to be done with the numbers associated with the business.
If the Accountants can’t set down the rules, the Bookkeepers can’t post the numbers.
If the Bookkeepers can’t post the numbers, the Finance people can’t do any reporting.
Without reporting, there is no analysis or interpretation.
And without conceptual or historical data, there can be no planning.
This initial step, taken by Business People, of describing how they are going to make money, explains why Business Plans precede Financial Plans.
Numbers People
June 18th, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Integrated Profitability TM
Several blogs ago, I made a light-hearted distinction between accountants and finance managers (Finance is zzzzz….). We received a request for more differentiation between the two professions. In my mind, there is a big difference between the two; but I might be like the Eskimo who has many words for snow, each one dependent upon the physical characteristics of the white, cold stuff covering the ground. Above the Artic Circle, some types of snow are your friends while others might kill you.
Let me hasten to clarify: different “numbers people” won’t kill you. But the right ones might keep you out of bankruptcy court or jail. The best ones might help launch you in the opposite direction and really benefit your company.
While I was thinking about the request, it dawned on me that the World of Numbers is inhabited by a number of strange creatures (what? I can’t slip some word play? Contrary to popular belief, numbers people have been known to engage in humor: it’s just different. Takes getting used to. Like wasabi).
I hope it’s clear, but here’s the disclaimer: what I am about to write is my personal view of the various types of people and jobs associated with financial numbers. Others will no doubt have different views but that is the beauty of a diverse and dynamic world.
In the arena of financial statements, there are three main job functions: accountants, bookkeepers and financial managers. These three work together to create and report on a company’s financial position.
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