Sales Trend Analysis and Forecasting in Excel
Introduction to Sales Trend Analysis Sales Trend Analysis looks at historical revenue data to identify patterns, used extensively in budgeting and forecasting. It is a useful method to detect short-term changes in revenue growth and performance. Trends A Trend is an upwards or downwards shift in the development of a metric over time. It’s useful […]
Applying the Pareto Principle in Financial Analysis
Introduction The Pareto Analysis is a statistical technique employed in decision-making to identify a limited set of tasks to produce the most significant effect. We base it on the Pareto Principle, which stipulates that 20% of the work on a project generates 80% of the outputs. The technique is also known as the 80/20 rule, […]
The Activity-Based Costing Model
Introduction to the Activity-Based Costing (ABC) Model The Activity-Based Costing method identifies the activities in the company and assigns their costs to production based on actual consumption. One of the most recognized definitions is of the Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA) and defines the ABC method as an ‘approach to costing and monitoring of […]
Least-Squares Method to Estimate the Cost Function
Introduction Linear regression is considered the most accurate method in segregating costs into Fixed and Variable components. Like the High-Low Method and other methods, the Least-Squares Method follows the same simple linear cost function: However, most people consider the Least-Squares Method more accurate, as it computes Fixed and Variable Costs mathematically. When looking into costs, […]
Estimating Fixed and Variable Costs with the High-Low Method
Introduction The High-Low Method is a technique of cost accounting, which is used to split mixed costs into variable and fixed components. It is essential to note that the High-Low method is not very popular as it relies on extreme values of the population and can distort the cost distribution. However, the technique is one […]
Free Cash Flow (FCF)
This week we take a look at Free Cash Flow and how we can use it within a financial analysis setting. What is Free Cash Flow? The Free Cash Flow (FCF) represents the cash generated, after cash outflows to support the operating activities of the business and to maintain its capital assets. It’s a measure […]
The Absorption Costing Method
Today we take a look at the Absorption Costing Method and how it is used to allocate cost to produced goods. Do not forget to download the Excel working file at the end of the article. What is Absorption Costing? Absorption Costing is a management accounting method for accumulating all costs associated with production in […]
Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis and Break-even point
Today we will take a look at Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) analysis and the Break-even point (BEP) in sales. Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis The Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) analysis is a method of cost accounting. It looks at the impact of changes in production costs and sales on operating profits. Performing the CVP, we calculate the Break-even point for various sales […]
The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Valuation Method
Today we are looking at how the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method is used to evaluate investment opportunities or project alternatives in big companies, like launching a new product, a new assembly line, etc. We can use the DCF method whenever we consider paying now to get more money (or benefits) later. Investors and Investment […]
DuPont Model for Business Analysis
It was 1912, and Donaldson Brown was working as an explosives salesman for the DuPont Corporation. About that time, the company treasurer John Raskob brought him into the financial activities of the company and encouraged him to use statistics to evaluate the business performance of the various activities under the DuPont corporation. Pierre du Pont, […]
