Developing the reporting suite for a high-growth PE-backed SaaS business

Following a change in ownership, we supported the finance team to transform its forecasting and reporting processes to deliver clear, transparent and efficient reporting to both management and private equity stakeholders. By replacing a complex legacy forecasting and reporting model with a streamlined, integrated solution, we enabled management to focus on what mattered most: robust decision-making and value creation in a high-growth environment.

The Client’s Challenges

Shortly after new private equity ownership, the company faced several critical challenges:

• Complex legacy model: The existing transaction model was highly detailed but unwieldy, making it difficult to update, operationalise, or adapt to changing business needs.
• Input overload: Forecasting relied on customer-by-customer inputs, overwhelming management and increasing the risk of errors.
• ARR modelling complexity: With all revenue based on annually recurring revenue (ARR), a structured, accurate approach to modelling customer acquisition, retention, and pipeline value was required in order to ensure accurate forecasting of contracted and future revenues.
• Multi-currency accounting issues: The company’s accounting software struggled with FX implications, requiring manual adjustments to ensure revenue and costs were correctly captured.
• Board reporting burden: Producing management accounts and board packs was time-consuming, with data scattered across multiple sources and no single version of the truth.

These issues threatened to undermine the quality of forecasting, delay reporting, and erode confidence among both management and PE investors.

Our Solution

Development of a streamlined and integrated forecast model

We worked closely with management to design and implement a new, integrated three-statement model that balanced detail with usability:

• Centralised and signposted inputs: All key inputs were consolidated in one place, clearly signposted to improve usability and reduce the time required for monthly updates.
• Retained granularity but simplified process: The model preserved the detailed customer-level insight required by management, while driving forecasts with a significantly reduced number of inputs.
• ARR and pipeline integration: The model integrated with the sales pipeline (via Salesforce), allowing seamless updates and the ability to flex sales forecasts or apply prudent adjustments as needed.
• Scenario planning and adaptability: Built-in functionality enabled management to model new sales, apply sensitivity analysis, and adapt the model easily as the business evolved or transitioned to new accounting software.
• Robust outputs: Developed a suite of outputs to support internal review, building confidence in the forecast and supporting effective decision-making.

Enhanced Management Reporting

• Efficient update for actuals process: Developed a simple, streamlined process for updating actuals, reducing the time and effort required to produce management accounts.
• One source of the truth: Management accounts were produced directly from the forecast model, ensuring all management information was connected, consistent, and aligned.
• Accelerated Board Pack production: Key data outputs were built within Excel, enabling rapid export and presentation following each update cycle.

The Impact

• Time freed up for Management: The new model and reporting process significantly reduced the time required to produce management information, freeing up management to focus on strategic priorities.
• Improved forecasting and reporting: Enhanced accuracy, clarity, and confidence in forecasts and board reporting, strengthening relationships with PE investors.
• Operational efficiency: The business now operates from a single, reliable source of financial truth, supporting better decision-making and value creation in a high-growth environment.

“By moving to a streamlined, integrated model, management gained the clarity and confidence needed to drive the business forward. Our focus was on delivering a solution that balanced detail with usability, enabling the team to spend less time on reporting and more time on growth.” – Swan Partners