Financial Planning for Accounting Firms
Presenters : Bekithemba Ndebele ACCA
Overview
Many accounting practices excel at providing exceptional financial guidance to clients but often fail to apply the same rigour to their own internal operations. Yet, effective financial planning is the cornerstone of long-term profitability and strategic growth.
This webinar will equip partners, managers and finance leaders with practical strategies, metrics, actionable dashboards and tools to enhance firm performance through structured financial planning.
Join Constance Kawelenga CA(SA) as she guides accounting professionals through proven financial management strategies designed to strengthen and grow their accounting practices.
Learning objectives
By attending this webinar, you will gain the following competencies:
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Understand why effective financial planning is essential to firm growth and sustainability.
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Apply practical tools to develop key financial dashboards and performance metrics.
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Design and implement robust forecasting and cash flow management systems.
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Develop profitable and sustainable pricing strategies.
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Create a 90-day financial transformation action plan to implement the tools and strategies discussed during the session.
Content
The webinar will cover the following topics:
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Why Financial Planning Matters for Your Firm:
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Understanding the unique financial dynamics of accounting firms
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Revenue patterns: cyclical nature, concentration risk, realisation rates
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People-centric cost structures and their effect on profitability
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Common financial blind spots in professional service firms
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The cost of not planning
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Cash flow crises and partner disputes
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Inability to invest in technology or growth
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Missed strategic opportunities and reduced resilience
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Developing Your Firm’s Key Financial Dashboard / Metrics:
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The Essential KPI Framework
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Revenue Health Indicators
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Profitability Indicators
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Productivity Indicators
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Client Health Indicators
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Industry Benchmarks and Performance Measurement
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Benchmarking by firm size
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Sources of reliable industry data
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The value and limitation of benchmarking
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Building Your Monthly Financial Review Process
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Monthly vs. quarterly vs. annual reviews
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Who should participate and what to track
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Creating dashboards that drive action
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Developing Rolling Financial Forecasts and Cash Flow Management Systems
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Beyond the Annual Budget — Rolling Forecasts
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Implementing 12-month rolling forecasts
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Scenario planning and seasonal adjustments
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Selecting appropriate forecasting tools and templates
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Revenue Forecasting Approaches
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Client-based projection methodology
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Modelling recurring and project-based revenue
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Planning for client turnover and new acquisitions
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Cash Flow Management Strategies
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Understanding the cash conversion cycle
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Managing WIP and billing frequency
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Building strategic reserves and accelerating collections
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Pricing and Profitability
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Service Line Profitability Analysis
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Calculating the true cost per service
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Allocating overhead accurately
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Deciding which services to grow, improve, or discontinue
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Pricing Strategy Evolution
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Hourly billing, fixed-fee, and value-based pricing
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Subscription models and the recurring revenue advantage
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Transitioning clients and communicating price changes
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Pricing psychology and positioning
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Your 90-Day Financial Transformation Action Plan
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Days 1–30: Foundation Building
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Set up KPI tracking and profitability analysis
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Establish regular financial review meetings
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Days 31–60: Strategy Implementation
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Build your rolling forecast
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Develop cash reserve plans and test new pricing
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Days 61–90: Momentum and Refinement
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Review KPI trends and adjust forecasts
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Prepare next quarter investment and strategy updates
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