Glossary

Using KPI Comparison Dashboards to Streamline the Monthly Reporting Process

Written by Nils R. | Jan 17, 2022 8:00:00 AM
How can Financial Dashboard s Drive Faster and Better Decisions? As CFOs increasingly become key advisors in the Monthly Reporting Process, they must rely on modern self-service corporate performance management (CPM) and business intelligence (BI) tools. Using interactive Financial Dashboards like the KPI Comparison Dashboard template shown below enables them and users from the executive team and board to experience near real time Key Performance Indicators (KPI) compared across business units that help drive faster and better decisions. Who uses KPI Comparison Dashboard s and What are Some Key Analytical Features? In today’s fast-paced business environment, CFOs are under high pressure to supply end users like senior leaders and board members with timely and concise Financial Dashboards. Companies use key features like the ones below to support their users with effective analysis that helps drive strategy and performance optimization:
  • Comparative tables with Revenue, Gross Profit, EBITDA, Current Ratio, Debt to Asset Ratio and Debt to Equity Ratio
  • Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet KPI charts comparing subsidiaries
  • EBITDA contribution analysis
The KPI Comparison Dashboard template can be used as a key element of the Monthly Reporting process: [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Example of a KPI Comparison Dashboard to Streamline the Monthly Reporting Process[/caption] The KPI Comparison Dashboard is a ready-to-use Financial Dashboard from the Solver Marketplace. A Brief Description of the KPI Comparison Dashboard Template Financial Dashboards like the one seen in the image above are interactive and parameter driven and typically contain sections with tables and charts with P&L and Balance Sheet metrics. One of the important features that aid the user in the analysis process is the ability to benchmark and consolidate KPIs from selected business units. KPI Comparison Dashboards are often used in conjunction with profit & loss and balance sheet financial reports, KPI trend and variance dashboards, KPI target forms and budget models. Data Integration to Transaction Systems Most organizations these days want automated and streamlined planning, reporting and analysis. However, many of the benefits described earlier rely on best of breed Corporate Performance Management (CPM) tools and/or Business Intelligence (BI) capabilities as well as data marts or data warehouses that use pre-built integrations to the organization’s ERP system. Oftentimes, they also need integrations to other key data sources like CRM, subscription systems, payroll tools, etc. Modern, cloud-based ERPs like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance (D365 Finance), Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365 BC), Sage Intacct, Acumatica, Netsuite and SAP have robust APIs which allow for dynamic integrations to CPM and BI tools that are fully automated and flexible to run on a schedule or on-demand. Additional Resources to Aid with Research of Templates, CPM and BI Tools