Using Global Financial Bridge

Global Financial Bridge

Users Guide

Getting Started

Data Access Options

1. Load a company from QuickBooks. Make sure QuickBooks is open in the company you want to import.

2. Create a stand alone company if you want to input data from a set of financial statements.

3. Open an exiting GFB data set.

Getting Data From QuickBooks

Click the load button

Data Mapping Screen

Classify button = change the default account location

QuickBooks Account

GFB account location

Import - the last stepThe year you want

data to start being

imported from

The year you want

data to start being

imported from

It’s done

The Starting Point – called the data capture sheet

The data capture sheet after the

completion of the import process

Data Loading Functionality

Opening the + sign shows the account details

Opening the + sign shows the account details

The data loading screen allows the source data view.

The data loading screen allows the source data view.

Access the One Page Scorecard

Choose the period you wish to view in

the One Page Scorecard

Press Scorecard

The One Page Scorecard

Current period numbers

Metrics that define business performance

Click on any performance category to expand the details of the performance category

Performance Category Expanded Click the

performance box to expand the details of the box or to

do the required “what

if”

Performance Category Expanded (cont.)

Working Capital

explained(Change

any of the working capital days to see the impact)

Performance Category Expanded (cont.)

Cash flow and

structure

Doing “what ifs”You can road test any strategy or multiple strategies by changing any item in…

1.The income statement or balance sheet

2. Any editable performance measure

Example: Change revenue growth to 30%

After doing a “what if”

The scorecard re- calculates based on the change. Showing the picture after the change. Press the net change button to see the difference

Net Change View

Press scorecard and “Undo” to return to the original data

“What if” Techniques

Revenue Quality “what if” To increase revenue growth go to the net change

view to determine if additional volume is cash generating or absorbing.

Profitability “what if” Identify the best performance over all review

periods. Use these metrics to change the profitability measures. Use the net change to see the impact.

“What if” Techniques (cont.)

Working Capital Optimization Identify the best performance over all review periods. Use

these metrics to change the working capital measures. Use the net change to see the impact.

Combination “what if” (Improvement Opportunity) Combine the best measures in the profitability and working

capital. Do a net change to identify the financial opportunity that can be derived by inputing the best measures the company has already done.

“What if” Techniques (cont.)

The challenge “what if” Improve measures that you believe the business

could perform against. Do the net change to determine the stretch goal.

Graphing Click on the performance

measure you want to graph then press the “Graph It” button

Click on the performance

measure you want to graph then press the “Graph It” button

Explain It 1. Click on the ratio you want further information on

2. Click on the “Explain It” button

Cash Flow and “what ifs”

The following performance variables were changed:

1.Revenue Growth from 23.33% to 30% net change ▲6.67% improvement

2.Variable COGS % from 62.16% to 61% ▲1.16% (improvement)

3.Days Inventory from 122 days to 100 days ▲22 day improvement

4. Press “Reports” to select cash flow statement

Resulting Cash Flow statementFirst column (data entry) is the actual data without any changes.

The second column is the cash flow based on all the “what if” or changes made to the scorecard.

The third column is the difference. This is most helpful in explaining why cash changes when different decisions are made in the business.

Save, Print and Exit

“Save” is the big one, if you press “Save” this will CHANGE your ORIGINAL data in the loading screen. Use it only if you want to save a potential strategy for future reference.

If you do so use the “Save As” feature and save as a new name, my fast growth strategy.gfb, for example.

Creating a Budget

In Data loading screen Click “Add a Period” Enter the start date and

the number of months you want to budget for

Check the “Budget” box Click the “Wizard” button

Creating a Budget (cont.)

1.Enter the key variables that you believe will be performed during the budget year.

2. Press “Save”.

Selecting the Scorecard View

1. Determine the period you want to view in the Scorecard.

2. Click on the column underneath the period heading.

3. Press the “Scorecard” button.