This is my first board meeting and I need a template for a Financial Narrative?
Financial Narrative
Answers
We usually talk about actuals to plan for the current period and year to date; noting big hits and misses. We also compare the current period to the same period a year a ago. Again noting big hits and misses; especially in revenue at the product level. We also discuss changes in the balance sheet, especially noting cash and line of credit along with any potential changes to our business environment that might impact our revenue going forward.
Similar to Mala, we focus on actuals to budget by division (Marketing, HR, specific programs), highlighting only divisions and cost categories where we are 10% or more over or under budget, year to date. If we're favorable to budget only due to timing, or if I know a favorable variance will go away later in the year, I note that.
On the report, I shade problem variances in yellow and positive variances in pale green. Simple but effective.