The FDPack Methodology
Our unique service is centred around keeping things as simple as possible and doing the basics well, using our proprietary FDPack software which has evolved over more than 15 years’ experience of working with the finances of a wide variety of businesses.
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How we bring financial statements to life
Experience has taught us that the financials of any small or medium sized business can be understood and managed with just the three traditional financial statements, providing that they are well structured, clearly presented and kept up to date.
They combine to provide the visibility a business needs for effective decision making:
Profit & Loss
Sales, expenses, margins & profit / loss.
Cashflow
Bank balance movement analysed by trading and non-trading cash inflows and outflows.
Balance Sheet
What the business owns and what it owes; assets and liabilities, short and long term.
Here are your future numbers. If they are not what you want, then you need to act now.
Spencer Smith, FDPack
The FDPack 10 step process
Our core deliverables are accurate and up to date monthly financial statements for actual, budget, forecast and strategic plan, in both summary and detailed format, with unlimited options for timeline or comparative analysis and drill downs to see transaction level detail.
We have a trusted and well-defined10 step process, so that our clients know exactly what to expect before we start.
- An initial meeting with all stakeholders in the project to:
- Analyse the existing Management Information (MI) architecture of the business:
- Review accounting processes and systems and ensure that accurate monthly accounts are being efficiently prepared using compliant accounting principles.
- Create a connection with the accounting system of the business to regularly populate the FDPack database with all the historical accounting transactions.
- Build an integrated 3-Way transactional forecasting model for the business that generates forecast and budget transactions in the same format as the historical data already in FDPack. The model can be used to create monthly forecasts, budgets and multi-year strategic planning.
- Analyse the updated statements using the comparative and timeline views defined within FDPack and summarise the significant variances and changes that require management’s attention.
- Provide an objective summary of the financials, the issues they raise and connect them to the wider strategy of the business.
- Present to board, senior management or stakeholder meetings as required and make the statements available each month to all authorised users inside and outside the business using the FDPack interface.
- Maintain rolling monthly updates by switching the current month forecast for the actual, reviewing the forecast assumptions and making any structural changes as the business develops.
- Liaise with external accountants and auditors to harmonise accounting standards, coordinate specialist advice and minimise year-end adjustments and audit fees.
“The FDPack modelling technique is like renovating a classic car. At one point the parts are all over the garage floor but, by the time you have cleaned them up and put them back together again, you have an intimate knowledge of how the car works. Like any classic car it also needs continual attention to keep it running smoothly”
Simon Phippen, FDPack Consultant.
We integrate with
FDPack connects with several major accounting platforms and we can build connections to other platforms if required. We synchronise your actual accounting data to update the financial statements displayed by FDPack, ensuring your forecasts and reports are always up to date.
The FDPack transformation
Whether you’re overwhelmed by spreadsheets, unsure how to present to investors, or simply tired of guessing, we replace uncertainty with confidence and control. Here’s what that transformation looks like.
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Unclear financial picture | Full visibility across P&L, Cashflow and Balance Sheet |
| Guesswork and gut decisions | Confident, informed planning |
| Reactive, late reporting | Always-updated actuals and forecasts |
| Unsure about ability to grow or exit | Strategic roadmaps with financial backing |
| Constantly updating spreadsheets | One source of truth, always current |
| Finance team stretched too thin | Expert support without adding headcount |
| No clear valuation or exit strategy | Clear, investor-ready financial story |
| Can’t explain financials to stakeholders | Credible, customised reports for every audience |
| Time wasted juggling data sources | Insights delivered monthly, ready to use |
| Overwhelmed by financial complexity | Simplicity and clarity |
| Stop-start forecasting and budgeting | Rolling forecasts and scenarios |
| Uncertainty over future cash flows | Confidence in what’s affordable — and when |
| Difficulty justifying investment plans | Data-backed business cases to support growth |
| Fear of surprises or financial blind spots | Early warnings and decision-ready insights |
The FDPack story, so far…
FDPack was built to solve a problem, not sell a product. As a seasoned Finance Director, our founder Spencer Smith created FDPack to help businesses make better decisions through clarity, simplicity and smart financial insight.
Inspired by the Lotus ethos, “Simplify, then add lightness,” Spencer set out to demystify finance and remove unnecessary complexity. What began as an Excel tool has evolved into a powerful online platform. Today, FDPack combines proprietary software with expert support, delivering cost-effective, high-quality management information. With our new online capabilities, this is just the beginning of what’s possible.
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