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9:T88c7,{"id":"cG9zdDo2Njkw","title":"LivePlan Alternatives","content":"\n<p>LivePlan has long been a leading name in the business planning software space, offering tools to create professional business plans and forecasts. However, it does not meet everyone’s needs. Fortunately, there are Liveplan alternatives that cater to different business requirements and are more suitable for specific use cases.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Business planning software helps you transform ideas into an actionable plan in a matter of hours. These tools simplify the creation of polished, investor-ready plans, automate financial forecasting, and provide valuable insights for tracking performance and making confident decisions. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, business planning software ensures your business plans are aligned with market standards.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>LivePlan Alternatives: Why Consider Them?</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While LivePlan is a popular choice, but it comes with a few limitations:</p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Basic Financial Plan</strong>: LivePlan provides basic financial planning tools that cannot capture the unique operational logic of most businesses. You can define revenues, costs, employees, assets, but you cannot set logical relationship between them, which makes it difficult to create a truly useful financial plan. If you need a financial plan that helps you manage your business, make confident decisions and defend it in front of investors, there are better options.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Investor Ready Pitch Decks. </strong>LivePlan’s pitch deck is mainly textual which is not what investors are looking for. Investors want graphical pitch decks that they can skim through and understand in minutes. Remember, investors look at hundreds of pitch decks per month, so yours needs to stand out.&nbsp;<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limited Performance Tracking Features</strong>: No custom dashboards, just predefined financial dashboards. Every business needs to follow different KPIs, so if you need tool to track performance and report to investors, find one that allows you to track the specific KPIs for of business.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No industry specific financial models</strong>. If you are not a financial expert, building a financial model for your specific business can be difficult and time consuming. You need to replicate the operational logic and all dependencies of your business into the financial model. This is where driver-based, financial model industry templates are really helpful.</li>\n</ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bottom line</strong>: If you need a tool with strong financial planning and reporting features to manage your business with confidence or raise funds, look at Liveplan alternatives.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Liveplan Business Planning Alternatives and Solutions</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the top alternatives to LivePlan and why they might be better:</p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/features/\">Modeliks</a></strong>: Offers stronger financial planning and investor reporting features, industry specific financial models and interactive AI business plan writing that is faster, smarter and actually fun.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Upmetrics</strong>: Well integrated AI across the planning process. From business plan and pitch deck writing to market research and financial planning.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bizplan</strong>: Features an intuitive step-by-step plan builder and integrates with crowdfunding platforms. Best if you want to raise funds through crowdfunding.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cuttles</strong>: Designed for startups, and very easy use.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IdeaBuddy</strong>: One-page business model canvas to quickly build a business model and define the key elements of your business, before diving into details.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enloop</strong>: Real-time Performance Scoring of your business plan to improve your odds with a higher score&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>\n</ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Detailed Assessment of Each Business Planning Alternative</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a detailed assessment of each Liveplan alternative. I used the following criteria for evaluating of each alternative: ease of use, quality of business plan output, financial planning capabilities, performance tracking features, integrations, investor reporting capabilities and pricing. Detailed explanation of each criteria is shown in the table below.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"/images/cms/Business_Planning_Software_Comparison.png\" alt=\"Business plan software comparison.\" class=\"wp-image-6697\"/></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. <a href=\"https://modeliks.com/\">Modeliks</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Positives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/features/business-planning-software\">Ease of Use</a></strong>: Interactive AI powered and guided business planning. AI provides improvement suggestions for your specific business and writes your plan in a perfect language and format within an hour. AI helps with market research, identifying key, competitors, market trends, market size and growth, critical success factors, product and services, marketing and sales channels, employees and assents needed to successfully run the business. &nbsp;<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/features/financial-planning-software\">Financial Planning</a></strong>: Driver-based financial modelling features ensure accurate, logical and investor ready financial plans. Each business is unique, and the financial plan needs to be based on the specific value divers (or KPIs) that have the highest influence on the business success. Driver based financial plans are the only right way to plan if you want to use the plan to make confident business decisions or raise investor funds. Modeliks is the only alternative with such strong financial forecasting features, unlike LivePlan’s generic financial planning tools.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/industries/\">Industry-Specific Financial Model Templates</a></strong> that capture the operational logic of your business into the financial model. Create a professional financial plan even if you have never done one before.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/features/financial-reporting\">Tracking and Reporting</a></strong>: Predefined and custom dashboards, operational KPIs, and investor reports vs only predefined financial dashboards in Liveplan.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Negatives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Powerful driver-based financial planning features have a short learning curve.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accounting system integrations not yet available in Modeliks at the time of writing this article. (coming soon in Q1 2025).</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Upmetrics</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Positives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>AI powered business planning: </strong>from business plan and pitch deck writing to market research to financial plans. Upmetrics have nicely implemented AI assistance in the planning process which makes planning faster.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ease of Use</strong>: Intuitive interface ensures smooth navigation and is novice friendly.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Templates and Design</strong>: Over 600 business and financial plan templates available in Upmetrics. Although after implementing their AI assistance for business plan writing, the business plan templates have become obsolete.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Negatives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Financial planning tools are not as comprehensive as LivePlan.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limited performance tracking and investor reporting capabilities.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Bizplan</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Positives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Crowdfunding Integration</strong>: Links directly to fundraising platforms, making it easier to attract investors. This is by far the biggest advantage of Bizplan as no other tool offers such integrations into funding platforms.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ease of Use</strong>: Step-by-step builder guides users seamlessly. You drag and drop objects in you plan &nbsp;(textboxes, charts, tables) which is quite intuitive and fun.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quality of Plans</strong>: Produces polished, professional documents suitable for investors.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Negatives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No AI assistance, so you need to write your whole plan by yourself, which can be time consuming and of lower quality.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limited financial modeling tools compared to LivePlan.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lacks industry-specific templates and performance tracking capabilities.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Cuttles</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Positives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Startup-Centric</strong>: Interactive tools simplify planning for startups.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>User-Friendly</strong>: Modern, clean interface with helpful guides.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Negatives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Limited financial planning and no reporting features.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li>No AI assistance, so you need to write your whole plan by yourself, which can be time consuming and of lower quality.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best suited for startups, less effective for existing larger businesses.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. IdeaBuddy</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Positives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Business model canvas</strong> functionality to quickly build a business model and define the key elements of your business, before diving into details.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Collaboration Tools</strong>: Nice whiteboard feature for team brainstorming.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Simple validation tool</strong> to assess the quality of your idea and determine if it is a good opportunity or not.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Negatives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lacks advanced financial planning and performance tracking tools.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limited to smaller or creative projects.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Enloop</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Positives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Real-time Performance Scoring</strong> of your business plan to improve your odds with a higher score.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Automation</strong>: Automates much of the planning process for quick results. Especially helpful in explaining the financial plans as part of the business plan.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Negatives</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Basic templates and financial models lack depth.<br></li>\n\n\n\n<li>No advanced tracking, reporting, or pitch deck tools.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>LivePlan remains a reliable option for business planning, but its limitations in financial planning, speed, and advanced tracking tools mean it may not suit all users. Alternatives like Modeliks stand out for their strong financial features and <a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/how-small-businesses-can-use-ai-tools-8609366\">AI-driven business planning</a>, while Upmetrics, Bizplan and Enloop appeal to those seeking affordability and simplicity. For startups, Cuttles and IdeaBuddy offer creative solutions.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The right choice depends on your business&#8217;s specific needs, budget, and planning goals. Exploring these LivePlan alternatives ensures you find the best tool to bring your vision to life.</p>\n","slug":"liveplan-alternatives","date":"2024-12-17T09:33:14","categories":{"nodes":[{"id":"dGVybToxMQ==","name":"Business Plans"},{"id":"dGVybToxNA==","name":"Financial Forecast"},{"id":"dGVybToxMg==","name":"Pitch Decks"},{"id":"dGVybToxMw==","name":"Reports & Dashboards"}]},"mainCategory":{"mainCategory":["business-plans"],"videoHeader":null},"tags":{"nodes":[{"name":"ai"},{"name":"ai business planning"},{"name":"business planning"},{"name":"financial forecasting"},{"name":"financial modeling"},{"name":"financial reporting"},{"name":"investor report"},{"name":"liveplan alternatives"},{"name":"modeliks"}]},"featuredImage":{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo2Njkz","sourceUrl":"/images/cms/curated-lifestyle-OzYji0CxhA0-unsplash.jpg","altText":"Liveplan business plan alternatives"}},"seo":{"metaDesc":"What are the best Liveplan business planning alternatives? Use the right AI business planning software for you and get ahead!"},"modified":"2024-12-17T10:17:02","related":[{"id":"cG9zdDoxMjA4NQ==","title":"Driver-Based Financial Planning for Restaurants: Why Table-Turns Matter","content":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Restaurant Profit Margins Are So Tight?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Running a restaurant is one of the most rewarding and most challenging businesses out there. Dining rooms fill up every weekend, but behind the scenes, operators fight to control costs, forecast demand, and protect razor-thin margins.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to industry benchmarks, <strong>average restaurant net profit margins range from just 3% to 6%</strong> for full-service establishments, while quick-service restaurants may perform slightly better. Small improvements in efficiency or revenue drivers can be the difference between struggling and thriving.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>That’s why <strong>driver-based financial planning</strong> is becoming essential for restaurant owners, accountants, and consultants. Instead of relying on static spreadsheets or simple revenue projections, it ties <strong>operational drivers</strong> directly to financial outcomes — giving decision-makers more clarity and control.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Driver-Based Planning?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Driver-based planning connects the key operational levers of your restaurant (the “drivers”) with your financial statements and forecasts.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of saying <em>“we’ll grow revenue by 10%”</em>, you ask:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How many table-turns per service can we realistically achieve?</li>\n\n\n\n<li>What’s the average check size per guest?</li>\n\n\n\n<li>How many staff hours do we need at different times of the day?</li>\n\n\n\n<li>What’s our food cost percentage and how much waste do we allow?</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By building financial models around these real-world inputs, you create forecasts that are <strong>more accurate, more dynamic, and easier to explain</strong>.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Drivers Every Restaurant Should Track</h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Table-Turns</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Table-turns measure how many times a table is occupied during a meal service.</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fast casual restaurants:</strong> ~3–4 turns per period</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Family dining:</strong> ~3 turns</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fine dining:</strong> 1–2 turns</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p>👉 Increasing table-turns by even 0.2 per service can significantly lift revenue without adding more seats.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Average Check Size</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your average check is simply:<br><strong>Total revenue ÷ Number of covers served</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upselling, smart menu engineering, and bundles can lift check size by 10–15% &#8211; directly boosting top-line revenue.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Food Cost % and Waste Control</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Food costs typically range between <strong>25%–35% of revenue</strong> depending on concept. Tracking recipe yields, supplier prices, and waste levels helps protect gross margins. Even a 1–2% reduction in waste can translate into meaningful profit improvements.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Labor Costs and Utilization</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Labor is often the single largest controllable cost in restaurants &#8211; commonly <strong>25%-35% of revenue</strong>. By modeling staffing against expected covers and dayparts, owners can avoid overstaffing during quiet hours and understaffing during peak times.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Driver-Based Planning Matters</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When restaurants model table-turns, average check size, food cost %, and labor as part of their financial forecasts, they get:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>More accuracy</strong> &#8211; forecasts that reflect real-world operations</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>More insight</strong> &#8211; clear variance analysis when performance shifts</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>More control</strong> &#8211; ability to test “what-if” scenarios before making changes</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Example:<br>A small 80-seat restaurant increases average check size by 5% (from $25 to $26.25) and improves table-turns from 3.0 to 3.2 per service. Combined, that’s nearly a <strong>10% uplift in revenue</strong> without expanding staff or space.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Modeliks Helps Restaurants</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditionally, building driver-based models requires complex spreadsheets and formulas. With <strong>Modeliks</strong>, restaurant owners and their advisors can:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Build driver-based forecasts around covers, table-turns, average check, and costs</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generate automated financial statements (P&amp;L, Balance Sheet, Cashflow)</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Track <strong>Actual vs Plan vs Previous Periods</strong> in real-time</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allocate head office costs across units or locations for true profitability insights</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create dashboards for management reporting with variance analysis, KPIs, and ratios</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Modeliks removes spreadsheet chaos and helps restaurants move from <strong>guessing to planning</strong>.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Restaurants don’t live and die by revenue &#8211; they succeed or fail based on their drivers. By planning around <strong>table-turns, check size, food cost, and labor utilization</strong>, operators can make confident decisions and unlock profitability.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the right tools, each restaurant owner can turn complex financial planning into an actionable framework.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>👉 Want to see how driver-based planning works in practice?<br>Start your <a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/pricing\"><strong>15-day free trial</strong>, choose a plan</a>, or contact us on: <strong>contact@modeliks.com</strong> for a demo session.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enjoy <a href=\"https://modeliks.com/\">Modeliks</a>! We know we are!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Author: <br><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/about-us\">Modeliks Team</a></p>\n","slug":"driver-based-financial-planning-restaurants","date":"2025-09-29T08:31:17","categories":{"nodes":[{"id":"dGVybToxMQ==","name":"Business Plans"},{"id":"dGVybToxNA==","name":"Financial Forecast"},{"id":"dGVybTozNQ==","name":"News"},{"id":"dGVybTozNA==","name":"Partners"},{"id":"dGVybToxMg==","name":"Pitch Decks"},{"id":"dGVybToxMw==","name":"Reports & Dashboards"}]},"mainCategory":{"mainCategory":["financial-forecast"],"videoHeader":null},"tags":{"nodes":[{"name":"budgeting and forecasting"},{"name":"business planning"},{"name":"Financial analysis"},{"name":"financial forecasting"},{"name":"financial modeling"},{"name":"financial planning"},{"name":"financial reporting"},{"name":"market analysis"},{"name":"modeliks"},{"name":"quickbooks"}]},"featuredImage":{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDoxMjA4Ng==","sourceUrl":"/images/cms/getty-images-q14onzK8wEg-unsplash.jpg","altText":"Driver-based financial planning for restaurants"}},"seo":{"metaDesc":"Discover how driver-based financial planning helps restaurants boost profitability. Learn why table-turns, average check size, food cost, and labor planning matter."},"modified":"2025-09-29T08:31:20","related":null},{"id":"cG9zdDoxMTU0MQ==","title":"How Accountants Can Offer High-Margin Advisory Services","content":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Advisory Services Matter for Accounting Firms</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The accounting profession is shifting. Compliance and bookkeeping remain essential, but today’s clients expect more. They want guidance on <strong>how to run their business smarter, manage cash flow, and plan for the future</strong>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a <strong>CPA.com survey</strong>:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clients pay <strong>~50% more</strong> for advisory services compared to traditional compliance.</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>65% of clients</strong> need advisory support.</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>45% expect their accounting firm</strong> to provide it.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This means the demand is already there. The opportunity for accounting firms is clear: <strong>move beyond bookkeeping into high-margin advisory services</strong>.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Challenge: Scaling Advisory Without Burning Out</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For most small and mid-sized firms, the hesitation is simple:<br>❌ Limited staff time<br>❌ No standardized tools for forecasting &amp; reporting<br>❌ Concern about overcomplicating workflows</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news? Advisory can be delivered at scale, without adding headcount or creating inefficiencies — if you have the right system.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Solution: Modeliks for Advisory Services</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Modeliks</strong> helps accountants transform their existing relationships into advisory partnerships by automating the heavy lifting.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here’s how it works in practice:</p>\n\n\n\n<p>1️⃣ <strong>Connect QuickBooks in Minutes</strong><br>Sync client actuals directly — no messy spreadsheets or manual imports.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>2️⃣ <strong>Build Budgets &amp; Automated Financials</strong><br>Instantly generate a forward-looking <strong>P&amp;L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statement</strong>, tailored to each client.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>3️⃣ <strong>Deliver Dashboards &amp; Variance Analysis</strong><br>Clients see Actual vs. Plan vs. Previous Periods. You provide insight into <em>why</em> numbers moved — without building reports from scratch each month.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Impact for Accounting Firms</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Firms using Modeliks see:<br>✅ <strong>New revenue streams</strong> by offering planning &amp; reporting as premium packages<br>✅ <strong>Higher client retention</strong> thanks to consistent value beyond compliance<br>✅ <strong>No extra headcount required</strong>, since processes are automated<br>✅ <strong>Improved positioning</strong> as trusted advisors, not just bookkeepers</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As one accountant put it:</p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>“Our clients can now make confident decisions. For us it’s a game-changer — we finally sell insight, not just compliance.”</em></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Now Is the Time</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Client expectations are rising. Competitors are moving into advisory. Technology makes it easier than ever to scale.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you’re an accountant or firm owner, now is the time to position your practice for the next decade. Advisory services are not just an add-on — they’re the future of accounting.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next Steps</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>📽️ Watch the full video playbook here: <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQEwnWOdKQ\">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQEwnWOdKQ</a>.<br>🌐 Explore how Modeliks can help you launch advisory services in under an hour -> <strong><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/solutions/accountants\">HERE</a></strong>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>📩 Or <a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">reach out to</a><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/\"> </a><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">us directly</a> to explore how Modeliks can be tailored for your firm.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enjoy <a href=\"https://modeliks.com/\">Modeliks</a>! We know we are!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Author: <br><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/about-us\">Modeliks Team</a></p>\n","slug":"high-margin-advisory-services-accountants","date":"2025-09-02T08:30:06","categories":{"nodes":[{"id":"dGVybToxMQ==","name":"Business Plans"},{"id":"dGVybToxNA==","name":"Financial Forecast"},{"id":"dGVybTozNQ==","name":"News"},{"id":"dGVybTozNA==","name":"Partners"},{"id":"dGVybToxMg==","name":"Pitch Decks"},{"id":"dGVybToxMw==","name":"Reports & Dashboards"}]},"mainCategory":{"mainCategory":["financial-forecast"],"videoHeader":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQEwnWOdKQ"},"tags":{"nodes":[{"name":"accounting advisory services growth"},{"name":"budgeting and forecasting"},{"name":"business planning"},{"name":"consulting firm profitability strategies"},{"name":"Financial analysis"},{"name":"financial forecasting"},{"name":"financial modeling"},{"name":"financial planning"},{"name":"financial planning for professional services firms"},{"name":"financial reporting"}]},"featuredImage":{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDoxMTU0Mg==","sourceUrl":"/images/cms/Screenshot-2025-09-02-at-10.27.59.png","altText":"How to offer Advisory Services at High Margin?"}},"seo":{"metaDesc":"Learn how accounting firms can add high-margin advisory services without extra headcount. Discover how Modeliks helps accountants deliver financial planning, reporting, and dashboards that clients will pay more for."},"modified":"2025-09-02T08:30:10","related":null},{"id":"cG9zdDoxMTQ4Mw==","title":"How to Manage & Grow Your Professional Services Business: A Strategic Playbook","content":"\n<p>Running a professional services business is demanding. Whether you’re a <strong>founder, consultant, accountant, or finance leader</strong>, the challenges are similar:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Managing multiple clients</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tracking projects and timesheets</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensuring profitability while scaling</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moving beyond basic bookkeeping into strategic financial insights</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth? Many services firms outgrow spreadsheets faster than they realize. A project-based business requires a planning and reporting framework that adapts as you grow &#8211; not one that breaks every time a new client, project, or team member comes onboard.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>That’s where having a structured <strong>financial planning and reporting system</strong> becomes a game-changer.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who is This Playbook For?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This strategic framework is designed for:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Founders &amp; Owners of Service Firms</strong> — who need clarity on profitability and growth drivers.</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consultants</strong> — who want to optimize billable hours and scale without burning out.</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accountants &amp; Accounting Firm Owners</strong> — who want to expand beyond bookkeeping and offer high-value advisory services like forecasting, management reporting, and fractional CFO solutions.</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Finance Leaders (CFOs, Finance Managers, Controllers)</strong> — who require accurate reporting, scenario planning, and board-ready insights without wasting hours in spreadsheets.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you run a <strong>project-based business, use timesheets, or manage multiple clients</strong>, this playbook is for you.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Grow Profitability in Professional Services</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional services firms often face profitability challenges because margins are tied to <strong>capacity, efficiency, and client mix</strong>. Here’s where the right planning approach makes a difference:</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Plan by Project (Not Just Company-Level)</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Each project has its own revenue, costs, and resources. Without project-level visibility, it’s impossible to know which work is actually profitable.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Track Actuals vs. Plan</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It’s not enough to create a yearly budget. Monthly actuals vs. plan reporting helps you quickly see where projects are off track and adjust before problems snowball.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Build Scenarios</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What happens if a big client leaves? Or if you add two more consultants next quarter? Scenario planning gives you the confidence to make tough decisions with numbers to back them up.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Monitor Utilization &amp; Capacity</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Employee utilization is the heartbeat of a services firm. By linking financial forecasts to <strong>billable hours, staffing, and client demand</strong>, you can identify bottlenecks and prevent costly underutilization.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Modeliks Helps</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At Modeliks, we’ve built a platform that turns these best practices into a structured, repeatable process.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>With <strong>Modeliks</strong>, you can:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Plan by Project, Department, or Client</strong><br>Build forecasts by any dimension of your business — project, geography, store, or team.</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Automate Actual vs. Plan Reporting</strong><br>Sync with QuickBooks or upload trial balances from Excel. No more rebuilding reports every month.</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get Dashboards &amp; KPIs That Matter</strong><br>Variance analysis, profitability by client/project, utilization, and other insights are ready in minutes.</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Run What-If Scenarios</strong><br>Test different client acquisition strategies, pricing models, or staffing plans.</li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scale Without Adding Headcount</strong><br>Accountants and consultants can serve more clients in less time, while founders and finance leaders gain clarity without extra hires.</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why This Matters Now</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most firms wait until they have 100+ employees to rethink planning. But the truth is, <strong>dimensional planning and reporting matters at 20 employees, as much as at 200.</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>The earlier you set up a scalable framework, the faster you can:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increase profitability per client</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retain clients longer by delivering insight, not just compliance</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attract investors, lenders, or partners with investor-ready plans</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Free up time to focus on strategic growth instead of fixing spreadsheets</li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaway</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Growing a professional services business isn’t just about winning more clients — it’s about <strong>building a system that lets you manage projects, measure performance, and grow profitably.</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>That’s what this playbook is about — and why we built <strong>Modeliks</strong>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>👉 If you want to see how Modeliks can help you manage and grow your services firm, <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E87pBDPZzPc&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com\">watch the full video walkthrough here</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>📩 Or <a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">reach out to us directly</a> to explore how Modeliks can be tailored for your firm.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enjoy <a href=\"https://modeliks.com/\">Modeliks</a>! We know we are!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Author: <br><a href=\"https://www.modeliks.com/about-us\">Modeliks Team</a></p>\n","slug":"financial-planning-for-professional-services","date":"2025-09-01T11:47:08","categories":{"nodes":[{"id":"dGVybToxMQ==","name":"Business Plans"},{"id":"dGVybToxNA==","name":"Financial Forecast"},{"id":"dGVybTozNQ==","name":"News"},{"id":"dGVybTozNA==","name":"Partners"},{"id":"dGVybToxMg==","name":"Pitch Decks"},{"id":"dGVybToxMw==","name":"Reports & Dashboards"}]},"mainCategory":{"mainCategory":["financial-forecast"],"videoHeader":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E87pBDPZzPc"},"tags":{"nodes":[{"name":"accounting advisory services growth"},{"name":"budgeting and forecasting"},{"name":"business planning"},{"name":"consulting firm profitability strategies"},{"name":"Financial analysis"},{"name":"financial forecasting"},{"name":"financial modeling"},{"name":"financial planning"},{"name":"financial planning for professional services firms"},{"name":"financial reporting"}]},"featuredImage":{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDoxMTQ4NA==","sourceUrl":"/images/cms/Screenshot-2025-09-01-at-13.39.02.png","altText":"Financial planning for professional services"}},"seo":{"metaDesc":"Discover how to manage and grow your professional services firm with project-based financial planning, reporting, and forecasting strategies."},"modified":"2025-09-01T11:47:11","related":null}]}2:["$","$L8",null,{"post":"$9"}]
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