Financial planning in companies is the application of a set of collection methods in a strategy that seeks the fulfilment of a series of objectives outlined by the organisation. These objectives are related to the search for optimal management of the company’s economic resources. To guarantee the fulfilment of objectives such as the organisation’s financial viability.
Having said this, it can be inferred that the importance of business financial planning is indisputable for any company that seeks true competitiveness and long-term solidity.
It is not only of great importance for large companies but also for small and medium-sized companies. Because having clear objectives backed by a solid financial plan, growth is another guaranteed factor.
Financial planning is synonymous with economic viability, profitability, and sustainability:
Financial planning is not only focused on defining deadlines and costs. It is a set of mechanisms comprising many details that must be taken into account.
To achieve a financial design according to the reality of the company. This design must have the necessary components to ensure compliance with every organisation’s various objectives.
Financial planning is a complex task of recent acceptance. A few decades ago, large companies began to notice the obligation to plan the roadmap that a company must have.
To achieve sustainability in multiple aspects, especially the sustainability of your finances. Financial planning has become more important in the modern business environment as time passes.
Currently, financial planning is a fundamental activity for the management control of companies, and the need is increasing. Whoever is in charge of designing strategies that guarantee the real fulfilment of objectives is a professional with specific qualifications and profiles.
It can be said that financial planning is even more important today than in the past. Especially since modern markets are much more dynamic and present changes to which it is more complex to adapt. Overcoming this type of situation requires giving much more importance to well-structured financial plans.
What are the steps to follow to get started in financial planning?
Within the economic life of people, some essential tools to successfully deal with the diversity of circumstances and events that may occur. There is an especially relevant tool: financial planning.
The scope of financial planning is very general; this means that regardless of the field in which the company develops, the four basic steps for implementing financial planning can be applied without any problem. Of course, as indicated in some of these phases. Applying financial strategies implies having a deep knowledge of the company’s real situation.
Statement of objectives:
Although it seems obvious, it is important to emphasise that the definition of objectives that a company seeks to achieve is the basis of all financial planning. The company must have a clear main objective. So that this is the origin and priority that must be fulfilled, always relying on the financial and business plans.
From working life to retirement:
A turning point in people’s lives is the change from active working to retirement. This transition is very important financially since it implies a change in the rate of savings, as well as a decrease in income. For this reason, good financial planning from the beginning of working life can help us a lot in these types of moments.
Constant financial changes:
However, not only the transition to retirement is the only financial change that the individual will experience throughout his life. The financial position of the individual and the household, in general, will be subject to various generation and accumulation processes of income and wealth. Hence stressing, once again and for the same reason as in the case of retirement, the importance of this planning.
Establishment of deadlines in which the objectives should be met:
It is simply a matter of aiming to complete different objectives in different timeframes. Big goals can be achievable long-term, which is essential in any financial planning process.
It is one of the purposes of having this kind of resource. There are achievable objectives in the short and medium term that will depend on the most immediate economic reality of the company.
Definition of a financial budget:
The step follows after establishing the terms by which the objectives should be achieved. This is because analysing economic resources is the only way to comply with these steps.
Those that the company has so that the objectives are achieved in each interval set. This step must always be done considering the unforeseen; that is, the strategy must have sufficient breadth of adaptation to changes.
Oversight of decision-making:
In this step, it is important to realise if the financial strategy adopted is serving to make their much more efficient decision-making. As the strategy positively influences decision-making. The fulfilment of the objectives is becoming more and more visible. At the same time, the aspects that need to be corrected or modified begin to be observed.
Is financial planning important?
The main importance of financial planning is not only in guaranteeing the sustainability and profitability of a business. It also influences other factors, such as the following:
- By coordinating different areas of activity in the company, financial planning is important in the economic aspect and other activities.
- It is important because it helps visualise the company’s short- and medium-term projections.
- It influences the company’s expectations regarding its possibilities of favourably positioning itself in different markets.
- Good financial planning greatly influences the growth and prosperity of an organisation. It is a fact that the work of a financial planner is becoming increasingly important and specialised.