5 steps to build a rolling forecast

Budgets are a lie. Great CFOs use 5 steps to build a rolling forecast.

I spoke to a CFO who said:

“I hate budgets. They don’t make any sense. It’s the biggest waste of time on earth.”

Planning isn’t useless but pretending certainty exists that far out is dishonest.

• By December, the board approves something that already feels fragile.

• By January, assumptions are wrong.

• By February, everyone asks for a forecast.

Which raises the u…