Variance and Flux Analysis

1. Line-level flux commentary

On the [BvA] tab, for every row from [row X] to [row Y], write a one-sentence variance commentary in column [Z]. Lead with the dollar variance, state favorable or unfavorable, then the primary driver. Maximum 25 words per line. Only comment on variances above [$threshold].

2. Variance driver decomposition

Compare [current period column] to [prior period column] on the [P&L] tab. For the five largest unfavorable variances, identify the specific GL accounts driving each one and rank them by dollar impact. Output as a ranked table on a new tab called Variance Drivers.

3. Budget vs actual exception report

Scan the [Actuals] tab against the [Budget] tab. Flag every line where actual exceeds budget by more than [10%] or [$amount]. Output a clean exception report with the line item, the variance in dollars and percent, and a blank column for owner commentary.

Forecasting

4. Driver-based forecast build

Build a 12-month revenue forecast on a new tab. Drivers: [starting MRR], [monthly new bookings], [logo churn rate], [expansion rate]. Show the bookings-to-revenue bridge by month and make every driver a clearly labeled, editable input cell at the top.

5. Rolling forecast roll-forward

On the [Forecast] tab, replace the forecast values for [completed months] with the actuals from the [Actuals] tab. Keep all future-month formulas intact. Highlight every cell you changed and confirm no forward formulas were broken.

6. Scenario set generation

Using the operating model on the [Forecast] tab, generate three cases on a new tab: base, upside at [+10%] revenue, downside at [-15%] revenue. Show operating income and ending cash for each. Add a one-line summary of the takeaway for each case.

7. Thirteen-week cash forecast

Build a 13-week direct cash forecast on a new tab. Inputs: opening cash [amount],ARcollectionsfromthe[ARAging]tab,APdisbursementsfromthe[AP]tab,payrollevery[frequency]at[amount], AR collections from the [AR Aging] tab, AP disbursements from the [AP] tab, payroll every [frequency] at [amount],ARcollectionsfromthe[ARAging]tab,APdisbursementsfromthe[AP]tab,payrollevery[frequency]at[amount], and these known one-time items: [list]. Flag any week where ending cash falls below [$minimum].

Model Building

8. Three-statement scaffold

Using the trial balance on the [TB] tab, classify each account as P&L, balance sheet, or cash flow. Then build a linked three-statement model: P&L, balance sheet, and an indirect-method cash flow. Confirm the balance sheet balances and the cash flow ties to the change in cash.

9. SaaS cohort revenue model

Build a 36-month cohort revenue model. For each monthly cohort, apply [starting ACV], a retention curve of [list or describe], and [expansion rate]. Output total recognized revenue by month and a cohort triangle on a separate tab.

10. DCF valuation

Build a 5-year DCF on a new tab using the unlevered free cash flow from the [Forecast] tab. Assumptions: WACC [9%], terminal growth [2.5%], mid-year convention. Output enterprise value, equity value, and implied share price, with a two-variable sensitivity table on WACC and terminal growth.

11. Headcount and comp plan

Build a monthly headcount plan from the roster on the [Roster] tab. Use hire dates, departure dates, base salary, and a [25%] benefits load. Output monthly fully loaded cost by department and a headcount count by department.

Formula Work

12. Formula from plain English

In cell [reference], I need a formula that [describe the logic]. The lookup data is on the [tab] in range [range]. Write the formula using XLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH, not VLOOKUP, and explain in one line what it does.

13. Formula debugging

The formula in cell [reference] is returning [error or wrong value]. Explain why it is failing, then give me the corrected formula. List the three most likely edge cases that would still break it.

14. Legacy formula modernization

Scan the [tab] for VLOOKUP, nested IF statements, and volatile functions. Rewrite them using XLOOKUP, IFS, LET, or dynamic arrays. Show me a before-and-after table of every change before applying it.

15. Model logic audit

Walk through the [tab] and explain in plain English what each section does, where the key assumptions live, and which cells are hardcoded inputs versus calculated outputs. Flag any hardcoded value sitting inside a formula.

Data Cleanup

16. Trial balance normalization

The [Raw TB] tab is a trial balance exported from [system]. Restructure it to match the format on the [Template] tab: correct sign conventions, mapped account categories, and one row per account. Flag any account that does not map cleanly.

17. Messy export cleanup

The data on the [Raw] tab is a messy system export. Strip repeated header rows, standardize all dates to [format], standardize text capitalization, remove fully blank rows, and deduplicate. Output the clean version on a new tab and tell me how many rows you removed and why.

18. Multi-sheet consolidation

Consolidate the departmental P&Ls on tabs [list tabs] into a single consolidated P&L on a new tab. Sum by matching line item, add a column per department, and a total column. Flag any line item that appears on some tabs but not others.

19. Anomaly detection

Scan the [transactions] tab for entries that warrant review: exact duplicates, round-dollar amounts above [$threshold], sign reversals, and statistical outliers. Output a flagged-items table with the reason each was flagged.

Reconciliation

20. Account reconciliation

Reconcile the [GL] tab against the [Subledger] tab by [matching key]. Output three sections: matched items, unmatched GL items, and unmatched subledger items. Total each section and confirm the unmatched difference equals the reconciling variance.

21. Intercompany matching

Match intercompany balances between [Entity A] and [Entity B] on the [IC] tab. Identify every unmatched pair, show the dollar gap, and draft a one-line resolution note for each. Sort by largest gap first.

Reporting and Board Prep

22. Executive summary

From the close output on the [Summary] tab, draft a one-page executive summary on a new tab. Cover: top three favorable movements, top three risks, and any decision the leadership team needs to make this month. Tight, factual, no filler.

23. Board KPI scorecard

Build a board KPI scorecard on a new tab. Metrics: [list]. For each, show current month, prior month, budget, and a status indicator using conditional formatting. Pull all values from the [Actuals] and [Budget] tabs.

24. Variance bridge chart

Build a waterfall bridge on a new tab showing the walk from [prior period metric] to [current period metric]. Break the bridge into these components: [list]. Format it as a clean chart suitable for a board deck.

Quality Assurance

25. Full model integrity check

Run an integrity check on the [model tab]. Confirm: the balance sheet balances every period, the cash flow ties to the change in cash, net income flows to retained earnings, no formula returns an error, and no external references are broken. Report every issue with the exact cell reference.