The “big picture view”accounting is only as good as the numbers beneath
Growth doesn’t happen by accident, either on the vine or in your business. It’s a process and, in your business’s case, it begins with planning. Effective planning requires a “big picture view” of your winery business. But even the big picture is built on real numbers and small details. Can you trust your planning when the view you’ve been using may not be accurate? If that view isn’t accurate, your winery may not be as prepared for growth as you thought – or hoped.
Financial reports vs. management reports
There’s a wide gulf between financial reporting and management account reporting. Unfortunately, that may not be immediately obvious. Financial reporting operates under GAAP guidelines and allows your company to remain compliant with policy boards. In contrast, management reporting analyzes department performance as well as its relationship to expenditures and returns on investment (ROI). In other words, management reports are the diagnostics on your winery’s financial health.
Financial (GAAP) reporting
Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are a common set of standards and procedures that businesses must abide by when compiling financial statements. GAAP is a combination of standards set by policy boards and commonly accepted practices for recording and reporting accounting information. The purpose of GAAP is to provide uniformity and clarity in reporting.
Management account reports
Management account reports include your income statement, cash flow analysis, accounts receivable, accounts payable, overhead costs, sales forecasts, value of inventory on hand and analysis of key indicators and historical and budgeted information. This reporting allows you and your managers to make educated decisions based on the needs of your winery.
Know where you are and where you’re going
Management account reporting by Protea Financial keeps you informed. We provide regular reports on the most important cash flow accounts, as well as your income statement and balance sheet. These critical reports help keep your finger on your winery’s pulse, and pave the way for successful planning.
Profit & loss
The fastest way to find out how well your winery is performing, in a snapshot. Contrasting your revenue against expenses, this is the basis for everything.
A/R & A/P
Accounts measuring your company’s debt (payables) and what you’re owned (receivables). These accounts provide info on spending as well as late-paying clients.
Cash flow
Follow the money, both in and out, letting you see how you make money and how you spend it. This analysis and report will keep you on track with your cash.
Balance sheet
Take your company’s temperature by seeing income, costs, assets, and liabilities all in one place. With this report in hand, you can begin to truly know your winery.
Outsourcing management account reporting is the key
As you can see, there are many types of reports and analyses you need to conduct in order to grasp the financial standing of your business. Ideally, you’ll review these reports monthly or – at the very least – quarterly. However, compiling these reports, checking them for errors, and reviewing the information can cause an enormous strain on your time and energy.
But instead of struggling to handle it alone, you can choose to hire our expert accountants. Our team at Protea Financial is well-versed in collecting data and compiling all types of management reports. Though we are capable of helping any business succeed, we specialize in the wine and beverage industry.
You can trust us to develop a reporting system that works for your company and provide you with accurate, informative reports. You can focus your attention on maintaining the financial health of your business, and we’ll take care of the rest.
They are high-functioning problem solvers.
When our wine company was a few years old, we needed to being exploring financing options in order to support our growth. We needed to level-up our financial reporting so we were “bank-ready”.
We researched for a financial accounting firm who was steeped in experience working with larger wine companies, and who had a track record of happy clients.
Protea was referred to us by three separate parties that we trusted, and they were our obvious choice. They are high-functioning problem solvers who are detailed, committed to quality work, reliable, and great communicators. They have immensely helped our business, and I love working with them!
James Gray
Co-Founder at Sophie James Wine Co.
