Stress-tested, not best-case only
Financial Modelling Services
Build-out of financial models for fundraising, budgeting or investment appraisal, stress-tested against realistic scenarios — because a model that only survives the best-case assumptions is a model that undermines credibility the moment an investor asks 'what if revenue comes in 20% lower.'
Base, upside and downside cases — not a single forecast line
Key facts
| Common use cases | Fundraising, budgeting, investment appraisal, scenario planning |
| Output format | Typically Excel-based, structured for both internal use and investor scrutiny |
| Key feature | Scenario sensitivity built in, not a single fixed forecast |
What this actually involves
Investors and lenders specifically probe the assumptions behind a financial model, not just its output — a model showing an impressive headline return that can't withstand a basic sensitivity question (what happens to unit economics if customer acquisition cost rises, or if a key supplier's pricing changes) undermines credibility faster than presenting no model at all.
We build driver-based models specific to your actual business mechanics — genuine unit economics, real conversion and retention assumptions, actual cost structure — rather than starting from a generic template and populating it with placeholder numbers. The structure needs to reflect how your business actually generates and spends money, not a standardised format that happens to look professional.
Scenario and sensitivity analysis is built in from the start, not added as an afterthought once the base case is finished — base, upside and downside cases, with the key variables that actually drive the difference between them clearly identified, so the model can answer 'what if' questions in the room rather than requiring a follow-up analysis days later.
Is this actually relevant to you?
- You're preparing for a fundraising round and need an investor-credible financial model, not a rough spreadsheet
- You're evaluating a specific investment or expansion decision and want a rigorous model to support the appraisal
- You need an annual budget or multi-year forecast built on genuine business drivers rather than a simple percentage-growth assumption
- Your existing model has been challenged by investors or a bank and needs rebuilding to withstand real scrutiny
Our process, step by step
Business driver identification
Understanding the actual mechanics of how your business generates revenue and incurs cost.
Model build
A structured, auditable model built around those specific drivers, not a generic template.
Scenario & sensitivity analysis
Base, upside and downside cases, with key variables clearly identified.
Investor-ready formatting
Built to withstand scrutiny in a live conversation, not just look presentable in a static document.
Scope of work
Models underpin feasibility studies, business valuations and bank financing applications, and are kept current through budgeting and forecasting.
The gaps that come up in the first round of questions
- A model built on a single growth assumption (e.g. '20% month-over-month') without underlying driver logic explaining where that growth actually comes from.
- No downside scenario prepared, leaving the presenter unable to answer a basic 'what if things go slower than planned' question in the room.
- Formatting and structure that looks polished but breaks when an investor tries to change a single input to test sensitivity.
Related advisory and CFO services
Finance decisions supported by people who also understand your tax and audit position.
Related guides from our team
Practical explanations of the rules behind this service, written by our chartered accountants.
Common questions
Do you build models from scratch or use templates?+
We start from proven structures but build the driver logic specific to your business — a generic template rarely survives real investor questioning once they start testing assumptions.
Can you update the model as our business changes?+
Yes — an ongoing modelling relationship is common, updating the model as actuals come in and assumptions need revisiting based on real performance.
How long does building a financial model typically take?+
Depends on business complexity and how much driver data is readily available — a straightforward model can take one to two weeks; a more complex, multi-revenue-stream business takes longer.
What software do you build models in?+
Typically Excel, given its universal compatibility and the expectation of most investors and lenders to be able to open and interrogate the model directly.
Can the model integrate with our actual accounting data?+
The model itself is generally a separate forecasting tool, though we can structure it to be easily updated with actuals from your accounting platform as each period closes.
Need a model that can survive investor scrutiny?
Tell us the purpose (fundraising, budgeting, appraisal) and we'll scope a model built around your actual drivers.