Sheet 1: Guidelines

	
	
	
	

		
Guidelines for Bendigo Bank Profit and Loss forecast template
		


		


		

 
		
		
	

		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		
A fundamental element of starting or owning a business is to understand your business profit . Understanding your profit will assist with:
		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        how much real profit you are making or losing
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·       business planning and stock management 
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        developing sales targets and appropriate sales price for goods/services
		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		
Calculations
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
Net Profit before tax =  Income/Sales - Cost of Goods Sold - Expenses
		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		
Here are some hints to assist you in completing the Profit and Loss template:
		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        All of the yellow fields are maintainable
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        Start by adding your trading name and year i.e. XYZ Pty Ltd
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        Select from the drop down list the starting month i.e. October (note, the other months will populate across the X axis)
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        Add your Predicted sales and then simply input the expected opening and closing stock numbers, purchases expenses in each yellow box. The ‘total’ & ‘summary’ values will automatically update.
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        Values can be changed, simply by overtyping an amount
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        Purchasing a business? Use the prior owners historical numbers and allow for known variances. Use the Notes section of the template to comment on the differences
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        How does your business compare? Use industry reports to check that your forecasts are in the normal range. 
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
If you don’t have access to any industry data, speak to one of our Business Specialists  who can assist with this information.
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        Are you connected? Use existing relationships to assist in your planning i.e. accountant, banker or colleague
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        Allow for any seasonal issues including sales and discounts 
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        Assumptions - remember to document your assumptions so when planning your next 12 months you know what you did the previous 12 months
		


		


		


		


	
	

		
·        Personal Expenses - don’t forget to include your personal living requirements ( either as a salary or drawings) 
		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		
This profit & loss forecast template contains a list of suggested profit items and expenses a typical business may have. You can add additional items at the end of the spreadsheeet. This profit & loss statement is intended as a GUIDE ONLY and DOES NOT constitute financial advice, please verify and discuss your financial statements with a qualified accountant, solicitor or financial advisor.
This profit & loss statement has been developed by Bendigo Bank, located within the Bendigo Bank Business Hub, www.bendigobank.com.au/BendigoBankBusinessHub.