When to use the Value Gap Calculator
This tool has many use cases and can be utilised when delivering the full range of advisory services, from introductory services to high-cost advisory services.
- To prepare a Value Gap Analysis Report for a client who has paid for this service.
- In the second half of the Annual Accounts Review Meeting to demonstrate what is possible (generate the report if a client has paid for it, otherwise position the price).
- When delivering a Cashflow & Profit Improvement Meeting, where you'll go deeper in the tactics of how you execute the strategy improvements.
- During the Prospective Client Meeting to show a potential client how you support your clients to improve their business.
- As part of an Accountability Coaching meeting to establish relevant goals and actions and monitor progress.
- When delivering a lead generation webinar. Attendees can tick a box requesting to pay for a Value Gap Analysis Report on their feedback form.
- To establish and shrink your firm's own value gap by determining the strategies that you could implement to improve your cashflow, profit and business value.
Note
When a client pays for a Value Gap Analysis Report, we recommend using the Value Gap Calculator as part of delivering other advisory services to streamline the process and continue to add value.
What does the calculator do?
Convert insights into opportunities
When you prepare Annual Accounts for your clients, you see opportunities that exist to improve their business. The Value Gap Calculator enables you input client data and model the impact of implementing simple improvement strategies on their cash position, profit, and business value.
Provides a visual aid for conversations
Keep the conversation high level. The calculator is designed to model what's possible if the client adopts the strategies you highlight for them. The data you use doesn't need to 100% accurate, in fact, using estimates will still demonstrate the value gap that exists for your client. The most value for the client lies in having clarity over what KPIs they should aim to improve, and, if they commit to deeper advisory services with you, the tactics to do so.
Of course, the more accurate the data, the more accurate the scenario. Where appropriate, you can use the historic nature of data being used to position Management Reporting with a client, explaining that the demonstration is still relevant but having access to up-to-date financial information will provide more relevant data to use for decision making.
It applies the 5 Pillars of Value Theory to it's calculator formulae
The calculator formulae relate directly to the 5 Pillars of Value and how these impact cashflow, profit, and business value.
Generates a Value Gap Analysis Report
The Value Gap Calculator produces a bespoke Value Gap Analysis Report that provides a detailed breakdown of the strategies you've recommended your client adopt, and the impact each change could have on their profit, cashflow, and business value.
It also includes an inbuilt disclaimer. This states that the potential cashflow, profit, and business value impacts of the strategies outlined in the report are estimates only. There may be existing circumstances that hinder the realisation of these improvements, and, while you'll provide valuable insights and recommendations, your team cannot accept responsibility for non-implementation of the strategies or for any unrealised improvements.

Tip
- In a meeting with a prospective client, or where you don't have a client's data, use the example data included in the calculator to demonstrate the value and purpose of the calculator
- We recommend incorporating the Value Gap Analysis Report into your standard compliance offering and charging an annual fee for this valuable tool, thereby increasing your overall client fees

Note
Using this tool enables you to develop the financial awareness of your client and position your high-value advisory services so you can support them to achieve more mind, time, and financial freedom.
In order to launch the calculator, you'll need to select your client. Then you can create and name a new scenario. You can also rename the calculator, with this name flowing through to the report output.
1. The Inputs Tab.
This tab contains five areas to input data: Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, Other Financial variables, Team Members, and Customers and Sales.

Note
The Customers and Sales area is toggled off by default for simplicity (this corresponds to the detailed drivers toggle in the Profit Tab).
2. The Cash Conversion Tab.
This tab contains three critical strategies related specifically to Cash Conversion that all impact the client's cashflow and cash conversion cycle (debtor days, inventory/WIP days, and payable days).
3. The Profit Tab.
This tab contains distinct sections: Sales, Gross Profit Margin, and Overheads, that have the potential to impact cashflow and profit. The Sales section has a toggle to turn on the ability for more detailed drivers, only use these if relevant to the client (if using detailed drivers, ensure you've inputted data in the Customers and Sales area in the Inputs tab) .
4. The ROI Tab.
This tab focuses on productivity; more specifically, revenue per FTE and the impact of this on effective hourly rate.