Financial Analysis & Strategic Planning Services

Our Service Offering at Total Books

Business Performance Reviews

We help you understand exactly how your business is performing using accurate financial insights. Our reviews go beyond basic figures to highlight what’s working, what’s underperforming, and where improvement is possible.

• We analyse key financial ratios such as gross profit margin, current ratio, debtor days, and return on capital employed.

   

• We review monthly and quarterly trends in revenue and profitability to track consistency and growth patterns.

   

• Expense categories like marketing, wages, and overheads are broken down to identify inefficiencies and cost-saving opportunities.

   

• For service-based businesses, we assess sales pipelines — looking at conversion rates, average deal values, and client churn rates — to evaluate future revenue reliability.

   

• You’ll receive a “business health scorecard” benchmarking your performance against sector norms, with suggestions for improvement.

Cashflow Forecasting & Scenario Planning

Predicting cash movements is essential for staying in control. We build rolling forecasts that help you stay ahead of shortfalls and confidently plan for growth.

• Our 12-month rolling cashflow forecasts model expected income, outgoings, and net position using tools like Float and Futrli.

   

• We run scenario tests — for example, hiring a new staff member, raising prices by 5%, or delays in NHS payments — to show their financial impact.

   

• Working capital cycles are reviewed, focusing on debtor days, creditor terms, and stock turnover to unlock hidden cash.

   

• For example, we help pharmacies identify late payers and adjust supplier terms to free up cash flow within 30 days.

Goal-Driven Strategic Planning

We turn your business ambitions into a structured financial plan, linking activity to performance and setting measurable targets.

• We set SMART goals tied to financial KPIs like revenue per employee, gross profit margin, or net income growth.

   

• Revenue planning includes capacity reviews — e.g. how many prescriptions or service bookings are needed per month to hit targets.

   

• Budgets are aligned with operational timelines, helping teams stay accountable to monthly goals.

   

• We help link your personal goals too — such as saving for a retirement property or reducing director hours — to a tangible business plan.

Tax-Efficient Business Structuring

The wrong structure can drain profits. We review your setup and identify better ways to manage tax and improve flexibility.

• We restructure director income through an optimal mix of salary, dividends, and pension contributions to reduce Income Tax and National Insurance.

   

• Where relevant, we review director’s loan accounts and advise on repayment, interest, or reinvestment options.

   

• We plan proactively around Corporation Tax, VAT thresholds, and Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR), especially if you plan to exit within 3–5 years.

   

• For example, many pharmacy directors miss out on BADR due to incorrect share structures or passive holding company setups.

When Do You Need This Service?

You need financial analysis and strategic planning when your business numbers stop making sense or you’re unsure what’s driving results. These are signs that you’re running your business blind — and it’s time to get clarity:

• You’re making decent sales, but profits are inconsistent and disappearing into overheads or hidden costs.

   

• Revenue is rising, yet cashflow remains tight — possibly due to long debtor cycles, overspending, or inefficient pricing models.

   

• You’re applying for external funding, government grants, or preparing financials for a lender, and your numbers aren’t investment-ready.

   

• You’re exploring a major change like a merger, acquisition, or business sale — and need to improve valuation through clean, strategic performance data.

   

• You want to scale the business but don’t know which service, product, or location is truly profitable.

   

We’ve helped UK businesses in these exact situations, from small clinics unsure about breakeven to retailers prepping for investment. We bring clarity, confidence, and control to your next move.

Related Service: Virtual Finance Director (VFD)

A Virtual Finance Director (VFD) gives you high-level financial insight and strategic oversight without hiring a full-time FD. It’s ideal for SMEs that need sharper decision-making, better cash control, and forward-thinking planning — but want to stay lean on cost.

At Total Books, our VFD service brings clarity to your boardroom with regular analysis, risk spotting, and tailored financial roadmaps. You get the same strategic input a large firm would have — but on flexible, scalable terms.

• Monthly or quarterly board-level performance reports, including key ratios like EBITDA, net profit margin, cash runway, and working capital efficiency.

   

• Capital planning for major decisions — from asset purchases to staff expansion or refinancing.

   

• Active risk flagging using historic trends and forecasting models.

   

• Seamless integration with tax planning, cashflow forecasts, and budgeting processes.

   

• Works alongside your internal finance team or accountant to enhance outcomes.

   

Many of our VFD clients are growing businesses who’ve outgrown basic bookkeeping — but aren’t ready for a full-time CFO. Our service fills that gap with clarity, insight, and strategic discipline.