Build a Board Reporting Pack
This guide describes how to use Model Reef as the backbone for a board reporting pack. The pack will draw on the same model used for planning and forecasting, but present results in a board friendly structure.
Before you start
You should have:
An up to date model with integrated historicals and forward projections.
A clear view of the agenda and responsibilities of your board.
An understanding of what information is already supplied by accounting and operations systems.
If you have not yet built an annual plan, consider:
Build an Annual Planning Pack
Build a Budget vs Actuals Model
What you will build
A repeatable board pack built from Model Reef outputs, covering:
Financial performance against plan.
Cash and runway.
Major investments and financing events.
Scenario and risk insights.
A workflow for updating the pack ahead of each meeting.
Define the board pack sections
Typical sections include:
Executive summary.
Performance vs budget or plan.
Cash and funding position.
Major initiatives and capex.
Risk, scenario and downside views.
Decisions and approvals requested.
Confirm with your chair or board lead what they expect in each meeting so that the pack stays focused.
Build the core pack
Build core financial tables and charts in Model Reef
Within your model, define a set of standard outputs for the board, such as:
P&L summary table by quarter or year.
Cash Waterfall summary showing key movements.
Chart of revenue, EBITDA and cash over the planning horizon.
Capex over time and its impact on debt or cash.
Simple leverage, coverage or covenant style metrics if you have debt.
These can be built as dashboards or as part of a custom report configuration.
Integrate budget vs actuals views
Boards often want to see how actual performance compares to the approved plan.
Maintain a frozen Budget model that reflects the approved plan.
Maintain an Actuals or Latest Forecast model with updated information.
Extract key metrics from both and build Budget vs Actuals views for:
Revenue.
EBITDA or operating cashflow.
Cash balance.
Major cost lines.
You can present these in tables and charts, with commentary on the main variances.
Summarise cash runway and funding requirements
Using the Cashflow Statement, Cash Waterfall and Balance Sheet:
Determine minimum cash balance and when it occurs.
Identify any forecast funding gaps and their size.
Summarise expected debt levels and covenant headroom if relevant.
Translate this into board level messages such as:
Runway in months at current burn.
Funding required, approximate timing and possible structures.
Model Reef provides the numbers; you provide the interpretation and options.
Include scenario and downside perspectives
If you have separate scenario or stress models, include a short section that compares:
Base Case versus Downside (and optionally Upside).
Impacts on revenue, cash, funding and valuation.
Triggers or indicators that might move the business from one scenario to another.
Keep the focus on decision relevant insights rather than a long list of scenario variants.
Build the pack in your document or slide tool
Finally, assemble the board pack using:
Charts and tables exported or copied from Model Reef.
Narrative sections that explain drivers, risks and decisions.
Appendices where more detail is needed for finance or audit committees.
Use a consistent template so that board members become familiar with where to look for particular types of information.
Check your work
The pack is aligned with the board agenda and responsibilities.
Key financials connect directly to the Model Reef outputs you trust.
Cash, funding and downside risk are addressed clearly.
The pack is of a manageable length and can be read ahead of the meeting.
Troubleshooting
Related guides
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