Your Budget is Wrong: Why Most Forecasts Fail w/ Matt Putra

In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, Roger Knecht and guest Matt Putra discuss the critical differences between budgeting and forecasting in accounting, emphasizing data-driven decision-making for e-commerce businesses. They explore how financial management, including KPIs and cash flow strategies, helps fast-growing consumer brands optimize profitability and scale effectively, with a focus on AI’s transformative impact.

In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Matt Putra and 8x
01:03 Matt’s Journey to 8x and Data-Driven Decisions
02:52 Budget vs. Forecast: Key Differences
05:57 The Importance of Budgeting and Planning
08:24 Budgeting for External Stakeholders and Accountability
11:18 Lessons Learned from Ambitious Budgeting
15:00 Financial Management for Scaling Businesses
17:49 Scorecards vs. KPIs and Dashboards
21:55 Go-To Metrics and the Island Analogy
24:51 The Impact and Application of AI in Business
31:11 Advising Founders: Selling Peace of Mind
34:16 Gratitude and Divergent Thinking
37:51 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Key Takeaways:

• Differentiate between budgets as fixed annual plans and forecasts as malleable, frequently updated financial outlooks for data-driven decisions.

• Implement scorecards with 5-15 critical metrics and clear targets to simplify problem-solving and boost team accountability.

• Prioritize cash flow management, customer lifetime value (LTV), and customer acquisition costs (CAC) for sustainable business growth and profitability.

• Integrate AI into business operations to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in the accounting profession.

• Understand that financial management services sell “peace of mind and confidence” rather than just data or models, addressing emotional components for founders.

Featured Quotes:

• “If we’re not in the, call it the top 10% of AI adopters, we’re going to be left behind fairly quickly.” — Matt Putra

• “We don’t sell financial models. We do not sell cash flow forecasts. We do not sell scorecards. We sell peace of mind and confidence.” — Matt Putra

• “If the business owner can hit within, say, 5%, 10%, their budget for the next year, it means they know well that business model.” — Roger Knecht

Behind the Story:

Matt Putra recounts his transition from a CFO role with a grueling commute to founding eightx, a financial operations company. His desire for work-life balance during COVID-19 propelled him to create a business that simplifies finance for e-commerce brands. He stresses the emotional aspect of financial consulting, focusing on delivering confidence rather than just numbers. Matt Putra also shares a personal anecdote about his wife’s support, which allowed him to take significant risks in building his company.

Conclusion:

Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger’s team here.

Sponsors:

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• Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.

 

Offers:

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• Be more efficient and improve your profit margin with AI

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattputra/ 

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