Full Sail Partners Blog | Theresa Depew

When it comes to assessing the financial well-being of our projects, we know that relying solely on project invoices is like gazing at the tip of an iceberg while missing the grandeur beneath the surface. At Full Sail Partners, we understand that true success lies in exploring a variety of analytics and statistics. Let's dive into the world of project metrics and discover the key to unlocking financial prosperity. 

The Essentials to Determining a Project’s Financial Health 

To begin with, there are a few essential components we must consider when determining a project's financial health. Every project should be documented with: 

• Current and Accurate Fee: A clear understanding of the project's fee is vital. It serves as a baseline for evaluating profitability and making financial decisions throughout the project's lifecycle. 
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): A well-defined WBS that aligns with the project's fee and scope helps us accurately allocate costs and resources. It provides a framework for tracking expenses and ensures that financial evaluations are aligned with the project's objectives. 
• Proper Revenue Recognition Method: Selecting the appropriate revenue recognition method is crucial for accurate financial reporting. It ensures that revenue is recognized in a manner that reflects the project's progress and performance accurately. 

Understanding the Components of a Project's Financial Health 

To truly focus on the financial success of a project, we rely on job-to-date (JTD) as our measurement of time. Now, let's explore some key statistics that can be found or created using Deltek Vantagepoint’s Project Earnings Report: 

Profit or Variance  

This metric allows us to compare revenue/earnings with costs incurred. For projects billed on time and materials (T&M), a zero variance indicates profitability, as the project profit is built into the billing rates. However, a negative variance suggests the need to write off charged time. For fixed fee/lump sum projects, the goal is to minimize costs while still delivering on scope and quality. 

Projected Profit or Variance  

Calculating this metric involves updating and managing the estimate to complete (ETC). By combining the ETC with the JTD cost, we derive the estimate at completion (EAC). Comparing the EAC to the Fee allows us to gauge the project's health upon completion and identify potential scope creep. By analyzing actual and projected profit together, we can establish four scenarios and develop a matrix approach for reviewing a project's financial health: 

• Scenario 1: JTD shows a profit, but there is a projected reduction in that profit moving forward. This indicates the need for careful cost management to maintain profitability. 
• Scenario 2: JTD shows a profit, and continued or increased profit is forecasted. This demonstrates a healthy financial trajectory. 
• Scenario 3: JTD shows a loss, but some or all of that loss can be mitigated moving forward. This calls for identifying and addressing the factors contributing to the loss and implementing corrective actions. 
• Scenario 4: JTD shows a loss that will continue or grow. In this case, it is crucial to evaluate the project's viability and explore strategies for minimizing further losses. 

Direct Labor Multiplier 

This metric is crucial for managing a specific project and aligning with the firm's overall goals. It measures how much revenue is generated per labor dollar charged. The estimated multiplier is determined at the project's inception, and it's important to have a basis of comparison when evaluating this statistic. 

Work in Process (WIP)  

WIP is calculated as the difference between project revenue and the amount invoiced. Monitoring WIP helps mitigate any potential risks to project earnings. If revenue is accrued, it's vital to consider the time associated with billing and collection. Deferring revenue can minimize or mitigate risks effectively. 

Backlog  

This metric indicates the remaining revenue to be earned, representing the future available revenue stream. When combined with all projects, it forms a significant line on our Key Performance Indicator (KPI) graph. Additionally, it reflects the required full-time equivalent man-hours to complete and deliver contracted work. It's worth noting that backlog can be derived from the ETC, showcasing the interconnectedness of these metrics. 

It's crucial to note that all these metrics work in tandem, complementing and informing each other. For instance, backlog can be derived from the estimate to complete (ETC), demonstrating the interconnected nature of these indicators. By considering them collectively, we gain a comprehensive understanding of a project's financial health and can make informed decisions accordingly. 

Measuring a Project’s Financial Health is Multifaceted and Continuous  

At Full Sail Partners, we believe that measuring the financial health of a project requires a multifaceted approach. By relying on a variety of analytics and statistics, we gain a holistic understanding of the project's financial landscape. Project invoices, while important, are just one piece of the puzzle. 

To make our projects truly profitable, it is essential to continually measure and monitor their financial health. By utilizing a range of metrics and closely tracking project milestones, you can proactively identify potential shortcomings and take corrective actions before they escalate. This approach empowers project managers and the entire team to drive success, deliver value to clients, and optimize financial outcomes. 

Deltek Vantagepoint: Empowering Project-Based Consulting Businesses for Financial Success 

In conclusion, measuring a project's financial health goes beyond relying solely on project invoices. By leveraging various analytics and statistics, including key performance indicators, milestones, and specific metrics like profit or variance, projected profit or variance, direct labor multiplier, WIP, and backlog, you gain a comprehensive view of a project's financial status. This comprehensive approach allows you to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and steer projects toward profitability.  

So, embrace these valuable insights, keep a close eye on your project's financial well-being, and unlock the path to sustainable success in your project-based consulting business. To see how Deltek Vantagepoint supports good project financial management, watch the webinar below!  

Accounts Payable (AP) is one of the main tasks performed daily in a professional services firm’s accounting department. The process can be labor-intensive and very manual, especially when a firm has not embraced new technologies.  It’s hard to determine why so many professional services firms have not made the jump to a paperless accounts payable process. Maybe it’s the daunting fear of errors, or simply the fear of changing the process? Let’s review the benefits of automating the AP functions for your professional services firm and try to put any fears to rest!   

1. Going Paperless and Reducing Errors 

Generally, as with many professional services firms, accounts payable has been a paper-heavy process that has required printing, copying, filing, and retrieving paper. Additionally, the task itself has been a labor-intensive manual process that can already fall prey to human error. With errors already being something that may happen without automation, this proves that using automation is nothing to be feared by your professional services firm. By automating the AP process, invoices are stored digitally, reducing paper costs and reducing the time needed to process AP. So, automating AP at your professional services firm all the while saves money and actually increases accuracy. 

2. Improving Employee Productivity 

As mentioned before, Accounts Payable is a repetitive and time-consuming manual task. The process typically involves first receiving the paper invoice, then sending it for manual signature approval, and then data entry of all data into the accounting software. However, when automation is embraced by your professional services firm, invoices can be uploaded directly into the database, then electronically approved, and invoices posted. Thus, using automation and reducing AP task time, allows employees to focus efforts on more profitable pursuits instead of spending time on repetitive tasks. 

3. Gaining Control of the Procurement Process

Enforcing purchasing policies can be a struggle if there is no way to approve them before the purchase is made. Using an automated AP solution allows professional services firms to set up an approval process based on the firm’s policy for procurement. With automation, accounting team members can ensure the policy was followed and speed up the time it takes to have a purchase order approved. Gaining control of the procurement process allows for full transparency, with no more receiving vendor invoices without knowing the details being given about the purchase.  

4. Working Smarter with Vendors

A final plus of using AP automation at your professional services firm is that vendors can submit invoices to a designated email or webpage. This in and of itself greatly reduces the risk of lost invoices and allows for easy upload into the accounting system. Furthermore, receiving digital invoices for processing ensures on-time payments, which of course makes the vendor happy and reduces the number of communications back and forth. Fewer communications back and forth with vendors additionally saves your professional services firm further time and effort which is working smarter, not harder. 

Automate Your Professional Services Firm’s AP Process 

Hopefully, after now realizing the benefits of automating your professional services firm’s Accounts Payable process, you can fully understand that automation is not something to be feared. It’s clear to see that automating AP will reduce errors and save money, and what professional services firm doesn’t want that? So, knowing that automation can save money and reduce errors, is your professional services firm ready to embrace technology and start automating your Accounts Payable Process?