Driver-based Modeling Basics
The basics of driver based modeling
Change Log
This article logs the different version changes on the Slidebean Financial Model
Financial Model Change Log
Current Version - 5.3 | Feb 21st, 2024
This versions fixes a couple of minor issues related to keeping the Balance Sheet in balance.
- Fixed a double accounting issue on Convertible Note financing: FS-Month 198 now subscract converted notes.
- Adjusted loan functionality so all Loans are accounted as short term debts, to avoid potential double accounting problems (FS-Month Rows 131 and 142)
- Adjusted the name on FS-Month 199 to correctly reflect the line as a (+), and not a (-)
5.2 | Feb 16th, 2024
This version fixes export issues to Microsoft Excel as follows.
Cleaned Up formulas incompatible with Microsoft Excel:
- CAPEX Sheet Rows 69 and 70: replaced ELSE case from "" to '0'.
- Taxes Sheet Rows 28-43: If statements require spelling out the TRUE boolean evaluation
- Cap Table Rows 46 and 49: XLOOKUP formula doesn't export correctly from Sheets to Excel
- Fonts on the FS-Month and FS-Annual Sheets
5.1 | Jan 26th, 2024
This version fixes two core issues on the FS-Month and the FS-Annual sheet that cause discrepancies in the Annual summaries and in fundraising.
Issue on FS-Annual row 61 - Net Income
The Tax and Valuation functionality in the model requires separation between EBITDA, EBIT, and EBT (earnings before taxes). Therefore, the fomula for net income should be
EBT-Income Taxes
The model was incorrectly taking into account EBIT. Therefore, the new formula in the model for cell D61 should be:
D56-D59
This formula should then be copied and extended through row J61
Issue on FS-Month - Convertible Note Functionality
Since Convertible Notes and SAFEs are accounted as loans (Liabilities) until they convert to stock, new convertible note/SAFE investments must be accounted both in the Balance Sheet and in the Cash Flow Statement:
- In the Balance Sheet, they are considered Long Term Liabilities.
- In the Cash Flow statement, there's a specific line for 'this: (+) New Debt Issued - Convertible Notes/SAFEs
The 5.0 version of the model had an error that didn't allow for Convertible Note funding estimations to be reflected properly. The fix for this is simple:
The formula for Fs-Month Row D143 should be
=ROUND(SUMIFS($D186:D186,$D188:D188,"Convertible Note")+SUMIFS($D186:D186,$D188:D188,"SAFE")-SUM($D198:D198)+SUM($D85:D85),2)
The formula for FS-Month Row D197 should be:
=IF(AND(C143<D143,D143>0),SUM(D143,IFERROR(-C143,0)),0)
Both formulas should be copied and extended to cover the entire FS-Month Sheet.
5.0 | Jan 21st, 2024
This version consolidated a number of adjustments and new features developed over versions 4.9-4.99.
- Finalized adjustments and links to Knowledge Base
- Link from Capital Infusions to Cap Table
- Fixed a Balance Sheet issue with Convertible Notes
Fix History - Previous Versions
Relevant articles
The Settings Sheet
The Settings Sheet allows you to set company-specific parameters like start dates, currency, and tax rates, ensuring all other sheets align with your unique business context.
The Assumptions Sheet
The Assumptions Sheet lets users input key variables impacting business forecasts. It includes sections like Capital Expenditures and Loans, guiding the automatic estimation of costs like computer purchases and setting depreciation periods for various assets.
The Staff Sheet
Organized into sections for various company roles, the Staff Sheet allows for detailed input and monitoring of staff-related costs, tailor roles and expenses, track salary increments, and plan for new hires.
