New P/L plan: clearer tables, a unified design and a detailed “By category” analysis

To make planning and evaluating company finances even more intuitive, we are bringing a major update to the P/L planmodule. The whole interface has been redesigned to match the classic Income statement. The main news, however, is the switch to a clear table view right on the main screen and the addition of advanced filters for a detailed breakdown of the data.

Here is an overview of the key functional changes you’ll now find in the app.

Table view and a unified look

Instead of the original charts, a complete table overview now opens as the default view. The look, row structure and behaviour of the table fully match the Income statement module. For you, that means a consistent user experience across all reporting, faster orientation in the numbers and easier checking of individual cost and revenue items. If you want a visual overview, you can switch to the chart mode at any time with the button Chart view.

The new “By category” section

The P/L plan now has a new tab By category, which complements the existing breakdown by type. Within this new view you can work in two key modes:

• Predicted: This view seamlessly combines actuals and plan. Up to the last closed period (month), it shows real accounting data (Actual), followed automatically in charts and tables by the forecast (Forecast) for the rest of the year. You always have an up-to-date prediction of the result up to the end of the period.
• Comparison: A mode for detailed financial control. It compares achieved actuals (Actual) with the original plan (Forecast), both in absolute values (the financial difference) and as a percentage of fulfilment.

A three-level hierarchy with an optional breakdown

Both new views in the By category section work with a refined structure that lets you dig deep into the data. The data is displayed in three levels:

1. PL Category (a fixed main category, e.g. Revenue, Gross expenses)
2. PL Subcategory (a fixed subcategory for a more detailed breakdown)
3. 3rd hierarchy level (an optional level)

It is the third level that gives you great flexibility in analysis. With the new selection field Selected 3rd level of hierarchy in the top filter, you decide what to break the data down by at the lowest level of detail. With one click you can switch the table, for example, to a view by specific accounts (Account) or other analytical axes you track.

The new P/L plan is already live in the production version of the app and ready for your financial planning this year.