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Free Business Plan Excel Template [Excel Download]

Written by Dave Lavinsky

A business plan is a roadmap for growing your business. Not only does it help you plan out your venture, but it is required by funding sources like banks, venture capitalists and angel investors.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

The body of your business plan describes your company and your strategies for growing it. The financial portion of your plan details the financial implications of your business: how much money you need, what you project your future sales and earnings to be, etc.

Below you will be able to download our free business plan excel template to help with the financial portion of your business plan. You will also learn about the importance of the financial model in your business plan.

Download the template here: Financial Plan Excel Template  

How to Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less! It includes a simple, plug-and-play financial model and a fill-in-the-blanks template for completing the body of your plan.

What’s Included in our Business Plan Excel Template

Our business plan excel template includes the following sections:

Income Statement : A projection of your business’ revenues, costs, and expenses over a specific period of time. Includes sections for sales revenue, cost of goods sold (COGS), operating expenses, and net profit or loss.

Example 5 Year Annual Income Statement

Cash Flow Statement : A projection of your business’ cash inflows and outflows over a specific period of time. Includes sections for cash inflows (such as sales receipts, loans, and investments), cash outflows (such as expenses, salaries, and loan repayments), and net cash flow.

Example 5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

Balance Sheet : A snapshot of your business’ financial position at a specific point in time. Includes sections for assets (such as cash, inventory, equipment, and property), liabilities (such as loans, accounts payable, and salaries payable), and owner’s equity (such as retained earnings and capital contributions).

Example 5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

Download the template here: Business Plan Excel Template 

The template is easy to customize according to your specific business needs. Simply input your own financial data and projections, and use it as a guide to create a comprehensive financial plan for your business. Remember to review and update your financial plan regularly to track your progress and make informed financial decisions.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

The importance of the financial model in your business plan.

A solid financial model is a critical component of any well-prepared business plan. It provides a comprehensive and detailed projection of your business’ financial performance, including revenue, expenses, cash flow, and profitability. The financial model is not just a mere set of numbers, but a strategic tool that helps you understand the financial health of your business, make informed decisions, and communicate your business’ financial viability to potential investors, lenders, and other stakeholders. In this article, we will delve into the importance of the financial model in your business plan.

• Provides a roadmap for financial success : A well-structured financial model serves as a roadmap for your business’ financial success. It outlines your revenue streams, cost structure, and cash flow projections, helping you understand the financial implications of your business strategies and decisions. It allows you to forecast your future financial performance, set financial goals, and measure your progress over time. A comprehensive financial model helps you identify potential risks, opportunities, and areas that may require adjustments to achieve your financial objectives.
• Demonstrates financial viability to stakeholders : Investors, lenders, and other stakeholders want to see that your business is financially viable and has a plan to generate revenue, manage expenses, and generate profits. A robust financial model in your business plan demonstrates that you have a solid understanding of your business’ financials and have a plan to achieve profitability. It provides evidence of the market opportunity, pricing strategy, sales projections, and financial sustainability. A well-prepared financial model increases your credibility and instills confidence in your business among potential investors and lenders.
• Helps with financial decision-making : Your financial model is a valuable tool for making informed financial decisions. It helps you analyze different scenarios, evaluate the financial impact of your decisions, and choose the best course of action for your business. For example, you can use your financial model to assess the feasibility of a new product launch, determine the optimal pricing strategy, or evaluate the impact of changing market conditions on your cash flow. A well-structured financial model helps you make data-driven decisions that are aligned with your business goals and financial objectives.
• Assists in securing funding : If you are seeking funding from investors or lenders, a robust financial model is essential. It provides a clear picture of your business’ financials and shows how the funds will be used to generate revenue and profits. It includes projections for revenue, expenses, cash flow, and profitability, along with a breakdown of assumptions and methodology used. It also provides a realistic assessment of the risks and challenges associated with your business and outlines the strategies to mitigate them. A well-prepared financial model in your business plan can significantly increase your chances of securing funding as it demonstrates your business’ financial viability and growth potential.
• Facilitates financial management and monitoring : A financial model is not just for external stakeholders; it is also a valuable tool for internal financial management and monitoring. It helps you track your actual financial performance against your projections, identify any deviations, and take corrective actions if needed. It provides a clear overview of your business’ cash flow, profitability, and financial health, allowing you to proactively manage your finances and make informed decisions to achieve your financial goals. A well-structured financial model helps you stay on top of your business’ financials and enables you to take timely actions to ensure your business’ financial success.
• Enhances business valuation : If you are planning to sell your business or seek investors for an exit strategy, a robust financial model is crucial. It provides a solid foundation for business valuation as it outlines your historical financial performance, future projections, and the assumptions behind them. It helps potential buyers or investors understand the financial potential of your business and assess its value. A well-prepared financial model can significantly impact the valuation of your business, and a higher valuation can lead to better negotiation terms and higher returns on your investment.
• Supports strategic planning : Your financial model is an integral part of your strategic planning process. It helps you align your financial goals with your overall business strategy and provides insights into the financial feasibility of your strategic initiatives. For example, if you are planning to expand your business, enter new markets, or invest in new technologies, your financial model can help you assess the financial impact of these initiatives, including the investment required, the expected return on investment, and the timeline for achieving profitability. It enables you to make informed decisions about the strategic direction of your business and ensures that your financial goals are aligned with your overall business objectives.
• Enhances accountability and transparency : A robust financial model promotes accountability and transparency in your business. It provides a clear framework for setting financial targets, measuring performance, and holding yourself and your team accountable for achieving financial results. It helps you monitor your progress towards your financial goals and enables you to take corrective actions if needed. A well-structured financial model also enhances transparency by providing a clear overview of your business’ financials, assumptions, and methodologies used in your projections. It ensures that all stakeholders, including investors, lenders, employees, and partners, have a clear understanding of your business’ financial performance and prospects.

In conclusion, a well-prepared financial model is a crucial component of your business plan. It provides a roadmap for financial success, demonstrates financial viability to stakeholders, helps with financial decision-making, assists in securing funding, facilitates financial management and monitoring, enhances business valuation, supports strategic planning, and enhances accountability and transparency in your business. It is not just a set of numbers, but a strategic tool that helps you understand, analyze, and optimize your business’ financial performance. Investing time and effort in creating a comprehensive and robust financial model in your business plan is vital for the success of your business and can significantly increase your chances of achieving your financial goals.

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10 Free Business Plan Templates in Word, Excel, & ClickUp

Praburam Srinivasan

Growth Marketing Manager

February 13, 2024

Turning your vision into a clear and coherent business plan can be confusing and tough. 

Hours of brainstorming and facing an intimidating blank page can raise more questions than answers. Are you covering everything? What should go where? How do you keep each section thorough but brief?

If these questions have kept you up at night and slowed your progress, know you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve put together the top 10 business plan templates in Word, Excel, and ClickUp—to provide answers, clarity, and a structured framework to work with. This way, you’re sure to capture all the relevant information without wasting time. 

And the best part? Business planning becomes a little less “ugh!” and a lot more “aha!” 🤩

What is a Business Plan Template?

What makes a good business plan template, 1. clickup business plan template, 2. clickup sales plan template, 3. clickup business development action plan template, 4. clickup business roadmap template, 5. clickup business continuity plan template, 6. clickup lean business plan template, 7. clickup small business action plan template, 8. clickup strategic business roadmap template , 9. microsoft word business plan template by microsoft, 10. excel business plan template by vertex42.

A business plan template is a structured framework for entrepreneurs and business executives who want to create business plans. It comes with pre-arranged sections and headings that cover key elements like the executive summary , business overview, target customers, unique value proposition, marketing plans, and financial statements.  

A good business plan template helps with thorough planning, clear documentation, and practical implementation. Here’s what to look for:

• Comprehensive structure: A good template comes with all the relevant sections to outline a business strategy, such as executive summary, market research and analysis, and financial projections 
• Clarity and guidance: A good template is easy to follow. It has brief instructions or prompts for each section, guiding you to think deeply about your business and ensuring you don’t skip important details
• Clean design: Aesthetics matter. Choose a template that’s not just functional but also professionally designed. This ensures your plan is presentable to stakeholders, partners, and potential investors
• Flexibility : Your template should easily accommodate changes without hassle, like adding or removing sections, changing content and style, and rearranging parts 🛠️ 

While a template provides the structure, it’s the information you feed it that brings it to life. These pointers will help you pick a template that aligns with your business needs and clearly showcases your vision.

10 Business Plan Templates to Use in 2024

Preparing for business success in 2024 (and beyond) requires a comprehensive and organized business plan. We’ve handpicked the best templates to help you guide your team, attract investors, and secure funding. Let’s check them out.

If you’re looking to replace a traditional business plan document, then ClickUp’s Business Plan Template is for you!

This one-page business plan template, designed in ClickUp Docs , is neatly broken down into the following sections:

• Company description : Overview, mission, vision, and team
• Market analysis : Problem, solution, target market, competition, and competitive advantage
• Sales and marketing strategy : Products/services and marketing channels
• Operational plan : Location and facilities, equipment and tools, manpower, and financial forecasts
• Milestones and metrics: Targets and KPIs

Customize the template with your company logo and contact details, and easily navigate to different sections using the collapsible table of contents. The mini prompts under each section guide you on what to include—with suggestions on how to present the data (e.g., bullet lists, pictures, charts, and tables). 

You can share the document with anyone via URL and collaborate in real time. And when the business plan is ready, you have the option to print it or export it to PDF, HTML, or Markdown.

But that’s not all. This template is equipped with basic and enterprise project management features to streamline the business plan creation process . The Topics List view has a list of all the different sections and subsections of the template and allows you to assign it to a team member, set a due date, and attach relevant documents and references.

Switch from List to Board view to track and update task statuses according to the following: To Do, In Progress, Needs Revision, and Complete. 

This template is a comprehensive toolkit for documenting the different sections of your business plan and streamlining the creation process to ensure it’s completed on time. 🗓️

If you’re looking for a tool to kickstart or update your sales plan, ClickUp’s Sales Plan Template has got you covered. This sales plan template features a project summary list with tasks to help you craft a comprehensive and effective sales strategy. Some of these tasks include:

• Determine sales objectives and goals
• Draft positioning statement
• Perform competitive analysis
• Draft ideal customer persona
• Create a lead generation strategy

Assign each task to a specific individual or team, set priority levels , and add due dates. Specify what section of the sales plan each task belongs to (e.g., executive summary, revenue goals, team structure, etc.), deliverable type (such as document, task, or meeting), and approval state (like pending, needs revisions, and approved).

And in ClickUp style, you can switch to multiple views: List for a list of all tasks, Board for visual task management, Timeline for an overview of task durations, and Gantt to get a view of task dependencies. 

This simple business plan template is perfect for any type of business looking to create a winning sales strategy while clarifying team roles and keeping tasks organized. ✨

Thinking about scaling your business’s reach and operations but unsure where or how to start? It can be overwhelming, no doubt—you need a clear vision, measurable goals, and an actionable plan that every member of your team can rally behind. 

Thankfully, ClickUp’s Business Development Action Plan Template is designed to use automations to simplify this process so every step toward your business growth is clear, trackable, and actionable.

Start by assessing your current situation and deciding on your main growth goal. Are you aiming to increase revenue, tap into new markets, or introduce new products or services? With ClickUp Whiteboards or Docs, brainstorm and collaborate with your team on this decision.

Set and track your short- and long-term growth goals with ClickUp’s Goals , break them down into smaller targets, and assign these targets to team members, complete with due dates. Add these targets to a new ClickUp Dashboard to track real-time progress and celebrate small wins. 🎉

Whether you’re a startup or small business owner looking to hit your next major milestone or an established business exploring new avenues, this template keeps your team aligned, engaged, and informed every step of the way.

ClickUp’s Business Roadmap Template is your go-to for mapping out major strategies and initiatives in areas like revenue growth, brand awareness, community engagement, and customer satisfaction. 

Use the List view to populate tasks under each initiative. With Custom Fields, you can capture which business category (e.g., Product, Operations, Sales & Marketing, etc.) tasks fall under and which quarter they’re slated for. You can also link to relevant documents and resources and evaluate tasks by effort and impact to ensure the most critical tasks get the attention they deserve. 👀

Depending on your focus, this template provides different views to show just what you need. For example, the All Initiatives per Quarter view lets you focus on what’s ahead by seeing tasks that need completion within a specific quarter. This ensures timely execution and helps in aligning resources effectively for the short term.

This template is ideal for business executives and management teams who need to coordinate multiple short- and long-term initiatives and business strategies.

In business, unexpected threats to operations can arise at any moment. Whether it’s economic turbulence, a global health crisis, or supply chain interruptions, every company needs to be ready. ClickUp’s Business Continuity Plan Template lets you prepare proactively for these unforeseen challenges.

The template organizes tasks into three main categories:

• Priorities: Tasks that need immediate attention
• Continuity coverage: Tasks that must continue despite challenges
• Guiding principles: Resources and protocols to ensure smooth operations

The Board view makes it easy to visualize all the tasks under each of these categories. And the Priorities List sorts tasks by those that are overdue, the upcoming ones, and then the ones due later.

In times of uncertainty, being prepared is your best strategy. This template helps your business not just survive but thrive in challenging situations, keeping your customers, employees, and investors satisfied. 🤝

Looking to execute your business plan the “lean” way? Use ClickUp’s Lean Business Plan Template . It’s designed to help you optimize resource usage and cut unnecessary steps—giving you better results with less effort.

In the Plan Summary List view, list all the tasks that need to get done. Add specific details like who’s doing each task, when it’s due, and which part of the Business Model Canvas (BMC) it falls under. The By Priority view sorts this list based on priorities like Urgent, High, Normal, and Low. This makes it easy to spot the most important tasks and tackle them first.

Additionally, the Board view gives you an overview of task progression from start to finish. And the BMC view rearranges these tasks based on the various BMC components. 

Each task can further be broken down into subtasks and multiple checklists to ensure all related action items are executed. ✔️

This template is an invaluable resource for startups and large enterprises looking to maximize process efficiencies and results in a streamlined and cost-effective way.

The Small Business Action Plan Template by ClickUp is tailor-made for small businesses looking to transform their business ideas and goals into actionable steps and, eventually, into reality. 

It provides a simple and organized framework for creating, assigning, prioritizing, and tracking tasks. And in effect, it ensures that goals are not just set but achieved. Through the native dashboard and goal-setting features, you can monitor task progress and how they move you closer to achieving your goals.

Thanks to ClickUp’s robust communication features like chat, comments, and @mentions, it’s easy to get every team member on the same page and quickly address questions or concerns.

Use this action plan template to hit your business goals by streamlining your internal processes and aligning team efforts.

For larger businesses and scaling enterprises, getting different departments to work together toward a big goal can be challenging. The ClickUp Strategic Business Roadmap Template makes it easier by giving you a clear plan to follow.

This template is packaged in a folder and split into different lists for each department in your business, like Sales, Product, Marketing, and Enablement. This way, every team can focus on their tasks while collectively contributing to the bigger goal.

There are multiple viewing options available for team members. These include:

• Progress Board: Visualize tasks that are on track, those at risk, and those behind
• Gantt view: Get an overview of project timelines and dependencies
• Team view: See what each team member is working on so you can balance workloads for maximum productivity

While this template may feel overwhelming at first, the getting started guide offers a step-by-step breakdown to help you navigate it with ease. And like all ClickUp templates, you can easily customize it to suit your business needs and preferences.

Microsoft’s 20-page traditional business plan template simplifies the process of drafting comprehensive business plans. It’s made up of different sections, including:

• Executive summary : Highlights, objectives, mission statement, and keys to success
• Description of business: Company ownership and legal structure, hours of operation, products and services, suppliers, financial plans, etc.
• Marketing: Market analysis, market segmentation, competition, and pricing
• Appendix: Start-up expenses, cash flow statements, income statements, sales forecast, milestones, break-even analysis, etc.

The table of contents makes it easy to move to different sections of the document. And the text placeholders under each section provide clarity on the specific details required—making the process easier for users who may not be familiar with certain business terminology.

No business template roundup is complete without an Excel template. This business plan template lets you work on your business financials in Excel. It comes with customizable tables, formulas, and charts to help you look at the following areas:

• Highlight charts
• Market analysis
• Start-up assets and expenses
• Sales forecasts
• Profit and loss
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow projections
• Break-even analysis

This Excel template is especially useful when you want to create a clear and visual financial section for your business plan document—an essential element for attracting investors and lenders. However, there might be a steep learning curve to using this template if you’re not familiar with business financial planning and using Excel.

Try a Free Business Plan Template in ClickUp

Launching and running a successful business requires a well-thought-out and carefully crafted business plan. However, the business planning process doesn’t have to be complicated, boring, or take up too much time. Use any of the above 10 free business plan formats to simplify and speed up the process.

ClickUp templates go beyond offering a solid foundation to build your business plans. They come with extensive project management features to turn your vision into reality. And that’s not all— ClickUp’s template library offers over 1,000 additional templates to help manage various aspects of your business, from decision-making to product development to resource management .

Sign up for ClickUp’s Free Forever Plan today to fast-track your business’s growth! 🏆

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Voila! You can now download this Spreadsheet

How do you make a business plan for your startup? A business plan template, or company proforma, plots out the trajectory of your business based on its current restraints in order to map its projected future backed up by hard data. Below, we share how to use our Business Plan financial template (available in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets) to save you hours of work as you launch your next venture.

Why do you need a business plan?

Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Business plans are important to raise money or grow quickly. They help you project your future revenues and profits, given a few critical assumptions. Your assumptions need to be real; otherwise, you'll be punched in the mouth when you launch. Our Business Plan template allows you to project your company's revenues across multiple subscriptions or services, as well as multiple products. The template helps to visualize your profits, capital expenditures or CAPEX, employee salaries, company expenses, and so on.

For subscriptions, we track the lifetime value, cost of acquisition, and lifetime period of your subscribers, as well as other subscription-focused metrics. For products our model allows you to take into account returns, marketplace fees, and other typical product-related expenses. To learn the step-by-step process of how to put together your own business plan to project your future profits, you can watch the explainer video above. Below, we dive into the spreadsheet model of the business plan template and how its core functionality works so you can easily create your own business plan.

Information tab

To begin using this business plan template, enter your company name and start year in the information tab. Anything in blue is a number needed to input. The validator checkbox can be checked once you are sure the data entered is absolutely correct. The static inputs are those that don't change over time. The dynamic inputs, like inflation rate, credit card fees, and rent increase rate are those that will likely change over time.

This data is then visualized in the "Charts" tab to present your business plan to investors, partners, and potential customers with the expected trajectory of your company to demonstrate the value of your proposed subscription services, products, or other tangible services your business could provide.

Calculate subscription revenue

LTQ and LTV of subscribers

When a user subscribes to your service, they subscribe for a number of quarters. This is called the Lifetime Quarter (LTQ) of the member. In this model, the subscriber is expected to pay the subscription fee for four quarters. At the end of the four quarters, we expect to pay a total lifetime value (LTV) of $300. In order to change the number of new subscribers that come in during a given quarter, you can edit the quarters at the top of the row. When this is done, the number will be bolded and in blue. This is so you know the number is different from the default you entered at the beginning.

Amortization

With our business plan amortization model, you can enter the new number of subscribers you expect each quarter, and we calculate the number of active subscribers that will remain on your platform. The number of active subscribers plateaus over time. This is because as new members join, other members cancel or churn. This makes your active subscribers flatten out. The amortization calculation is hidden, but you can see the numbers crunched with the drop-down to expand the rows. This amortization is the main difference between a product business plan and a subscriber business plan.

Unit expenses

The business plan also lists all the expenses that are most commonly associated with a subscription which you can edit and customize. A subscriber has two types of expenses: expenses related to when they join, such as advertising and marketing spend needed to gain each new subscriber. There are also expenses related to active subscribers, like support or operational expenses. You can also add expenses to fit your needs.

Subscription services come with upfront capital investments to develop the software. These can be added in the "Other" section. If you expect to create a new version of your software five years down the line, make sure to add it to the timeline based on the year and quarter where you expect to begin development of the next service.

At the bottom of the tab is the Yearly Summary of all the financial metrics listed above that summarizes the total gross revenue and total product expenses for the total operating income every year.

Present to investors

In the Summary tab, the business plan template presents all the numbers for all the subscription services and products the company offers. The business plan model calculates everything from profits to net income to contribution to CAPEX. It mixes subscriptions with products along with companywide expenses expected to experience over time.

Visualize data with charts

After you enter all the data for your company, product, and subscription tabs and Summary tabs, you will get all the visualizations we created to summarize the performance of your company to investors and partners. For example, we visualized the subscription's results over ten years on a quarterly model.

Further down, we do the same thing for all your products. Our business plan template allows you to separate multiple products and multiple subscriptions into one simple business plan. Plus, we have also modularized the data to easily pull the information you want to generate your own charts.

Breakeven point and IRR

In the Summary tab, you can also track contributions towards CAPEX to see how, across time, you'll pay off your original capital expenditure to bring your company to reality. This is all represented at the bottom to learn in what year, and in what quarter, is your breakeven point. This breakeven point helps determine how many quarters it will take to get back all your investments and earn true profits. The IRR at the bottom then helps determine if this will be a profitable venture or not.

Calculate product revenue

In addition to subscriptions, you can also calculate the future revenues of a product you want to sell as part of your business plan. At the top of the "Product" tab, enter the name of your product, marketplace fee and sales commissions, and the number of credit card transactions (same as for the subscription fee). Unique to a product as opposed to a subscription is that products have inventory fees, resale prices, and a cost to process a return.

To project your future revenues, you can change the product price for any upcoming quarter going forward. You can also update the number of products sold each quarter over the next ten years.

Account for inflation and operational expenses

Our model adds inflation to each expense of the product or subscription. So for a single unit of a product, each sub-part cost is listed. This could be an ingredient list, like if you were selling a shampoo product. These costs are increased over time with the inflation tool for the most accurate measurement of future revenues and expenses. To turn off inflation, go to the information tab to increase or decrease the rate of inflation you expect.

You can also enter operational costs, like the processing, packaging, and shipping costs for each individual product, as well as marketing and advertising expenses for a single unit. All of these expenses are added up, along with the expected rate of returns, to generate your expected operating income. This is how much Product A will generate every quarter for the next 10 years.

Before you sell the product, there are also CAPEX expenses to account for. For example, you need to create the product with a product model, build relationships with suppliers, create the brand and packaging design, etc. All these capital expenditures are included in the CAPEX section, and everything is calculated for the year at the bottom in the Yearly Summary.

The "Expenses" tab of the business plan sheet calculates the total salary and bonus costs of every employee you'll need for your business. This is added to the company overhead, which includes transportation, office, and external expenses that are added to the CAPEX expenses needed to create the company for the overall overhead expenses.

Your company will need to hire multiple kinds of employees - marketers, designers, engineers, etc. To calculate how many companies will work at your company for the next ten years, you can count how many of each role you want to hire or fire every quarter for the next 10 years. Like other tabs, custom inputs become highlighted in blue once they are changed.

Per head, per role expenses

For each individual employee you plan to hire, you can enter their salary, bonuses, and cost of equipment for this employee to carry out their tasks. Once entered, our model does the math to calculate payroll taxes and everything else. The total workday expense for each employee can also be calculated. This includes the daily or weekly expenses provided to employees, like in-office food, drinks, and health supplies, as well as monthly amenities like healthcare, parking, and gym memberships. These are then calculated and listed below.

The same is calculated for any expense unrelated to employees, like office and rent expenses. Multiple offices can be listed along with per-year expenses like events and transportation or external expenses like PR, accounting, and legal fees for similar services, which are all calculated at the bottom for the total company overhead. The overall company expenses are added along with the company CAPEX at the bottom to account for everything needed to build the company. Similar to the subscription and product tabs, it can account for future expenses as well.

Why do you need a business plan template?

A business plan outlines your financial goals and explains how you plan to achieve them to share with investors, partners, or creditors. A well-constructed plan should cover all the key details about your business's goals, products or services, and most importantly, finances. A business plan template in Word isn't enough. You need strong calculations to back up your assumptions with a roadmap for the first three to five years at a minimum. Our proforma Business Plan template provides the analysis you need to prove your potential revenues outweigh your potential expenses to create a financially secure business for the foreseeable future.

To learn more about how to create your own business plan for a billion-dollar business, check out our explainer video on what additional elements need to go into your business plan (besides financial projections from a business plan proforma) to bootstrap a billion-dollar idea into reality.

Free Business Plan Template for Excel

Ajay Jagtap

• October 31, 2023

With 1 in 8 people using Excel, I’d be hard-pressed to believe that anyone has never used it at some point in life.

While we have all used it at least once—be it for school homework, college assignments, or travel planning—we never really got the hang of it.

(Excel formulas are tough!)

Preparing a business plan from scratch using Excel is not a joke; we get that. That’s why we created this business plan template in Excel .

So, no more worrying about Excel formulas or plan structure—download the document and follow the instructions in the article for successful business planning.

Sounds good? Let’s start with understanding the pros and cons of using Excel for planning:

Pros and Cons of Using Excel for Business Plans

Before we head to discussing the Excel business plan template, let’s understand the pros and cons of using Excel for business planning:

• Free to use:  MS Excel is 100% free for all its users, making it a cost-effective choice.
• Data Analysis:  Excel is a powerful tool for performing various financial and data analyses and calculations.
• Collaboration: Collaborating with your team while working on a project using Excel is easier.
• Lack of automation: Excel may not help create dynamic business plans with automated features.
• Limited presentation:  Excel cannot create an appealing business plan like a business plan software.
• Complex formulas: Excel’s formulas are complex and require a significant learning curve to master.

So these were the pros and cons. Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the key components of our free business plan Excel template.

Key Components of Our Excel Business Plan Template

It’s a fact—you cannot use Excel to create the entire plan from scratch, no! Excel is a powerful tool for complex calculations and analyses; let’s use it for that only.

So, we’ll use this business plan Excel template only to perform complex financial analyses and calculations—to prepare financial projections.

Following are the critical components of a good business plan template you must include in your financial plan:

1. Income Statement

The income statement is one of the key financial statements of your financial plan that highlights its profit and loss over a given period of time.

The critical components of your income statement include—revenue/sales, Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), operational costs, EBITDA, interest, and others.

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2. Balance Sheet

Your balance sheet is a statement that reports your company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity, providing a snapshot of its financial position at a specific period of time.

The statement helping you calculate financial ratios includes the following:

• Assets—e.g. Inventory, cash, property.
• Liabilities—e.g. Accounts payable, loans, salaries to be paid.
• Owners equity—e.g. Capital investment/contribution.

3. Cash Flow Statement

The cash flow statement of your financial plan is the projection of your cash in and outflows over a certain period of time.

As one of three key components of your financial plan, the cash flow statement summarizes the amount of cash or cash equivalents entering or leaving your company.

4. Break-Even Analysis

A break-even analysis helps you determine the number of units you need to sell to cover all fixed and variable costs.

The break-even point is considered a measure of safety margin, and anything you sell beyond the point will result in profit.

While your balance sheet already highlights the assets, liabilities, and owner’s equity, assets are considered critical for investors to assess the company’s financial health. So, our simple business plan template (Excel) has a separate sheet for business assets.

6. Accounts Payable & Receivable

The accounts payable refer to the amount due to vendors or suppliers for services or goods received, whereas accounts receivable represent the money due to the company.

The increase or decrease in your accounts payable or receivable can be seen in your cash flow statement.

7. Working Capital

Working capital is the subtraction of your current liabilities from your current assets. As a critical element in identifying your company’s health, it helps investors understand if it has enough capital to pay employees and fund operations to meet short-term goals.

Download the Financial Forecast Template In Excel

We discussed all the critical statements to be covered in your financial plan. Now what? It’s time for you to download the financial forecast template and start preparing your financial plan.

Unlike other free Excel templates, this template has all the reports with the suggested revenue streams, expenses, and other details.

You can directly download and use the template to forecast cash flow, create balance sheets, and prepare income statements that provide detailed information about your revenue and expenses. So what are you waiting for?

How to Use an Excel Business Plan Template

We’re hoping you’ve already downloaded the business plan template. So, the question arises: How can this Excel template be used to prepare realistic forecasts?

Let’s get this over with:

Understand the template structure

Before you start planning, you must understand the structure of the financial portion of your business plan. Get a thorough review of the template and understand:

• What critical statements does it include?
• What are the revenue streams?
• What are considered to be assets and liabilities?
• What does the taxation structure look like?

And others. Once you thoroughly understand the structure, you can move ahead with the next step.

Analyze historical data

Financial forecasting is about assumptions—a lot of them, but accurate ones. If you’re a total stranger to financial forecasting, analyzing historical data will help you get off on the right foot.

Analyze the historical data and try to gain insights about your business financials:

• Monthly revenue over the last year?
• How much you’re spending on day-to-day operations?
• What is your sales growth rate? How fast is it increasing over time?

And others. These historical figures will be of massive help in the next step.

Make pre-assumptions

As I said before, financial forecasts heavily rely on certain assumptions like sales forecasts, operational expenses, revenue growth, and others.

So, in this step, you’ll make assumptions about these variables based on the historical data to make them realistic and accurate.

Prepare key financial reports

Once you have made pre-assumptions, it’s time to prepare forecasts. Don’t overwhelm yourself with a lot of numbers; start by preparing critical financial reports that include—a cash flow statement, balance sheet, and income statement.

Other statements of your plan rely heavily on these reports, so the process will become much easier after having prepared these three beforehand.

Monitor and track progress

After preparing your financial reports, the next step is timely monitoring these reports and tracking progress.

You can compare your assumptions with actual results to see if your projections are accurate and relevant to the changing market trends.

Analyzing metrics like customer acquisition rate, acquisition costs, net profit, and gross margin will help track progress.

If you follow these steps rigorously, you can surely make a decent plan to support your business strategies and achieve financial goals.

Still, it was just about financial planning. What about the entire business plan? Excel is a no-go for business planning; let’s see why.

How Excel may not be the best choice for business planning?

Since Excel doesn’t offer all the necessary features for business planning that a business plan software like Upmetrics would, it is not the tool to be used to create a comprehensive business plan.

Following are a few reasons why Excel may not be a better choice for business planning compared to a tool like Upmetrics:

• Limited features: Since it is not designed specifically for planning, it has limited business planning features compared to software like Upmetrics. A business planning software may include features like business plan builder, financial forecasting, and pitch deck creator.
• Limited collaboration: Everyone knows Excel isn’t the tool with the best collaboration features. Business plan software offers collaboration features, allowing multiple team members to work on a business plan simultaneously.
• No Automation: Upmetrics comes with many automation features like AI assistant and financial forecasting tool, helping entrepreneurs and small businesses save time and reduce human errors.
• No customizable templates: Upmetrics has 400+ business plan examples and templates that make it easier for new users to get started, which has not been the case with Excel.

These were just a few of many reasons why a planning tool is a better alternative than Excel to create a comprehensive plan to support their business strategy.

Improve Your Business Financial Plan with Upmetrics

I’d surely have recommended Excel for financial planning if you had asked maybe a decade ago.

Today? There’s no way Excel stands a chance when competing with a cutting-edge AI business planning solution like Upmetrics.

Upmetrics simplifies business planning with its library of business templates, financial forecasting tool, and AI-powered assistant, making it a much more efficient alternative to Excel.

What are you waiting for? Start planning today!

Make your plan in half the time & twice the impact with Upmetrics

Fill-in-the-blanks, AI-assistance, and automatic financials make it easy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i create a business plan in excel.

It’s challenging to draft an entire business plan in Excel. However, you can use Excel to create the financial portion of your plan using a free business plan Excel template. A ready-made template is always better and faster than preparing your financial reports from scratch.

Are there any alternatives to Excel for creating a business plan?

Yes, there are a few alternatives to Excel for creating a business plan. However, using a business plan software like Upmetrics would be a better alternative to creating a business plan than others.

Why should I use an Excel template for my business financial plan?

You cannot certainly master Excel formulas in one day, and preparing advanced financial reports from scratch means you must be very good at accounting, budgeting, and Excel sheets and ready to spare some intense hours.

So, considering the complexity of Excel—using a ready-made template seems like a great starting point for budding entrepreneurs with no financial planning experience.

Are there any free business plan templates available in Excel?

Although it’s tough to create the entire business plan in Excel from scratch, Upmetrics offers a free business plan Excel template to help you gain inspiration and make the financial portion of your business plan.

Can I share my financial plan online with others using Excel?

Yes, you can share your financial plan online with others using Excel. To share your document with others, simply click on the “Share with People” option and enter their email addresses, and you have shared the doc.

About the Author

Ajay is a SaaS writer and personal finance blogger who has been active in the space for over three years, writing about startups, business planning, budgeting, credit cards, and other topics related to personal finance. If not writing, he’s probably having a power nap. Read more

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Free Business Plan Template

One of the reasons that so many small businesses fail is that they don't do the necessary up front work to create an accurate and realistic business plan. Creating a business plan doesn't guarantee success, but the process of writing a plan is critical for any successful new business. It isn't our goal to try to tell you everything you need to know about creating a business plan. Instead, our goal is to make the process easier by providing a professionally designed business plan template that you can edit easily using Word and Excel .

Business Plan Template

License : Private Use (not for distribution or resale)

Authors : Jon Wittwer and Jim Wittwer

Update (7/22/2016) : We've added a basic break-even analysis worksheet to the companion Excel workbook.

Description

This template provides a business plan outline with sample questions, tables, and a working table of contents. It was created for newer versions of Word and Excel (Office 2007 or later) so that you can easily change the fonts and color scheme and the file will be compatible with the mobile and web-based Word & Excel apps.

It is best to use Excel for financial statements, data tables and charts. So, we have provided a companion Excel workbook with these sample financial statements and other tables and graphs that you can copy and paste into your Word document.

The companion workbook combines many of the different spreadsheets you can find on Vertex42.com, but customized specifically for inclusion in a business plan.

Using the Business Plan Template

Editing headings and table of contents.

Word allows you to assign format Styles to text and paragraphs, and we've designed the template to use these Styles for defining headings, sub-headings, and figure captions.

If you want to add a new section so that the Table of Contents updates correctly, just add a new heading in the body of the document and assign it the Heading 1 or Heading 2 style.

To update the Table of Contents, go to the References tab and within the Table of Contents group of buttons, click on Update Table and then "Update entire table."

Copy/Paste From Excel to Word

For simple tables, you can use Copy/Paste (Ctrl+c / Ctrl+v) to copy a table from Excel to Word. This will typically paste the data as a formatted and editable table in Word, though none of the formulas will be functional within Word (and the table will not be linked to Excel). If you don't want the table to be editable in Word, you can "Paste as a Picture" using Paste Special or by choosing the "Picture" option when you right-click in Word to paste the table.

Important : When you paste a chart object into your business plan, make sure to "Paste as a Picture" because pasting the chart as an embedded object means that the entire spreadsheet becomes embedded in your Word document (even though what you see is only the chart).

If you want to insert a table into Word as a "Linked Object" so that when you edit Excel, the table in Word will update automatically, you may have a more difficult time preserving the formatting of the original. However, at the least the entire spreadsheet won't be embedded within your business plan Word document.

More Related Templates

Resources for Writing a Business Plan

• Write Your Business Plan at SBA.gov - Anybody starting a business should become familiar with the SBA (small business association). SBA.gov also has an online tool for creating a business plan .
• YouTube: How to Write a Business Plan - Business Wales (3 minutes) - This video offers a quick overview and tips for the essential parts of a business plan.
• YouTube: How to Write a Business Plan - Berkeley-Haas (71 minutes) - This presentation offers both the venture capitalist and entrepreneur perspective on how to write a business plan that can successfully attract funding.
• Write Your Business Plan at Entrepreneur.com - A book written by the staff of a company that should know what they are talking about.
• Sample Business Plans at bplans.com - Finding a business plan for similar businesses in your industry is a great way to get ideas for what to include in your plan. This site is a great resource for not only finding sample plans, but also for creating a business plan online using their step-by-step approach.

Other Free Business Plan Templates

• Business Planning Template Gallery at SCORE.org - This nonprofit organization (supported by the SBA) has provided expertise and free mentorship for millions of small business owners. They also have a useful collection of templates.
• Develop Your Business Plan at business.gov.au - This Australian Government site provides a really good business plan template for Word, including a detailed guide, questions to answer, and sample financial statements.

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Related Templates

Financial Statements

• TemplateLab

Financial Projections Templates

34 simple financial projections templates (excel,word).

A financial projections template is a tool that is an essential part of managing businesses as it serves as a guide for the various team to achieve the desired goals. The preparation of these projections seems like a difficult task, especially for small businesses. If you can come up with financial statements , then you can also make financial projections.

Table of Contents

• 1 Financial Projections Templates
• 2 When do you need a financial projections template?
• 3 Business Projections Templates
• 4 What to include in financial projections?
• 5 Financial Forecast Templates
• 6 How do I make a financial projection?
• 7 Revenue Projection Templates

When do you need a financial projections template?

A financial projections template uses estimated or existing financial information to forecast the future expenses and income of your business. These projections don’t just consider a single scenario but different ones so you can determine how the changes in one part of your finances might affect the profitability of your company.

If you have to create a financial business projections template for your business, you can download a template to make the task easier. Financial projection has become an important tool in business planning for the following reasons:

• If you’re starting a business venture, a financial projection helps you plan your start-up budget.
• If you already have a business, a financial projection helps you set your goals and stay on track.
• If you’re thinking about getting outside financing, you need a financial projection to convince investors or lenders of the potential of your business.

Business Projections Templates

What to include in financial projections?

A financial projections template usually includes a few financial statements that will help you achieve better financial performance for your business:

• Income Statement Also called the Profit and Loss Statement , this focuses on your company’s expenses and revenues generated for a specific period of time. A typical income statement includes expenses, revenue, losses, and gains. The sum of all these is the net income, a measure of your company’s profitability.
• Cash Flow Statement Taking a look at a cash flow statement makes you understand how your company’s operations work. The statement explains in detail how much money goes in and out of your business in the form of either expense or income. This document includes the following: Operating Activities The cash flow from operating activities reports cash outflows and inflows from your company’s daily operations. This includes changes in accounts receivable, cash, inventory, accounts payable, and depreciation. Investing Activities You use the cash flows from investing activities for your company’s investments into the long-term future. This includes cash outflows for purchases of fixed assets like equipment and property and cash inflows for sales of assets. Financing Activities The financial activities in a cash flow statement show your business’ sources of cash from either banks or investors along with expenditures of cash you have paid to your shareholders. Total these at the end of each period to determine either a loss or a profit. The cash flow statement gets connected to the income statement through net income. To make this document, it requires the reconciliation of the two documents. You can calculate net profitability or income in the income statement which you then use to start the cash flow from the operations category in your cash flow statement.
• Balance Sheet This is a statement of your business’ liabilities, assets, and capital at a specific point in time. It details the balance of expenditure and income over the preceding period. This document provides you with a general overview of your business’ financial health. Here is an overview of these components: Assets These are your business’ resources with economic value that your business owns and which you believe will provide some benefit in the future. Examples of such future benefits include reducing expenses, enhancing sales, or generating cash flow. Assets typically include inventory, property, and cash. Liabilities In general, these refer to the obligations of your business to other entities. In more common terms, these are the debts that your business incurs in your daily operations. It typically includes loans and accounts payable. You can classify liabilities either as short-term or long-term. Owner’s Equity This is the amount you have left after you have paid off your liabilities. It is usually classified as retained earnings – the sum of your net income earned minus all the dividends you have paid since the start of your business.

Together with your break-even analysis and financial statements, you can include any other document that will help explain the assumptions behind your cash flow and financial forecast template.

Financial Forecast Templates

How do I make a financial projection?

The creation of a financial projections template requires the same information to use whether your business is still in its planning stages or it’s already up and running. The difference is whether you’re creating your revenue projection template using historical financial information or if you need to start from scratch.

This includes the creation of projections based on your own experiences or by conducting market research in the industry in which your business will operate. Here are some tips for creating an effective business plan financial projections template:

• Create the sales projection An important component of your business projections template is the sales projections. A business that’s already running can base its projections on its past performance, which you can derive from financial statements. When creating your sales projections, you must consider some external factors like the projected and current health of your company, if your inventory will get affected by additional tariffs, or if there is a downturn in your industry. Even if you want to remain optimistic about your business, you have to make realistic plans.
• Create the expense projection At the onset, the creation of an expense projection seems simpler because it’s much easier to predict the possible expenses of your business than it is to predict potential customers or their buying habits. If you have experience working in a certain industry, you can predict with some degree of accuracy what your fixed expenses are and any recurring expenses. But when it comes to one-time expenses that have the potential to bring down your business, these are much harder to predict. The best thing you can do in this scenario is to project expenses to the best of your ability then increase this value by 15%.
• Come up with a balance sheet for your financial projections template If you have a business that has been in operation for a couple of months, you can come up with a balance sheet using accounting software. The balance sheet shows your business’ financial status, listing its liabilities, equity, and assets balance for a certain time period. Use the current totals in your balance sheet when making your financial projections, In doing so, you will make better predictions on where your business will be a few years in the future. If you’re still in the planning stage of a business, you can create a balance sheet based on the data you’ve gathered from industry research.
• Create the income statement projection If you have a business that is currently in operation, you can create an income statement projection using your existing income statements to create an estimate of your business’ projected numbers. This is a logical move since an income statement provides a picture of your business’s net income after subtracting things like taxes, cost of goods, and other expenses. One of the main purposes of the income statement is to provide an idea of your business’ current performance. It also serves as the basis for estimating your net income for the next couple of years. If your business is still in the planning stages, the creation of a potential income statement shows that you have conducted extensive research and created a diligent and well-crafted estimate of your income in the next couple of years. If you have uncertainties on how to start creating an income statement projection, you can consult with market research firms in your locale. They can provide you with an overview of your targeted industry which includes target markets, expected and current industry growth levels, and sales.
• Come up with a cash flow projection The creation of this document is the final step leading to the completion of your financial projection. The cash flow statement is directly connected to the balance sheet and the net income statement, showing any cash-related or cash activities that can affect your industry. One of the purposes of this statement is to show how much money your business spends. This is a must for businesses obtaining financing or looking for investors. You can use this cash flow statement if your business has been in operation for a minimum of six months, but if your business is still in the planning stages, you can use the information you have gathered to create a credible projection. To make things easier for you, consider using spreadsheet software. Chances are, you’re already using spreadsheets. Using a spreadsheet will be the starting point for your financial projections. In addition, it offers flexibility that allows you to quickly judge alternative scenarios or change assumptions. Be as clear and reasonable as possible with your financial projections. Remember that financial projection is as much science as art. At some point, you will have to make assumptions on certain things like how administrative costs and raw materials will grow, revenue growth, and how efficient you will be at gathering accounts receivable for your business.

Revenue Projection Templates

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Personal Balance Sheets

Business Plan Excel Template

Excel spreadsheet to prepare professional design business plans. Present your company with a printable and clear plan. With step-by-step guide.

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TEMPLATE DESCRIPTION

You have to prepare a business plan for your creditors and don’t know where to start. So here is our Business Plan Excel Template to help you all through the process.

Welcome to our Business Plan Template, the strategic roadmap for your 5-year startup success. Craft a proposal, secure funding, and ensure corporate sustainability with this comprehensive checklist.

Basically, Business plans usually target external actors like outside stakeholders, government agencies, lenders, clients, and investors. But they can also be internally focused in times of a new product or service development, opening a new factory or branch, organizational restructuring, and other key changes in a business.

This business plan template provides detailed guide  to summarize the nature of your company. Additionally, you can easily display your business drivers with company descriptions, marketing strategies, organization, financial projections, and other background information directly in Excel.

Our template fosters innovation and accountability, guiding your strategic decision-making . It addresses risk assessment, operations improvement, and profitability planning. Assess equity, valuation, and feasibility while emphasizing ownership, leadership, and resilience.

Business Plan Excel Template Features

Above all, our template offers a ready-to-use structure for a comprehensive business plan. With this tool, you will save a huge amount of time and energy with pre-defined sections and detailed guide.

In addition to a navigation menu, our template includes six main sections: 1. Cover, 2. Introduction, 3. Marketing, 4. Organization, 5. Financials, 6. Summary.

Navigation Menu

This menu helps you not only to move among the different sheets but also to track the preparation phase of the whole plan. So, under each main section, there are sub-category buttons to navigate through the relevant sheets. Also, you can easily track the completed sheets by using the little checkboxes on the left side of each sheet.

The cover page is a ready-to-print sheet with the business name, contact info, report writers, and the date. The user may also change the logo by right-clicking and selecting the Change Picture option.

2. Introduction

Under this section of your business plan template, the Company Description and Products/Services sheets summarize the main info of the business such as name, mission, core values, legal structure, etc., as well as the main properties of its products or services.

3. Marketing

The marketing section of this business plan generator consists of six different marketing tools:

• Industry Analysis: This sheet gives a general outlook of the business industry.
• Target Market Analysis: You can define the target market of the business with geographic, demographic, psychographic, and behavioral levels.
• Competitive Analysis: You may make a competitive analysis by first defining the main factors and assigning an important point for each factor, and then giving scores for the business itself and the competitors for each factor. The overall weighted scores will be calculated automatically.
• Porter’s Five Forces Analysis: This section lets the user explain the competitive environment with the Power of Buyers, Power of Suppliers, Threat of New Entrants, Threat of Substitutes, and Competitive Rivalry.

• SWOT Analysis: You can evaluate a business from internal (Strengths & Weakness) and external (Opportunities & Threats) aspects.
• Distribution : This section gives the main idea about the distribution channels of the business in your plan template.

4. Organization

This sheet displays the organization and management prospects of the company. The first part is for the key managers of the business, with name, position, and expertise area. Meanwhile, the second part is to define the human resources structure of the company. You will give the estimated personnel number and the average salary for each department, and the template calculates the total estimated costs for human resources.

This template will help your innovation and improvement process in your organization.

5. Financials of Business Plan Template

Basically, the financials section of the business plan template consists of Sales Forecasts, three main Financial Statements, as well as a Financial Summary.

• Sales Forecasts: This area gives a prospect of sales projections for each target market for the five years, which you can easily may change. The total sales and year-over-year sales growth will be calculated automatically.
• Financial Statements: These sections provide ready-to-use Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement for five-year financial projections. The white areas are for the user to input data, while the gray shaded areas are calculations. You may change the years, but we highly recommend to you use the same five-year period for the sales forecasts and financial statements to get accurate financial summary results.
• Financial Summary: This dashboard is produced from the previous sales forecast and financial statement sheets. The template displays a clear financial outlook for the five-year projections of the business with key ratios and professional-looking charts.

You’ll always track your budget with entry and exit levels, staying accountable for all the stakeholderes, including your partners, creditors, etc.

Lastly, the Summary section of our excel business plan gives a general idea of the company, consisting of three main parts:

• Business Model Canvas: This section helps to summarize the key drivers of the business in nine main blocks with drag & drop post-it notes. Moreover, you may easily move these notes and change the size, colors, or fonts.
• Business Timeline: This list shows the expected milestones of the business with target dates. This will give a smooth road map for the company.
• Executive Summary: As one of the most important sections of a business plan, the Executive Summary gives a chance to explain its business to the targeted audience in his/her own words. This one-page brief of the company underlines the main description, goals, and prospects of the business.

Note: When you have done with your business plan, you can take a printout of the whole template by selecting the Print Entire Workbook option under the print settings.

Chart the path to success with a solid investment framework , securing capital and financing for your expansion. Ensure compliance, execution, and continuity while pursuing your objectives and realizing your strategy and vision for corporate growth and revenue.

Business Plan Excel Template Features Summary:

• Summarize business with key drivers
• Provides a general overview of a business
• Guide to preparing a business plan
• Fully customizable and ready to print
• Informational notes included
• No installation needed, ready-to-use
• Works both on Mac and Windows
• Compatible with Excel 2007 and later versions
• Does not include any VBA code or macros

Business Plan Template is a ready-to-use Excel Template and provided as-is. If you need customization on your reports or need more complex templates, please refer to our custom services.

PRODUCT VIDEO

Watch the video below to see the template in action! Presentation also includes usage notes, explanations and tips & tricks about the template.

USER REVIEWS & COMMENTS

15 reviews for business plan excel template.

Julie Tacconi – May 8, 2023

I’m one of your most loyal customers, and I’m a big fan of what you’re doing. I always receive updates, campaigns, and even special offers from you. I’m writing this review to let others know that this template is well worth the price, and that you’ll have a great experience using it.

Nora Rusman – March 9, 2023

What can I do with the SWOT analysis? I dont know the usage of it. I wish there was more explanation for it.

Someka – March 9, 2023

Greetings! We understand that customers do not want to be bogged down with lengthy descriptions, so we encourage the use of our online chat or support mail to ask any questions. SWOT analysis is an effective way to determine both internal (e.g. strengths and weaknesses) and external (e.g. opportunities and threats) elements affecting a business. It is essential to take appropriate steps once the analysis is completed.

Dawnn Davis – February 16, 2023

I purchased the template, am I charged monthly for using it?

Someka – February 16, 2023

Hello, thank you for inquiring! This template comes with a one-time fee ; once you make the payment, you will have immediate access to the template. There are no subscription plans or additional fees.

Natalie Taylor – November 12, 2022

Can you explain more about demographic level? I have difficulties to undrestand the whole point of it.

Someka – November 12, 2022

Demographics are details that show the composition of a population, based on factors such as age, race, and gender. Analyzing demographic data is a way to study the population and gain insight into who is part of it.

Alena Vasyuk – September 26, 2022

How many analysis I will get with target market share?

Someka – September 26, 2022

We have four types of Target Market Analysis in this business plan template: Geographic, Demographic, Psychographic, and Behavioral. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email: [email protected]

Rama Bintang – June 10, 2022

what is the meaning of industry size into this template?

Someka – June 10, 2022

The Industry Size is an indication of the total market size and target audience of the industry. It is possible to classify the industry as either growing or shrinking.

Antonia R – April 28, 2022

I could not use the business model canvas part. It doesn’t work. I couldn’t add new post-it

Someka – April 28, 2022

Hello Antonia,

You can use the drag&drop part of the Business Model Canvas section. It allows you to flexibly design your note style. Firstly, you can choose any post-it from the palette on the right side of the sheet and drag it to your desired location on the canvas. After that, you can include any information by manually writing it down on the post-it. Please see the image below:

Harold – April 27, 2022

I’m not sure but maybe we will consider buying a multi user. Is it possible to change the license of our product? Now we have single user.

Someka – April 27, 2022

Hello Harold,

We may surely upgrade your license from single-user to multi-user. Just email us at [email protected] and our team will contact you with a link to upgrade your license.

Angela Rucker – April 27, 2022

This template reallly saved my day! Thank you SOMEKAAA

Dear Angela, We’re very happy to hear that you liked our tool. Thank you for your kind words.

Tommy Rodriquez – April 26, 2022

Nice job guys, but will I have to use all of these sheets. It seems too much!

Someka – April 26, 2022

Hi Tommy, This is a comprehensive business plan template. But you do not have to fill in all the sheets. The checkboxes on the navigation menu may help you track your own plan. Use the tools you need, and put an “X” on ones that you do not want to use. As all the users may need different tools/sheets on their business plan, we prefer to give as many as possible to our users.

Ellis J – April 25, 2022

I was really looking for this type of product and finally found it. It was my pleasure to receive such comprehensive app. thanks

Amy C – April 25, 2022

very useful excel thanks for everything. tiny question,where can i see may sales projections?

Someka – April 25, 2022

Dear Amy, You may see your sales projections, which you input in the Sales Forecast section, on the Financial Summary charts. But please remember that these projections are not automatically moved to financial statements. These are all separate sheets. Hope this helps!

Mae – April 24, 2022

Ronald Davis – April 24, 2022

I could not change the logo?

Someka – April 24, 2022

Hi Ronald, You can change the logo on the cover by right-clicking on the dummy logo and selecting the Change Picture option. Then You can select your logo From a File on your computer. To change the Someka logos throughtout the template, please click here

Jose D. – April 22, 2022

Hello someka team it looks good but may I use it in Spanish? it will be better for me.

Someka – April 22, 2022

Hi Jose, Thanks for asking. After purchasing a modifiable version, you can make any modifications, which include translating the template into another language. Actually, this template is fully customizable. So you may use it in Spanish easily. Hope this helps!

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5-Year Financial Plan Template

Whether you are already running a business, or making plans to start one up, financial planning is a vital part of ensuring your success. Not knowing your expected income and expenditure will make it difficult to plan, and hard to find investors.

This 5-Year Financial Plan spreadsheet will make it easy for you to calculate profit and loss, view your balance sheet and cash flow projections, as well as calculate any loan payments you may have. Whilst the wording on this spreadsheet is focussed around products, it can just as easily be used for businesses who largely provide services to their customers.

5-Year Financial Plan Projection

How to use Financial Plan

Model inputs.

Use the Model Inputs sheet to enter information about your business that will be used to model results seen on the other pages.

Forecasted Revenue

The forecasted revenue section allows you to estimate your revenue for 4 different products. Simply use the white boxes to enter the number of units you expect to sell, and the price you expect to sell them for, and the spreadsheet will calculate the total revenue for each product for the year. If you want to give your products names, simply type over the words "Product 1", "Product 2" etc. and these names will be carried through to the rest of the spreadsheet.

Cost of Goods Sold

Your margins are unlikely to be the same on all of your products, so the cost of goods sold allows you to enter your expected gross margin for each product into the white boxes in Column B. The spreadsheet will automatically calculate the annual cost of goods sold based on this information, along with your forecasted revenue.

Annual Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul

As the cost of annual maintenance, repair and overhaul is likely to increase each year, you will need to enter a percentage factor on your capital equipment in the white box in Column B. This will be used to calculate your operating expenses in the profit and loss sheet.

Asset Depreciation

Use the white box to enter the number of years you expect your assets to depreciate over. This may vary greatly from business to business, as assets in some sectors depreciate much more quickly than they do in others.

In most parts of the world, you will have to pay income on your earnings. Enter the annual tax rate that applies to your circumstances in the white box in Column B. If you have to pay any other taxes, these can be entered later on the Profit and Loss sheet.

Although you cannot be certain of the level of inflation, you will still need to try and plan for it when coming up with a 5-year financial plan. The International Monetary Fund provide forecasts for a number of countries, so is a good place to look if you are unsure what to enter here. Simply enter your inflation rate in the white box.

Product Price Increase

As a consumer, you are no doubt aware that the price of products goes up over time. Enter a number in the white box to show the expected annual price increase of your products to enable the spreadsheet to calculate income in future years. If you are unsure what to put here, increasing your product price in line with inflation is a good starting point. If your business is just starting out, you may be able to command higher prices for your products or services as the years go on, as you build up brand recognition and a good reputation.

The funding section allows you to enter information about your business loan. To use this section, simply fill in the three white boxes representing the amount of the loan, the annual interest rate and the term of the loan in months - for example, 12 for 1 year, 24 for 2 years, 36 for 3 years, 48 for 4 years, or 60 for a 5 year loan.

Profit and loss

This sheet calculates your profit and loss for each year over a 5 year period. The profit and loss assumptions, along with income, are automatically calculated using information entered in the model inputs sheet.

Non-Operation Income

You may have, or be expecting some income in addition to your operating income. These can be entered manually in the white cells in Column B for Year 1, Column C for Year 2 and so on. There are pre-entered categories for rental, lost income and loss (or gain) on the sale of assets, as well as an additional row where you can enter your own non-operation income.

Operating Expenses

Some parts of this are already filled in based on information you put on the Model Inputs, for example, depreciation, maintenance and interest on long-term debt. Years 2-5 are also filled in for you across all categories based on the inflation information entered in the Model Inputs sheet. You therefore only need to enter your Sales and Marketing, Insurance, Payroll and Payroll Tax, Property Taxes, Utilities, Administration Fees and any Other Expenses into the white cells in Column B for Year 1.

Non-recurring Expenses

This section is for entering any expenses that you will not be paying on an annual basis. The Unexpected Expenses row allows you to enter a contingency for unexpected expenses, whilst the Other Expenses row allows you to enter any other one off expenses you may be expecting to make, for example the purchase of new equipment part way into your 5 year plan.

Income Tax is filled in based on the information you enter into the model inputs. Depending on where your business is based, you may find yourself having to pay other taxes. These can be entered in the Other Tax row. You can rename this row by typing over the "Other Tax (specify)" text.

Balance Sheet

The annual balances for Years 1-5 are, in most cases, filled in for you, based on the information you have entered on the Model Inputs sheet and in the Initial Balance column of the Balance Sheet column itself. This makes it very easy to use.

Current Assets

This is where you can enter the value of any of your current assets, with spaces to enter information about Cash and Short-term Investments, Accounts Receivable, Inventory, Prepaid Expenses and Deferred Income Tax. At the bottom of this section is a space for you to enter any other current assets you may have that do not fall into any of these categories.

Property and Equipment

Depending on the nature of your business, you may have assets such as Buildings, Land, Capital Improvements and Machinery. Enter the value of these assets into Column B, and these values will be copied over to each of the 5 years of the plan. The depreciation information entered into the Model Inputs sheet will be used to calculate the depreciation expenses, which allows a total for property and equipment to be calculated automatically.

Other Assets

This section is for entering information on any assets that don't fit in the other sections. These could be Goodwill Payments, Deferred Income Tax, Long-term Investments, Deposits, or any Other long-term assets. Enter the information into Column B, and it will be carried across to the yearly columns automatically.

Current Liabilities

As well as assets, your business is likely to have liabilities. There are spaces to enter Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses, Notes Payable and Short-term Debt, Capital Leases and Other current liabilities. Just leave blank any rows where you do not have any liabilities, and the totals will be calculated for you.

Your long-term debt/loan information will have already been entered in the Model Inputs sheet, so the only thing to do here is to enter any other long-term debt. Unlike much of the rest of the Balance Sheet, you can manually enter different amounts for each year, as you may, for example, be expecting to take on another loan to purchase some new equipment in Year 3 as your business expands.

Other Liabilities

Use this section to enter any liabilities not covered by the pre-defined labels. You can amend the text in Column A, in order to specify the liabilities, and then enter the cost of these liabilities in Column B.

Your business is likely to have some equity, and this can be entered into this section. You can fill out the Owner's Equity, Paid-in Capital and Preferred Equity in Column B. Your retained earnings are automatically calculated based on the Profit and Loss sheet.

Much of the information on the cash flow sheet is based on calculations in the Balance Sheet. It is important to plan your cash flow carefully, so that you know what funds you will have available to buy new stock and equipment.

Operating Activities

Much of this section is automatically filled in based on your balance sheet. There are only three rows to fill out, which are Amortization, Other Liabilities and Other Operating Cash Flow. You only need to fill out the white boxes in Column B for Year 1, as these values will automatically be carried over into subsequent years for you.

Investing Activities

Your capital expenditures and sale of fixed assets will be automatically populated if you have filled out the relevant sections of the Balance Sheet. They will be blank if they do not apply. As investing activities can vary year on year, you will need to fill out any investment activities for each of the 5 years in the appropriate columns for Acquisition of Business, and any Other Investing Cash Flow items.

Financing Activities

The long-term debt/financing row will be pre-filled based on the loan information previously entered. Use Column B to fill out your Preferred Stock, Total Cash Dividends Paid, Common Stock and Other Financing Cash Flow items for Year 1. This information will automatically carried over to Years 2-5.

Loan Payment Calculator

There is nothing to enter on this sheet, as it is for information only. Whether or not you already have a loan, or are using this spreadsheet as a part of a business plan to help you obtain one, it allows you to easily see how much you will be paying each month, showing how much you are paying off your loan, and how much you are paying in interest. This will allow you to get an idea of whether or not you can afford to borrow a bit extra, if you feel it would allow you to push your business into higher places, or whether you need to shop around for a better interest rate or adjust the loan term in order to afford the loan payments.

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Business Plan Financial Template

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Business Plan: How to Create Great Financial Plans in Excel

I guess, you are about to write a business plan and that is why you have come to this page. Very good – because in this article I am going to write down my experience with business plans and what I have learned creating them with Microsoft Excel. As I will point out again further down, I will only concentrate on the financial part of business plans. Specifically, how to set it up in Excel. Of course, you can also download an Excel template .

Parts of business plans

As you reached this page I suppose you already have a rough idea of what a business plan is. So, we will skip this part here.

A business plan is a formal written document containing the goals of a business, the methods for attaining those goals, and the time-frame for the achievement of the goals.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_plan

But one comment concerning the scope of this article: The formal business plan has usually many different parts, in which you describe the business idea and product, the market, competition, legal construct and so on. But typically, investors are most interested in the financial part. They want to know first, what they can get out of it. Of course, the other parts are also very important, but the financial topics usually put everything described in the other sections into numbers.

I’m not going further into the details of all the other parts than then financial section here. Specifically, we will dive into the basics of the financial part and how to model it in Excel.

Please scroll down to download the business plan template. We are going to explore all the following advice with this template.

How to create a business plan in Excel

Advice 1: be clear about the purpose and the recipient of the business plan.

Before you start opening Excel, make sure that you are 100% clear of the purpose this business plan. Is the business plan just for you? Or do you create it for someone else, for example an investor or bank? Although the next steps might still be the same, the focus might be different. For example: Maybe you have a very good understanding of the major assumptions because you have been working in this field for some time. But for someone external you still need to validate them. Of course, in both cases the assumptions should be realistic and goals should be achievable. But maybe for your own peace of mind you would choose more pessimistic assumptions if the plan was only for you.

Advice 2: Go top-down in terms of line items

Now, let’s start in Excel. But how do we start?

My approach is to go top-down. I usually use a basic P&L (“Profit- and loss” calculation) structure to start with, having some placeholders for revenue and costs.

Specifically, I go through the following parts (also shown on the right-hand side).

Let’s assume that you develop and sell Excel add-ins: 50 EUR per license – once-off. You would now start with assumptions of how many you can sell per month and the price. This is your first revenue item. At this point in time, I would leave it like this. We can later drill further down as much as we need (for example modeling discounts, the connection between marketing spending and number of units sold, price changes, etc.).

If we have multiple products, we calculate them in a similar manner.

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold – or COGS – refers to the direct costs of producing the goods sold. Depending on the complexity you could also summarize cost of sales here or keep it separately.

Often, the COGS are directly linked to the number of units produced so you could refer to the numbers already calculated for the revenues.

In our example from above, we don’t have any direct costs for producing the Excel add-ins because we develop them ourselves and our salary will be regarded under “Salaries and Benefits”.

All other expenses

The structure of the expenses highly depends on your business. I usually start with these:

• Salaries and Benefits
• Rent and Overhead
• Marketing and Advertising
• Other expenses

Again, these items might look completely different for you. Example: if you travel a lot for your business, you might plan travel costs separately.

Subtracting costs from the revenue leads to the EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). This is one of the important financial performance indicators.

Amortization and depreciation

If you buy any assets for your business (for example machines, computers, even cars), you usually plan to use them over a certain period. When you first buy them, let’s say for 1,000 USD, you basically just exchange money for assets in the same amount. The problem: The assets will decrease in value the longer you use them. Within the cost items above, you don’t regard the acquisition value. So, how to regard them in your business plan?

You only regard the annual decrease of value. If you plan to use your 1,000 USD item for 5 years, you could (plainly speaking), each year regard 200 USD as depreciation.

Please note: If you later plan your cash, you have to make sure that you fully regard the initial sales price and not the depreciation.

The key difference between amortization and depreciation is that amortization is used for intangible assets, while depreciation is used for tangible assets. https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/whats-the-difference-between-amortization-deprecia.aspx

Subtracting the amortization and depreciation from the EBITDA leads to the second key performance indicator, the EBIT (earnings before interest and tax).

Interest and taxes

Eventually, you have to prognose your interest costs (for example what you have to pay for bank loans) and your taxes, which is typically just a percentage of the EBT (the earning before taxes).

Advice 3: Think about the business drivers carefully

Good business plans are driver based.

Business drivers are the key inputs and activities that drive the operational and financial results of a business. Common examples of business drivers are salespeople, number of stores, website traffic, number and price of products sold, units of production, etc. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/modeling/business-drivers/

Let me explain with an example: You want to plan the revenues. You have two different options:

• Revenue per month is split into number of units sold times price per unit.
• Number of units sold is further split into number of salespersons and number of items sold per salesperson and month, and so on.
• Or you could just write a number and every following year you assume a growth in percentage (e.g. +2% per year).

Let’s finish this section with some final comments:

• Choose drivers that are measurable. You will most probably later on compare the drivers to reality and therefore make sure that they are not impossible to measure.
• Figure out, which driver has most impact. You should focus on those first. Driver with no or very limited impact can be skipped initially.
• Are drivers depending on each other? If yes, it should be modeled accordingly.

Advice 4: Choose the smallest period from the beginning in your business plan

So far, we have been focusing on the line items, for example costs, revenue, or drivers. Now, let’s talk about the time frame.

The question is: Should you plan on annual, monthly or any other basis? Or a mix?

I have seen many business plans doing it something like this:

• Plan on monthly basis for the first 24 to 36 months.
• Switch to annual planning for the years 3/4 to 5.

Most business plans are not going beyond 5 years planning period.

My recommendation: Plan on monthly basis for the full period. There will be a point in time when you need to break it down into months. And it is always easier to sum up 12 months for annual values than to drill down from years to months.

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Advice 5: Keep a unified, professional business plan structure

This advice should count for most Excel models: Try to keep the same structure throughout the whole Excel file.

• Structure of worksheets: Make sure that most worksheets are set up with the same structure. For example, start with a headline in cell B2, years starting in column H, content in row 10.
• Layout / format of cells: Make sure you use a consistent formatting. For example, Excel provides cell styles – use them. For more recommendations about professional formatting, please refer to this article .
• Universal settings and assumptions should be consolidated on one sheet (for example tax rates, start date, company name).

Advice 6: Document business plan assumptions well

I can not say this often enough: Document your assumptions! Not only the values or variables, also your thoughts behind them. Why have you chosen this value? What is it based on? What is it used for?

Advice 7: Gross vs. net values

This question I am asked quite frequently: Should you use gross or net values? That means, include tax in revenues and costs?

Typically, you only work with net values, excluding VAT. For Germany with a tax rate of 19%, for example, if you invoice 119 EUR to a customer, you would only regard 100 EUR. Also, for costs, you would only regard net values.

Then, in your business plan, you start with revenue minus costs and eventually reach the EBT (earning before tax, please scroll up to see the P&L). From this, you calculate your company tax.

Advice 8: Think ahead

Some more things you should keep in mind when creating your business plan.

• Business plans are “living documents”. Keep in mind that at some point in the future you have to update it or extend it.
• Validate your assumptions: After some time, you will come back to your plan having real life figures. Now, it’s time to compare and – if necessary – adjust the plan.
• a valuation (“Discounted Cash Flow model”),
• liquidity planning,
• bank loan simulations,
• financial dashboards,
• budget planning,
• maybe even the first real official P&L (at least when it comes to the line items of your business plan)
• and much more…

Download business plan template

So, after reading all this description and advice, it’s time to start. Probably many things I have written above sounds like common sense, right? But I can assure you: Doing it and regarding as much advice as possible is not necessarily simple.

That’s why I have decided to create a template. I have pre-filled it with an imaginary example.

I know, there are countless Excel business plan templates around. So, why should you use this one?

• This template is very flexible: I have always included place holders so that you can add much more items if needed.
• In terms of the time frame, I have created monthly columns for up to ten years. Typically, you need less. Then just hide the extra columns.
• Also, I have created a consistent structure throughout the model.
• No fancy Excel functions and formulas, mainly just plain links.

Please feel free to take a look at it. If you like it, just use it. If not, please feel free to create your individual business plan – you now know how to do it!

Download link: Click here to start the download .

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Henrik Schiffner is a freelance business consultant and software developer. He lives and works in Hamburg, Germany. Besides being an Excel enthusiast he loves photography and sports.

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Financial modeling spreadsheets and templates in Excel & Google Sheets

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Unlock the Secrets of Business Plan Financial Excel Template

A Business Plan Financial Excel Template simplifies the process of organizing your finances. It provides a clear framework to project financial outcomes and make informed decisions.

Crafting an effective business plan is crucial for entrepreneurs and investors to forecast expenses, revenue, and cash flow. These templates serve as a vital tool for planning and monitoring the financial health of a business. With pre-defined categories and formulas, they help you to clearly articulate your business’s financial strategy, making it easier to communicate with stakeholders and secure funding.

The templates are designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that even individuals with limited financial expertise can create a thorough and professional financial plan. By leveraging a Business Plan Financial Excel Template, businesses can streamline their financial planning, avoid common pitfalls, and position themselves for success.

Introduction To Excel In Business Planning

Microsoft Excel is a powerhouse in the world of business planning. For entrepreneurs and business managers, Excel’s familiarity and flexibility make it a preferred tool for financial forecasts. A well-crafted business plan financial Excel template unlocks insights into future revenues, costs, and profitability. Excel’s spreadsheet format is ideal for organizing data and conducting an in-depth analysis.

The Role Of Excel Templates

Excel templates are crucial for streamlining business planning . They offer a structured approach to financial analysis, saving time and reducing errors. The right template can turn complex data into user-friendly information.

• Consistency in financial recording
• Predefined formulas for efficiency
• Reusable for multiple business scenarios

Benefits Of Using Excel For Financial Planning

Utilizing Excel in financial planning brings multiple advantages:

In summary, Excel’s abilities in organizing, analyzing, and presenting financial data are invaluable to business planning . With the right Excel template, your financial road map aligns with business objectives, fostering strategic decision-making and success.

Key Components Of A Financial Excel Template

Understanding the backbone of a business plan’s financial section is vital. Excel templates help simplify this complex task. An effective financial Excel template contains critical components that paint a clear picture of a company’s fiscal health. These components include an income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow projections. With these tools, businesses can predict financial outcomes and make informed decisions. The magic lies in dissecting these elements to uncover the financial narrative of a business.

Income Statement Essentials

An income statement is a pivotal element that tracks revenue and expenses. It answers the fundamental question: Is the business profitable?

• Revenues: All income generated from sales.
• Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): Direct costs attributable to production.
• Gross Profit: Revenue minus COGS.
• Operating Expenses: Costs related to running the business.
• Net Income: The bottom line that indicates profit or loss.

Breakdown Of The Balance Sheet

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of what a company owns and owes.

Assets must always equal the sum of liabilities and equity.

Understanding Cash Flow Projections

Cash flow projections keep the business’s pulse checked. They foresee how cash enters and leaves the business.

• Opening Cash Balance: Available cash at the beginning of a period.
• Cash In: Incoming cash from sales or investments.
• Cash Out: Outgoing money for expenses and purchases.
• Closing Cash Balance: Remaining cash at the end of the period.

Positive cash flow ensures business operations run smoothly without hiccups.

Customizing Your Financial Excel Template

Mastering the customization of your financial Excel template is crucial to reflect the unique aspects of your business accurately. Business plans evolve, and so should your financial model . An adaptable Excel template serves as a dynamic tool that grows with your business.

Adjusting For Industry Specifics

Your template must resonate with the sector you’re operating in. Different industries have distinct financial benchmarks and reporting standards. Tailor your model to these nuances to ensure relevance and precision .

• Identify industry-specific metrics.
• Customize revenue streams and cost structures.
• Update the template with relevant regulatory requirements.

Incorporating Your Business Goals

Integrate short and long-term objectives into your financials. This alignment propels strategic planning and resource allocation. It creates a roadmap for achieving your vision .

• Link financial projections to business milestones.
• Reflect funding requirements for growth.
• Model scenarios for different business outcomes.

Setting Up Key Financial Ratios

Financial ratios are the compass for your business’s fiscal health. They enable stakeholders to quickly assess performance. Populate your template with these ratios for insightful analysis .

Data Entry Best Practices

For your business plan to shine, data entry into your Excel template must be top-notch. Follow these best practices to ensure your financial projections are credible and comprehensive.

Keeping Data Organized

Clutter is the enemy of efficiency. Organize your Excel template to easily navigate and process data:

• Use clear labels for all rows and columns.
• Employ consistent formatting to differentiate types of data.
• Group related data together using Excel’s table feature .

By structuring your data, finding and updating financials becomes a breeze.

Ensuring Accuracy Of Inputs

Input accuracy is crucial for reliable financial forecasts:

• Double-check numbers before hitting enter.
• Use Excel’s validation tool to restrict data types.
• Consider implementing formulas to auto-calculate totals .

Remember, one mistaken input can skew your entire business plan.

Tips For Efficient Data Updates

Stay on top of your financials with these update tips:

Update regularly and harness the power of Excel to maintain accurate financials.

Financial Analysis With Excel

Excel templates for business plans make financial analysis easier. They turn complex data into clear insights . This helps you make better decisions for your business. Let’s explore how to use Excel for key financial analyses.

Conducting Breakeven Analysis

Understanding when your business will start to make a profit is crucial. A breakeven analysis Excel template can show this critical point. Simply input costs and pricing to see when revenues will cover expenses. This template might include:

• Fixed costs : such as rent and salaries.
• Variable costs : like materials and shipping.
• Unit price : how much you sell your product for.

Assessing Profitability

Profitability is about earning more money than you spend. An Excel template can help you predict profits . You can track:

• Revenues : total money from sales.
• Expenses : all the money you spend.
• Profit margins : how much money you keep.

Monthly and yearly templates show profits over time. They make sure you stay on track.

Forecasting Future Financial Health

Knowing your future finances can guide your business. Excel templates for forecasting help you see what’s ahead. They use past numbers to predict the future . You can forecast:

Excel’s formulas and charts turn forecasts into easy visuals . These visuals can help you plan better for what’s to come.

Visualizing Data Through Charts And Graphs

When it comes to business planning, the power of visualizing data through charts and graphs cannot be underestimated. They transform complex data sets into clear, digestible visual representations. This helps business owners and investors quickly grasp financial projections and performance metrics pivotal to decision-making.

Creating Dynamic Dashboards

Dynamic dashboards bring financial data to life. Excel templates with this feature allow for real-time data updates, reflecting current figures in your visual aids. Here’s how to create a dashboard:

• Select the data you want to display.
• Go to Insert > Dashboard Elements > Charts .
• Choose the type of chart that best represents your data.
• Customize with colors and labels for clarity.

These dashboards can include a variety of charts such as pie, bar, and line charts, all updating as new data enters your spreadsheet.

Using Excel’s Charting Tools Effectively

Excel’s charting tools can turn rows of data into visual stories. Effective use involves:

• KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) – do not overcrowd your charts .
• Use appropriate chart types for your data (e.g., line chart for trends).
• Evaluate the axis scale to ensure it reflects your data properly.
• Apply data labels only when they add to the understanding of the chart.

Effectively using these tools means your financial patterns and predictions are instantly recognizable.

Custom Visuals For Better Insights

Custom visuals tailor information to your audience’s needs. Follow these steps:

• Start with a template aligned with your business model.
• Identify key metrics – focus on these for custom visuals.
• Use conditional formatting to highlight critical data points.
• Employ pivot charts for complex, multifaceted data.

Custom visuals can elevate a standard chart into a strategic business tool. They let you spotlight the financial health and growth potential of your business.

Remember, the right visualization can mean the difference between an overlooked spreadsheet and a compelling business narrative. Unlock the secrets hidden in your data with Excel’s charting capabilities and witness your business strategy unfold in vibrant detail.

Automating Financial Tasks With Excel

Automating financial tasks with Excel revolutionizes how businesses handle their numbers. Excel, a powerhouse in spreadsheet software, now offers ways to streamline complex financial activities. Dive into Excel’s capabilities that save time and enhance accuracy in financial management.

Macros And Vba For Finance

Excel’s Macros and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) turn repetitive tasks into one-click operations. Imagine automating:

• Monthly expense calculations
• Revenue forecasts
• Financial reporting processes

With simple VBA scripts, non-technical users can perform complex analysis with ease.

Scheduled Reporting

Regular financial reporting keeps a business on track. Excel’s scheduled reporting is a game-changer:

• Set up automatic report generation
• Ensure timely updates
• Maintain consistent data oversight

Reports can auto-send to stakeholders, ensuring no deadline is missed .

Real-time Data With Excel Add-ins

Live insights drive agile decisions. Excel’s add-ins provide:

• Real-time data integration
• Instant financial analysis
• Current market trends on dashboards

Use add-ins like Power Query to bring your data to life as it happens.

Advanced Excel Features For Financial Planning

Excel is not just a tool for data entry. With advanced features designed for financial planning, a business plan financial Excel template is transformed into a powerful analytical machine. Features such as pivot tables, what-if scenarios, and data integration turn complex data into actionable insights.

Leveraging Pivot Tables For Analysis

Pivot tables dissect data in meaningful ways. A business plan financial Excel template maximizes this feature. Here’s how:

• Sort through vast numbers quickly.
• Group financial figures by category.
• Create summaries without formulas.

Pivot tables offer a bird’s-eye view of your finances, easily manipulating and reorganizing your datasets.

Using What-if Scenarios

Explore the future of your business with what-if scenarios . This Excel feature lets you:

• Change variables to see possible outcomes.
• Test different financial assumptions.
• Mitigate risks through informed decisions.

It’s like having a crystal ball. You prepare for various financial conditions before they happen.

Integrating With External Data Sources

Combine your Excel template with outside data for richer insights:

• Connect to databases, web services, and even accounting software.
• Automate data updates.
• Ensure consistency in reporting.

Real-time data integration means your financial plan is always current, helping you make informed decisions faster.

Common Pitfalls And How To Avoid Them

Creating a business plan with a financial Excel template requires precision and foresight. Despite the process seeming straightforward, some common mistakes can hinder your progress. Acknowledge these pitfalls and implementing strategies to avoid them is crucial.

Over-complicating Your Template

A robust financial plan doesn’t need complexity. Aim for simplicity in your Excel template. Complex formulas and layouts can lead to confusion . Break down your data into small, manageable pieces. Use clear, concise labels for each section and row. Organize the template to follow a logical flow.

Avoiding Redundant Or Irrelevant Data

Your financial template should only include necessary information. Irrelevant data clutters the document , making it hard to understand. Stick to the essential metrics that impact your business decisions. Review each piece of data and ask whether it serves a purpose. If it doesn’t, remove it.

Ensuring Data Security And Backup

Financial data is sensitive. Protecting this information is non-negotiable . Use password protection on your Excel files. Regularly back up your documents to avoid data loss. Consider keeping multiple backups in different locations, such as on a secure cloud service and a physical external drive.

Sharing And Collaborating With Stakeholders

A well-crafted business plan with a robust financial Excel template is a cornerstone for any successful enterprise. But, why keep it a solo effort? Sharing and collaborating with stakeholders can elevate your business strategy to new heights. With the right tools and permissions in Excel, your financial plan becomes a collaborative, dynamic asset. Here’s how to make the most of Excel’s capabilities when it comes to collaborative planning.

Excel’s Sharing And Permission Settings

Excel is equipped with features that let you dictate who sees and edits your business plan’s financials . Here are simple steps to share your document:

• Open the ‘Review’ tab in Excel.
• Click on ‘Share Workbook’.
• Invite collaborators by entering their email addresses.

Remember, you can set permissions for each user:

• Go to the ‘File’ tab.
• Select ‘Info’ then ‘Protect Workbook’.
• Choose ‘Protect Current Sheet’ or ‘Restrict Access’ for more options.
• Assign rights like ‘view’ or ‘edit’ for each stakeholder.

Collaborative Tools For Teamwork

Working together on your financial plan doesn’t have to be a headache. Consider these Excel features for seamless teamwork:

• Comments: Add thoughts or flag issues next to relevant data.
• @mentions: Notify team members about specific sections or comments.
• Co-authoring: Edit the sheet in real-time with others.
• Track Changes: See who made what edits and when.

Integrate Excel with Microsoft Teams for even better collaboration, allowing group chats and video calls right beside your financial plan.

Maintaining Control Over Your Financial Plan

While sharing is essential, so is maintaining control over your business plan. Use Excel’s robust auditing and version history features. Here’s how:

• Analyze the ‘Version History’ to revert to previous document states.
• Use ‘Workbook Locking’ to prevent accidental or unauthorized changes.
• Control user access with regular reviews of permissions.
• Utilize ‘Data Validation’ to ensure that entries meet pre-defined rules.

Stay in charge , even as you harness the collective wisdom of your stakeholders to refine your business plan.

Powerful, user-friendly, and designed for collaboration, Excel transforms how you share and work on your business financials. By mastering these features, you ensure that your business plan remains a comprehensive, collective masterpiece without ever losing your grip on the reins of financial control.

Conclusion: Maximizing Roi With Your Financial Excel Template

Unlocking the full potential of your Business Plan Financial Excel Template spells the difference between average and exceptional returns on investment. By leveraging the template’s capabilities, businesses can pinpoint areas of improvement, make informed decisions, and steer towards financial success.

Continuous Improvement Of Financial Models

Financial models stand as the backbone of astute business planning . They are not static; they thrive on refinement and adaptation. To truly maximize return on investment , commit to an ongoing process of analyzing and updating your financial projections.

• Assess assumptions regularly
• Integrate real-world data for accuracy
• Adapt to market changes promptly

Actionable Insights For Business Decisions

Your Excel template is a goldmine for drawing actionable insights. Utilize its detailed analyses to drive decisions that enhance profitability and minimize risks . Insights gleaned can guide strategic moves, ensuring your business remains agile and growth-oriented.

• Identify cost-saving opportunities
• Forecast revenue trends
• Adjust strategies based on performance data

Effective use of your financial Excel template equips you with the knowledge to propel your business forward , outpacing competitors and delivering solid financial performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a business plan financial excel template.

A Business Plan Financial Excel Template is a tool that helps entrepreneurs plan their company’s financial projections. It facilitates easy calculations and presents data in an organized manner, aiding in strategic planning and investment pitches .

How Does A Financial Excel Template Benefit Start-ups?

Financial Excel Templates offer start-ups a structured way to forecast financial outcomes, monitor budgets, and plan expenses. They enable founders to focus on growth strategies by simplifying complex financial planning.

Can I Customize An Excel Financial Template?

Yes, an Excel Financial Template is fully customizable. Users can adjust variables, modify formulas, and add sections to suit their specific business needs, ensuring adaptability to a wide range of industries.

What Should I Include In My Financial Excel Template?

A comprehensive Financial Excel Template should include profit and loss statements, cash flow projections, balance sheets, and sales forecasts. Additionally, integrating break-even analysis and expense tracking provides greater insight.

Embarking on the journey of crafting a business plan can seem daunting. Yet, with the right financial Excel template, clarity emerges. These templates demystify projections, empower decision-making, and pave the way for success. Take advantage of their structured precision to elevate your business strategy.

Start building your financial blueprint today and watch your business thrive.

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Discounted Cash Flow Valuation Model: Free Excel Template

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Private School Financial Model

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Upstream Oil & Gas Project Analysis

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Manufacturing Company Financial Model

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Wind Energy Farm Financial Model

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Advanced Financial Model with DCF & Valuation

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Top Excel Financial Templates

By Andy Marker | January 26, 2016

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Whether your business is in the initial startup phase or is a mature company, being familiar with and conducting financial analysis is an important practice to demonstrate the viability, stability, and profitability of your business. Results of such analysis will help internal and external stakeholders make essential business decisions regarding the status and direction of the company.

But how do you get started conducting this analysis? One way is with a helpful template in Excel. We’ve researched the top Excel financial templates and have accumulated them here for you to download, along with a description of when to use each.

Competitive Analysis Templates

A major part of your business plan is the competitive analysis. Within this analysis you identify your three top competitors, and then compare them to your company based on specific factors. Some of the aspects that you should analyze include general objectives, target market, market share, marketing strategies, pricing, and more. Use this competitive analysis template to conduct your analysis. This simple template includes columns for your company and each of your competitors, enabling you to compare factors across the board.  

‌ Download Competitive Analysis Excel Template

‌ Create Your Competitive Analysis with Smartsheet

Cost Benefit Analysis Templates

Within every business there are major decisions to be made regarding product, pricing, marketing, hiring, packaging, and more. That’s why having a process in place to compare the cost to benefit of each possibility is important to making good business decisions. With this two-part cost benefit analysis template, you can get started quickly creating an in-depth analysis of each option. The first section enables you to make a comprehensive list of all recurring and nonrecurring costs, along with qualitative benefits, projected out over five years. The second sheet provides an overall summary of the total costs compared to benefits.

‌ Download Cost Benefit Analysis Excel Template

‌ Create Your Cost Benefit Analysis with Smartsheet

Financial Projections Templates

Financial projections are a forecast of future revenues and expenses for your business. Creating projections on a yearly basis helps you to think strategically about the current financial performance of the business, and establish a clear course to follow. Use a financial projections template to start planning and working on your own projections. This template includes multiple financial worksheets like a balance sheet, cash flow statement, income statement, and more.

‌ Download Financial Projections Excel Template

‌ Create Your Financial Projections with Smartsheet

Gap Analysis Templates

A gap analysis is used to compare the difference between actual performance and potential or desired performance. This analysis could be used to gauge the performance gap for an overall company, a specific project, workload amounts, or available resources. Use this simple gap analysis template to get started quickly. Add specific objectives that you would like to analyze, compare the current state against desired state, and determine steps to reduce the gap. 

‌ Download Gap Analysis Excel Template

‌ Create Your Gap Analysis with Smartsheet

Loan Amortization Schedule Templates

A loan amortization schedule helps you pay off loans, such as a mortgage or car loans, through regular monthly payments over time. As some loans will take years to pay off, use an amortization schedule to track how much you have paid, the interest accrued, and amount still owing. This loan amortization template enables you to set regular payments and input additional payments made. With pre-built formulas included, interest amounts and balances will automatically update as payments are made.

‌ Download Loan Amortization Schedule Excel Template

‌ Create Your Loan Amortization Schedule with Smartsheet

Risk Analysis Templates

Identifying risk early on is important to the success of any business or project. And, ensuring you have a process in place to pinpoint and analyze potential risk is helpful. Use this risk analysis template to document potential risks, rank them based on impact and likelihood, and determine next steps to mitigate the issue before it occurs.

‌ Download Risk Analysis Excel Template

‌ Create Your Risk Analysis with Smartsheet

Root Cause Analysis Templates

The root cause analysis is a form of problem solving that helps to determine the root cause of issues that occur. By mapping out the entire cause and effect chain, you can start with the issue and trace back to the initial action that started the chain in motion. With this root cause analysis template, you can start mapping issues right away. The template has a customizable format to help you identify the issue, create cause-and-effect chains, and define next steps to prevent the issue from occurring in the future. 

‌ Download Root Cause Analysis Excel Template

‌ Create Your Root Cause Analysis with Smartsheet

SWOT Analysis Templates

Creating a detailed Strengths Weakness Opportunities Threats (SWOT) analysis is a helpful first step for creating a business plan. Completing your SWOT analysis early on will enable you to formulate the direction your business should take. The first two areas (strengths and weakness) look at internal factors of your business, while the second two (opportunities and threats) focus on external factors. This simple SWOT analysis template provides prompts to help you complete the four sections of your analysis, and provides columns to compare your company to the competition.

‌ Download SWOT Analysis Excel Template

‌ Create Your SWOT Analysis with Smartsheet

Use Smartsheet to Manage Your Financial Analysis

Empower your people to go above and beyond with a flexible platform designed to match the needs of your team — and adapt as those needs change. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

Discover why over 90% of Fortune 100 companies trust Smartsheet to get work done.

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Financial Business Plan Template

Excel financial business plan template for financial analysis.

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Download Business Financial Plan Template In Excel

• Accounting , Business management , Financial Management

Supercharging Your Strategy: Download The Business Financial Plan Template In Excel

Planning is paramount to business success. A detailed, robust financial plan not only paves the way for smooth operations but also acts as a roadmap for growth, investment, and potential risks. However, creating an exceptional financial plan can often seem a complex and overwhelming task. That’s where our Business Financial Plan Template comes in.

Overview of the Business Financial Plan Template

Our template is a comprehensive, easy-to-use tool designed to make financial planning as straightforward as possible. It includes multiple sections, each one tailored to capture critical aspects of your business financials. The sections are:

• Financial Overview: This is where you lay out your financial objectives and strategies.
• Financial Assumptions: Outline the assumptions made in creating the financial plan.
• Key Financial Indicators and Ratios: Highlight the important financial indicators that measure the health of your business.
• Break-even Analysis Report: A graphical presentation and tabular analysis that shows when your business is expected to start making a profit.
• Financial Statements: Detailed income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
• Pro Forma Cash Flow Statement: A projected cash flow statement that provides insight into your business’s future cash position.
• Pro Forma Balance Sheet: A projected balance sheet that helps you plan for future financial stability and potential risks.

The Benefits of Using the Business Financial Plan Template

Here are a few reasons why our Business Financial Plan Template is an excellent tool for businesses:

• Comprehensive: The template covers all the critical aspects of financial planning, ensuring you don’t overlook any crucial details.
• Ease of Use: No need for extensive financial planning experience – the template is designed to be simple, direct, and easy to use.
• Cost-Efficient: A free tool that gives you insights akin to professional financial planning without the hefty cost.
• Visual Representation: Graphical presentations and tabular analyses allow for better understanding and communication of your financial standing.
• Forecasting: Pro Forma Cash Flow and Balance Sheets give you a glimpse of future financial possibilities, allowing for more informed decision-making.

Who Can Use This Template?

Our Business Financial Plan Template is a versatile tool designed for anyone looking to create a detailed, effective financial plan. It’s perfect for:

• Startups: To attract investors, manage funds, and understand when they can expect to start making a profit.
• Established businesses: To analyze performance, strategize for growth, and communicate financial information to stakeholders.
• Consultants: To help clients create robust financial plans and provide valuable financial insights.
• Students: To learn about financial planning and apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.

Financial planning is the backbone of any successful business strategy. It allows you to foresee challenges, strategize for growth, and communicate your business’s financial health to stakeholders. With our free Business Financial Plan Template, you have a comprehensive, easy-to-use tool at your fingertips. This template simplifies the often complex process of financial planning, allowing you to focus on what you do best: growing your business. Remember, good planning today leads to better results tomorrow. So download our template and start paving your path to business success.

Download this Business Financial Plan template in Excel Format

Our easy to use editable Excel templates and save your significant amount of time and effort. Here’s how to download and use one of our templates:

Download this free Excel Template : Once you’ve browsed through our collection of templates and find the one that best fits your needs. Once you’ve found the template you want, click on the download button.

Replace sample data with your actual data: Once the template is downloaded, open it in Excel. You’ll see that it is already set up with sample data. To start analyzing your own data, simply replace the sample data with your actual data.

Customize the template: Our templates are completely editable, which means you can customize them to fit your specific needs. For example, you can change the formatting, add or remove columns, or create new charts and graphs.

Use the Excel template: Once you’ve fed in your data and customized the template, you’re ready to start using it for data analysis. Use the various tools and features of Excel to analyze and visualize your data, and make informed business decisions.

Save and share: Once you’ve finished working on the template, save it to your computer and share it with other members of your team or stakeholders as needed.

Click Download Button To Get Business Financial Plan Excel Template

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Business Financial Plan Template

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14 Best Excel Templates for Business in 2024 (Free & Premium)

• Last updated March 21, 2024

Fact Checked By Cindy Wong

Let’s talk about Excel templates. These pre-made spreadsheets help you improve productivity quickly. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of Excel templates, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to streamline your tasks, boost productivity, and make informed decisions.

From understanding what Excel spreadsheet templates are to exploring specialized templates for various industries, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a seasoned Excel user or just starting, our friendly yet professional approach will simplify complex concepts and empower you to harness the full power of Excel templates.

What Are Excel Templates?

We provide a host of spreadsheet templates for our readers. And Excel templates are no exception. These pre-designed spreadsheets created to simplify various tasks and processes. They serve as starting points, offering predefined structures, formulas, and formatting. These templates are designed to save you time and effort by eliminating the need to build spreadsheets from scratch.

Key Features of Excel Spreadsheet Templates

• Structured Layout: Templates come with organized rows and columns tailored to the specific task or use case. For instance, a budget template might include categories for income, expenses, and savings.
• Predefined Formulas and Functions: Excel spreadsheet templates often include formulas and functions that perform calculations automatically. For example, a mortgage calculator template may already have formulas for calculating monthly payments and interest.
• Formatting and Styling: Templates feature consistent design, including fonts, colors, and cell borders. This makes your data visually appealing and easy to read.
• Placeholder Data: Templates often contain placeholder data or instructions to guide you in entering your information. These placeholders help you understand how to use the template effectively.
• Customizability: While templates provide a structured framework, they are highly customizable. You can modify them to suit your specific needs by adding or removing columns, changing labels, or adjusting formulas.

Common Uses of Excel Templates

• Budgeting: Excel templates for budgeting help individuals and businesses manage their finances effectively by tracking income and expenses, projecting future financial goals, and analyzing spending patterns.
• Project Management: Project management templates assist in planning, tracking, and managing projects. They often include Gantt charts, task lists, and progress trackers.
• Data Analysis: Excel offers templates for data analysis, such as pivot tables, allowing you to quickly summarize and analyze large datasets.
• Accounting: Accounting templates help businesses maintain accurate financial records, including ledgers, income statements, and balance sheets.
• Inventory Management: Inventory templates help businesses track stock levels, monitor product sales, and manage inventory turnover.

Types of Excel Templates

Excel spreadsheet templates come in various categories, each designed to address specific needs and tasks. Here are some of the most common types of Excel templates:

Financial Excel Templates

Financial templates are geared towards managing finances, budgeting, and financial analysis. You can make your own cash flow template , or use one that’s already made. Common financial spreadsheets include:

• Budget Templates: These templates help individuals and businesses create and manage budgets, ensuring that income and expenses are balanced. Check out our top budget templates for Google Sheets .
• Financial Models: Financial modeling templates are used for forecasting financial performance, especially in business planning and investment analysis.
• Income Statements: Templates for income statements track revenues and expenses to determine profitability.
• Balance Sheets: These templates provide a snapshot of a company’s financial position by displaying assets, liabilities, and equity.

Project Management Excel Templates

Project management templates are essential for planning, executing, and monitoring projects. For example, we covered our favorite project status report templates . Other common templates include:

• Gantt Charts: Gantt chart templates visually represent project schedules, showing tasks, timelines, and dependencies.
• Project Timelines: These templates offer a simplified view of project milestones and deadlines.
• Task Tracking Templates: Task tracking templates help teams assign, track, and manage tasks to keep projects on schedule.

Data Analysis Excel Templates

Data analysis templates are invaluable for individuals and businesses working with data. Key templates include:

• Pivot Tables: Pivot table templates simplify data summarization and analysis, allowing users to create interactive reports.
• Data Visualization Templates: Templates for charts and graphs help transform raw data into visual representations for easier understanding.
• Statistical Analysis Templates: Statistical analysis templates include tools for performing statistical tests and calculations.

Personal and Business Excel Templates

Personal and business templates cover a wide range of tasks. We have an article that covers payment receipt templates . Other common personal and business spreadsheets include:

• To-Do List Templates: These templates help you stay organized by listing tasks and priorities.
• Invoice Templates: Invoice templates streamline the invoicing process for businesses, including itemized lists and payment tracking.
• Business Plan Templates: Business plan templates provide structured frameworks for creating comprehensive business plans, helping startups and established companies alike.

Whether you’re managing finances, overseeing a project, analyzing data, or organizing personal tasks, Excel templates offer a time-saving solution to enhance your productivity.

Top 14 Excel Templates for Business

Now, let’s delve into the top Excel templates that can significantly boost your productivity across various domains. We’ll explore each template, highlighting its key features and benefits.

Financial Management Excel Templates

1. financial model.

The Financial Model Excel template is a versatile tool designed to help businesses of all sizes and types manage their finances effectively. Whether you’re a business, a startup , or operating in specific niches like SaaS , E-Commerce , or Marketplace , this template offers comprehensive financial projections, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. It’s essential for budgeting, forecasting, and making informed financial decisions.

• Accurate Projections: Generate precise financial projections for different business scenarios, aiding in strategic planning.
• Scenario Analysis: Easily assess the impact of various decisions on your financial health by running multiple scenarios.
• Investor-Ready: Impress investors and stakeholders with professional financial reports and insights.
• Data Visualization: Utilize charts and graphs to visualize financial trends and make data-driven decisions.

Price: $74-139 (Use code SPoint10 for 10% off)

2. Profit and Loss Statement

The Profit and Loss Statement Excel template is tailored to specific business models, including startups , marketplaces , SaaS , and E-Commerce ventures. It helps you track your revenues, costs, and expenses to calculate your net profit or loss accurately. With clear and customizable categories, you can gain a deep understanding of your business’s financial performance.

• Business-Specific Tracking: Choose a template that aligns with your business model for precise financial insights.
• Expense Categorization: Easily categorize expenses for better cost management and identification of cost-saving opportunities.
• Year-over-Year Comparison: Track your financial performance over time to identify growth trends or areas that need improvement.
• Tax Preparation: Simplify tax preparation by neatly organizing your income and expenses.

Price: $74 (Use code SPoint10 for 10% off)

3. Revenue Forecasting Tool

The Revenue Forecasting Tool Excel template is indispensable for businesses focused on revenue growth. With different versions tailored to Marketplace , SaaS , E-Commerce , and Agency models, it enables you to project your future revenues based on historical data, market trends, and growth strategies. This tool empowers you to set realistic revenue targets and make informed decisions to achieve them.

• Data-Driven Projections: Utilize historical data and market insights to generate accurate revenue forecasts.
• Goal Setting: Set achievable revenue targets and track progress towards your financial goals.
• Scenario Planning: Assess how changes in pricing, marketing, or sales strategies impact revenue.
• Informed Decision-Making: Make strategic decisions backed by comprehensive revenue projections.

Price: $46 (Use code SPoint10 for 10% off)

Budgeting and Tracking Excel Templates

4. zero-based budget template.

Zero-based budgeting is a meticulous approach to budgeting where you allocate every dollar of your income to expenses, savings, or investments. The Zero-Based Budget Excel template simplifies the zero-based budgeting process, ensuring that your budget accurately reflects your financial priorities and goals.

• Financial Clarity: Gain a clear understanding of where your money goes and prioritize spending according to your goals.
• Savings and Investments: Systematically allocate funds for savings, investments, and debt reduction.
• Expense Tracking: Monitor daily expenses to identify areas for potential savings.
• Emergency Fund Planning: Create a buffer for unexpected costs by including an emergency fund category.

Price: $4.99

5. Inventory and Sales Tracking Template

Managing inventory and tracking sales is crucial for businesses, especially those in retail or e-commerce. The Inventory and Sales Tracking Excel template streamlines inventory management, allowing you to efficiently track stock levels, sales, and product performance.

• Real-Time Inventory: Monitor inventory levels in real-time, ensuring you never run out of stock or overstock products.
• Sales Analysis: Analyze sales data to identify top-performing products and optimize your product offerings.
• Cost Control: Keep tabs on inventory costs and prevent financial losses due to mismanagement.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Use sales insights to make informed decisions about restocking, promotions, and pricing strategies.

Price: $19.99

6. Capital Expenditure Planning Template

Capital expenditures (CapEx) are essential for businesses looking to grow and invest in assets like equipment, technology, or infrastructure. This free CapEx Excel template simplifies the planning and tracking of capital expenditures, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

• Streamlined Planning: Plan and prioritize capital expenditures in a structured manner.
• Budget Control: Stay within budget by tracking expenses against planned allocations.
• ROI Assessment: Evaluate each capital expenditure’s return on investment (ROI) to make informed decisions.
• Asset Management: Keep a comprehensive record of your business’s assets and their depreciation.

Price: Free!

Investment and Financial Analysis Excel Templates

7. simple investment template.

The Simple Investment Excel template is perfect for individuals or businesses looking to analyze potential investments. It assists in evaluating the financial feasibility of investments, calculating returns, and making informed investment decisions.

• Investment Evaluation: Assess the attractiveness of various investment opportunities.
• Risk Analysis: Consider the risks associated with each investment and their impact on returns.
• Return Calculations: Calculate potential returns, including net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR).
• Decision Support: Make well-informed investment choices based on financial analysis.

8. Mortgage Calculator with Amortization Table

Mortgages are a significant financial commitment. This Mortgage Calculator Excel template simplifies mortgage calculations, helping individuals and homeowners understand their loan terms, amortization schedules, and total interest payments.

• Loan Clarity: Understand your mortgage terms, including interest rates, monthly payments, and loan duration.
• Amortization Schedule: View the full amortization schedule, tracking principal and interest payments over time.
• Interest Savings: Explore strategies for paying off your mortgage early to reduce interest costs.
• Financial Planning: Incorporate mortgage payments into your long-term financial planning.

9. CLV vs. CAC Analysis Template

Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) and Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) are critical business metrics. The CLV vs. CAC Analysis Excel template simplifies the calculation and analysis of CLV and CAC, aiding in strategic marketing and growth decisions.

• Customer Profitability: Determine the profitability of acquiring and retaining customers.
• Marketing Efficiency: Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns by comparing CAC to CLV.
• Retention Strategies: Identify opportunities to increase CLV through customer retention and loyalty programs.
• Data-Driven Marketing: Allocate marketing budgets more efficiently based on CLV and CAC insights.

Data Analysis and Metrics Tracking Excel Templates

10. cohort analysis template.

Cohort analysis is a powerful method for examining user behavior over time. The Cohort Analysis Excel template simplifies the process, helping businesses gain insights into customer retention, engagement, and more.

• User Segmentation: Group users into cohorts based on signup date or other criteria for focused analysis.
• Retention Insights: Identify trends in user retention and pinpoint when users drop off.
• Product Improvement: Use cohort analysis to inform product improvements and marketing strategies.
• Churn Reduction: Develop strategies to reduce customer churn based on cohort analysis findings.

11. MRR Dashboard Template

Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) is a vital metric for subscription-based businesses. The MRR Dashboard Excel template provides a comprehensive dashboard for tracking MRR, analyzing trends, and making data-driven decisions.

• MRR Overview: Get a real-time overview of your MRR, including new revenue, lost revenue, and net MRR growth.
• Churn Analysis: Identify reasons for churn and implement strategies to reduce it.
• Growth Tracking: Monitor your subscription business’s growth and set goals for MRR expansion.
• Data Visualization: Visualize MRR trends with charts and graphs for easier interpretation.

12. User Engagement Dashboard Template

User engagement is critical for online businesses. The User Engagement Dashboard Excel template provides a user-friendly dashboard for tracking user engagement metrics, analyzing user behavior, and optimizing user experiences.

• Comprehensive Metrics: Track key engagement metrics such as session duration, bounce rate, and conversion rate.
• Segmentation: Analyze user engagement based on demographics, devices, or referral sources.
• Content Performance: Identify high-performing content and optimize the user journey accordingly.
• Conversion Optimization: Implement strategies to improve user engagement and conversion rates based on insights.

Business Planning and Management Excel Templates

13. software license management tool.

The Software License Management Excel tool simplifies the process for businesses managing software licenses. It allows you to track software licenses, renewal dates, and compliance, ensuring efficient software management.

• License Tracking: Easily keep track of all software licenses in use across your organization.
• Renewal Alerts: Identify license renewals timely to prevent interruptions.
• Cost Control: Avoid unnecessary software purchases and optimize license utilization.
• Compliance Assurance: Ensure compliance with software licensing agreements to avoid legal issues.

14. Workforce Planning Tool

Effective workforce planning is crucial for businesses of all sizes. The Workforce Planning Excel template streamlines the process by helping you manage employee information, staffing levels, and workforce optimization.

• Employee Database: Maintain a centralized employee information database, including roles, qualifications, and contact details.
• Staffing Analysis: Analyze staffing levels and plan for hiring, training, or restructuring as needed.
• Cost Projections: Estimate labor costs and budgets for workforce expansion or reduction.
• Scenario Planning: Model various workforce scenarios and their financial implications.

These Excel spreadsheet templates cover a wide range of business and financial needs, making them invaluable tools for improving productivity, making informed decisions, and achieving your goals. Whether you’re a financial analyst, business owner, or simply looking to better manage your finances, Excel templates offer a user-friendly and robust solution.

Best Practices for Excel Templates

Excel spreadsheet templates are powerful tools that can significantly enhance your productivity , but it’s essential to follow best practices to make the most of them. Here are some tips and strategies to help you use Excel templates effectively.

Choose the Right Template

Selecting the appropriate template for your specific task is the first step to success. Consider the following factors when choosing a template:

• Task Complexity: Ensure the template aligns with the complexity of your task. Simple tasks may require basic templates, while more complex tasks need advanced templates.
• Customizability: Look for templates that allow customization. Templates that are too rigid may not suit your unique needs.
• Industry or Use Case: Many templates are designed for specific industries or use cases. For financial tasks, for instance, choose templates tailored to your industry, such as retail, healthcare, or real estate.
• Scalability: If your task may grow in complexity or data volume, opt for a template that can scale with your needs.

Understand Formulas and Functions

Excel templates often come with built-in formulas and functions to automate calculations. To use these templates effectively, it’s crucial to understand how these formulas work.

• Learn the Basics: Familiarize yourself with common Excel functions like SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP, and more. These are the building blocks of many templates.
• Review Formulas: Take time to review the formulas used in the template. Understand how they calculate results and what data they depend on.
• Customize Formulas: If needed, customize formulas to suit your specific requirements. Modify cell references or add new calculations as necessary.

Input Data Accurately

Accurate data input is essential to obtain meaningful results from Excel spreadsheet templates.

• Double-Check Data: Ensure all data entered into the template is accurate and error-free. A slight mistake can lead to significant inaccuracies in calculations.
• Use Data Validation: Implement data validation rules to prevent incorrect data entry. Excel can prompt users when data doesn’t meet specified criteria.
• Consistent Formatting: Maintain consistent formatting throughout the template. This includes date formats, number formats, and currency symbols.
• Document Data Sources: Keep track of your data sources, especially if you’re pulling data from external sources. This documentation can help troubleshoot discrepancies later.

Regularly Save and Backup

Excel templates represent valuable work, so protecting your data is essential.

• Frequent Saving: Save your work regularly to prevent data loss in case of unexpected software crashes or power outages.
• Version Control: Maintain version control by saving different iterations of your template. Use meaningful file names and dates to track changes.
• Backup Files: Implement a backup strategy. Regularly create copies of your Excel files and store them in a secure location, whether it’s a cloud service or an external drive.

Understand Template Limitations

Excel spreadsheet templates have limitations, and it’s essential to be aware of them.

• Data Volume: Excel may not handle very large datasets efficiently. Consider using a database or specialized software for extensive data management.
• Complexity: Templates have limits in terms of complexity. You might need to consider custom software or consulting with a specialist for more advanced or intricate tasks.
• Data Security: Be cautious when handling sensitive or confidential data within Excel. Implement password protection and encryption where necessary.

Customize for Your Needs

While templates provide a structured starting point, don’t hesitate to customize them to better suit your unique requirements.

• Add or Remove Fields: Include additional or remove unnecessary fields to streamline data entry and reporting.
• Format and Styling: Adjust the template’s formatting and styling to match your preferences and branding guidelines.
• Automate Repetitive Tasks: Excel allows you to automate repetitive tasks using macros. Learn how to create and use macros to save time.

Stay Updated and Educated

Excel is a continually evolving software, and staying updated with the latest features and best practices can benefit your productivity.

• Software Updates: Keep your Excel software up-to-date to access new features and security patches.
• Online Resources: Explore online resources, spreadsheet tutorials , and forums to expand your Excel skills and troubleshoot issues.
• Advanced Training: Consider advanced Excel training courses or certifications to become an Excel power user.

By following these best practices, you can harness the full potential of Excel spreadsheet templates, streamline your tasks, and make more informed decisions. Excel templates are versatile tools that can save you time and effort, but mastering them requires a combination of knowledge, practice, and attention to detail.

Get Started with the Financial Spreadsheet Template Bundle

Ready to take control of your finances and make smart financial decisions? Our Financial Spreadsheet Template Bundle is the ultimate solution to simplify financial management, investment analysis, and mortgage planning.

This bundle includes five powerful templates that can help you achieve your financial goals with ease:

• Cryptocurrency Portfolio Tracker: Keep track of your cryptocurrency investments, monitor real-time market prices, and analyze your portfolio’s performance effortlessly.
• Inventory and Sales Tracking Spreadsheet Template: Optimize your business operations with this template. Efficiently manage inventory, track sales, and make data-driven decisions.
• Simple Investment Template: Make informed investment choices by analyzing potential returns and risks. This template simplifies investment planning for beginners and experts alike.
• Extra-Payment Mortgage Calculator: Take control of your mortgage payments and reduce the total interest you pay. This tool helps you plan extra payments to pay off your mortgage faster.
• Mortgage Calculator Spreadsheet with Amortization Table: Understand your mortgage terms, visualize your amortization schedule, and make sound financial decisions regarding homeownership.

Purchasing these templates individually would cost you more than $69, but with the Financial Spreadsheet Template Bundle , you can access all of them at a fraction of the price. Save over 40% off the list price and embark on your journey to financial success today!

Price: $39.99

Excel templates are your secret weapon for accomplishing tasks faster and more efficiently. With the right template at your fingertips, you can conquer financial challenges, manage projects like a pro, and analyze data with ease. The best part? You don’t need to be an Excel expert to reap the benefits. These templates are designed to simplify your life and make complex tasks feel like a breeze.

So, whether you’re tracking expenses, planning a project, or diving into data analysis, remember that Excel spreadsheet templates are your trusty companions on the journey to productivity and success. Embrace them, customize them, and watch your tasks transform from daunting to doable. Excel templates are your shortcut to getting things done, and the possibilities are endless. Start using them today and take control of your tasks, one spreadsheet at a time!

• Free Multiple Project Tracking Template for Excel (2 Options)

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How to Write an Investment Proposal [Template + Examples]

Published: June 28, 2024

As a writer, I’m extremely familiar with the concept of proposals. We write these sorts of proposals to convert clients, persuade buyers, and grow our business in the short term. However, investment proposals are a bit different — these proposals are written with a unique purpose for a specific audience and with some high stakes attached.

An investment proposal is the key to long-term business growth for many businesses, so it’s important to get it right.

In this article, I’ll define investment proposals, compare them to the business proposal, and then break down the components. I’ll provide a template, look at investment proposal examples, and even hear some tips for writing from a professional.

Table of Contents

What is an Investment Proposal?

Investment proposal vs. business proposal, 10 components of an investment proposal, how to write an investment proposal [+template], investment proposal examples [+tips].

An investment proposal is a document outlining the plan for a business. You use it to attract or convert investors to fund your organization. It covers the strategy of your business, the market, and financial projections, making it an essential document for conversion — empowering them to invest.

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Best Retirement Plans for Employees

Best retirement plans for self-employed individuals.

• Best Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)

Other Retirement Savings Options

• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Retirement Plans for 2024: Choosing the Right Path for Your Future

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate products and services to help you make smart decisions with your money.

Why Start Saving for Retirement Now?

Financial experts all agree: The sooner you start saving, the better. Retirement savings accounts offer long-term wealth-building features like compounding, tax advantages, and retirement-focused investment strategies. 

Compound interest allows you to earn interest on your interest. The longer your money grows, the faster it accumulates and the closer you are to achieving a financially secure retirement. Contributing a little here and there is better than not contributing at all. 

Moreover, retirement plans like IRAs and 401(k)s offer tax benefits. You can contribute pre-tax money to lower your taxable income today. Or you can contribute after-tax money for tax-free growth and withdrawals. 

Here are Business Insider's editors' top picks for the best retirement plans in 2024. 

401(k) Plans

401(k)s are popular retirement savings plans offered by for-profit companies. Employees can open a traditional 401(k) or a Roth 401(k). Traditional 401(k)s grow with pre-tax dollars, but Roth 401(k)s rely on after-tax contributions, just like with IRAs.

Employees can contribute up to $23,000 in 2024, and individuals age 50 and older can contribute additional "catch-up" contributions of $7,500. 

Many 401(k)s offer employer-matching contributions. Your employer matches up to a certain limit for every dollar you put into your account. This is generally considered "free money" toward your retirement. For instance, if you make $50,000 annually, and your company matches 50% of your 401(k) contributions up to 5% of your salary, you would need to contribute $2,500 into your account to receive the full match amount. Your employer would then contribute an additional $1,250 a year.

403(b) Plans

403(b)s, or tax-sheltered annuities, are retirement plans for public school employees, tax-exempt organizations, churches, and other nonprofit companies. Similar to a 401(k), 403(b)s may offer the benefit of an employer match. You can contribute pre-tax or after-tax money. 

If you're under 50, you can contribute up to $23,000 in 2024. Employees 50 and up can contribute an additional $7,500. In addition to pre-tax and after-tax contributions, you can contribute to your 403(b) by allowing your employer to withhold money from your paycheck to deposit into the account.

Thrift Savings Plans

Thrift savings plans (TSPs) are retirement accounts for federal and uniformed services employees. Like 401(k)s, these plans let you contribute pre- or after-tax dollars. But, unlike many 401(k) employer matches, most TSPs offer a full 5% contribution match. Your employer will match your contributions up to 5% of your salary.

The annual contribution limit for 2024 is $23,000. The catch-up contribution limit is $7,500. 

457(b) plans are retirement savings accounts offered by certain state and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Like 403(b)s, you can contribute to your 457(b) plan by asking your employer to withhold a portion of your paycheck and deposit it in your retirement plan. Some employers allow you to make Roth contributions. 

The annual contribution limit for 2024 is $23,000. The catch-up contribution limit is $7,500. Folks 50 and older can contribute up to the annual additions limit, currently $69,000. 

Pension Plans

Pension plans are retirement plans fully funded by your employer, who are required to make regular contributions toward your retirement. However, depending on the plan's terms, you may not have control over how the money is invested. 

There are two main types of pension plans: the defined contribution plan and the defined benefit plan. 401(k)s are technically considered defined-contribution pension plans, and your employer is not responsible if your investments perform poorly.

Traditional pension plans are defined benefit plans (plans with fixed, pre-established benefits). Employers are liable to provide retirement funds for a certain dollar amount, calculated based on employee earnings and employment years.

Solo 401(k)

Solo 401(k)s are an option for business owners who work for themselves and have no employees. They can contribute as both an employer and employee (and spouses of business owners may be able to contribute as well), meaning they can contribute twice as much. You can make pre- or post-tax (Roth) contributions to your account. 

As an employee, you can defer up to $23,000 of your self-employed income in 2024. If you're 50 or older, you can make an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution. As an employer, you can contribute up to $23,000, plus the catch-up contribution if you're 50 or older. The total contribution limit is $76,500. 

Simplified employee pension (SEP) IRAs are retirement vehicles managed by small businesses or self-employed individuals. According to the IRS, employees (including self-employed individuals) are eligible if they are 21 years old, have worked for the employer for at least three of the last five years, and have made a minimum of $750. 

SEP IRAs also require that all contributions to the plan are 100% vested. This means that each employee holds immediate and complete ownership over all contributions to their account, including any employer match. You can contribute up to $69,000 or 25% of your employee's compensation 2024.

Vesting protects employees against financial loss. For instance, according to the IRS, an employer can forfeit amounts of an employee's account balance that isn't fully vested if that employee hasn't worked more than 500 hours in a year for five years.

SIMPLE IRAs are for self-employed individuals or small businesses with 100 employees or less. According to the IRS, these retirement plans require employers to match each employee's contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to 3% of the employee's salary.

To qualify, employees (and self-employed individuals) must have made at least $5,000 in the last two years and expect to receive that amount during the current year. But once you meet this requirement, you'll be 100% vested in all your SIMPLE IRA's earnings, meaning you have immediate ownership over your and your employer's contributions. 

Employees can contribute up to $16,000 in 2024. You can also add a catch-up contribution of $3,500 if you're 50 or older.

Payroll Deduction IRAs

Small businesses and self-employed people can set up employee IRAs even simpler. With payroll deduction IRAs, businesses delegate most of the hard work to banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions.

After determining which institutions their employer has partnered with, employees can set up payroll deductions with those institutions to fund their IRAs. These accounts are generally best for employees who don't have access to other employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s and 457(b)s.

For 2024, you can contribute up to $7,000 in annual contributions and up to $1,000 in annual catch-up contributions for employees aged 50 or older. 

Best Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)

One of the most appealing components of independent retirement plans like IRAs is that you can open one as long as you've got taxable (earned) income. And even if you have an employer-sponsored retirement account, you can usually set up a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and other independent retirement accounts.

Traditional IRA

Traditional IRAs let you save with pre-tax contributions toward your retirement savings. You'll pay tax when you withdraw during retirement. Traditional IRAs are recommended for higher-income workers who prefer to receive a tax deduction benefit now rather than later.

The 2024 contribution limit is $7,000, with up to $1,000 in catch-up contributions.

Roth IRAs are funded by after-tax dollars, meaning you pay taxes on your contributions now and make tax-free withdrawals later. As long as you're eligible, experts recommend Roth IRAs for early-career workers who expect to be in a higher tax bracket when they withdraw. Traditional and Roth IRAs share the same contribution limits: $7,000 in 2024, with up to $1,000 in catch-up contributions.

If you want to open one of the best Roth IRAs , single filers can only contribute the maximum amount in 2024 if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $146,000. Married couples must earn less than $230,000 annually to contribute the full amount in 2024. You can still contribute less if you earn a little more, though. 

You can find your MAGI by calculating your gross (before tax) income and subtracting any tax deductions from that amount to get your adjusted gross income (AGI), then adding back certain allowable deductions.

Spousal IRAs

There's also an option for married couples where one spouse doesn't earn taxable income. Spousal IRAs allow both spouses to contribute to a separate IRA as long as one spouse is employed and earns taxable income. This account allows the nonworking spouse to fund their own IRA. 

In 2024, each can contribute $7,000 (or $8,000 if they are 50 or older) for up to $16,000 annually.

Rollover IRAs

The best rollover IRAs let you convert your existing employer-sponsored retirement plan into an IRA, something experts generally recommend doing when you leave a job for a few reasons: primarily because you have more control over the investment options in an IRA than in a 401(k), and also because it's easier to consolidate your accounts for record-keeping.

Many online brokerages and financial institutions offer rollover IRAs; some will even pay you to transfer your employer-sponsored plan to an IRA.

Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs)

You can fund a self-directed IRA using traditional or Roth contributions ($7,000 and contribution limits in 2024, plus another $1,000 for catch-up contributions). But the difference between these accounts is mainly one of account custody and investment choices.

Unlike traditional and Roth IRAs, the IRS requires that all SDIRAs have a certified custodian or trustee who manages the account. These third parties handle the setup process and administrative duties of the IRA (e.g., executing transactions and assisting with account maintenance).

SDIRAs also give investors access to a wider range of investment options. With traditional and Roth IRAs, you're limited to mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, and other traditional investments. But, SDIRAs allow you to invest in alternative assets like real estate, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies .

Nondeductible IRAs

Nondeductible IRAs are for people who earn too much to get the full tax benefits of an IRA. Contributions for these accounts aren't tax deductible, meaning you'll fund your IRA with post-tax dollars like a Roth IRA. The difference is that you'll still have to pay taxes on any earnings or interest from the account once you withdraw at age 59 1/2.

Annuities are investment vehicles purchased from insurance companies at a premium. You'll receive periodic payouts during retirement once you purchase an annuity using pre-tax or after-tax dollars. Annuities offer a reliable income stream for retirees and reassurance they won't outlive their savings. 

The funds in an annuity can also be invested. Before you start receiving payouts, the investment gains grow tax-free, but you'll still be liable to pay income tax. Plus, annuities have limited liquidity and high fees that may diminish potential gains. 

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are savings accounts designed to cover medical expenses but can double as retirement savings. Once you're 65, you can withdraw the funds from your HSA penalty-free for non-medical expenses. 

While an HSA isn't a great main retirement savings vehicle, it can be a great addition to a different long-term savings account. In addition to penalty-free withdrawals on qualifying expenses, HSAs are funded with pre-tax dollars and grow-tax-free. But you'll still be subject to income tax. 

In 2024, you can contribute up to $4,150 for self-coverage and $8,300 for family coverage. Folks 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution. 

Choosing the Best Retirement Plan for You

If you're not a small-business owner or self-employed, the best retirement plan for you usually depends on your type of employer, marital status, and short- and long-term savings goals. 

However, for most employer-sponsored retirement accounts, you can decide whether to make pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) contributions to your account. Roth contributions are best for those who expect to pay more in taxes as they age, but you should consider pre-tax contributions if you don't mind paying taxes when you withdraw money from your account in retirement.

You can boost your retirement savings even more by opening a separate IRA in addition to your employer-sponsored plan (you can still save toward retirement with an IRA if you're unemployed).

FAQs About Retirement Plans

Your best retirement option depends on your income, employer, financial situation, time horizon, and goals. If you can access a retirement savings account through your employer, especially a pension or 401(k) plan, that is likely your best option. If not, a traditional or Roth IRA offers tax advantages, compounding power, and flexible investment options.

A traditional or Roth IRA may be a better retirement saving account than a 401(k) due to the low fees and flexibility. Although 401(k)s come with great benefits like an employer match, they have high fees that can eat away at gains. An IRA may be a better option if your employer is not covering those fees. 

A Roth IRA may be the better option, depending on your situation. In most cases, a 401(k) is the stronger retirement account due to the convenience of automatic payroll deduction and the additional benefit of an employer match. However, Roth IRAs can double as emergency funds. A Roth IRA may be better if you're looking for increased flexibility and Roth tax benefits. 

Why You Should Trust Us: Our Expert Panel For The Best Retirement Plans

We interviewed the following investing experts to see what they had to say about retirement savings plans. 

• Sandra Cho , RIA, wealth manager, and CEO of Pointwealth Capital Management
• Tessa Campbell , Investment and retirement reporter at Personal Finance Insider

What are the advantages/disadvantages of investing in a retirement plan?

Sandra Cho:

"The main advantage is the tax implications of the account. Depending on the account, taxes will either be deferred or not included at all. For employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s, contributions to the plan are made with pre-tax funds, and the account grows tax-deferred. Taxes are then owed upon withdrawal.

"Roth IRAs, on the other hand, are contributed to with post-tax funds but grow tax-free. Both should be included in an investor's portfolio. Another advantage is that 401(k)s often have an employer matching component. That is, an employer will match your contributions up to a certain point (usually around 3% of your salary). 

"The disadvantage is that retirement accounts have a max contribution limit. Another disadvantage is that these funds cannot be used until age 59 1/2. For younger investors, that can be a long time wait."

Tessa Campbell: 

"Tax benefits and compound interest are two of the major advantages of contribution to a retirement savings plan like a 401(k) or individual IRA. Depending on the kind of plan you open (traditional or Roth), you can benefit from contributions after- or post-tax dollars. In addition, some 401(k) plans are eligible for employer-sponsored matches, which are essentially free money.

"The disadvantage of a retirement plan is that you won't be able to access the funds in your account penalty-free until you're at least 59 1/2 years old. Unless there are no other options, early withdraws from a retirement savings plan isn't advised."

Who should consider opening a retirement plan?

"Every individual should be investing through a retirement plan if they have the financial capability to. At the minimum, investors should try to contribute up to the matching amount for their 401(k) and the maximum amount for their Roth IRA. The growth in these funds compounds over time, helping to enhance the long-term return."

Tessa Campbell:

"I can't think of a single person that wouldn't benefit from a retirement savings plan, other than maybe someone that is already well into retirement. Although some younger individuals don't feel the need to start contributing quite yet, it's actually better to open an account as soon as possible and take advantage of compound interest growth capabilities."

Is there any advice you'd offer someone who's considering opening a retirement plan?

"I would advise them to work with a financial advisor or trusted professional. This will give them insight into where they should be investing their money, whether that be a 401(k), Roth IRA, or another vehicle. There are plenty of people and sources out there who provide important information and can help you create a strong financial future."

"Don't contribute huge portions of your salary if it doesn't make sense with your budget. While contributing to a retirement savings plan is important, you must still afford your monthly expenses and pay down an existing debt. If you're having trouble establishing a reasonable budget, consult a financial advisor or planner for professional help."

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