The Controllership Series: The Controller's Role in Pro Forma Financial Statements

Overview

Pro forma statements are used by businesses to make decisions on planning & control, as well as for external reporting to owners, investors & creditors. For example, giving financial estimates for a given period in a standardized manner is known as "presenting pro forma," a Latin phrase that means "as a matter of form." Pro forma statements can be helpful tools for business owners, investors, creditors, or decision-makers to analyze various scenarios of future events based on certain financial assumptions. It might aid in making predictions performance of the company.

A pro forma income statement displays a firm’s anticipated sales & revenue. It also highlights anticipated fixed or variable operational expenses and, in the end, displays the potential profits & retained earnings for a future financial quarter. There are various types of pro-forma statements & methods to develop them. The responsibilities/competencies of the Financial Controller position (FC) has changed in recent years. However, the creation of pro forma financial statements is still a core part of their responsibility.