Financial modelling is about more than numbers. It’s about understanding opportunities and gaining the confidence to take the next step. The best tools help you build dynamic, driver-based models that show the impact of decisions across profit, cash flow, and balance sheet, bringing together forecasting, planning, and financial analysis software in one place.
Whether you’re forecasting cash flows, testing scenarios, or planning for the long term, the right financial modelling software can significantly improve your workflow. Read this article to compare the best financial modelling tools for 2026 and learn how to choose the right financial modelling platform for your business needs.
Quick summary of financial scenario planning software
- Fathom: Advanced three-way forecasting with scenario planning and multi-entity consolidation.
- Spotlight Reporting: Consolidated multi-entity forecasting with intercompany eliminations and scenario analysis.
- Syft Analytics: Four-way forecasting (including KPIs) and real-time cash flow insights.
- Futrli: Short-term cash flow forecasting with scenario planning for SMBs.
- Reach Reporting: Spreadsheet-style three-way forecasting with customisable dashboards and consolidation
- Jirav: Driver-based FP&A platform with rolling forecasts and sensitivity analysis.
What is financial modelling software?
Financial modelling software helps businesses organise, analyse, and forecast their financial data. Unlike traditional spreadsheets, these tools automate calculations, connect directly to accounting systems, and allow teams to build multiple scenarios with ease.
Modern financial scenario planning software supports budgeting, forecasting, and reporting while providing interactive dashboards and performance visualisations. For advisory teams and CFOs, it strengthens collaboration and delivers clarity, so you can plan with precision and respond to change.
The top financial modelling software to consider for your firm
1. Fathom
Fathom is an all-in-one platform for management reporting, scenario planning, and multi-entity consolidation, trusted by thousands of businesses globally. It is designed for accountants, advisory firms, and CFOs who need financial modelling tools that combine forecasting, reporting, and actionable insights in a single intuitive interface.
Strengths:
- Built-in three-way forecasting: Create Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow forecasts with rolling updates and horizons up to five years with cash flow forecasting software.
- Scenario planning and micro-forecasts: Model specific events and unlimited scenarios for best/worst-case planning, all linked to the main forecast for easy updates.
- Multi-entity consolidation: Consolidate up to 300 entities, with advanced eliminations and custom charts of accounts.
- Advanced reporting and visuals: Build branded, presentation-ready reports with charts, commentary, and KPIs. Fathom also offers financial insights dashboard software that helps you monitor performance metrics and trends.
- Smooth integrations: Integration with accounting systems such as QuickBooks integrations, Xero Integrations, Sage, FreeAgent, MYOB and more.
Considerations:
- Data quality: To get the most benefit, organisations need clean source data; modelling quality is only as good as the data feeding it.
- Advanced modelling considerations: Even with powerful scenario engines, advanced bespoke modelling may still need Excel.
Best suited to: Accounting firms and finance teams seeking a single platform for forecasting, reporting, and consolidation with engaging visuals, deep advisory features and scalable multi-entity workflows.
2. Spotlight Reporting
Spotlight Reporting is a modular platform offering reporting, forecasting, and consolidation tools, widely used by accounting firms across NZ, AU, UK, ZA, and North America. Spotlight provides scenario-based forecasting and group modelling, along with structured and template-driven workflows.
Strengths:
- Consolidated modelling: Supports multi-entity and multi-currency forecasts, making it suitable for group reporting and advisory engagements involving multiple business units.
- Scenario-based forecasting: Allows users to create alternative forecast versions to compare expected outcomes under different assumptions, such as revenue growth or cost changes.
- Template-driven modelling: Industry-specific forecast templates accelerate financial planning.
- Direct accounting integrations: Live connections to accounting systems allow forecast models to stay aligned with actual financial data.
Considerations:
- Complex configuration for advanced use cases: Multi-entity or highly customised forecasts can require significant setup time.
- Limited driver-based FP&A depth: While suitable for forecasting and scenarios, it is less flexible for granular, driver-led modelling compared to dedicated FP&A tools.
Best suited to: Accounting firms that are delivering structured advisory services, where forecasting and scenario modelling support management reporting and client presentations.
3. Syft Analytics
Syft Analytics, acquired by Xero in 2024, offers a financial solution that turns accounting data into real-time dashboards, forecasts, and performance insights. It focuses on KPI-driven analysis, visual reporting, and short-term forecasting, with scenario adjustments.
Strengths:
- Operational forecasting dashboards: Combines actuals, forecasts, and KPIs into real-time visual dashboards that support fast financial reviews.
- Simple scenario adjustments: Enables quick “what-if” changes, such as revenue or expense shifts, to assess short-term financial impact.
- Client-level consolidation: Supports combining multiple data sources for advisory reporting, useful for high-level portfolio views.
- Automated data preparation: Direct accounting integrations reduce manual work and keep reports and forecasts aligned with actuals.
Considerations:
- Limited FP&A modelling depth: Not designed for complex driver-based or long-term financial models.
- Reporting-first approach: Financial modelling capabilities are secondary to insights and visualisation.
Best suited to: Practices that prioritise rapid insights, client dashboards, and scheduled reporting.
4. Futrli
Futrli is a forecasting and planning platform focused on short-term cash flow visibility for SMEs and advisors. It supports cash flow forecasting with flexible time-period views and is best suited to near-term liquidity planning rather than multi-year, driver-based financial modelling.
Strengths:
- Short-term cash flow forecasting: Supports short-term forecasting, including weekly cash flow views, which help advisors and business owners monitor near-term liquidity and manage immediate cash pressures.
- Cash flow-centric scenario modelling: Designed to model how changes in revenue timing, expenses, or financing affect cash position, making it useful for “what-if” cash planning rather than complete financial statement modelling.
- Decision-oriented dashboards: Visual outputs help translate forecast data into clear financial actions.
Considerations:
- Limited scalability for complex groups: Multi-entity and highly customised consolidation is not a core strength.
- Less suitable for long-term FP&A modelling: Best used for short- to medium-term planning rather than multi-year strategic modelling.
Best suited to: Small to mid-sized practices and advisors focused on cash flow forecasting and scenario conversations with business owners.
5. Reach Reporting
Reach Reporting is an advisory reporting platform that combines financial reporting, forecasting, and narrative commentary. Its forecasting capabilities support three-statement models, but much of the modelling logic relies on spreadsheet-style inputs and templates rather than a structured FP&A engine.
Strengths:
- Customisable forecast templates: Allow firms to create repeatable financial models that align with their advisory frameworks.
- Integrated three-statement forecasting: Supports Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow forecasts for forward-looking reporting.
- Narrative-driven outputs: Strong focus on combining numbers with commentary to support client understanding.
Considerations:
- Limited driver-based scenario planning: Complex financial scenarios may require additional modelling in Excel.
- Dependent on spreadsheet inputs: Advanced or granular modelling often needs manual integration.
Best suited to: Firms that prioritise tailored advisory reports and narrative-led financial insights over complex modelling engines.
6. Jirav
Jirav is an FP&A-focused planning platform designed for in-house finance teams. It supports driver-based budgeting, rolling forecasts, and scenario modelling built around operational metrics such as revenue drivers, headcount, and costs.
Strengths:
- Driver-based forecasting: Builds financial models around operational drivers such as revenue assumptions, headcount planning, and cost structures.
- Integrated FP&A platform: Combines budgeting, rolling forecasts, and reporting into a single planning environment.
- Scenario and sensitivity testing: Enables finance teams to assess how changes in assumptions impact forecast outcomes across different plan versions.
Considerations:
- Implementation effort: Initial model setup requires careful planning to define drivers, assumptions, and structures.
- Advanced modelling skills required: Teams may need training or prior financial modelling experience to build and maintain more complex models.
Best suited to: In-house finance teams and CFOs that require structured, driver-based planning and rolling forecasts to support mid to long-term strategic decisions.
Side-by-side comparison table of FP&A modelling software
Strategic planning and multi-entity groups
Three-way forecasting + advanced reporting
Unlimited scenarios & microforecasts
Multi-entity consolidations and advisory firms
Consolidated forecasting with eliminations
Pre-defined & custom scenarios
Automated insights and visual financial reporting
4-way forecasting + AI-powered cash flow manager
Event-based and short-term scenario adjustments
SMB cash flow visibility and quick decisions
Cash flow forecasting with frequent data updates
Simple "what-if" scenarios
Narrative-driven reporting and dashboards
Spreadsheet-style flexibility + branded templates
Pre-configured scenario templates
Driver-based FP&A for firms and SMBs
Integrated budgeting, forecasting & workforce planning
Multiple plan versions & sensitivity tests
How to choose the best financial modelling software
Choosing the best software for financial modelling is more than just ticking feature boxes, it's also about finding a solution that gives you clarity, confidence, and control. The best tools align with your business model, client needs, and strategic goals.
Here’s what to look for when evaluating your options:
- Advisory-focused reporting: Platforms that offer client-ready dashboards, narrative-driven reporting, and automated variance analysis make it easier for accountants and advisors to communicate insights and recommendations.
- Multi-entity consolidation: Tools that support multiple subsidiaries, multi-currency reporting, and eliminations help firms manage complex client portfolios or group structures without manual handling.
- Reliable, intuitive forecasting: Simple, intuitive software with clear dashboards, cash flow scenario modelling, and straightforward budgeting workflows allows smaller teams or business owners to plan effectively with minimal setup.
- Scenario planning and “what-if” analysis: Platforms with flexible scenario modelling enable testing multiple potential outcomes, helping teams understand risks, opportunities, and financial impacts before decisions are made.
- Driver-based FP&A modelling: Tools that allow forecasts to be built around key business metrics, like revenue per customer, staffing levels, or operational costs, allowing more accurate long-term planning and rolling forecasts.
- Accounting system integration: Software that connects to accounting platforms for live data import reduces manual entry, ensures forecasts remain accurate, and speeds up model updates.
- Visual insights and dashboards: Interactive dashboards and visual reporting help teams monitor KPIs, track trends, and quickly identify areas that need attention, improving decision-making efficiency.
Final thoughts
The right financial modelling software transforms static spreadsheets into dynamic, driver-based models that reveal the ripple effect of choices across profit, cash flow, and balance sheet. Whether you’re an advisor managing multi-entity groups, a CFO steering strategic growth, or a small business owner focused on cash flow, these tools help you plan with precision and respond to change.
Investing in modern financial modelling software isn’t just an option. It’s essential for firms that want to stay agile, deliver deeper insights, and build trust through transparent, data-driven planning.
Try Fathom's financial reporting today
Start with a 14-day trial or contact us if you need further help and our dedicated team can help you make an informed decision.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What is the best financial modelling software for small businesses?
While tools like Futrli and Syft Analytics are also popular for their ease of use and quick insights, Fathom goes further by offering advanced reporting, multi-entity consolidation, and scalable features that grow with your business. It is also renowned for dynamic visuals that give understanding to the numbers. This makes it ideal for businesses that want confidence in their decisions today and flexibility for tomorrow.
- Does financial modelling software replace Excel?
Not entirely. While these platforms automate many modelling tasks and reduce reliance on manual spreadsheets, Excel remains useful for bespoke models, deep custom calculations, and as a data staging environment in complex workflows.
- What features matter most in modelling tools?
Key features include direct data integration, multi‑scenario forecasting, driver‑based planning, reporting/dashboard flexibility, consolidation capability, and output customisation, all of which support insightful, repeatable analysis.
- Is AI forecasting accurate?
AI forecasting tools can significantly augment accuracy by identifying patterns and automating projections, but they are not a substitute for sound assumptions, domain expertise, and data governance in your financial models.
.png)
.jpg)
