A Forecast That Rolls Forward Every Month
Each close automatically blends actuals to date with the plan for the months ahead, so the forecast is always current instead of stale between quarterly re-plans.
What rolling forecasts do
A forecast set once a quarter is out of date by week three. Rolling forecasts in Fintra replace the months already closed with actuals and extend the remaining plan forward, so the forecast horizon stays constant and current every month.
- Actuals automatically replace forecasted months as each period closes
- Forecast horizon rolls forward, keeping a constant look-ahead window
- Drivers for remaining months can be adjusted without rebuilding the whole model
- Forecast-vs-actuals variance shown for every closed month
Core capabilities
| Capability | What it does | What it replaces |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-roll | Replaces closed months with actuals automatically | Manually rebuilding the forecast each quarter |
| Constant horizon | Keeps a fixed look-ahead window as months close | A forecast that shortens until the next planning cycle |
| Driver adjustment | Updates remaining-month drivers without a full rebuild | Starting the model over each cycle |
| Forecast accuracy tracking | Shows forecast-vs-actual variance by month | No visibility into forecast accuracy over time |
How it works
From close to rolled forecast
- 1
Close the month
Actuals post to the ledger as part of the regular close process.
- 2
Roll the model
The closed month becomes actuals in the forecast; the horizon extends one month further out.
- 3
Adjust drivers
Update assumptions for the newly extended months if conditions have changed.
- 4
Approve the update
A named owner reviews and approves the rolled forecast before it is shared.
Governance and accuracy
Because rolling forecasts update monthly, forecast accuracy becomes measurable rather than anecdotal. The SentriAI audit trail preserves each month's forecast as it stood at the time, so you can see how the plan evolved and hold it to account.
What each roll preserves
- The forecast as it stood before and after the roll
- Driver changes applied to the extended months
- Forecast-vs-actual variance for the month just closed
Frequently asked questions
How often does the rolling forecast update?
Every month, as part of your close process. The month that just closed becomes actuals, the plan extends one more month into the future, and the horizon length stays constant rather than shrinking toward a fixed year-end.
Do I need to rebuild the model each time?
No. Rolling the forecast is largely automatic - actuals replace the closed month and the driver assumptions extend forward. You only adjust drivers for the newly extended months if your assumptions have actually changed.
Can I see how accurate past forecasts were?
Yes. Because each month's forecast is preserved before it rolls, you can compare what was forecast for any given month against what actually happened, building a track record of forecast accuracy over time.
Does this replace annual budgeting?
No - rolling forecasts complement the annual budget rather than replacing it. The budget remains the approved plan of record for the year; the rolling forecast shows the current best view of where the year is heading given actuals so far.
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