Using the CFO Balance Sheet Trend Prediction Dashboard

The CFO Balance Sheet Trend Prediction dashboard consists of tabs which correspond to key performance indicators (KPIs). Through line charts, the dashboard displays a detailed forecast of the future performance of the following KPIs:

  • Accounts Payable
  • Accounts Receivable
  • Cash & Equivalents
Note: To navigate between the different dashboards, either click the relevant tab in the top header or click at the end of the dashboard title.

Using Dashboard Charts

The trend prediction charts display the following series to visualize your data and the calculations applied to it:

 
Series Description
Actual The current performance of your KPI. Actual is represented by a solid line.
Trend Model The line of best fit based upon your current (actual) data using the same algorithm used to predict future performance. The Trend Model line provides a means of reviewing the results generated by the algorithm against current performance. This model is then applied to future (forecasted) periods. This is represented by a dashed line.
Trend Prediction The forecasted future performance of your KPI.

From Spring 2020, if no data is available for the period specified in your Actual Range Start or Actual Range End, then the chart series begin from the last period for which data is available. This condition also applies if no data is available following the selections applied in the global filter panel.

Note:

Each trend prediction chart is based on monthly periods only. We recommend that you have at least two years' worth of data for your KPIs in your org to use the CFO Balance Sheet Trend Prediction dashboard.

Managing Filters

Your filter selections determine the data displayed for each of your KPIs within your dashboards. To hide the filters click . Click again to show the filters. To set or change your filters, use the following drop-down options:

  • Currency: select the currency you want to see data for. You can select “Home” or “Dual” currency.
  • Company: select the companies you want to see data for or select “All” if you want to see data for all companies in your org.
  • Account Name (s): select the accounts you want to see data for or select "All" if you want to see data for all accounts in your org.
  • Product Name (s): select the products you want to see data for or select "All" if you want to see data for all products in your org.
  • General Ledger Account Name: select the general ledger account you want to see data for or select "All" if you want to see data for all general ledger accounts in your org.
  • Dimension 1: select the dimension 1 value you want to see data for or select "All" if you want to see data for all dimension 1 records in your org.
  • Dimension 2: select the dimension 2 value you want to see data for or select "All" if you want to see data for all dimension 2 records in your org.
  • Dimension 3: select the dimension 3 value you want to see data for or select "All" if you want to see data for all dimension 3 records in your org.
  • Dimension 4: select the dimension 4 value you want to see data for or select "All" if you want to see data for all dimension 4 records in your org.

If you want to edit the global filters which appear on this filter panel, click Edit to enter edit mode and click the global filters displayed under Filters. Click Manage Global Filters | Add Global Filter to add or remove fields from the Financial Balances dataset. You can also add custom fields to your global filters.

Note:

All special period data is included by default in the CFO Balance Sheet Trend Prediction dashboard. Period 000 for the current year and period 101 for the previous year are added to period 1. Period 100 is added to period 12.

If your calendar is configured to contain more or less than 12 periods in a year, your dashboard data will be incorrect. With the exception of special periods, Analytics dashboards only support years with 12 periods. Also, you cannot compare data for companies with different financial years.

Chart Filters

The charts displayed on the KPI tabs contain drop-down menus which enable you to change the data displayed on the time series chart.

The chart filters are:

  • Forecast Period: select the forecast date range by month. Available values are 1-12.
  • Seasonality: select consecutive, fixed-length intervals when predicting the future performance of your KPI. Cycles are based upon 12 periods because the chart is based on monthly data.
  • Confidence Interval: select the confidence interval for your forecast. Available values are 80 and 95.

To change the input range for the data used to calculate the time series prediction, use the following drop-down options:

  • Actual Range Start: Select the start of the data range used to display the trend prediction. You can specify a fiscal period from which to start.
  • Actual Range End: Select the end of the data range used to calculate the trend prediction. You can specify a fiscal period at which the trend prediction’s input data concludes. Note that if no data is available for the period at which the trend prediction’s input data concludes, then data from the preceding month will be used to make the time series calculation.
Note:
  • Modifying your data input range enables you to select the most accurate data for your trend prediction. See the Salesforce Help for further information about using the time series functionality in Analytics.
  • If you receive an error message warning that insufficient data is available to make a prediction, try turning off seasonality, increasing your date range or removing some of your filters.

When you make changes to the chart filters, ensure that you use the Save View functionality to avoid losing your settings. You can click Save View on any tab of the CFO Balance Sheet Trend Prediction dashboard. However, the currently selected tab is the default tab for the view and is therefore visible the next time you open the view.