We’re excited to introduce a new integration between Spotlight Forecasting and Spotlight Reporting, allowing users to bring P&L budget data directly from Forecasting into Reporting for use in management reports, budget comparisons, and future projections. With this new integration, the reporting and forecasting interplay and workflow becomes significantly simpler and more powerful.
Users can now import Spotlight Forecasting budget data directly into their reports as budget comparatives and projection data. This helps ensure reporting can always reflect the latest financial plans and forecasts.
A More Connected Workflow Between Forecasting and Reporting
Setting up the integration only takes a few clicks.
From the Import tab in Spotlight Reporting, users can connect directly to Spotlight Forecasting, select the relevant organisation and task, then import the required budget data for a chosen date range.
Once imported, users can (from the Customise Data tab) choose exactly how that data should be used inside their reports:
- as the retrospective budget for variance reporting (such as YTD vs Budget)
- as the projection data used for future forecasting columns
- or alongside existing budgets imported from accounting systems or spreadsheets
This flexibility gives users greater control over how forecast data flows into their reporting process.
For more information on importing forecasting data into Spotlight Reporting, read the help centre article and watch the video here.
"Love the fact it is just a click of a button. I no longer have to export the data to CSV, then import it into Xero, then import it again into Spotlight Management Reports." Nancy Shallcrass, Sass Accountants
Why The Forecasting & Reporting Integration Adds Value
The real value of this integration goes beyond saving time.
Forecasts no longer sit separately from reporting. Instead, they become part of an ongoing performance management workflow — helping organisations compare actual results against current expectations and projections in real time.
For accountants, advisors, and finance teams, this creates several important benefits:
- Create, maintain and use one source of budget information
- Reduced risk of outdated budget versions
- Faster preparation of management and board reports
- More up to date budget vs actual analysis
- Greater confidence in advisory conversations and decision-making
The seamless integration of spotlight forecasts into Reports is a game changer. It makes updating budgets and feeding them back into management reports instantaneous.
Darren Austin, Synergee Limited
The integration was built in response to customer feedback wanting a more integrated experience between forecasting and reporting. By connecting forecasting directly into reporting, firms can spend less time managing data and more time analysing results, identifying trends, and helping clients make informed decisions.
We’re excited to continue building more connected workflows that help our users work more efficiently, deliver better insights, and unlock greater value from their financial data.
