LivePlan Integrates with QuickBooks in the Cloud

Michael Cohn for Accounting Today writes: Palo Alto Software has launched a service to integrate QuickBooks data with the company’s LivePlan software to allow accountants to remotely monitor the performance of a client's business.

The service provides access to QuickBooks data in the cloud so accountants can monitor their business clients’ financial performance, as well as help them with budgeting and forecasting. Users can sync their QuickBooks account to LivePlan to get real-time access to key accounting data at any time from a mobile device, allowing them to track sales and expenses against a business plan and make business decisions.

The LivePlan Scoreboard feature enables accountants and their clients to leverage profit centers within a business, identify and correct loss centers, and monitor payables and receivables in order to improve the business’s overall financial performance.

Accountants and their clients can collaborate online to build a budget and sales forecast, and then automatically bring in actual financial results by syncing with their QuickBooks data. Accountants can also advise their clients by posting comments in LivePlan to help them focus on their key performance indicators.

From GetApp we read Rakesh Sharma take on LivePlan:

Most small businesses start with an idea. Business plans add contours and a concrete road map to the idea. Writing a business plan, however, is easier said than done. The task is both arduous and confusing.  This week, we will look at a solution that simplifies this task.
We will review LivePlan – a SaaS solution that simplifies business plan writing for small businesses and startups. We will look at its features, interface, and see how it can be of use to you.

Planning Your Business With LivePlan

The key to working with LivePlan is to understand its approach to business plans. LivePlan deconstructs business plans into constituent parts and enables you to think about your business from the ground up. This approach can be extremely useful for individuals interested in starting a small business as it helps clarify their thought process and focus on the really important elements of your idea.

LivePlan breaks down your business plan into four elements. These elements are reflected in the individual tabs on the interface. They are as follows:

• Pitch: This module enables you to craft custom pitches for investors. It provides a snapshot of your company to investors, including a high-level view of your finances. Each pitch is further broken down into elements such as business model being used, target market, competitive landscape and team.
• Plan: This module delves into the details of your plan. It provides an executive summary of your company and provides additional color regarding metrics. For example, this section details your sales forecasts and projected revenue. In addition, you can also add appendix information (not otherwise covered in standard business plans or in the plan template) in this plan.
• Schedule: This module helps you on track with your stated goals. Thus, you can add milestones, notes, and reminders to yourself using this tool. In addition, you can send emails to yourself and others using this tool.
• Scoreboard: This module takes care of all budgeting and forecasting and tracks your actual performance vis-à-vis your stated plans. It also integrates with third-party solutions such as QuickBooks and displays them into simple easy-to-use formats.

Within each module, LivePlan asks users a set of questions designed to find out more about your plan through entered text and numbers. Then, the solution extrapolates these responses (and numbers) into essential figures that an investor expects to see in a business plan. I especially like the fact that it enables you to do this without complicated spreadsheet formulae. For example, you can generate sales forecasts or projected cash flow statements using LivePlan merely by entering specific information and numbers. 

  In case you are still confused or unable to answer questions relating to your business idea, LivePlan incorporates examples in its feature list. I thought this was one of the most useful features of the solution. Simply, you can embed examples from previous users for inspiration into your business plan. LivePlan also bundles XpertAccess, a module that provides access to experienced entrepreneurs, and a free eBook by small business expert Tim Berry along with its pricing.

Why LivePlan Works For Entrepreneurs

There are several reasons to like the tool. Prime among them is its focus on simplifying a complex and time-consuming task. Reducing a business plan to a simple set of instructions helps you think strategically about your business. Added to these benefits are the pluses of cloud technology that enable collaboration regardless of geography or system.
You can do several things using the solution, including simplify complicated math, visualize your finances, and also, perform lean project management using the Schedule feature. Expert access and freebies such as eBooks only make a further case for LivePlan. Another site www.bplans.com provides free guidance, content and advice from their stable of entrepreneurs. They also have a regularly-scheduled Webinar series that helps first-time entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of risks involved in entrepreneurship.

Is It For You?

As someone who is very interested in entrepreneurship, I think LivePlan is an excellent solution. It provides users with a crash course in business planning. What I liked most about the solution is that it implements focus and rigor to your idea so that it can withstand scrutiny from investors.