Unlocking smarter decision-making through testing and structure
Most financial models look fine on the surface. That’s the problem.
Across mid-sized businesses, finance teams and Boards rely on models every day to make critical decisions such as capital investment, staffing plans and growth strategies.
But while the model might “work”, the numbers reconcile, and the forecast looks reasonable – it doesn’t mean it’s doing everything it should. Most models are used to produce a single outcome. Few are built to be questioned.
The true value of a financial model isn’t solely in its outputs — it’s in how well it holds up under scrutiny.
When you stress test a model or have it independently reviewed, you open a new level of insight. You don’t just see what might happen, you discover why, and what to do next.
When you don’t test a model, you miss what it could tell you
We’ve worked with countless CFOs and finance teams who had confidence in their models — until we started asking “what if”:
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What if revenue drops 10% next quarter?
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What if a key customer churns?
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What happens to working capital if debtor days stretch by two weeks?
A model built for testing will show you. It reveals operational pressure points, unexpected dependencies and unseen risks. That means you can plan earlier, act faster, and make decisions with greater confidence.
Without testing, your model is only telling you one story. And in a changing market, that’s rarely enough.
What a strong model really looks like
To support decision making, a financial model needs to be more than accurate - it needs to be usable and be:
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Structured – with clear logic, separated assumptions, and well-labelled components.
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Transparent – Easy for others to understand, including board members, bankers, or auditors.
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Testable – Built with scenarios and sensitivities in mind from the start.
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Reviewed – Independently checked to surface errors, blind spots, or untested assumptions.
When a model is built this way, it becomes a tool for strategic thinking.
Why independent review matters
Having your model independently tested isn't about doubting your team’s skills. It’s about uncovering what you might have missed — because every business has blind spots.
We often liken this to engineering. You wouldn’t release a new product without stress testing it. Financial models should be treated the same way. When you bring in a second set of eyes, you’re making space for new questions, new insights and often, better answers.
At Moore, we help finance leaders go deeper. Not just to validate a model, but to unlock what it’s really telling you.
Final thoughts: Your model is more powerful than you think
Financial modelling is more than forecasting, it’s understanding how your business reacts to change.
If your model isn’t tested, it’s not ready.
If it hasn’t been independently reviewed, you might be missing something important.
But when it’s well-structured and tested, your model becomes one of your most valuable decision-making tools — and one of your best defences in a shifting business environment.
Need a second set of eyes on your financial model?
We’re here to help you test smarter, see more clearly, and make decisions with confidence.
Contact us today.