Most small businesses don’t have a finance team.
They have one person doing five jobs, trying to forecast cash flow while running operations and answering customer emails. It’s not a spreadsheet problem. It’s a time and clarity problem.
And that’s what the right FP&A software solves.
Why this isn’t just for “big companies”
Small businesses move fast, and operate with tight margins. They can’t afford to wait until the end of the month to figure out what’s going on.
But most still use static spreadsheets to plan, because it’s familiar. And it feels flexible.
But that system breaks under pressure:
- One manual error throws off the whole model
- Forecasting takes hours
- Planning becomes reactive
The job isn’t just to “make a report.” It’s to see what’s changing, and decide what to do about it.
What the right tool can unlock
The best FP&A software gives you back your time. And it shows you where the business is headed without making you dig for the answer.
It helps you:
- Forecast cash flow clearly
- Plan headcount with confidence
- Track burn and revenue in real time
- Make decisions based on what’s actually happening
The shift is simple: less time managing data, more time steering the business.
What to look for
1. Modeling that makes sense
You shouldn’t need a manual. The interface should feel obvious.
Runway’s modeling uses human-readable logic, so even non-finance teammates can forecast and understand what’s happening.
2. **Collaboration by default**
Your sales lead should be able to adjust pipeline assumptions. Marketing should be able to see how campaign spend rolls up to cash. You don’t need to collect inputs — you just need the model to stay shared.
3. Reporting that’s actually useful
Dashboards should be live, visual, and easy to interpret. You should know how your business is doing in seconds.
4. Integrations that work
If you’re exporting from QuickBooks or Gusto just to paste into a model, the tool isn’t helping. Good FP&A platforms pull in real data, automatically, and keep it fresh.
5. Scalability without friction
Your needs will change. You’ll hire more people. You might raise a round, or need investor-ready reports fast.
The right tool doesn’t slow down when the complexity ramps up.
Where the tools stand
Runway
- Built for teams that move fast, and need clarity across functions.
- Integrated with 750+ systems, it’s designed to grow with you.
- Comes with driver-based modeling, live dashboards, human-readable formulas, and real-time collaboration.
- Use it to create what-if scenarios created in seconds.
LiveFlow
- Works on top of Google Sheets.
- Live data sync from QuickBooks and others.
- Real-time dashboards, multi-entity consolidation, and 100+ reporting templates.
- Good for early-stage teams who want real-time dashboards inside a familiar interface.
Jirav
- All-in-one FP&A suite. Handles budgets, forecasts, headcount planning, and investor reporting out of the box.
- Integrates with accounting, payroll, and ops tools.
- Built with accounting firms and small businesses in mind.
Causal
- Automate forecasts and build business plans fast.
- Collaborate, track versions, and use customizable dashboards.
- Useful for teams building business plans without a heavy finance background.
Cube
- Works inside Excel and Google Sheets but adds robust FP&A features: scenario analysis, consolidation, multi-currency support, real-time collaboration, and automated flows.
- If your team lives in spreadsheets but needs better workflows and controls, Cube can be a good bridge.
How to pick the right tool
Choosing FP&A software is all about fit. Start with your process — where’s it slow, and where are mistakes happening?
- Are you spending hours formatting reports?
- Are you updating models by hand every time a number changes?
- Are decisions delayed because no one knows which spreadsheet is the right one?
Shortlist 3-5 tools that fit your needs and budget. Test demos. Discuss your use case with their teams. Notice how intuitive the interface feels, how quickly you can model real scenarios.
Then think about where you want to go. Planning for growth? Raising capital? Hiring quickly?
Your FP&A tool should make those steps easier.
Grow faster with modern FP&A software
Most small businesses wait too long to fix their finance tools. By the time the spreadsheet becomes unbearable, you’re already behind.
The right software makes planning faster, more efficient, and collaborative.