For years, Irish SaaS startups grew in a forgiving climate. Venture capital was abundant, valuations were generous, and “growth at all costs” often worked. That world has shifted. Venture funding is still available in Ireland, but expectations have hardened. Investors want disciplined growth, defensible strategies, and proof that capital will last. For founders, that means […]
https://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/pexels-brian-jesus-41368529-33851637-1.jpg9001200Sarah Schlotthttps://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo-schlottco-1.pngSarah Schlott2025-09-14 14:54:142025-09-17 22:11:00The End of Easy SaaS: What Irish Founders Must Know Before Their Next Fundraise
Brookfield Asset Management is in talks to buy Yes! Communities — a manufactured housing landlord — from Singapore’s GIC in a $10B+ deal. At first glance, it’s just another mega real estate transaction.But look closer, and it’s an FP&A masterclass hiding in plain sight. Why FP&A Should Care Yes! Communities isn’t selling a luxury condo […]
https://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/pexels-davidmcbee-1546166-1.jpg6751200Sarah Schlotthttps://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo-schlottco-1.pngSarah Schlott2025-09-14 11:12:472025-09-17 22:11:01When a $10B Deal Becomes a Forecasting Case Study
Spreadsheets have powered finance for decades. They’re fast, flexible, and familiar. But here’s the paradox: the same tool that gives leaders confidence often sabotages the very decisions they need most. In this article, we’ll break down why spreadsheets quietly kill decision-making, how the risks show up, and the framework for moving beyond them. The Illusion […]
In finance, the phrase “best practice” sounds safe. Proven. Reliable. But in FP&A, following best practices can be the fastest way to fall behind. Here’s why—and what to do instead. The Trap of “Best” We copy what looks established. If it worked for someone else, it must work for us. But “best practices” are often […]
https://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/7.jpg11551732Sarah Schlotthttps://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo-schlottco-1.pngSarah Schlott2025-09-12 21:57:252025-09-17 22:11:02Why “Best Practices” in FP&A Are Often the Worst Practices
Every finance team has a favorite “one big number.” EBITDA. Net Income. Free Cash Flow. It feels decisive—like you’ve cracked the code. But here’s the problem: that number might be the biggest lie in your business. Why Leaders Love the Mirage Executives crave simplicity. One number to say “we’re winning” or “we’re losing.” But businesses […]
The Mirage of Accuracy We’ve walked into boardrooms where the FP&A model was defended like holy scripture. Cell after cell of formulas, error-checks coded like landmines, a 97% “accuracy rate” held up like a badge of honor. And yet, the company missed revenue by 30%. The truth? Accuracy is a trap. It lulls CFOs into […]
What Are the Hidden Breakpoints in SaaS Financial Models? Most SaaS forecasts don’t implode because of bad math—they fail because of unmodeled breakpoints. The model looks clean. The CAC slide works. Revenue curves are up and to the right. But behind the scenes, timing mismatches, behavioral drift, and structural lag quietly unseat the logic. These […]
What Are the Most Common Forecasting Errors SaaS Founders Make? SaaS forecasts rarely collapse from bad spreadsheets. They collapse because the inputs—the ones everyone thought were obvious—don’t hold up. Before a CFO joins, founders are left to translate strategy into numbers. The problem isn’t ambition—it’s blind spots. Revenue gets pulled forward. Cost lags get ignored. […]
https://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pexels-fauxels-3183131.jpg8001200Sarah Schlotthttps://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo-schlottco-1.pngSarah Schlott2025-08-03 23:05:092025-09-17 22:11:047 Forecasting Errors SaaS Founders Make Before Hiring a CFO
Why Operational Assumptions in SaaS Financial Modeling Break Forecasts Most SaaS forecasts fail before they begin—not because of bad math, but because of unexamined operational assumptions. The model isn’t broken. It’s just blind. We assume reps ramp in 90 days. That onboarding is uniform. That conversion rates scale with pipeline volume. These inputs feel safe […]
Why SaaS Forecasts Keep Breaking (And What Capacity Has to Do With It) Most SaaS forecasts don’t fail because of bad math. They fail because the business was never actually able to deliver what finance modeled. We track bookings, churn, CAC, and burn. But we rarely track whether teams can handle the volume of work […]
https://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pexels-goumbik-590022.jpg7951200Sarah Schlotthttps://theschlottco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo-schlottco-1.pngSarah Schlott2025-08-03 22:51:102025-09-17 22:11:056 Capacity Planning Metrics for SaaS FP&A Teams That Want Accurate Forecasts
The End of Easy SaaS: What Irish Founders Must Know Before Their Next Fundraise
For years, Irish SaaS startups grew in a forgiving climate. Venture capital was abundant, valuations were generous, and “growth at all costs” often worked. That world has shifted. Venture funding is still available in Ireland, but expectations have hardened. Investors want disciplined growth, defensible strategies, and proof that capital will last. For founders, that means […]
When a $10B Deal Becomes a Forecasting Case Study
Brookfield Asset Management is in talks to buy Yes! Communities — a manufactured housing landlord — from Singapore’s GIC in a $10B+ deal. At first glance, it’s just another mega real estate transaction.But look closer, and it’s an FP&A masterclass hiding in plain sight. Why FP&A Should Care Yes! Communities isn’t selling a luxury condo […]
Why Spreadsheets Quietly Kill Great Decisions
Spreadsheets have powered finance for decades. They’re fast, flexible, and familiar. But here’s the paradox: the same tool that gives leaders confidence often sabotages the very decisions they need most. In this article, we’ll break down why spreadsheets quietly kill decision-making, how the risks show up, and the framework for moving beyond them. The Illusion […]
Why “Best Practices” in FP&A Are Often the Worst Practices
In finance, the phrase “best practice” sounds safe. Proven. Reliable. But in FP&A, following best practices can be the fastest way to fall behind. Here’s why—and what to do instead. The Trap of “Best” We copy what looks established. If it worked for someone else, it must work for us. But “best practices” are often […]
The FP&A Illusion of “One Big Number”
Every finance team has a favorite “one big number.” EBITDA. Net Income. Free Cash Flow. It feels decisive—like you’ve cracked the code. But here’s the problem: that number might be the biggest lie in your business. Why Leaders Love the Mirage Executives crave simplicity. One number to say “we’re winning” or “we’re losing.” But businesses […]
CFOs Don’t Lose Companies. Bad Models Do.
The Mirage of Accuracy We’ve walked into boardrooms where the FP&A model was defended like holy scripture. Cell after cell of formulas, error-checks coded like landmines, a 97% “accuracy rate” held up like a badge of honor. And yet, the company missed revenue by 30%. The truth? Accuracy is a trap. It lulls CFOs into […]
9 Hidden Breakpoints in SaaS Financial Models That Sabotage Forecast Accuracy
What Are the Hidden Breakpoints in SaaS Financial Models? Most SaaS forecasts don’t implode because of bad math—they fail because of unmodeled breakpoints. The model looks clean. The CAC slide works. Revenue curves are up and to the right. But behind the scenes, timing mismatches, behavioral drift, and structural lag quietly unseat the logic. These […]
7 Forecasting Errors SaaS Founders Make Before Hiring a CFO
What Are the Most Common Forecasting Errors SaaS Founders Make? SaaS forecasts rarely collapse from bad spreadsheets. They collapse because the inputs—the ones everyone thought were obvious—don’t hold up. Before a CFO joins, founders are left to translate strategy into numbers. The problem isn’t ambition—it’s blind spots. Revenue gets pulled forward. Cost lags get ignored. […]
8 Operational Assumptions That Break SaaS Financial Models
Why Operational Assumptions in SaaS Financial Modeling Break Forecasts Most SaaS forecasts fail before they begin—not because of bad math, but because of unexamined operational assumptions. The model isn’t broken. It’s just blind. We assume reps ramp in 90 days. That onboarding is uniform. That conversion rates scale with pipeline volume. These inputs feel safe […]
6 Capacity Planning Metrics for SaaS FP&A Teams That Want Accurate Forecasts
Why SaaS Forecasts Keep Breaking (And What Capacity Has to Do With It) Most SaaS forecasts don’t fail because of bad math. They fail because the business was never actually able to deliver what finance modeled. We track bookings, churn, CAC, and burn. But we rarely track whether teams can handle the volume of work […]