Rolling Forecast
Short definition
A rolling forecast keeps the horizon constant and adds a new slice each period. It stops the annual budget going stale; the 13-week cash view is the short-horizon version.
Detailed explanation
12+1 months or 5+1 quarters are common. Drivers (orders, FX, rates, NWC days) are updated; “target” is split from “expectation”.
If the bonus is locked to the annual budget, the rolling forecast is punished. Splitting them keeps the forecast honest.
Why it matters for the CFO
In an inflation and FX regime the annual budget dies in three months. The rolling forecast ties debt capacity and capex to a live assumption.
How to read it
Forecast error splits driver versus target. Persistent sandbagging eats trust.
Related calculators
Güven Sayılgan’s writing on this topic
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What to learn next
Definitions are educational. They are not investment, credit or tax advice.