Strategic Business Advisors in Chadstone, Melbourne
Melbourne Business Advisory, 3-Way Forecasting & Virtual CFO
Advisory is a Chadstone-based CPA firm helping Melbourne businesses plan with confidence. We connect your profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow into a single 3-way forecast, backed by virtual CFO support, so you can make clear, data-driven decisions and keep your business on course
One integrated 3-way forecast · Bank-ready financials · Fixed-fee virtual CFO support
Qualified. Connected. Accountable
CPA-Qualified Melbourne Advisors, Built on Trusted Accounting Platforms
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3-Way Forecasting & Cashflow Planning
3-Way Forecasting is one of the most important financial tools for growing businesses. By linking your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cashflow into one dynamic model, you gain a full picture of your business’s financial position — past, present, and projected.
It allows you to confidently answer critical questions like:
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Can I afford to hire?
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Do I have enough working capital for expansion?
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What happens if sales drop or costs rise?
Our forecasts go beyond spreadsheets — we help you translate your goals into numbers, test scenarios, and make proactive decisions with clarity.
New to the concept? Read our plain-English guide: 3-Way Forecasting for Smarter Budgeting and Cash Flow.
What Our 3-Way Forecasting Includes
Budgeting
We build realistic, rolling budgets aligned to your strategy, then track performance and flag variances in real time.
Cashflow Forecasting
See your cash position week by week, plan for shortfalls, understand your burn rate and time payments with control.
Working Capital Management
Free up cash by optimising debtor collection, creditor terms and inventory cycles.
Tax Planning
Forecast and set aside income tax, PAYG instalments, BAS, GST and payroll tax so obligations never catch you out. This helps you avoid last-minute tax stress and stay on top of your obligations. See our tax planning service for forward planning.
Lending & Finance Preparation
We prepare lender-ready financial models and supporting assumptions for commercial finance, asset and equipment finance, and working capital facilities.
Scenario Planning
Test different business cases — best, worst, and most likely — so you can plan ahead with confidence and adapt quickly to change.
Virtual CFO Support for Melbourne Businesses
Most growing businesses need CFO-level thinking long before they can justify a full-time CFO salary. Our virtual CFO service gives you that senior financial oversight on a fixed monthly fee.
Each month we maintain your forecast, track performance against plan, and translate the numbers into decisions, so you always know your cash position, your runway, and your next move.
A virtual CFO engagement typically covers:
- Rolling 3-way forecast maintenance and monthly variance reviews
- Cash flow management and working capital oversight
- KPI dashboards and board- or lender-ready reporting (Xero and Power BI)
- Profit improvement and pricing analysis
- Scenario modelling for hiring, investment, and funding decisions
You get the strategic value of a CFO without the overhead of hiring one. Book a strategy call to see what a fixed-fee VCFO engagement looks like for your business.
For Melbourne & Chadstone Business Owners
Built for Growth. Grounded in Expertise. Driven by Clarity.
At 42 Advisory, we bring strategy and simplicity together — helping Melbourne and Chadstone’s small businesses make confident, data-driven financial decisions.
We understand that running a business means balancing growth with risk, and ambition with clarity. That’s why our advisors take a proactive, technology-led approach — combining local insight, cloud automation, and precise forecasting to keep your business moving forward.
From 3-way forecasting and budgeting to performance tracking and strategic planning, we turn your financial data into meaningful insights you can act on — all with fixed fees, clear communication, and ongoing support you can count on.
“Because at 42, clarity isn’t just a number — it’s the answer to better business decisions.”
Why Choose 42 Advisory – Melbourne Experts in Business Advisory
Practical Advice. Predictable Results. Clarity in a Complex Universe.
At 42 Advisory, we believe every Melbourne business deserves more than guesswork — it deserves clear, data-driven direction.
From our Chadstone office, our advisors bring together Melbourne business expertise, cloud automation, and strategic forecasting to give you confidence in every decision.
What Sets Us Apart:
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3-Way Forecasting Experts – Integrated Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow models that reveal exactly where your business is heading — before surprises happen.
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Strategic Business Advisory – Tailored plans for growth, budgeting, and profit improvement, designed for measurable outcomes that actually matter.
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Fixed-Fee Advisory Packages – Transparent pricing that fits your stage of business — because clarity shouldn’t come with hidden costs.
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Cloud-Driven Clarity – Automated dashboards and monthly reports powered by Xero, Power BI and connected cloud tools, so your numbers are always current.
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Local Melbourne Focus – Based in Chadstone, our CPA team understands the challenges and opportunities unique to growing a small business in Melbourne’s east.
How We Help You Plan with Confidence
A Smarter, Proven Process for Melbourne Business Growth
At 42 Advisory, we turn numbers into clarity and strategy into confident direction.
Our proven advisory framework helps Melbourne small business owners move beyond compliance - giving them structure, control and a clear path to growth.
From our Chadstone office, we combine local insight with cloud-driven forecasting to help you plan with purpose. Whether you’re scaling or just starting out, you’ll have expert guidance, fixed-fee certainty, and a process built for momentum.
“Because in business — as in life, the universe, and everything — clarity is the ultimate answer.”
How It Works
Your 4-Step Path to Smarter Business Growth with Melbourne Experts
We keep it structured, transparent, and data-driven — from setup to strategy. Every step is built to deliver real insight, backed by proactive communication and smart automation.
- Discovery & Financial Review — we map your numbers, goals, and pressure points
- System Setup & Forecast Design — we connect Xero and build your linked 3-way model
- Performance Tracking & Advisory — monthly reporting, variance reviews, and clear actions
- Strategic Reviews & Growth Planning — quarterly deep-dives on profit, cash, and funding
With fixed-fee advisory packages and Melbourne-based specialists, you’ll have a clear process and predictable support — so you can move forward without second-guessing. Learn how fixed-fee accounting works
Client Story
How a 3-Way Forecast Secured a $2M ANZ Loan for a New GP Practice
One of our recent clients — a new GP medical practice — had been operating for only six months when their leased premises unexpectedly went up for sale.
Working closely with our debt advisory partners, we built a detailed 3-way forecast and 3-year financial projection from just a few months of trading data.
The model formed part of a full-documentation commercial property loan application with ANZ Bank. Despite the short trading history, the strength and transparency of the forecasts satisfied ANZ's credit criteria — resulting in a $2 million loan approval to purchase the property outright.
The practice — a 6-room facility — secured ownership, continued operations uninterrupted, and is now positioned for future expansion.
This case demonstrates that credible financial modelling is more than numbers on a page — it is a strategic enabler that can transform a young business into a bankable one.
Case study published with client consent. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and lender credit criteria, and are not a guarantee of finance approval.
Client Story
A $12M Equipment Finance Facility for a Growing Fleet
A transport and logistics operator in Melbourne's west wanted to expand its fleet and replace vehicles it had been renting. The facility required was large relative to reported earnings, so the application had to stand on the strength of the forecast.
We built the case from drivers, not round numbers: realistic load volumes, contract rates and vehicle utilisation rates on the revenue side; fuel, maintenance and driver wages as direct costs; and fixed overheads separated out. The model showed that replacing rented vehicles with owned, financed assets lifted margins, because repayments came in below the rental cost they displaced.
The forecast demonstrated clear serviceability, enough projected cash to cover principal and interest with headroom under conservative assumptions, and showed the bank the business would be measurably better off for taking the facility. The result was a $12 million equipment finance facility to grow and modernise the fleet.
De-identified at the client's request. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and lender credit criteria, and are not a guarantee of finance approval.
Who We Work With
Advisory That Fits the Way You Do Business
We support Melbourne’s growing business community — providing financial clarity and strategic direction to:
Retail & Hospitality businesses managing seasonal cash flow.
Professional Services firms building predictable growth.
Startups & Tech Companies scaling with smart funding models.
Medical & Allied Health practices managing expansion.
Property & Construction groups planning sustainable profit.
YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Advisory & Forecasting in Melbourne
What is business advisory?
Business advisory is strategic financial guidance designed to improve performance, profitability and long-term value — not just prepare reports.
Unlike compliance accounting, business advisory focuses on:
- Profit optimisation
- Cashflow forecasting
- Financial modelling
- Business structure reviews
- Growth planning
- Risk management
It transforms financial data into strategic decision-making.
What is the difference between business advisory and accounting?
Traditional accounting is largely retrospective — reporting what has already happened.
Business advisory is forward-looking.
It involves:
- Forecasting future performance
- Scenario modelling
- Identifying profit leaks
- Improving margins
- Structuring for scale
- Providing ongoing strategic oversight
Accounting records the past.
Advisory shapes the future.
What is financial forecasting?
Financial forecasting estimates future revenue, expenses, cashflow and profitability based on current data and assumptions.
It allows business owners to:
- Predict cash shortages
- Plan for growth
- Assess hiring decisions
- Model investment scenarios
- Understand tax implications before they occur
Forecasting reduces uncertainty and improves control.
What is a three-way forecast model?
A three-way forecast integrates:
- Profit & Loss forecast
- Balance Sheet forecast
- Cashflow forecast
All three statements are dynamically linked.
This allows business owners to see:
- How profit impacts cash
- How debt affects equity
- How growth affects working capital
- How tax obligations impact liquidity
Three-way forecasting is typically used by growth-focused businesses and lenders.
It helps answer the questions that really matter:
- Are we profitable and liquid?
- Can we afford that new hire or equipment?
- What will our tax position look like next quarter?
- How would a bank or investor see our numbers?
Why is cashflow forecasting important?
Profit does not equal cash.
Many profitable businesses fail due to poor cashflow management.
Cashflow forecasting:
- Predicts funding gaps
- Identifies seasonal pressure
- Supports bank finance applications
- Reduces reliance on reactive borrowing
- Improves tax payment planning
For Melbourne SMEs, cash flow clarity often matters more than profit alone.
Do small businesses need business advisory services?
Yes — particularly if the business:
- Has 5+ staff
- Experiences inconsistent cashflow
- Is scaling
- Has debt obligations
- Operates with thin margins
- Is preparing for sale
- Is seeking bank funding
Advisory support provides structure and accountability beyond bookkeeping.
What does an outsourced CFO do?
An outsourced CFO provides:
- Strategic forecasting
- Budgeting oversight
- Cashflow management
- KPI tracking
- Board-level reporting
- Profit optimisation strategies
- Scenario modelling
This is typically delivered on a fixed-fee basis — without the cost of hiring internally.
How much do business advisory services cost in Melbourne?
Fees depend on complexity and scope.
Typical structures include:
- Project-based forecasting engagement
- Quarterly advisory packages
- Monthly CFO-style retainers
Businesses generating $500k–$5m turnover typically invest in structured advisory support to improve profitability and stability.
42 Advisory offers fixed-fee subscription models aligned with business size and complexity.