If you’re still using Excel for your business budgeting and planning, you’re definitely not alone. Many growing UK businesses with 50–200 employees start out with spreadsheets — they’re familiar, flexible, and get the job done.
But as your organisation expands, Excel can quickly become more of a burden than a benefit. You may already be noticing the cracks — manual errors, wasted time, and confusion over versions. If any of the following sound familiar, it might be time to consider a dedicated budgeting and planning solution.
1. You’re constantly working late to get reports ready
If “I just pulled another all-nighter before the management meeting” sounds familiar, you’re probably spending too much time on manual tasks like downloading CSVs, updating formulas, and merging data.
A modern budgeting and planning tool can automate much of this process, freeing up your evenings — and helping you focus on insights rather than admin.
2. Only one person understands the model
When your entire budgeting model lives in one person’s head, you’re taking a big risk. If that person leaves, it can take weeks to diagnose and rebuild the model.
A cloud-based planning solution ensures consistency and transparency, so anyone can access and update the data safely.
3. Formula errors are creeping into your reports
We’ve all been there — you’re presenting to the board when someone spots a broken link or formula error. These mistakes can undermine confidence and even lead to poor business decisions.
A dedicated planning platform eliminates spreadsheet errors by keeping data and calculations centralised and reliable.
4. You’ve accidentally shared sensitive information
Emailing spreadsheets around can easily expose confidential data such as salaries or departmental budgets.
With a secure budgeting and planning solution, you can control access and ensure sensitive information stays private and compliant.
5. Nobody knows which version is the latest
“Wait — that’s not the version I’ve been managing!” If version control issues sound familiar, you’re not alone.
A centralised solution provides a single source of truth for your plans, budgets, and forecasts. You’ll always know who made the last update and when.
6. You’ve become the bottleneck for everything budget-related
When department heads rely on you for every minor update, it’s a clear sign your process isn’t scalable.
Modern planning tools allow each department to enter and manage their own budgets in real time — reducing bottlenecks and improving collaboration.
7. You’re still waiting for last month’s data halfway through this month
Manually downloading actuals and copying data into Excel not only takes time but also delays important decisions.
A connected planning solution integrates directly with your financial system, updating reports instantly so stakeholders can act faster.
8. There’s no time left for real analysis
If your team spends all their time managing spreadsheets instead of analysing results, you’re missing the true value of budgeting and planning.
Automation and real-time forecasting tools let you look ahead — identifying opportunities, running what-if scenarios, and supporting strategic growth.
Have you outgrown Excel?
If three or more of these signs sound familiar, it’s time to explore alternatives.
For many years, powerful budgeting and planning software was only accessible to large enterprises. But that’s no longer the case. Solutions like Sage Intacct Planning are designed specifically for smaller and mid-sized businesses — offering fast deployment, seamless integration with Sage Intacct financials, and an affordable price point.
With Sage Intacct Planning, you can:
-
Import your chart of accounts and actuals in just a few clicks
-
Collaborate easily across departments
-
Get real-time access to financial data
-
Move beyond spreadsheets — and focus on strategy.
To learn more about how Sage Intacct can benefit your organisation for budgeting and planning, please read our article.
Partner with CPiO for smarter budgeting and planning
At CPiO, we help growing UK businesses move beyond the limitations of Excel with powerful Sage solutions — including Sage X3, Sage Intacct, and Sage 200. Whether you’re looking to streamline your budgeting, gain real-time insights, or improve collaboration across departments, our team can help you identify the right Sage solution for your business size and goals. From implementation to ongoing support, CPiO ensures a smooth transition to smarter, more strategic financial management.
Ready to move beyond Excel?
Discover how CPiO can help you modernise your budgeting and planning with Sage X3, Intacct, or Sage 200. Book a consultation today.
