This article suggests that the time tested Altman Z-score, originally designed to predict corporate default represents considerable value when used as a corporate performance metric if measured continuously as opposed to one moment in time. Indeed, one could reason that if the measure has merit as a predictor of default, then it only make sense to manage the underlying drivers in order to optimize the ongoing viability of the firm. Used in this manner, this article argues that the Z-score should be considered more often in the corporate performance management setting. In addition, the article highlights the significance of the measure when crafting loan covenants to compliment other measures that are perhaps shorter term in nature. A generic framework is provided that illustrates the relationship of underlying drivers that contribute to the score, representing at least one approach to managing firm viability as a component of corporate strategy.

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Providing transparent and accurate financial performance data to investors, partners and auditors is becoming increasingly important, if not critical for those engaged in the business of private equity and venture capital. In the recent past, this complex environment was tied together with a myriad of Excel® spreadsheets that served to aggregate, consolidate and report portfolio-company performance, making this task extraordinarily inefficient, costly and fraught with error. This paper will frame the problem in some detail and will offer several solutions designed to meet the needs of capital providers that seek to provide more accurate and consistent financial reporting to those that depend on it most.

Product Update Announcement

ClearMomentum announces the addition of new features that dramatically change and improve the manner in which CFOs manage loan covenants.

“ClearMomentum, Inc., a developer of CPM, Corporate Performance Management software and services announced the addition of new features that dramatically change and improve the manner in which CFOs manage loan covenants. The news marks the third major feature release this year as the company continues an aggressive 2008 product development schedule.

The new functionality provides the ability to efficiently create complex loan covenants and model hypothetical company performance scenarios in relation to the covenant. Should expected company performance approach critical covenant thresholds, the CFO may adjust underlying drivers to solve for performance levels necessary to avoid violating important loan covenants. The application enables the CFO to pinpoint specific management initiatives and dispatch performance expectations to key stakeholders through dashboards that are fully integrated with the corporate budget. The CFO or analyst may model covenant conformance for future periods or observe whether new loan covenants would have been violated in past fiscal periods. The graphic monthly view of both direction and trajectory of covenant performance provides the analyst with deep analytic insight into future loan covenant conformance. The feature represents yet another example of ClearMomentum’s relentless mission to develop functionality that fully transforms powerful analytics into actionable, purpose-driven strategy.

The robust functionality provides key management information to corporate managers and stakeholders that depend upon ClearMomentum’s flagship CPM solution, ClearFinancials&reg and is equally useful to capital providers including venture, private-equity, hedge-fund and mezzanine fund managers that utilize ClearFinancials® to manage portfolio company performance.

ClearMomentum provides executive managers and capital providers with a ‘purpose driven’ CPM solution that integrates financial strategy with business analytics, modeling, budgeting and reporting. The solution provides an unmatched user experience delivered via SaaS and can be deployed across the enterprise efficiently and cost effectively.”

Click here for the official press release.