AccessSync Financial Modeling Case Study

Upgrade an existing financial model

Confidence and
clarity with investors

Partner with financial
planning experts

Brent MacDonald, Chief Operating Officer at AccessSync, has helped lead the company through a major evolution. After nearly two decades in business, the team pivoted seven years ago, shifting from a purely service-based model to building a SaaS platform for the biopharma market access space. The move paid off. Today, AccessSync operates a hybrid SaaS-and-services business serving clients across the U.S., and they’re on the verge of scaling to the next level.

But as the company matured, its financial operations started showing cracks. “We had a model, but it was a big, crazy Excel spreadsheet,” Brent said. While the spreadsheet worked for a time, it became harder to maintain as the business grew more complex. “We understood how revenue and expenses worked through the business, but as things got more complex, it started to break down, modeling-wise and process-wise.”

For Brent and the leadership team, this was more than a minor inconvenience. That spreadsheet was their crystal ball – guiding decisions, projecting runway, and helping set growth targets. But it wasn’t scalable, and maintaining it pulled the executive team in too many directions.

“We still had a lot of work to do, and we had to maintain this model that was predicting our future and guiding decisions,” he said. “It didn’t scale well.”

“There were three big things we were looking for,” he explained. “A scalable financial model that didn’t require constant maintenance by busy execs. A fractional CFO with experience at companies at our stage, not just big companies or tiny startups. And real guidance on building a high-performance finance and accounting function.”

They explored their options – local financial modelers, accounting firms, and independent CFOs, but none of them checked all the boxes. “We made some progress with others, but never got the results we wanted,” Brent said.

The turning point came when they discovered Forecastr through SaaS Academy, a coaching and training community for software companies. “We knew Forecastr was part of their partner network. A few friends validated it for us. And when we met the team, it was clear they were a fit.”

What stood out most? “It was obvious they’d lived this,” Brent said. “When they asked questions or configured the system, you could tell they had felt the same pain we had. That’s the most unique thing about Forecastr, they’ve been in the trenches.”

Forecastr helped AccessSync build a truly scalable finance function. That meant cleaning up the back office, putting the right infrastructure in place, and connecting the team with vetted accounting partners who could support their growth for years to come.

CFO Nate became a true extension of the team, joining weekly check-ins, collaborating on major financial decisions, and working side-by-side with Brent and the executive team to manage runway, set growth targets, and optimize operations.

“Working with Forecastr has been great,” Brent said. “We see them as an extension of our team. They’re there for the regular stuff, but also when things go wrong or something needs to be turned around quickly. That’s the kind of partnership you want – and you don’t always get it with a vendor or contractor.”

As AccessSync grew, managing cash flow and runway became more complex, especially with a cross-border structure spanning both Canadian and U.S. entities. That’s where Forecastr stepped in, giving Brent and his team the clarity they needed to operate with confidence.

“Forecastr gives us really clear insight into runway,” he said. “They consider a multitude of perspectives and variables.”

What made the difference wasn’t just the accuracy of the model; it was how confidently Brent could operate from it. “We were already pretty good at this, with seasoned entrepreneurs on the team,” he explained. “But Forecastr took it to another level.”

Before partnering with Forecastr, Brent and his team relied on their own intuition and a series of complex spreadsheets. While they had experience and instincts on their side, they knew there were blind spots, critical insights that weren’t surfacing with their existing tools.

That changed the moment Forecastr came on board. “Forecastr is the single biggest driver of financial insights in our company,” Brent said.

The Forecastr team didn’t just create reports; they rebuilt AccessSync’s financial foundation. They streamlined reporting across both U.S. and Canadian entities, ensured the data was clean and consistent, and transformed raw numbers into clear, actionable insight.

“What sets them apart is how they bridge the gap between raw financial data and real business insight,” Brent added. “They help us understand the numbers and translate them into decisions that drive growth and profit.”

That clarity didn’t just help Brent operate more effectively; it gave him space to focus on the business with confidence.

For Brent, working with Forecastr isn’t just about having a better financial model; it’s about having peace of mind. As COO, he was managing a fast-growing, cross-border business with complex operational demands. He needed a partner who could step in, take full ownership of the finance function, and free him from the constant grind of financial oversight. Forecastr delivered.

He described the difference as night and day. The pressure of maintaining financial oversight had become overwhelming, and Forecastr stepped in with the support he needed. “When I say I sleep better at night, I mean it,” Brent said. “This was a plate I couldn’t keep spinning. Forecastr gave me real relief, they’re doing it way better than I ever could.”

What sealed the partnership wasn’t just Forecastr’s technical expertise; it was their genuine investment in the business. Brent shared that his CFO partner, Nate, had even stayed up late thinking through solutions for AccessSync’s challenges. “That matters,” he said. “Forecastr genuinely cares. They’re not just a vendor, they’re part of the team.”

How AccessSync Used Forecastr to Scale Finance, Streamline Ops, and Sleep Better at Night

Outgrowing Excel and Searching for Real Support

Implementation That Solved More Than Forecasting

Crystal-Clear Visibility into Runway

Gain Financial Insights That Drive Smarter Decisions

A Partnership That Brings Confidence and Relief

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"Forecastr came in with a model that could address our unique needs—which is really hard to find—and support services that make me sleep better at night."
	- Brent MacDonald COO AccessSync