Financial and Regulatory Strategy Tool
Download the FRSTTM brochure for municipals
Download the FRSTTM brochure for G&T cooperatives
Download the FRSTTM brochure for distribution cooperatives
Download the FRSTTM brochure for IOUs
MCR’s Financial and Regulatory Strategy Tool (FRST™) is the forecast model of choice for finance and regulatory professionals who want a sophisticated planning tool that is easy to operate without the overhead, software coding and expense of proprietary “black box” models on the market.
FRST™ is written in Excel with a unique structure that manages large amounts of data, yet requires no coding, and allows users to quickly change the model’s logic and reports to address changing business needs. With its flexible data loading and mapping function, users can easily load data from budgeting, general ledger and capital asset systems; and FRST™ seamlessly integrates with production cost and gas supply planning models.
Clients often cite the FRST™ reporting feature as a favorite element of the model. It has the ability to define a virtually unlimited number of time periods and levels of detail for analyzing financial and operating data. Analysts can quickly compare the results of multiple planning scenarios and perform variance reporting of budget vs. actuals and budget to forecast.
FRST™ has a unique approach to regulatory analysis, allowing a high degree of flexibility. The model calculates revenue requirements based on key drivers and identifies the need for potential revenue changes. The easy-to-use regulatory planning panel allows for historic and future test years with movable test periods and rate effective dates. Analysts can quickly adjust ratebase, costs and revenues based on the most recent rate case or test new assumptions.
Why our clients choose FRST™…
- Open, flexible model
- Fast processing
- Robust reporting & analysis
- Wide variety of rate calculation options
- Knowledgeable consultants
- Easy to work with consultants
- Fast implementation (less than 8 weeks)
- Value (1/3 the cost of the competitors)
What our FRST™ clients are saying…
“It was lightning speed ahead of our prior model. With FRSTTM, we could create more reports, more dimensions in a fraction of the time. There hasn’t been a need that’s come up that we haven’t been able to solve with FRSTTM.”
“We liked that FRST™ is Excel-based and has the balance sheet and cash flow forecasting. Anyone can own it, so we could easily make changes within Excel.”
“We use FRST™ for executive management purposes in terms of looking at strategic issues, looking at financial information to provide credit agencies, earnings outlook for investment analysts. It is our budgeting tool from an income statement perspective.”
“MCR has a great product and delivered exactly what we needed. They have a skillset that’s unique to the utility industry.”
“There’s no doubt FRST™ has enabled us to have a much better handle on our key financial metrics and requirements, and to be able to articulate those requirements to the Board and to regulators.”
“The initial development and flexibility of FRST™ just blew us away. With MCR’s knowledge of utilities and experience in forecasting, implementing the FRST™ model worked really quite well.”
FRST™ supports electric, natural gas and water utilities. To learn more, download the brochure that fits your corporate structure.