PcM FINANCIAL RATIOS: Matrix Chart
ARE-5.0 PcM FINANCIAL RATIOS: Matrix Chart - pec
BREAK-EVEN ratio: total cost of operations / total spent on direct labor.
CHARGEABLE ratio: time spent on direct labor / total time spent.
NET MULTIPLIER ratio: net revenue/ total direct labor.
OVERHEAD ratio: total office overhead / total direct labor.
QUICK (liquid) ratio: cash + revenue not billed / total liability.
UTILIZATION ratio: total direct labor / total labor.
NOTICE STEPS “A, B, & C” (circled in GREEN): Review A, B, & C Matrix Excel Charts to get a general idea of the design process. NEXT, to simplify the Ratio words, review the “INDEX” lettering system.
MEMORIZE IT!!!
Take the (6) main FINANCIAL RATIOS; put them in alphabetical order by memorizing this acronym (for lack of better words).
B.IG C.ONSTELLATIONS N.EAR O.UR Q.UIET U.NIVERSE
B=big
C=constellations
N=near
O=our
Q=quiet
U=universe
Now, MEMORIZE IT!!!
Memorize “B” as BER, record it memory! Understand that BER stands for BREAK-EVEN RATE.
MEMORIZE IT!!! Refer to the INDEX for letter assignments & MEMORIZE IT!!!
On a blank piece of paper, draw several Matrix Excel Charts with: (3) columns from left to right, and (6) rows from top to bottom…3×6 = 18 = (18) rectangles; keep in mind you only need to memorize (14) steps as you manipulate your way to the chart.
STEPS 1: Starting in the upper left corner, as you move down the column, write:
- “B” - eR
- “C” - R
- “N” - M
- “O” - R
- “Q” - R
- “U” - R
Starting at COLUMN#1, ROW#2, the next letter to write will be “R” for RATE; w/ exception to ROW#3 which will be “M” for MULTIPLIER (SEE MATRIX CHART).
STEP 2 & beyond: Move your way through the Matrix by following the RED numbers in sequential order. Once you have played Tetris with the (14) numbers/steps, your mind will now have a solid memorization of how to flow through the matrix from 1 to 14: STEPS 1 has already been done.
As you draw more Matrix Excel Charts (I suggest drawing the RED number charts 4 or 5 times, and MEMORIZE IT!!!), you should be able to grasp the concept of alphabetizing BOTH, the acronym, and the RED sequential numbering system. ENJOY, and share abundantly!!!
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Paul, I will read your post later more carefully. I think there is a mistake in the net multiplier formula. It should be net revenue/total direct labor. I also study creating "cheat sheets" that I memoraze and I right down as soon as the exam begins so, if any question shows app, I have my formulas written close to me. If I don't do that,I freak out and I cannot remember the formula. I did that when I took Structural 10 years ago (and I passed, and later lost it in the 5 year cycle). I think now, every exam I have something that I memorize. I know that for PcM, I memorized a table that is in the AHPP that shows the primary and secondary driver of each contraction delivery method. it was very useful because it was useful for PjM and C&E. For PcM, I created my own "cheat sheet" but it as very brief. I will print and see what I can do with your, I think it is a lot to memorize. One thing that I noted is that depending the book you are using, the financial term varies. For example of indirect expenses, some book call it differently. So I tried to stick to the term as they show in the AHPP because that is the basis of NCARB tests. There is a very good groundbreaker piece of text (those in blue boxes at the end of each section) where all this ratios are explained very clearly and with a numerical example. I don't remember the page but it is very common in the AHPP that the ground breakers are much more useful that the hundred of pages. No matter how much I read, all the books explain how to calculate the overhead rate (or ratio, for other books) for an office but never for a particular employee. When I asked that to the bookkeepers in the two firms where I worked, they were not very familiar with the term. They only know about the net multiplier and billing rate. They say that the computer calculates everything. So I am in the sear of how to calculate the overhead ratio for a single employee. If you know how to do it, please, let me know.
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Paul, I like it. I just want to add another comment. For Utilization rate, it can also be thought as: (this is the way I put is in simple words):
hours worked/ total hours
The direct hours that can be billed divided the hours in the week (normally 40). For principals the billing hours is lower that the amount of billing hours of an intern, for example. If the principal utilization rate is around 65% (or 0.65) for an intern is around 90% and even 100%.
I know the concepts but under the test pressure I do not perform very well with the financial questions.
I think I already have built up an experience and I know what kind of question the test could have and I think I know where I need to reinforce and what things I have never seen that have been included in the tests. I think I master contracts and risk manager (even I know that last time, when I got home, I had given the incorrect choice for a question involving liability. I think I need a little bit more of luck and I will pass it. In the meanwhile, I have started with PA. Regards
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Thank you for the follow up Rodolfo, as I have already fixed the mistake; so well done on noticing it, you are an "attention-to-detail" scholar, keep it up. And I truly appreciate the FYI (for your information) about the "groundbreaker" blue boxes, I will put more emphasis on rehearsing them more frequently.
Yes, INDIRECT EXPENSE can be consider the same as OVERHEAD EXPENSE; similar to CHARGEABLE RATE (RATIO) can be consider the same as "UTILIZATION RATE". Trust your instinct while taking the exam, your instinct should never be discarded/overlooked.
Regarding your comment about: "primary and secondary driver of each contraction delivery method", can you please share more detail, as I have not read this far into the AHPP yet to fully understand your words? As well, if you have cheat sheets that you are willing to share, please do. For what I typically do to avoid plagiarism, I rewrite/redraw others sheets.concepts (I don't like using these words BTW), and make them my own. Best
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Hello Paul,
The primary and secondary drivers are in the Handbook, page 512, table 9.2
You need to memorize it and jot it down once you start the exam and have it handy. It will help you in more than one question.
Let me look up in my stuff and see what I have to share.
Keep in touch. By the way, where do you live?
Rodolfo
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Hello Paul,
The primary and secondary drivers are in the Handbook, page 512, table 9.2
You need to memorize it and jot it down once you start the exam and have it handy. It will help you in more than one question.
Let me look up in my stuff and see what I have to share. You cheat sheet is already printed and I will memorize it when the times come.
Keep in touch. By the way, where do you live?
Rodolfo
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Thx Rodolfo, I reviewed the PDM chart several times, and wasn't sure of just how important if would be, until I received your advice. I will commit this chart to memory. I live on the west coast of Florida, 941, and you?
And yes, please share whatever you have on this topic, as I will be scheduling my PcM exam in 4-weeks.
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Yes, you are correct. I just passe PcM and I had to use the break-even rate.
One thing I learned during the preparation, and I had to research it because it is not said clearly in the books, is that overhead rate and the break-even rate, are the same for the entire office and for a single employee. It wasn't that clear for me.
I said that I passed the test after having failed a couple of times. I am bad at testing and I have a language barrier. I am naturally a slow reader and I am still slower in English. The exam, and this count for all the exams, are straight forward. There are made to be passed. They are not tricky. When I do not pass, I know that it is because I was not prepared enough.
This time I almost did not study. I just reviewed but I reinforced the different business structures, strategies to reduce risk, and the financial terminology. Good luck. The best new resource that I found is an architect called Eric Walker. I recommend the sample test. The questions have exactly the same spirit that the question in the test have and the explanations are excellent. Good luck
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Ronaldo,
shoot an email to my personal account and maybe we can exchange some material. I have a lot for each division. I still have Division 3, 4 and 5 ahead. I will give you the details about Eric Walker. Believe me it is great material and very affordable.
I hope to hear from you.
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Congrats Rodolfo ~ I have taken some time off to recapture my Real Estate license, and am moving the 15th. If you would not mind Sir, I will email you and hopefully you will share with me the Eric Walker information. Hope all is well, and feel free to reach out anytime, as I will most definitely be re-starting my study pursuit by the end of January. Good luck, and chat soon.
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Hi Ronaldo ~ Did you ever find Eric Walker's link? I had it yesterday, and then hesitated on puchasing until I am ready to begin those samples; hence, here is the link to purchase at the payment level. I am about to purchase now, so if you are having difficulties, reach back out and I will research as to where the main page link is located.
Hope this helps, and thank you about the B.R. = O.R. ... AND ... adding +1 to the B.R.
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