In short
Business financial planning in the Maldives means setting budgets, planning cash flow and deciding how to fund investment and growth. DBS Maldives helps business owners build an annual budget, a rolling cash plan and a funding plan for major spending. This is planning for businesses, not personal wealth advice.
What is business financial planning?
Business financial planning is deciding in advance how a business will earn, spend, save and borrow over the coming period. Business financial planning in the Maldives has a particular challenge: income for many businesses rises and falls with the tourist seasons, while salaries, rent and loan repayments stay the same.
Our financial planning is for businesses. We do not provide personal investment, pension or wealth management advice.
What does financial planning for a business cover?
- Budgeting. An annual budget for income and costs, broken down by month and by department or outlet where useful.
- Cash flow planning. A rolling forecast that shows tight months early, so you can arrange funding or adjust spending in time.
- Capital planning. Deciding when to replace equipment, vehicles or vessels, and setting money aside for it.
- Growth funding. Choosing between retained profit, partner investment and borrowing to pay for expansion.
- Performance tracking. Comparing actual results with the budget and acting on the differences.
How DBS Maldives helps
We sit down with the owner and management, agree targets and build a budget and cash plan that reflect how the business really trades. Where a decision needs deeper analysis, such as a large purchase or a new branch, we use financial modelling to test it.
A plan is only as good as the figures that feed it. If your records are hard to use, we can help with accounting software setup or a structured finance department setup, so actual results can be compared with the plan.
How the planning process works
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Review where you are
We look at recent results, the current cash position and commitments already made.
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Set objectives
We agree what the business wants to achieve, such as growth, debt reduction or a reserve for replacement.
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Build the budget and cash plan
We prepare a monthly budget and cash forecast that reflect seasonality and known commitments.
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Plan funding
We set out how planned investment will be paid for and when any borrowing would be needed.
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Review regularly
We help you compare actual results with the plan and update the forecast as things change.
What do I need for business financial planning?
- Recent financial statements and current management figures
- Bank balances and details of existing loans and repayments
- Known commitments such as leases, contracts and planned purchases
- Staffing plans, including any new hires
- Your goals for the business over the coming period
Common mistakes to avoid
- Budgeting by year only. An annual total can look healthy while individual months run short of cash.
- Mixing personal and business money. It hides the true position of the business and makes planning unreliable.
- Funding long-term assets with short-term cash. Buying a vessel or fit-out from working capital can starve day-to-day operations.
- Setting the budget and never looking at it again.
To start planning, send us an enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between business financial planning and personal financial planning?
Business financial planning covers a company's budgets, cash flow, capital spending and funding. Personal financial planning covers an individual's savings, pensions and investments. DBS Maldives provides financial planning for businesses only and does not give personal investment or wealth management advice.
Why does a small business need a budget?
A budget sets out what the business expects to earn and spend, so the owner can see problems before they happen and judge whether results are on track. For seasonal Maldivian businesses, a monthly budget shows when cash will be tight and when there is room to invest.
How do I plan cash flow for a seasonal business?
Start with a month-by-month forecast of income based on expected occupancy, bookings or sales, and set fixed costs and loan repayments against it. The quiet months show how much reserve or short-term funding you need. Updating the forecast regularly keeps it reliable as the season develops.
How should I fund a business expansion?
The usual options are retained profit, new investment from owners or partners, and borrowing from a bank or SME Digital. The right mix depends on the size of the investment, how quickly it pays back and how much risk the owners will accept. A funding plan sets out the options side by side.
Do you keep my books as part of financial planning?
No. DBS Maldives does not provide bookkeeping, accounting, audit or tax filing. We use the records and statements you or your accountant already keep to build budgets, cash plans and funding plans, and we can help set up accounting software so those records are easier to use.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Requirements change; we confirm the current rules with you before any application.