Guide

Pilot's Annual Planning Checklist

Annual planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Every fall, Pilot’s CFO team guides founders through a simple 8-step process to turn goals into a clear, actionable plan for the year ahead.

Timing matters: Most companies build their plans between September and November--now’s the perfect time to start.

For the first time, we’re sharing our proven checklist. Use it to turn your long-term vision into a concrete, actionable financial plan that aligns leadership and energizes your entire team.

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What's inside:

  • 8-Phase Checklist: A clear annual planning roadmap that takes you from vision to execution-ready strategy
  • Field-Tested CFO Insights: Prompts and frameworks proven across hundreds of high-growth startups
  • Roles & Guardrails: Clarify ownership and stay accountable as you bring your plan to life
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Julian Ng, Fractional CFO at Pilot

The annual plan is the bridge between the long-range vision and the short-term budget. The goal is to create a financial plan that leadership is fully aligned on, so everyone starts the year moving in the same direction.