Automated method for analyzing and comparing financial data

An automated method of analyzing and comparing financial data, the method comprised of:

• gathering data from at least one field in at least two different financial statements;
• determining the applicability of a volume variance subroutine to the gathered data;
• if applicable, applying the volume variance subroutine against the gathered data resulting in volume variance data;
• determining the applicability of a mix variance subroutine to the gathered data;
• if applicable, applying the mix variance subroutine against the gathered data resulting in mix variance data;
• determining the applicability of a net revenue change variance subroutine to the gathered data;
• if applicable, applying a net revenue change variance subroutine against the gathered data resulting in net revenue variance data;
• determining the applicability of a cost change variance subroutine to the gathered data;
• if applicable, applying the cost change variance subroutine against the gathered data resulting in cost change variance data;
• determining the applicability of an exchange variance subroutine to the gathered data;
• if applicable, applying the exchange variance subroutine against the gathered data resulting in exchange variance data;
• determining the applicability of a one-time variance subroutine to the gathered data;
• if applicable, applying the one-time subroutine against the gathered data resulting in one-time variance data,
• wherein at least one subroutine is applicable;
• and
• electronically reporting the output of the one or more applicable subroutines in the form of the volume variance data, the mix variance data, the net revenue variance data, the cost change variance data, the exchange variance data, and the one-time variance data to identify the basis for changes in profit, revenue, and costs.