Customizing Ratios in Bukers Taxanalysis
In the February newsletter we talked about where to find formulas for the ratios included in the Bukers Taxanalysis software (see Ratios Formulas in Bukers Taxanalysis). Today, we will talk about using the Ratio Customization area and how you can create your own ratios. Let’s get started!
Ratio Customization Area
Following the same steps in Method 2 of Viewing Ratio Formulas in last month’s article, with a borrower file open in Bukers Taxanalysis, click on the Ratios button at the bottom of the screen. When the ratios window opens look at the bottom left of the screen. Here you will find the Customize button. Click the button and the Ratio Customization window will open with a list of ratio schemes. As mentioned in the article last month, the ratios schemes available are:
- Applicable Ratios Before Taxes & Living Expenses
- Applicable Ratios Before Living Expenses
- Applicable Ratios After Living Expenses
Select a ratio scheme and click the Next button. The Ratio Customization window will now show you the ratios available to customize within the chosen scheme. You can edit an existing ratio or you can add your own ratio.
Add a Ratio
To add a ratio click the Add button at the bottom of the screen. This brings up the Ratio Editor. The Ratio Editor is divided into 3 windows:
- Available Items – provides you with a list of many of the input and calculated fields used in Bukers Taxanalysis.
- Numerator (sums) – This is where you will add items from the Available Items list for the numerator of the ratio.
- Denominator (sums) – This is where you will add items from the Available Items list for the denominator of the ratio.
To add an item to the Numerator, select something from the Available Items list then click the blue triangle button next to the Numerator window that is pointing to the right. Continue adding items from the Available Items list until you have added all that you would like. If you change your mind about something you have added and would like to remove it, select the item then click on the blue triangle button next to the Numerator window that is pointing to the left.
The values of all items in the Numerator window will be added together to arrive at a total. If you would like a particular item to be subtracted from the total, select the item and click on the minus sign above the Numerator window. The item to be subtracted will turn RED. If you change your mind and would rather the item be added, click on the plus sign above the Numerator window. When finished with the numerator, do the same with the Denominator.
To complete your new ratio, provide it with a descriptive name at the top of the screen. If you would like the ratio to be displayed as a percentage, place a check mark next to Display Result as a Percentage. Click OK and you are back at the Ratio Customization screen and your new ratio is listed under Available Items.
You can now continue to create and add ratios to the list by following these steps. You can also remove ratios from the list by selecting a ratio and clicking the Delete button. Please note that by removing ratios from the list you are not removing them from the software nor from their original scheme. When you click the Next button you will be prompted to give your new list of ratios a new scheme name. If other schemes have been created, they will appear in the Available Ratio Schemes list. By selecting one of these schemes it will be overwritten and will contain the new list of ratios. Click the Finish button to return to the Ratios screen.
Note at the bottom of the Ratios screen is a dropdown list of Schemes. Your new ratio scheme appears in the list along with the built-in ratio schemes and when selected the ratios within that scheme will appear on the ratios screen. Click the Finish button to exit the Ratios screen.
Edit a Ratio
Editing a ratio is very similar to adding a ratio. Once you are at the Ratio Customization screen and have selected a ratio scheme, click Next. Select the ratio you would like to customize and click the Edit button. The ratio editor will come up with items listed in the numerator and denominator windows. You can add more items or remove items from these windows and when finished click OK. On the Ratio Customization screen click the Next button, provide a new scheme name or select one from the list, then click Finish.
That’s it! You now know how to add and edit ratios. On a side note, there is also a ratio editor in the PFS module in the Taxanalysis software that works identically.
As always, if you ever have any questions about using our Bukers Taxanalysis or Bukers BTA software give us a call at (503) 520-1303 or email us at support@taxanalysis.com.