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Evaluate Your Business Health with a 5-Point Bookkeeping Audit

Here's a quick audit you can do right now.

Grab a pen. Take a deep breath. Begin assessing your bookkeeping by answering five vital questions.

Just five questions.

Even if you're confident that nothing's amiss, keep reading—many seasoned business owners find surprising insights from this audit.

It's a straightforward test that uncovers significant underlying issues such as cash flow leaks, pricing inconsistencies, missed tax opportunities, and growth hindrances that often go unnoticed until they're costly to address.

Ready to begin? Let's dive in.

Scoring Methodology

Rate yourself on a scale from 0–5 for each question.

  • 0 = Not at all

  • 5 = Consistently, every month without exception

Total your score to a maximum of 25 points.

No judgment here—just clear insights.

Question 1: Are Your Monthly Books Accurately Closed?

Treat the monthly close process as essential as your business hygiene. Skipping once might be okay; skipping twice puts you at risk of operating on intuition rather than facts.

An orderly monthly close ensures:

  • Accurate financial statements

  • Dependable reporting

  • Reduction of uncertainty

  • Early detection of potential issues

If you're frequently playing catch-up or your books seem like a puzzling mystery, it's time for a critical reassessment.

Score yourself: 0–5.

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Question 2: Do You Know Your Gross Profit Margin?

Your top-line revenue may cover expenses, but knowing your gross profit margin is essential for profitability.

Not understanding your margins may lead to uninformed pricing and operational decisions. Successful businesses recognize and strategically improve their margins.

Score yourself: 0–5.

Question 3: Are You Aware of Your Breakeven Point and Cash Reserves?

Consider this your stress test. It's the difference between peace of mind or endless worry.

It's imperative to know:

  • The number of sales needed to maintain breakeven

  • The number of days your cash reserves will last

  • Your capacity to handle unexpected financial challenges

If clarity is lacking, it's time for a deeper financial review.

Score yourself: 0–5.

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Question 4: Do Your Reports Extend Beyond Numbers?

Basic financial reports show expenses—useful, but not transformational. Advanced reports reveal trends and key performance indicators (KPIs), offering strategic control over your business trajectory.

Recognizing recurring patterns and KPI analysis will provide the insights needed for robust decision-making.

If your financial reporting lacks depth, consider scoring conservatively.

Score yourself: 0–5.

Question 5: Do You Have a Budget or Cash Flow Projection?

Forecasting transitions your financial data from retrospective to proactive guidance.

A budget strategically allocates your financial resources, while a cash flow forecast ensures sustainability.

Without these, financial management becomes reactive and costly.

Score yourself: 0–5.

Interpreting Your Score

0–10 points: Financial Firefighting

Operations may work, but they're likely inefficient and precarious.

11–17 points: Stable, But Reactive

Your finances are stable, but there's room for sharper focus on profitability and efficiency enhancements.

18–22 points: Robust, but Refinable

You're structurally sound. Minimal adjustments could lead to significant improvements in profitability and operations.

23–25 points: Financial Finesse

You're watching your business like a seasoned CFO—a foundation for expansion and scalability.

Seeking Improvement?

Most business leaders don't need more data—they need actionable insights. With support, we can help refine your accounting processes, enhance reporting, and build effective forecasts.

Let's make your financial systems an engine for growth rather than a source of frustration.

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